More than 50 bar leaders from around the world have issued a communiqué in support of access to justice, urging governments to fulfil their duty to provide adequate legal aid funding.

They gathered today at the Law Society in London at the opening of the legal year, to voice concerns about cutbacks in funding legal services.

The bar leaders agreed to renew their commitment to the fundamental principle that no one should be unable to enforce or defend a right through lack of funds enabling them to get representation. They called on governments to provide adequate funding to ensure access to justice for all, regardless of social or ethnic background, gender or the nature of their cause.

The bar leaders agreed to encourage lawyers to continue to undertake fairly remunerated publicly funded work, as well as pro bono work, and committed themselves to work with governments and state agencies to explore ways to improve access to justice.

Robert Heslett, Law Society president, and Desmond Browne QC, Bar Council chairman, jointly chaired the seminar, which provided a forum for discussing ways of maintaining and improving access to justice.

In the year that marks the 60th anniversary of the Legal Aid and Assistance Act 1949, which established the legal aid system in England and Wales, the communiqué recognised the contribution it has made to the welfare of citizens across many jurisdictions.

It emphasised that the mounting pressure on legal aid budgets must not be allowed to affect access to justice.

Browne said: ‘It is tragic that, on the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the legal aid system in England and Wales, the legal aid budget is being squeezed with so little thought for the grave consequences for the socially vulnerable.

‘I am pleased to support the communiqué, which clearly elaborates the need for governments around the world to prioritise an aspect of welfare which is just as important as health or social insurance.’

Heslett added: ‘Access to justice, and effective legal aid systems, are hallmarks of societies governed by the rule of law. They are part of a mature society which values its citizens, and are just as important as healthcare and pension provisions.

‘The erosion of access to justice in England and Wales, to which this government is contributing, will have a huge impact on those who most need the support which specialist lawyers can supply. We must continue the process begun today to halt the slide toward a society where a two-tier legal system is the norm.’