Criminal Justice in Austerity: Legal Aid, Prosecution and the Future of Criminal Legal Practice

This book provides a timely and detailed examination of the reality of criminal legal practice today, drawing upon extensive anonymous interviews with criminal lawyers in England and Wales. It illuminates how financial pressures arise within the criminal justice system and how lawyers seek to navigate them, considering whether the criminal legal aid system can continue to provide those unable to afford a lawyer with access to justice and whether the Crown Prosecution Service can provide justice to victims of crime.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 02 November 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This comprehensive book delves into the intricate realm of criminal legal practice, providing a timely and insightful examination of the current state of affairs. Through extensive anonymous interviews with criminal lawyers in England and Wales, the author sheds light on the underlying financial pressures within the criminal justice system and the strategies employed by lawyers to navigate these challenges. Contrary to the popular portrayal in the news and media, the book reveals a more nuanced reality, highlighting the existing strains and resource limitations within the system, particularly exacerbated by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The book raises crucial questions about the ability of the criminal legal aid system to ensure access to justice for those who cannot afford legal representation. It examines the role of the Crown Prosecution Service in delivering justice to victims of crime and explores the extent to which financial pressures influence the work and experiences of both prosecutors and defense lawyers.

The findings presented in the book are detailed and revealing, offering a deep understanding of the challenges and complexities faced by lawyers in the criminal justice system. The authors shed light on the changing dynamics of the profession, particularly in response to the new ways of working brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact these changes have had on the delivery of legal services.

This book is a valuable resource for legal professionals, policymakers, and anyone interested in understanding the intricacies of criminal legal practice. It provides a timely and thought-provoking analysis of the current state of affairs and offers valuable insights into the future of the criminal justice system. By examining the realities of financial pressures, access to justice, and the role of the Crown Prosecution Service, this book contributes to the ongoing debate about the fairness and effectiveness of the criminal legal system.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509955312