Watching the latest ABC episode of landline and a report called "Overkill" today and it made really ponder the question: How do we enable all people to have equal access to the law in Australia?

My questions:
Are lawyers paid too much?
Is there a better way than government legal aid to provide assistance in the courts?
Is the current system fair, where those who can afford a lawyer can be more adequately protected?

Or am I being too 'utopian' in believing that things could improve and should improve?

The link for the report:
http://www.abc.net.au/landline/

Does legal assistance cost too much?
Random Guy,
Only for innocent people, all others have Government funded Legal Aid. Another ALP legacy.

Random Guy an interesting subject.
One deserving reply s that at least under stand your reasoning.
Yes it costs too much but how can we avoid it.
I have always held the view we are at the mercy of country Lawyers And law givers.
Often the out come depends on the results of the last round of golf both played.
And those expensive clubs cost a lot so?
We do pay too much and often for far too little.

Indi, what is your slant, no legal aid for the guilty?
We have too many lawyers making the laws. In most parliaments more than 50% of members are from the legal profession. I suppose some would argue we live in a complex society so laws have to be complex as well to suit society. From my own experience lawyers are certainly not underpaid for what they contribute.
Every accused has the right to a defense, is there a better way than legal aid, if there is I can't think of it.

Yep definitely time we restricted OUR legal aid to OUR citizens. It should never be available to visitors, those who are only residents, & most definitely not to people who gatecrash our borders. Just how stupid is it to assist people who are ripping us off.

There should also be time limits. Say one lot of legal aid every 2 years. Time to tell judges who demand defendants be represented we are not about to let them feather yet another lawyer's nest.

It appears every decision of lower courts is appealed using more legal aid. If the judgments of these lower courts are always challenged, why have them? Lets stop the waste, close them down, & just have the high court.

If we do keep them, lets make the wait for funding for an appeal to be 2 years, & that time to be spent serving the sentence handed down. Half the sentences would be finished, & a useless appeal avoided.

Indi, what is your slant, no legal aid for the guilty?
Paul1405,
What's your slant, no legal aid for the victims ?