Law Society Demands Next UK Government Fix Justice System Now
The Law Society of England and Wales has fired a warning shot at the next UK government. They want justice system reforms top of the list. Nick Emmerson, the Society’s president, says the legal sector is a major economic powerhouse and must be protected to ensure fair access to justice for all.
Legal Services: The UK’s £60bn Money Spinner
- Legal services rake in a massive £60 billion a year to the UK economy.
- The sector employs over 1% of the workforce – that’s a lot of jobs at stake.
- England and Wales boast the world’s second biggest legal market, a key export earner.
- The next government must plug legal services into trade deals, improve market access, and back law firms with investment and tech upgrades.
Rule of Law: The UK’s Global Business Magnet
- A strong commitment to the rule of law is essential to attract international business and investment.
- The government must keep the Human Rights Act and European Convention on Human Rights in place to maintain legal certainty.
Access to Justice in Crisis
- Years of underfunding have left courts clogged and legal aid stretched to breaking point.
- The Law Society calls for a 15% rise in criminal legal aid rates and an £11.3m boost to civil legal aid to provide early advice.
Nick Emmerson’s message is clear: whoever wins the election, they must treat the justice system as a priority—not just for fairness, but for Britain’s economy too.
