Are the Scales of Justice really balanced?

I wish it was so but I fear the cost of legal representation and limited legal aid funding make it difficult if not impossible for low income earners to access adequate legal services.

To some extend the no win no fee offers from some legal firms may have mitigated the problem but only certain types of cases are taken under these conditions and court fees still need to be funded up front even if the solicitor or barrister does not.

by Gayle Beveridge

I think it is definitely skewed in favour of the rich and well connected. I have several friends who have suffered injustice because they couldn't afford top lawyers; I also know from personal experience when we hired the best lawyers in the area that we got treated very differently by everyone involved in the case. Sad but true.

by VerityG

NEVER!

by jonaja

No.

by meggf

Very much skewed to the 'doer', NOT the victim.
Absolutely disgusting. It seems the 'victim' is the one who's considered guilty by all, especially the 'legal' fraternity! And is treated as such to a shocking degree.

That all changes if one can hire a top lawyer. It amazes me sometimes these criminals' can be represented by high-flyer lawyers, who aren't 'legal aid' ones! Where do the crims get the money for them? Probably a silly question!

by donjo

The recent story of the horrific crime against a young woman in melbourne, and the history of the man involved -reminds me of,..... a line in a song from Billy Bragg..... this is not a court of justice, this is a court of law (or very similar words).
The rich and powerful always 'win'.
I became so angry when I heard a police officer on tv.in another case commenting that women should think carefully (or words to that affect) before walking through parks. True, but the young girl was the victim, and yet to me it sounded as if a perfectly everyday activity that should be safe - the victim is so often made to look something other than what they are ......the victim

by sandw

It occurs to me that Lady Justice's scales are in balance. However the scales of the justice system are not. Likewise she is often blindfolded, which would indicate the "Justice is Blind"

by sjcmm