JUSTICE - the undermining of liberty in the UK

“Liberty – has two foundations; concept of property and rule of law. When these are safe the free flow of opinion and aspirations is safe.”

Sir Stephen Hastings 04.05.21 – 10.1.2005

In the following I will look at the fatal price freedom and democracy is paying due to repeated and successive cuts in all areas of our justice system and consider that austerity cannot and must not continue in this sector if we value our freedom.

First of all lets look at some obvious failings current to March 2025:

Judge Charles Falk in this past week apologized to a defendant in a legal case for being unable to try him for three and a half years owing to the current backlog in courts at Snaresbrook Crown Court the defendant, charges with threatening people with a machete, was given a trial date of  16th October 2028. “That is the furthest away I have ever set a trial date but that is the position I am in.”[i]

Justice delayed is justice denied

“To no one will we sell, to no one will we refuse or delay, right or justice”  Magna Carta 1215. clause 40

This delay of over three years is unjust and unfair to the defendant, their alleged victims and any witnesses.

Yet we see with the largest injustice of our time in the Post Office scandal where a state owned institution wrongfully prosecuted, ruined and imprisoned victims over decades that even after this has been recognized by the courts the compensation has either not been awarded or paid out in such a pitiful amount as to be derisory. Well over 4000 victims are due compensation – as of January 2025 a little over half that number had been paid out.

In March 2025 we see high profile victim Lee Castleton, despite his innocence being effectively proven, still not having his conviction cleared and having only received a small payment resorting to having to sue both the Post Office and Fujitsu for the fraudulent injustice done him in 2007.

Head into London and we see Grenfell Tower that burned in 2017 having a civil compensation settlement awarded in April 2023 but as of March 2025 their has been no accountability or prosecution of those that contributed to the negligence and deceit that caused 71 deaths and ruined the lives of hundreds.

In 2023 64% of lawyers surveyed said access to civil and criminal justice has worsened in the past decade.

 “We are hearing from those with first-hand experience of working in the legal sector that the fundamental right to access justice has become more and more difficult to uphold over the last 10 years.” [ii]

“The police are the people and the people are the police.”

Robert Peel 1822

In 2024 HM Inspector of Constabulary and  Fire and Rescue Services revealed to parliament  a shocking fall in trust and confidence in policing. It focused on factors such as high profile failings, lack of experienced officers, lack of diversity, equality and discrimination. [iii]

In my opinion it glossed over the simple fact that the proportion of police to the number of population has declined from the 1970’s onwards at the same time methods of crime and the social causes of crime have increased. This means that the numbers of police are now a considerable barrier to a meaningful and ongoing relationship with the public.

Before anyone starts to state that crime figures, or certain crimes are falling just from anecdotal evidence it is clear to me that crimes are not being reported and in some cases people are taking no action or seeking retribution illegally rather than justice. Thus we risk a helter skelter into the chaos that will see liberty lost.

Then on 18th March 2025 we see the Ministry of Justice  confirm that 200 police cells will be used for measures that may last two months. This will tie up police resources in unsuitable accommodation.

Figures  released show 87,556 people in custody a new prison will open in Yorkshire with 1500 places over the coming months. But the government’s own forecast predicts a projected increase of between 8000 and 17600 by March 2029[iv]

Then we need to look at the probation service and social services to support prisoners upon release. Talk to people after release and it is clear that experiences are sketchy and there are substantial lack of resources. Whether we like it or not a large factor in criminal behaviour is situation. If you can support someone in a well ordered environment where they don’t have to make bad choices they will be fine. However, if you put them back into an environment in which they did badly before their behaviour can change. Of the known criminals I have met most are made, not born.

Sadly we have reached a stage where we do not have effective justice in this country.

I fear the grip of criminality and corruption is strengthening. For ordinary people the rule of law is vital, not just for their security, but for their freedom and well-being.

Businessmen need the law to perform business, get investment and trade. Indeed the Law of Property Act since 1925 has provided great stability essential for business to thrive.

Victims need the law to get protection and justice – its currently failing on both counts.

Voters need the law to hold politicians to account. Whether it be the assault of a constituent, a party in Downing Street, or lying to police over a speeding ticket.

The simple fact is that there are too few courts, too few judges, too few magistrates, too few police, too few prison cells, too few probation officers. TOO LITTLE JUSTICE. We cannot afford any cuts in this. A cut in the justice system is a cut into democracy and freedom.

[i] The I newspaper 19.3.25

[ii] Lubna Shuja President of The Law Society 6.4.2023

[iii] Parliamentary publication 31.10.24

[iv] Ministry of Justice figures published 5.12.24