The state of justice - Michael Zander

Based on the 51st series of Hamlyn Lectures given by Professor Zander in November and December 1999, this book is an examination of the English legal system and the challenges it currently faces. These include the impact of The Human Rights Act 1998, the new Civil Procedure rules and Access to Justice and legal aid, as well as developments in the criminal justice system. The first lecture on Justice and Access to Justice explores the broad question of how justice systems can be evaluated and then gives a highly critical evaluation of the Labour Government's reform of the legal aid system. The second lecture on Civil Justice considers why so few people with legal problems use the civil justice system and explores the weaknesses of the Woolf reforms. The third lecture on Criminal Justice considers a great range of topical and controversial issues. The fourth lecture on Human Rights considers the strengths and weaknesses of the Human Rights Act 1998 and its likely effects on the English System.