Justice shake-up to focus on victims

A radical shake-up of the justice system will shift the focus from procedures to the needs of victims, says the Lord Chancellor.

Lord Falconer said a new supreme court, an independent body to appoint judges and improved access to legal aid, would all contribute.

And he told the Labour Party conference in Bournemouth that the abolition of the traditional role of Lord Chancellor would symbolise the scale of the reform.

"The abolition of the role marks real change. Change for a purpose, change to make the justice system serve all the people particularly those who need it most.

"The kind of change Labour governments are elected to achieve."

He said he wanted to stop people feeling there was no point reporting crime.

"We've all heard too many stories of an offender bailed for an offence who go out and do it again while they are still on bail and nothing happens to them.

"Or the offender who gets off drugs in prison and then on the day they're released goes straight back to the dealer.

"We know we can't stop every crime. But the well-being of our communities depends on a criminal justice system in which people have faith."

A radical change of emphasis was needed, he said.

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