Why does funding legal advice matter and how law affects everyone in society and why delays in courts and overcrowded prisons are becoming a serious problem. Alma-Constance and Lucinda explore what’s happening inside the UK’s justice system with Richard Atkinson, criminal defence solicitor with more than 30 years’ experience and the 180th President of the Law Society of England and Wales.

In this episode we discuss

• Why criminal trials are now scheduled four years into the future, what prison overcrowding means for justice
• Why legal aid is such an important public service
• How early legal advice can prevent problems in areas like housing and family life
• Whether the age of criminal responsibility should be raised
• The importance of investing in courts, lawyers and modern technology

Richard also shares a powerful story from his career defending children and young people and that when he was 10 years old he wanted to be an RAF pilot and fly fast jets!

Together we discuss how the justice system works, why funding matters, and how law affects everyone in society — even if we don’t think about it every day.

As always, Kids Law helps young people understand how laws affect them — and how they can shape the future.

If you have worries or need support:
Childline: 0800 1111 (free confidential advice for under 18)
Visit: www.kidslaw.info

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Resources

Richard Atkinson LinkedIn

Richard Atkinson with Law Society Gazette

The Law Society

Tuckers Solicitors

If you've got any questions, ideas about a topic or someone to interview, get in touch, we'd love to hear from you!! You can email us at kidslaw@spark21.org, contact us through the website: www.kidslaw.info or through social media: Facebook, X and Instagram @KidsLawInfo

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See you soon in the next episode!