*/
Only a quarter of the population believe the UK’s legal system is ‘fair and transparent’, according to a survey published by a London law firm.
More than 50% felt the system was inaccessible and two thirds believed that wealth was the most important factor in gaining access to justice.
The poll of more than 2,000 people carried out for Hodge Jones & Allen also revealed that only 37% trusted professionals working in the legal system.
On a more positive note, just over 70% said better education in legal matters would improve access to justice and a similar percentage felt that legal matters should be taught in primary and secondary schools.
Patrick Allen, senior partner at Hodge Jones & Allen, said: ‘These statistics represent a damning indictment of the British justice system.
‘If millions of people across the country are intimidated, alienated and confused by the prospect of seeking justice in 21st-century Britain then we should consider our legal system to have failed in its fundamental duty to provide justice for all.’
Meanwhile, separate research from Citizens Advice showed that 70% of the population would be unable to afford a lawyer if they needed help with a legal problem.
The survey of more than 2,000 people found that almost 70% said they would feel uncomfortable talking to a lawyer and only about half thought they would be treated with dignity and respect if they had to go to court.
Around a third thought they would not get the opportunity for their voice to be heard in court and under 40% believed the justice system was working well.
Only a quarter of the population believe the UK’s legal system is ‘fair and transparent’, according to a survey published by a London law firm.
More than 50% felt the system was inaccessible and two thirds believed that wealth was the most important factor in gaining access to justice.
The poll of more than 2,000 people carried out for Hodge Jones & Allen also revealed that only 37% trusted professionals working in the legal system.
On a more positive note, just over 70% said better education in legal matters would improve access to justice and a similar percentage felt that legal matters should be taught in primary and secondary schools.
Patrick Allen, senior partner at Hodge Jones & Allen, said: ‘These statistics represent a damning indictment of the British justice system.
‘If millions of people across the country are intimidated, alienated and confused by the prospect of seeking justice in 21st-century Britain then we should consider our legal system to have failed in its fundamental duty to provide justice for all.’
Meanwhile, separate research from Citizens Advice showed that 70% of the population would be unable to afford a lawyer if they needed help with a legal problem.
The survey of more than 2,000 people found that almost 70% said they would feel uncomfortable talking to a lawyer and only about half thought they would be treated with dignity and respect if they had to go to court.
Around a third thought they would not get the opportunity for their voice to be heard in court and under 40% believed the justice system was working well.
Now is the time to tackle inappropriate behaviour at the Bar as well as extend our reach and collaboration with organisations and individuals at home and abroad
A comparison – Dan Monaghan, Head of DWF Chambers, invites two viewpoints
And if not, why not? asks Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management
Marie Law, Head of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, discusses the many benefits of oral fluid drug testing for child welfare and protection matters
To mark International Women’s Day, Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management looks at how financial planning can help bridge the gap
Casey Randall of AlphaBiolabs answers some of the most common questions regarding relationship DNA testing for court
Maria Scotland and Niamh Wilkie report from the Bar Council’s 2024 visit to the United Arab Emirates exploring practice development opportunities for the England and Wales family Bar
Marking Neurodiversity Week 2025, an anonymous barrister shares the revelations and emotions from a mid-career diagnosis with a view to encouraging others to find out more
David Wurtzel analyses the outcome of the 2024 silk competition and how it compares with previous years, revealing some striking trends and home truths for the profession
Save for some high-flyers and those who can become commercial arbitrators, it is generally a question of all or nothing but that does not mean moving from hero to zero, says Andrew Hillier