Magna Carta is 800 years old. It is the document (actually more than one) that laid the groundwork for the freedoms enjoyed by millions all over the world. Equality of all before the law is a principle of good government. The knowledge that you can go before a Court and seek justice for a wrongdoing is reassuring and adds to peace of mind. Very Epicurean.

The British government has overturned the spirit of Magna Carta with its onslaught on the legal aid system. It is probably true that this civilised system has been abused, and that it is expensive. But large numbers of lawyers have, over the years, foregone the lucrative tax and defamation cases that have made the legal fat cats rich, and have given poor people their day in Court.

Legal aid provided funding for legal assistance to those who could not afford to pay a lawyer to give them legal advice or represent them in court. It was first established 65 years ago in England and Wales as part of wide reforms to build a welfare state.

In April 2013, the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 came into force. Figures from the first year of the reforms show that access to civil legal aid has fallen by more than half and some categories of law have already become almost entirely inaccessible for state funding. The number of civil cases granted funding for representation and/or legal advice has dropped by 62%. Social welfare and family law have been most affected, with drops of 80% and 60% respectively. Whole categories of law have been taken out of scope for legal aid; others only qualify if they meet certain criteria.

Meanwhile, the “Justice” Minister celebrated the anniversary of Magna Carta in the company of firms like Schillings, the “ruthless libel lawyers” and RSM International, which “advises companies on how to avoid tax”. He didn’t even invite his Opposition shadow Justice Minister. To see “one of the great glories of our common history hijacked in this way for venal, partisan ends is truly “revolting”. What is amazing is that the British public puts up with this. It seems that it sets more store by Facebook and taking silly photos of everything in sight than protecting hard-won civil rights.
(quotes in parentheses from Peter Oborne, Daily Telegraph)