Justice system is 'absurd', says Blunkett
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David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, yesterday branded parts of the criminal justice system "absurd and incompetent", saying its whole credibility was at risk if witnesses and victims felt alienated.
Addressing the Law Society's annual conference, Mr Blunkett said reform was "not negotiable" and called on lawyers to help the Government to "defend justice and seek truth".
"Reform of the criminal justice system is a major social and economic justice issue," said the Home Secretary, at the conference, held in Manchester. "Regeneration of disadvantaged communities depends on having confidence and trust in criminal justice structures."
In the past, the Home Secretary has savaged lawyers for stringing out cases and claiming extravagant fees.
Yesterday, he was in a conciliatory mood and apologised for commenting recently that lawyers were "in for a penny, in for one thousand pounds".
Although he admitted that more money was needed to boost the ailing criminal justice system, Mr Blunkett said the co-operation of legal professionals was vital, along with that of the police, probation and prison officers, and the public.
"Where there is disagreement and concern I ask that lawyers and other criminal justice professionals work with us to ensure new structures are robust and that safeguards are adequate," he said.
A report published earlier this year by the Audit Commission revealed that more than £80m was wasted each year in the magistrates and crown courts on aborted trials and witnesses failing to show up. At the conference, Mr Blunkett also said the rights of victims as well as defendants needed to be addressed.
"Re-balancing the system is not about compromising a defendant's right to a fair trial or the presumption of innocence," he said. "But it is about allowing the rights of victims and witnesses to be given greater weight, and about ensuring the court system is seen as an engine of justice, rather than obstacle to it."
The Government blueprint for reforming the criminal justice system was delivered in the criminal justice white paper. This includes measures such as allowing courts to try suspects more than once for the same crime.
However, David Bean QC, chairman of the Bar, said he would lobby for changes in the Government's proposals. Addressing barristers yesterday at their annual conference in London, Mr Bean said he had particular concerns about the proposed reduction in the use of jury trials.