Those of us who were beginning to despair at the flat-footed callousness of Chris Grayling's tenure at the MoJ are starting to look with wide-eyed wonderment at the systematic dismantling of the Grayling legacy being carried out by Michael Gove. Only a couple of weeks ago I had a quiet chat with a decent, respected and hard-working defence solicitor who could see no glimmer of light in the darkness that was enveloping the defence profession. There were credible plans to remove many well-run firms from the Duty Solicitor scheme, and to pare the fees of the remainder to the unsustainable bone. Small firms had become unsaleable, their owners unable to retire with any security.
Let's take a deep breath, and survey where we are now, resolving to find a solution that will aim to restore fairness while keeping a wary eye on the costs involved.
Yes, well done Mr Gove.
ReplyDeleteOnly Probation to sort out now.
I wish! Rather more than that where I sit.
DeleteLikewise - and not just probation, what about the prisons? They have had so many staff cuts that prisons I have visited which used to provide really worthwhile rehab training - such as motor academies, decorating and building skills, and PE certification - have had to put them all on hold through lack of staff, and prisoners are left to their own devices while prison officers' morale is at an all-time low. Little wonder the reoffending rate is on the increase
DeleteA cynical person like me who has had numerous encounters with defence solicitors might be cheering at their demise!!
ReplyDeleteJaded.
There are some institutions that cannot be run like a business - always looking to cut costs and forget the service. Let us hope this change is deep and wide.
ReplyDeleteSo much for English justice, like the Ritz, is open to all...
ReplyDeleteIs this a praise of what Michael Gove is doing? I think so but I read it twice to make sure.
ReplyDeleteIf you think Gove is doing a good job, you could have been a bit less mealy-mouthed about it.
Anybody else think Gove and Hunt swapping jobs would be good ?
ReplyDeleteSo Gove is great............then closes all those courthouses apparently ignoring the consultations and petitions......
ReplyDeleteOne of the three court houses in my area was built as a theatre. It has a curtain as the back wall of the main court room behind which colleagues have to walk to reach their court room. One court room is up a steep staircase and is so small we are sitting almost on top of the defendants. The retiring room for this court room is a joke. The car park for us is totally open.
DeleteThe court house is going to be closed. Good. Local justice was a good idea but it went years ago and we can forget about it coming back.
I know this courthouse well, and have sat there . It needs to go.
DeleteGove is a Scottish journalist. No more. No less.
ReplyDelete