In the interests of fairness and balance, what is good, in summary, about the English legal system?
The independence of the judiciary.
The incorruptibility of the judiciary in the sense of financial bribery. The English judiciary, unlike the legislature, has never been the subject of financial scandal.
The jury system, as the only democratic element in the system, which is constantly under attack.
The Human Rights Act 1998.
A general adherence to the rule of law.
A highly developed and sophisticated system of legal education.
The permitted scope for individualism in the legal profession, which results in a small number of highly committed progressive lawyers.
Law Centres.
The Legal Action Group and its publications.
The remnants of legal aid.
Health and safety law and some aspects of employment law.
The common law dealing with workplace stress.
Some other areas of substantive law, for example road traffic, food hygiene, environmental law and common law negligence. These areas are not generally concerned with commerce, property or money.
Progressive organisations, for example Liberty, the Haldane Society, Reprieve, Amnesty International and the Legal Action Group.
Resistance by the judiciary to the increasing power of the executive.
The intellectual achievements of the senior judiciary.
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