England: Gove tells successful lawyers to do more free work

Outlining plans to end “grotesque inefficiencies” in the courts Justice Secretary Michael Gove said lawyers may face legislation forcing them to work for free in order to deal with “indefensible inequalities in the justice system”.

Mr Gove said rich lawyers ought to “look into their consciences” and do more to safeguard access to justice for all.

He added: “I cannot accept that the status quo is defensible.

“When it comes to investing in access to justice, then it is clear to me that is fairer to ask our most successful legal professionals to contribute a little more, rather than taking more in tax from someone on the minimum wage.

“If we are going to have effective access to justice then we need to ensure that those who have done well out of our justice system contribute more.

“That means asking our most successful solicitors’ firms and barristers’ chambers to look into their consciences and see what they can do to ensure there is more equitable access to justice.”

He said that legislation was “always open to us” to alter the level of free work undertaken. Plans for a “lawyers’ levy” have been drawn up but Mr Gove is to discuss the issue with the profession first.

If they resist he said “we can make the case publicly”.

Mr Gove reassured lawyers there were “no plans to cut legal aid further” but that there would be further court closures.

The Lord Chancellor went on to criticise the “huge bundles, those snowdrifts of paper … around the hard-pressed staff who try to bring some order to the administration of justice.

“The waste and inefficiency in such a system are obvious. But perhaps even more unforgivable is the human cost. It is the poorest in our society who are disproportionately the victims of crime and who find themselves at the mercy of this creaking and dysfunctional system.”

Alistair MacDonald QC, chairman of the bar, said: “The justice secretary’s one-nation approach to the justice system mirrors the core commitment of the bar to give expert representation to all in society, regardless of their means.”

Lord Falconer of Thoroton, the Shadow Justice Secretary, said: “People will be bemused by the sight of the Justice Secretary complaining of a two-nation justice system.

“Since the Tories took office, access to justice has been all but dismantled for the poorest in our society.”