Sir, – The dictum employed by Minister for Justice Alan Shatter (September 23rd) in relation to delayed justice over-states the case.
Justice delayed is, in most cases, merely justice temporarily denied. Expense, rather than delay, is the greatest impediment to justice for most potential litigants. Unaffordable justice is a much more complete denial of justice than delayed justice.
The proposed court of appeal will provide an extra layer of potential expense, as its rulings may still be appealed to the Supreme Court by a respondent with a large purse, such as the State. This will significantly add to the potential costs of litigation and significantly increase the financial deterrent to citizens from seeking remedy against the State in the courts.
Unless it is balanced by some mechanism of financial protection for citizens wishing to litigate against the State, the provision of an extra layer in the judicial system will result in a de facto reduction in citizens' rights and a significant alteration in the balance of power between citizens and the State. This will be to the further detriment of citizens in an area in which they are already at a major disadvantage. – Yours, etc,
TOM HOGAN,
College Grove,
Dublin 15.