Saving Justice - The Book

When I first began this blog, idea was simply to talk about legal matters and to make them more accessible to non lawyers. That is still the idea. But over the last couple of years the one theme that has dominated the agenda has been access to justice. I have written more posts on this subject than most others put together.

And I am not alone.

In this book Patrick Torsney has gathered together the thoughts of 58 bloggers, including yours truly (!). It is available for free download in iTunes at

https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewBook?id=861296492

and on Amazon at

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Saving-Justice-Patrick-Torsney-ebook/dp/B00JTEFF0I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398075514&sr=8-1&keywords=patrick+torsney

I would normally hesitate to use this blog to promote a book in which I appear but the issues that are raised cannot be ignored and mine is just one voice among many.

Across all of the blogs runs a theme of almost systematic dismantling of justice for ordinary people. That was the title of my own first comments on the subject.

http://thestevecornforthblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/dismantling-of-justice-for-ordinary.html

The book goes far wider than my own area of civil justice.

We open with Gemma Blythe's thoughts on the Criminal Justice System. We end with @jaimerh354 who blogs as A view from the North . Both remind us of the fundamental importance of justice to us all. Gemma calls it the cotton that binds the fabric of our society together. A view from the North closes by warning of a Ministry of Justice which wants to build brand new conservatories on a house which is crumbling. Both make for powerful reading and they are just two among many.

In between we hear the thoughts and concerns of lawyers, academics, politicians, journalists and many others on the dangers of turning the our nation into a justice waste-land where the government knows the price of everything, the value of nothing

http://crimsolicitor.wordpress.com/2013/04/23/the-price-of-everything-the-value-of-nothing/

One thing will be immediately clear. This is nothing to do with lawyers complaining about loss of business. That is a myth put out by ministers to divert attention from the real issues. These are well argued and well researched thoughts from  those on the front line who are genuinely and passionately concerned about justice for all.

Neither is this a book by lawyers for lawyers.

As we approach an election it raises issues of massive importance, issues that should be addressed by any politician who expects to get the votes of ordinary people.

Congratulations to Patrick for the staggering work he has done collating such a powerful set of rants!

If you read never read a book on law again, read this!

www.eadsolicitors.co.uk

Collapsing confidence in our civil justice system?

The shambolic state of our civil justice system following the infamous Mitchell decision has been highlighted by some powerful voices this week. 

Rod Evans, Past President of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers has echoed the thoughts of many, saying ‘we haven’t got a clue what we are doing’. Such is the level of uncertainty and fear felt from litigators on all sides. Speaking at the Westminster Legal Policy Forum he talked about ‘trip-wire’ litigation where the punishment does not fit the crime.

Now any reader of this blog will know that I am no fan of the insurance industry. But Rod Evans is absolutely right. There is now a culture of fear affecting claimants and defendants. The main cause of the fear is uncertainty. We just do not know when we might find ourselves struck out and facing a negligence claim for the most minor of errors. One extreme example is found in the standard multi-track directions which provide for deliver of a Trial Bundle – ‘not more than 7 and not less than 3 days before Trial.’ I know experienced litigators who have lost sleep through fear of delivering their bundle too early! Who is to say that is an unreasonable fear?

http://www.solicitorsjournal.com/news/litigation/costs/we-havent-got-clue-what-were-doing-after-mitchell-former-foil-president-says?utm_source=emarsys&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Solicitors+Journal+Midweek+-+April+9th+2014-&utm_content=

In the Mitchell case, the sanction imposed was to penalise the offending lawyers’ by restricting their entitlement to costs. The claim itself was not struck out. But the courts are routinely striking out entire claims, often where there is no sanction within an order or the rules.

This uncertainty is also making it virtually impossible for the parties to litigate in a spirit of co-operation. That is the point made by the London Litigators Association. They recently polled their membership. One response said –

 “There is a lack of co-operation amongst solicitors to sensibly extending deadlines, as it is seen as a chance to get your opponent possibly struck out. Hence, there is more game playing than sensible co-operation.”

Indeed, if there is a chance of getting your opponent struck out for a minor technicality you might owe it your client to be merciless, especially if you do not have a particularly strong case.

http://www.litigationfutures.com/news/litigators-join-voices-lamenting-post-mitchell-game-playing

Against this background of chaos we are being told that court fees are going through the roof –

http://thestevecornforthblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/justice-at-price-what-price.html

We are at risk of creating a civil justice system that is a laughing stock. This is leading to an alarming lack of confidence. There is already talk of leading litigation firms side stepping the courts and setting up their own arbitration schemes.

