Overview
- The House of Lords Constitution Committee published a 95-page report warning that the UK's rule of law is weakening and calling for urgent government action.
- The report highlights severe court delays as a core threat, citing record backlogs at end-June 2025 of over 78,000 Crown Court cases and 310,304 in the Magistrates’ Court.
- Peers condemn hostile political and media attacks on judges, referencing Robert Jenrick’s conference remarks, and urge ministers—particularly the Lord Chancellor—to defend the judiciary.
- The committee says perceptions of impunity for visible street crimes such as mobile phone theft, shoplifting and drug-related offences are eroding public confidence.
- Recommendations include strengthened, ongoing ethics training for lawyers, wider use of alternative dispute resolution, court digitisation, and improved access to early legal advice and legal aid.