header-logo header-logo

Home Login E-newsletter About us
26 March 2014 / John Ford
Categories: Opinion , Legal aid focus
printer mail-detail

A rank denial of justice

© Copyright LexisNexis 2026. All Rights Reserved.

Grayling is destroying the rule of law with judicial review legal aid cuts, says John Ford

When the history of the 21st century is written, it may be seen that the banking crisis of 2008 provided a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the coalition to introduce major reforms which will have the effect of permanently undermining the rule of law in this country. It is a tragedy that the focus of opposition has concentrated on the effect on individual groups and their remuneration, thus allowing the serious concerns for the future of democracy and the rule of law in the UK to escape attention.

When Chris Grayling was appointed Lord Chancellor and Minister of Justice in September 2012, there was a great deal of good humoured criticism—mainly from lawyers—about his suitability for the post as a non-lawyer. But as evidence has subsequently shown, he is a very determined and resourceful politician who seems likely to get his way.

Incorrect & misleading figures

The attack on legal aid masquerades as an attempt to save money. Officials at the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) have repeatedly put out

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Read All
Sponsored by
Hogan Lovells—Lisa Quelch

Hogan Lovells—Lisa Quelch

Partner hire strengthens global infrastructure and energy financing practice

Sherrards—Jan Kunstyr

Sherrards—Jan Kunstyr

Legal director bolsters international expertise in dispute resolution team

Muckle LLP—Stacey Brown

Muckle LLP—Stacey Brown

Corporate governance and company law specialist joins the team

NEWS
Read All
Legal notice: Notice under the Trustee Act 1925

NOTICE UNDER THE TRUSTEE ACT 1925

HERBERT SMITH STAFF PENSION SCHEME (THE “SCHEME”)

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND BENEFICIARIES UNDER SECTION 27 OF THE TRUSTEE ACT 1925
Emergency lawyers on call as international regulatory actions soar
Law firm HFW is offering clients lawyers on call for dawn raids, sanctions issues and other regulatory emergencies
NLJ this week: Employment law’s fine margins
From gender-critical speech to notice periods and incapability dismissals, employment law continues to turn on fine distinctions. In his latest employment law brief for NLJ, Ian Smith of Norwich Law School reviews a cluster of recent decisions, led by Bailey v Stonewall, where the Court of Appeal clarified the limits of third-party liability under the Equality Act
NLJ this week: Promises broken on non-molestation orders?
Non-molestation orders are meant to be the frontline defence against domestic abuse, yet their enforcement often falls short. Writing in NLJ this week, Jeni Kavanagh, Jessica Mortimer and Oliver Kavanagh analyse why the criminalisation of breach has failed to deliver consistent protection
NLJ this week: Assisted dying under the legal microscope
Assisted dying remains one of the most fraught fault lines in English law, where compassion and criminal liability sit uncomfortably close. Writing in NLJ this week, Julie Gowland and Barny Croft of Birketts examine how acts motivated by care—booking travel, completing paperwork, or offering emotional support—can still fall within the wide reach of the Suicide Act 1961
Copyright © 2026 LexisNexis
back-to-top-scroll