Nick Vineall KC, Bar Chair [he is not associated with JRN]
Following the grave injustices caused by the British Post Office Horizon scandal, there is growing awareness that the institution of private prosecution while well-meaning can be misused, putting defendants in unfair positions related to prosecutors, who represent both victim and prosecutor, simultaneously. The system, at present, is fatally flawed, with deep conflicts of interest, and is detrimental to the public interest in two ways: convicting innocent people, as evidenced by the 700+ postal workers unjustly convicted between 2000-2014, while also depleting the public purse of legal defense funds that would otherwise serve the public good. Public confidence in the justice system is at a historical low for this reason and there is a growing awareness and need for reform acknowledged by the UK Parliament, and the Justice Committee, yet still not legislated and implemented. This is why we need a broad-based, grassroots coalition of advocates to reform the justice system. Learn more here.
Private law firms have created a cottage industry out of conducting private prosecutions without merit, wrapping civil proceedings in criminal clothing for profit and power. They proudly advertise that even in cases they lose, the public purse will reimburse their exorbitant fees, encouraging frivolous and vexatious litigants to hire them despite the unethical nature of their business model. The inevitable result? Both the interest of justice, and the public good and purse are repeatedly violated, while firms like these report record profits year after year no matter the harm they have done.
From MPs to Barristers, victims of vexatious private prosecutions to journalists, to whistleblowers working under the condition of anonymity both within the private and public sector, we invite anyone who cares about the dwindling integrity of the justice system to join our coalition to seek long overdue reforms now.