A coalition of eight organisations is calling on all political parties to put justice centre stage in the General Election campaign.
A coalition of eight organisations is calling on all political parties to put justice centre stage in the General Election campaign.
The coalition launched a “Manifesto for Justice” in the Houses of Parliament last week, identifying specific legal issues and calling for principles of justice to be upheld by all those involved in the political debate.
The coalition wants: more courage in the debate over the need to reduce reliance on custodial sentences; less legislation and more practical action on crime; greater access to justice; and increased efforts to convey the importance of respect for human rights.
Diane Burleigh, chief executive of ILEX, says: “We are demonstrating to current politicians and aspiring politicians that there are a range of legal issues on which the whole sector is agreed, and that the politicians should take these seriously. The manifesto covers specific issues affecting family law, criminal law, human rights and responsibilities. The most important thing is that the whole sector, across the professions, have come together to agree that these are serious issues.”
The coalition includes AdviceUK, the Bar Council, ILEX, Justice, the Law Centres Federation, the Legal Action Group, the Legal Aid Practioners Group and Liberty.
