Justice is unfair

The supreme court’s ruling that employment tribunal fees unlawfully hindered access to justice draws attention to the fact that the justice system, like the economy, is rigged against the poor.

One of the elements of a democracy should be affordable access to justice. With today’s educated population, I see no need why access to justice is mainly through an expensive closed shop of extremely well paid solicitors, barristers and judges. We could elect those who are most just and honourable among us. Would justice be served any less effectively by elected panels of the common people advised by persons qualified in the law? Non-professional juries and magistrates have been a major part of the current system for centuries. Why not extend our trust and make access to justice easier and cheaper?

GEOFF NAYLOR

Birch Close Winchester, Hampshire