The Bar Council has responded to today's report from the Public Accounts Committee on the criminal justice system. 

Chairman of the Bar, Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC said: "Today's parliamentary report sends an important message to Government: Our criminal justice system is not working, it is close to breaking point. As the report points out, cost savings in one part of the system often cause inefficiencies and greater expense elsewhere. We are now seeing the very real consequences of the radical 26% cut in spending on the criminal justice system since 2010-2011. Justice is a fundamental cornerstone of a functioning democracy and it should be ring fenced from such cuts.  

"We support the Government in finding efficiencies and making appropriate reforms, for example with the digitisation of courts and investment in IT, but this alone is not enough to address the challenges now faced by our system of justice. 

"Justice is a precious asset and we need to be prepared to continue to invest in it."

                                                                       ENDS 

Notes to Editors 

  1. Further information is available from the Bar Council Press Office on 020 7222 2525 and [email protected].

  2. The Bar Council represents barristers in England and Wales. It promotes: 

  • The Bar's high quality specialist advocacy and advisory services

  • Fair access to justice for all

  • The highest standards of ethics, equality and diversity across the profession, and

  • The development of business opportunities for barristers at home and abroad.

The General Council of the Bar is the Approved Regulator of the Bar of England and Wales. It discharges its regulatory functions through the independent Bar Standards Board