Law in a time of austerity
The justice secretary pleases lawyers by overturning his predecessor’s harshest policies—but they may be less happy when he pursues reforms
MINISTERS frequently reverse decisions taken by their predecessors, sometimes wisely, often not. But it usually happens after an election has produced a change of government. What is remarkable about the justice ministry since last May is that the new Tory Lord Chancellor, Michael Gove, has been systematically undoing many signature policies of his Tory predecessor, Chris Grayling.
The two are now allies in the campaign to leave the European Union (see article). But on matters of justice they seem to disagree on almost everything. The latest example was Mr Gove’s decision to scrap a second round of cuts in legal aid for criminal cases. Mr Grayling wanted to reduce the number of firms of solicitors paid to offer 24-hour help at police stations to suspects from 1,600 to just 527, and to trim legal-aid fees in criminal cases by a further 8.75%. Lawyers fearing a loss of business complained loudly and threatened to sue. Mr Gove has shelved both measures.
This article appeared in the Britain section of the print edition under the headline "Law in a time of austerity"
From the February 27th 2016 edition
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