The Law Society are calling on the new government to use its mandate to fix a justice system in crisis.

The Society's vice president, David Greene, said: Our legal system needs an immediate and sustained boost in funding if Britain is to retain its world-wide reputation for justice and fairness. As the new government takes office, the justice system of England and Wales is on its knees. Years of under-funding have led to crumbling courts, crists in criminal justice and growing numbers of vulnerable people refused legal aid and unable to enforce their rights.

Amongst the Law Society's proposed fixes are...:

• A return of legal aid for early advice in housing and family matters to allow problems to be resolved more efficiently whilst avoding unnecessary escalation;
• An increase in the legal aid means test threhold;
• A raising of criminal legal aid fees and a guarantee of no future real terms cuts;
• A review of police "released under investigation" powers in the interests of justice and public safety;
• To secure a future relationship with the EU that allows lawyers to continue to practise and base themselves in the EU.