This post summarises proposals made to address problems of honesty and integrity in commercial and public life in the wake of the Post Office Scandal in the third Hamlyn Lecture 2024.
It appears to me as a non-lawyer, one of the most striking failures during the Post Office litigation was the failure to ensure [ordinary] witnesses of fact that became expert witnesses, were properly briefed as to their role and duties within the justice system. This also needs to be addressed in the review, for the litigators and the judiciary.
Many thanks indeed Richard. First thoughts: review and redefinition of law on legal professional privilege; absolute rule aginst lawyers ever misleading the courts on fact or law; and same code for solicitors and bar. Lead on...
Meanwhile, the BSB is ignoring this herd of elephants and trying to change its rules to make barristers diversity advocates.
It appears to me as a non-lawyer, one of the most striking failures during the Post Office litigation was the failure to ensure [ordinary] witnesses of fact that became expert witnesses, were properly briefed as to their role and duties within the justice system. This also needs to be addressed in the review, for the litigators and the judiciary.
Many thanks indeed Richard. First thoughts: review and redefinition of law on legal professional privilege; absolute rule aginst lawyers ever misleading the courts on fact or law; and same code for solicitors and bar. Lead on...