'Give crime victims a free lawyer'
Crime victims are to get free lawyers under Labour plans revealed today.
The party plans to appoint solicitors to represent people who have suffered serious crimes. The scheme is designed to give victims a voice in court.
It comes amid anger over the emphasis on offenders' rights. Labour says it wants to "swing the pendulum" back in favour of victims. If the move goes ahead, it will be the first time victims will have their own lawyer at state expense. At the moment, only the accused and the prosecution are represented by solicitors.
The lawyers would be appointed in serious cases such as murder, rape and violent assault. Their role would include objecting to aggressive questioning by defence barristers, advising victims of their rights and ensuring juries are aware of the crime's impact on the victim's life.
