Martin Partington: Spotlight on the Justice System

In the book I make the rather throwaway remark that I could not imagine a programme being aired on British TV similar to the programme on US tv about their Supreme Court. How wrong I was! Within the last two weeks there have been two really good programmes on the new (UK) Supreme Court.
The first, on BBC, is regrettably no longer available on the BBC i-player service.
The second, and in my view better film, aired by More 4 is still available (at least in the UK) on More 4.
I very much hope that, in due course, they will both become available on a more permanent basis, as they are a really important source of information not readily available to the public.
The More 4 programme is available at http://www.channel4.com/programmes/britains-supreme-court/4od#3161268.

In a speech delivered in February 2010 Lord Bach referred to two sources of public information on law and rights which should be noted: first, http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/index.htm; and second, http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/CrimeJusticeAndTheLaw/index.htm which are useful official starting points for information on rights and criminal justice. For Lord Bach’s speech, see: http://www.justice.gov.uk/news/speech170210a.htm.

Many lawyers offer legal advice free – ‘pro bono’.  One organisation, Lawworks, has been developing this idea and now offers a range of free legal services in different parts of the country. It has also been working with a number of law schools to develop student pro bono legal activity. You can get an idea of how they can help by looking at their website http://www.lawworks.org.uk/?id=students –

Television plays usually portray judges wearing wigs and robes. In serious criminal trials decided in the crown court this is unchanged. However, such cases aside, the reality is that for the majority of cases (including tribunal cases) judges wear ordinary business suits. For civil and family cases, since 1 October 2008, judicial wigs and gowns have been replaced – save for ceremonial occasions – by much simpler gowns. You can see these by clicking on http://www.judiciary.gov.uk/about_judiciary/court_dress/index.htm and following the links.