Human rights group warns reforms could decimate access to justice for the most vulnerable people
Amnesty International is the latest organisation to warn of the consequences of the government's proposed cuts to legal aid and restrictions to the judicial review process.
In a news release published yesterday, the human rights group said the proposals constitute an unprecedented threat to accessing justice in England and Wales.
Amnesty believes the cuts will hit the most vulnerable in the country the hardest, with the proposed changes excluding individuals such as migrants, survivors of trafficking and children from accessing justice. The changes would also mean that government bodies would be less accountable for their actions.
Paul Dillane, Amnesty International UK's Refugee Researcher, was quoted as saying:
"Access to justice is the very cornerstone of any civilised society and these new proposals could decimate that access for the most vulnerable people."
"Had it not been for legal aid and vital access to judicial review, the UK government could have had blood on its hands from its attempt to forcibly return a Syrian political activist last October. It is shocking to think that decisions of this type will effectively be immune from challenge if the government proceeds with these proposals."
"This is also a false economy as, rather than saving significant sums, the government is likely to place great strain on the courts with the rise of desperate people trying to represent themselves. We are asking the government to urgently reconsider these proposals."
The Amnesty warning comes ahead of today's "Demonstration to Save Justice". The demonstration will take place between 4.30-7.30pm on Tuesday 4 June outside the Ministry of Justice, 102 Petty France, London SW1.