Diocesan News
Rt Revd Paul Colton, Bishop of Cork, to speak at Church Service in Saint Michan’s Church, Dublin to mark the Start of the Law Term
Not everyone has equal access to justice in Ireland
Bishop Paul Colton, Church of Ireland Bishop of Cork has said that Irish people do not have equal access to the justice system in our country. He said that not only is the current civil legal aid scheme inadequate, but also some laws which rely on volunteers for their implementation - such as in education - are becoming too complicated.
The Bishop was speaking to a congregation which included members of the judiciary, solicitors and barristers gathered at the annual Church Service at St Michan?s Church, Church Street, Dublin to mark the beginning of the Michaelmas Law Term.
Bishop Colton said that because civil legal aid is heftily means tested there is a very real concern that ? ?many people ? owners of modest homes ? with middle of the road income levels ? acquiesce in what they perceive to be an injustice perpetrated against them, rather than risk the costs involved in seeking access to justice.?
Referring to the report of the Free Legal Advice Centres launched last July - Access to Justice: Right or Privilege ? he said that he agreed with the conclusion that equal access to justice is surely a fundamental human right. The State and all of its organs should incorporate the recognition of this right into all aspects of its law, policy and practice. Those who have rights must have a meaningful and effective method of enforcing them.
Bishop Colton also said that there are areas of the law ??.principally implemented by ordinary people ? many who are volunteers ? who need to be able to access and understand those laws, if key activities in our society are to thrive.? He gave two examples: education and charitable work. He said:
?Those of us who are patrons of schools in Ireland and are dependent on volunteers for the management of those schools, have immense and growing concerns that the new, and increasingly vast area of education law, is not sufficiently straightforward for the average volunteer on which most local communities depend for its implementation. Volunteers, at great personal sacrifice, are being terrified into inertia, to the detriment of the education of our young people. Already, I believe that body of legislation needs to be re-examined.?
?The long overdue reform of charity law is, we are told, on the way early next year. This is a sector which undoubtedly needs regulation, but as former Chief Justice, Ronan Keane, wisely warned, great care is ??needed in the drafting of legislation so as to ensure that it does not unduly hinder the work of the dedicated and unselfish people who help to raise funds for organisations benefiting many people.??
Further information:
Mr Garrett Casey
Diocesan Communications Officer
Dublin and Glendalough
Tel: +353 (0)1 610 6447
Mobile: +353 (0)87 235 6472