Cps Cuts Could Deny Justice To Those With Housing, Mental Health And Domestic Violence Problems

As part of the doom and gloom of cutting the nations deficit

, it appears that the criminal justice system will have to trim a bit of fat off the sides. But is it fat or is it a reduction in vital frontline services?

The Law Society has condemned the proposed cuts to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and has called them unacceptable.

The cuts were recommended in the CPS draft submission to the Treasury and are the first real indication as to what the impact of the 25% and 40% budget cuts would be.

Some suggestions put forward have been accused of restricting, if not denying access to the justice system. These suggestions include the creation of virtual courts and increased emphasis on paralegals and associate prosecutors. But the Law Society has warned that such measures could cost the government more in the long run.

The president of the Law Society, Linda Lee remarked that greater emphasis on paralegals and associate prosecutors is a false economy. We receive regular reports from our members all over the country that the use of associate prosecutors frequently results in unnecessary adjournments and wasted costs as they are unable to make decisions to dispose of cases. Those decisions have to be referred back to their superiors at the CPS.

"Such delays and setbacks are not only costly for the CPS, but for legal aid and the court service. It would be wholly unacceptable for one government agency to seek to meet its savings targets by dumping costs onto others that are also having to find savings.

She added: "The ultimate losers from these plans for the CPS to slash its budget are the vulnerable clients in need of help dealing with housing, mental health and domestic violence. Access to justice is at risk from these kinds of reforms."

The submission also outlines job cuts of 1,820, which accounts for 22% of total staff.

by: Antonia Torr

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