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43 Med. Sci. & L. 1 (2003)

handle is hein.journals/mdsclw43 and id is 1 raw text is: Auld: The Lund Lecture - The Future of the Criminal Justice System 1 The Lund Lecture - The Future of the Criminal Justice System Given to the British Academy of Forensic Sciences on 9th October 2002 THE RIGHT HON LORD JUSTICE AULD It is an honour to give this lecture in memory of Sir Thomas Lund, and to such a distinguished gathering of forensic scientists. You will note that I use those last two words to this largely legal audience in their correct sense. As many of you will know, Sir Thomas died just over 20 years ago after a long and eminent legal and administrative career, some thirty years of it as Secretary-General to the Law Society. He also gave richly of his time to other national and international bodies concerned with the practice of law, including this Academy, of which he was a foundation member and, in 1961, President. The title of this talk - which I left to Tony Hooper - 'The Future of the Criminal Justice System', is general and leaves me scope for manoeuvre. I could tell you what I think the future ought to be. I could comment on the Government's intentions, to the extent that they are evident. Or I could star-gaze and tell you what I think the future might be. Now, like Sam Goldwyn, I normally don't prophesy, especially about the future. But perhaps I can play safe, and do a bit of all three. As you know, after an 18 months review of the working of our Criminal Courts, I reported to the Government in October 2001. Some six months before I did so, the Government published a major policy paper, Criminal Justice: The Way Ahead, which - seemingly independently of my Review - it had been preparing for the comprehensive overhaul of the criminal justice system. In its White Paper, 'Justice for All', published nearly a year after I submitted my Report, the Government has now set out proposals for reform, developing its policy paper and responding to my recommen- dations. The White Paper is a pallid document, long on generality and the distant future, and short on the specific and medium term. This is largely because of lack of money. It was clear in the last public spending round, which was under way while the White Paper was in draft, that there was going to be very little provision for the reform of the criminal justice system. So it has proved. There are also signs in the document that departmental silo mentality continues to flourish, both between the Home Office and the Lord Chancellor's Department and between the various criminal justice agencies. At my own request, I had little or nothing to do with the Government's consultations and deliberations following the submission of my Report. It seemed to me that I had done my job - good or bad - rather like a judgment. It was for the Court of Appeal of public opinion and, eventually, Parliament, to make what they want of it. So, I have given no press confer- ences or media interviews. But, as tonight, I have talked to those doing the business, many of whom helped me in the Review. In the short time I have with you, I cannot paint a complete picture of the future of the criminal justice system - even in the most summary form. And I should try to remember that my audience has a particular concern with that part of it for which the courts are responsible. I shall, therefore, talk about some key features as they concern the working of the courts. These are: (1) a single criminal justice system; (2) a single criminal court;

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