Liberty - Protecting civil liberties, promoting human rights

The Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill implements two starkly different Government policies. Parts 1 and 2 of the Bill advance short-sighted proposals to reform the system for funding legal advice, assistance and representation in this country. They will decimate the legal aid system, placing justice beyond the reach of many and creating alarming gaps in protection. Part 3 of the Bill will, by contrast, introduce a series of largely fair and sensible measures recognising the limitations of prison as a means of addressing offending behaviour and finding more efficient and effective ways of reducing future criminality.

This long-awaited Bill aims to fulfil a Coalition commitment to reverse the erosion of our civil liberties that we have seen in recent years. Heralded by the Deputy Prime Minister as the vehicle by which the Coalition would “restore Britain’s traditions of freedom and fairness”, Liberty had high expectations of the Bill.