Could greater knowledge of law among politicians improve legal services?

As the lord chief justice warns judges to keep out of politics, many will wonder if the planned legal aid cuts would occur if there was greater knowledge of legal services among politicians.

The Mail reported that Lord Judge warned judges to stay away from politics, as there was a danger of overlap between legal decisions made in the courts and the everyday running of bodies like local councils.

"We have to be careful to make sure we stay within our proper function," he told the paper.

However, a stronger relationship between law and politics may avoid legally contentious actions and those measures that could potentially rob certain parties of unspecified legal rights.

This concern has been particularly salient over the controversial government plans to reform legal aid.

Despite the fact the government has postponed the changes for a number of years, many fear that if the measures do come into effect some of the most disadvantaged members of society will be targeted, including women who are victims of domestic violence.

Published by Phil Hammond