Richard Hermer hit out at the ‘toxic’ atmosphere being directed to legal professionals and claimed it left many used to fighting for justice not reconsidering their careers
Political attacks on judges and lawyers could force legal professionals out and mean fewer working-class people having access to justice, the Attorney General has warned.
Richard Hermer hit out at the “toxic” atmosphere being directed to those working in the justice system, and claimed it left many used to fighting for justice not reconsidering their careers.
His significant intervention follows Robert Jenrick’s bizarre Tory conference speech, where he pulled out a judge’s wig from a briefcase while declaring he would never allow “political activists of any political hue to don the wig, ever again”.
Speaking to the Mirror, Lord Hermer argued if judges and lawyers quit due to the death and rape threats they experienced amid the right-wing attacks, it could see trials delayed or collapse.
He said: “In recent weeks and months, there has been a worrying trend of individually naming and attacking judges and lawyers. Let’s be clear, we know what the impact of that is.
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“Good lawyers and judges are reconsidering their careers, as a direct consequence of the toxic atmosphere being directed at them. That means fewer lawyers and judges to prosecute, defend and rule on cases.
“Thoughtless political attacks also risk ongoing legal proceedings. So, attacks on our judiciary hurt victims of crime as well. It means fewer working-class people being able to access justice, or unacceptable delays in the process, including tackling the asylum backlog.”
This week London set Garden Court chambers described its immigration barristers as “among the best in the country” after they came under fire in media commentary led by the Shadow Justice Secretary.
Mr Jenrick has led a campaign to reveal what he describes as “activist” judges and named two who he said should not sit on immigration cases. The senior Tory also compiled a list of 35 judges whom he singled out for criticism because of their public comments and alleged conflict of interests.
Last week saw the Bar Council of England and Wales, The Law Society of England and Wales, The Law Society of Scotland, Faculty of Advocates, The Bar of Northern Ireland, and The Law Society of Northern Ireland, warn that vilifying lawyers “simply for doing their job” puts the judiciary at risk.
The six legal bodies, representing 250,000 lawyers, expressed “grave concern” over the language being used toward legal professionals.
Lord Hermer added: “They have said that political attacks on the judiciary have led to barristers, solicitors, and judges being subjected to violence, death threats, and rape threats, with some seeing threats being targeted at family members.”
A Labour source says: “This government inherited a crisis in our courts, with victims waiting years for justice, attrition in rape cases more than doubling in the last 5 years and a massive asylum backlog. We are determined to tackle these issues as part of our plan for national renewal, while others seek only to sow division among the public.”
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