The legal system is facing simultaneously a series of fundamental challenges. The Autumn Statement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer conspicuously failed to include any promise to address dire underfunding, leading the Office for Budget Responsibility to report that the Ministry of Justice faces multi-million pound cuts and the President of the Law Society to highlight unacceptable delays in criminal trials and a lack of civil legal aid lawyers. The neglect of legal services strikes at the heart of democracy.
The underlying problem is disrespect for the law, especially international law, among political leaders. While the denigration of lawyers has been commonplace throughout history, respect for the rule of law itself has remained largely intact, and in recent years we have seen considerable progress in the recognition and implementation of international standards. As communications improve and natural barriers to international cooperation diminish, this has become easier as it has become more
