UK government slashes justice funding

Access to justice is under threat in the UK following a series of budget cuts. The Ministry of Justice plans to cut £2 billion from it £9 billion budget, while a new tender process for provision of Legal aid services in family cases has seen contracts awarded to just 1,300 of 2,400 applicant family law firms. The government has also announced that it is considering closing 157 magistrates and county courts. A coalition ministers and MPs has formed in response to the proposed court closures, and is directing its campaign at the government consultation on the issue.

UK government slashes justice funding guardian.co.uk Tue, Aug 17, 2010