The Law Society of England and Wales has called on the next UK government to prioritise the justice system, emphasising its economic significance and the need to protect access to justice. President Nick Emmerson outlined key recommendations, urging whichever party wins the election to focus on legal services for economic growth, the rule of law, and justice accessibility.
Economic Growth:
- Legal services contribute significantly to the UK economy, generating £60 billion annually and employing over 1% of the workforce.
- The legal sector is a valuable export, with England and Wales ranking as the second-largest legal market globally.
- The next government should leverage legal services in trade agreements, enhance market access, and support domestic law firms through investment and technology adoption.
Rule of Law:
- Commitment to the rule of law is essential for attracting international business and investment.
- The government must maintain the human rights law framework, including the Human Rights Act and the European Convention on Human Rights.
Access to Justice:
- Chronic underfunding has strained the justice system, leading to court backlogs and inadequate legal aid.
- Urgent steps include increasing criminal legal aid rates by 15% and injecting £11.3 million into civil legal aid for early advice.
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