Speaking up: Defending and Delivering Access to Justice Today

The rule of law is absolutely fundational to any fais society. But the rule of law is not enough if that law is only accessible to those with sufficient funds. For justice to be done, people need to have access to justice. This essay argues that recent government changes to legal aid are putting access to justice at risk. Written from an openly Christian perspective, it argues that there is deep tradition within Christian scriptures not only on law - that much is clear from even a cursory reading of the Bible - but also equality before the law, universality of access, the need for legal advocacy, and the impartial administration of justice.