Maybe this is what the MOJ want. It would certainly save money if lawyers stopped using the courts to resolve civil disputes. But it is a sad day for us all if this happens – not least for the less wealthy litigants who can’t afford to use their own private arbitrators.

We need somebody to say enough is enough. We need some clear guidance from the Court of Appeal or the rules committee so that we have at least a glimmer of clarity.

www.eadsolicitors.co.uk

Justice at a price? What price?

On 22^nd April we are to see a massive increase in fees payable by the parties in civil litigation cases. The levels of the increases are unprecedented and demonstrate the government’s contempt for civil justice.

So to commence a claim for damages between £5,000 and £15,000 the fee is £445, compared to the present fee of £245. In bigger cases the fees rise on a scale up to an eye watering £1920. The thinking behind the rise is to make the justice system become a profitable venture which is ultimately free from public finding. Justifying the rises, Shailesh Vara said –

“I am satisfied that we must press ahead. No one could seriously argue that it is right for the taxpayer to continue to subsidise those who use the courts, by underwriting, year after year, unplanned deficits in court income. We need to get on top of this problem once and for all.”

This is a staggering dismissal of the reasons we have a justice system. In any civilised society citizens should have equal access to justice regardless of whether they are wealthy. Fees of this nature will deter litigants. I hear some say that the fees will be paid up front by the lawyers so there is no real cost to the ordinary person. Lawyers will indeed help litigants but in the face of massive cuts over the last year or so most firms do not have the resources to bank roll fees like these. Clients can take out loan agreements and may recover the interest if they win. But why should they go into debt just to get access to the courts?

The reality is that we will see a big drop in the numbers of those who have funds to litigate. We have already seen this happen in Employment Tribunals. In 2013 fees were introduced for the first time, meaning that it can cost over £1,000 to take a claim to a hearing. The result has been a staggering 79% drop in the numbers of claims –

http://www.lawgazette.co.uk/law/fee-deterrent-sends-employment-claims-plummeting/5040343.article

Most of those will be genuine victims who simply cannot afford justice.

We have also seen the very frightening spectre of similar fees for the poor and disabled who wish to appeal to Benefit Tribunals – most of which succeed –

http://thestevecornforthblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/fees-for-benefits-appeals-can-we-get.html

We have a government which sees the price of justice but which has lost all sight of its value.

Justice is not commodity it is a right.

We’re coming to that time when various political parties come out with promises, in order to secure our votes. 

Will we see promises to reverse these and other attacks on the rights of ordinary people?

www.eadsolicitors.co.uk

Me ranting about Grayling ranting about Judicial Review

Justice Minister, Chris Grayling has come out with his strongest attack yet, on the right to seek judicial review of government decisions.

In an outburst in which he shows no understanding of the workings of campaign groups he accuses them of pursuing cases by using ‘human shields’. That is a phrase that we associate with some of the most extreme dictators of recent years and should never appear in any discussion on people’s rights.

What he means is that a group brings an action in the name of an individual and then ‘rows in behind them’. If the case fails then there is no costs liability to the organization.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-23494074

Does he think that such groups pursue claims for their own benefit?

I assume that he has in mind the action taken by ten disabled people to challenge the impact of the Bedroom Tax. This was supported by the leading housing charity Shelter which gave evidence –

http://www.insidehousing.co.uk/housing-groups-slam-bedroom-tax-ruling/6527950.article

Or maybe even the action taken by the Countryside Alliance in 2004 against the fox hunting ban –

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/4024421.stm

Actions taken by political leaders normally affect a significant group of citizens. A campaigning organization supports that group and brings an action on their behalf. This avoids the need for thousands of separate actions. Shelter would not gain anything from the Bedroom Tax case. The only winners would have been the disabled tenants.

Judicial Review exists as a remedy in to ensure that the executive acts within the law. It has played a huge role in protecting the ordinary citizen against political excesses. It is not popular with politicians. Former Labour Home Secretary, David Blunkett famously threatened to curb the power of judges –

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1360545/Blunkett-hints-at-curbing-power-of-judges.html

Distaste for judicial scrutiny crosses political lines. This is why Judicial Review is so important. It is not a question of judges overruling parliament. Courts cannot overrule legislation - apart from limited cases involving Europe. But ministers still have to act within their powers. If those powers are abused and people’s rights are affected then they must have an unfettered remedy to seek a judicial review.

Mr. Grayling goes on to limit human rights concerns to North Korea. On the assumption that this must be an April Fool I will resist further comment.

www.eadsolicitors.co.uk