• Home
• Order now
• Prices
• How we help
• Press
• Law marking
• Contact us
• Resources
• Log in

The Times
September 12 2000

 

Lawyers told not to waste courts' time

BY FRANCES GIBB, LEGAL EDITOR

THE Queen's Counsel credited as the architect of the Human Rights Act has told lawyers not to clog up the courts with "bad" cases.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill, QC, who led the campaign for the Act over 20 years, said: "The challenge for the courts and the legal profession is to make the Act a measure that commands widespread public confidence. Lawyers could bring the Act into disrepute by bringing misconceived or poorly prepared cases, clogging up the system and creating a judicial backlash."

The Act, which takes effect on October 2, was "not a gravy train for lawyers," he added. "It is up to all of us to use it in pursuit not only of our clients' interests but in the wider public interest in justice and human rights' protection."

Already sets of barristers' chambers are promoting their expertise in the Act. Earlier this year Cherie Booth, a QC in employment and human rights law, helped to found Matrix Chambers, dedicated to human rights work.

The Act, which enshrines the European Convention on Human Rights, is the first statute setting out people's rights and responsibilities since the Bill of Rights in 1688.

Some £60 million has been set aside by the Lord Chancellor's Department to cope with the legal costs: £39 million for legal aid and £21 million for extra court sittings, if needed.

Powers have been granted by Parliament for eight more High Court judges to tackle the extra workload and the number of judicial review courts - those hearing challenges to public bodies - has been doubled to 12 a day.

John Wadham, director of the civil rights group Liberty, said it was "probably the most important positive change for rights since the Bill of Rights". He added: "People can now be much more confident that their rights will be respected - to privacy, for example, or to a fair trial."

Others dislike the Act. Lord Kingsland, the Shadow Lord Chancellor, says that it shifts legislative power to the judges; and the former Home Secretary Michael Howard argues that it constitutes "a profound weakening of our accountable democratic traditions".

Francis Bennion, a parliamentary draftsman, says that it will bring "confusion to our laws with little corresponding benefit - except to legal practitioners in the field".

Tweet

Do you need to translate this page?

To translate this page into another language, please select the correct language from the box below.

LOOKING FOR SPECIFIC HELP? We can help you in many law areas!

Did you know that we also provide a service that can help you in other law areas such as:

• GCSE Law Coursework
• A Level Law Coursework
• Law Essay Writing
• BVC/BPTC Writing
• LLM Writing
• LPC letter drafting
• Opinion Writing
• English Legal System
• And much more!

Want to see what our customers say about us? Click here to watch our video.

Want to become a writer for Law Teacher and earn up to £4,000 per month? Click here now!

Secure your law degree, order your custom law essay right now!

Order Now. It takes less than 2 minutes.

1. * Name   
2. * Email   
3. * Phone   

1. * Your essay question 
   (please give as much detail as possible)  

Copyright © 2012 All Answers Ltd. All Answers Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales with Company Registration No: 4964706 VAT Registration No: 842417633 - Law Teacher - The law essay professionals