After the USA, which country would you guess has the largest legal services market in the world? China perhaps? India? Germany?
In fact it is the UK.
Our country is home to over 200 foreign law firms from around 40 jurisdictions. They are attracted by the integrity of our judges and the excellence of our legal professionals.
Employing over 7,500 people practising English law as well as international law, they contribute hugely to our economy. Here in Cheltenham I have seen how they provide opportunities for youngsters to go as far as their talents will take them.
But what about the buildings our legal disputes are resolved in? I believe passionately that justice must be dispensed in modern, fit-for-the-future surroundings that reflect legal excellence and the importance our country attaches to the rule of law. That applies from local courts like Cheltenham Magistrates’ Court all the way up to the Supreme Court in London.
So last week I was delighted to announce a major increase in Government funding for maintenance and improvement of the national court estate. An award of £220m over two years will allow modernisation, accessibility and repair works to be brought forward.
In doing so, it will ensure that the courts are equipped with the latest technology to deliver modern justice for all court users. That’s good news for litigants, court staff and legal professionals. It also sends a powerful message to victims of crime that we are investing in the infrastructure to help secure justice for them and their families.
In addition, we are ensuring that the Crown Court can work at full throttle by removing the cap on sitting days for the third consecutive year. That means that courts, including the Nightingale Court in Cirencester which remains open, can sit for as days as they have the judges, the barristers and the solicitors to do so, helping to bear down on the pandemic caseloads.
As I know from representing our country abroad, our legal system is held in high regard. I am determined that respect should be shown for it here at home too.