Courts not for all - Bailey’s legal bill

APART from the issues that were in play, the costs ruling in the Ian Bailey case confirms that our justice system and all its quirks and formalities, and its spectacular time scales, is either for the very rich or — just possibly — for the very poor. The figure involved — anything between €2m and €5m — means that only the bravest and most determined citizen can contemplate a challenge that might expose them to a bill on this life-defining scale.

Even though the extraordinary length of the 64-day case contributed to the bill, that still does not put it in a frame that any rational person might regard as a tolerable risk. Though there has been considerable reform in our courts and justice system, it seems there is a long way to go to make it meaningful to ordinary people.

Just yesterday, football star Anthony Stokes was told to come back next year so he can face an assault charge. The Celtic and Ireland striker was due for trial this week in Dublin’s but the hearing was deferred because there were no judges available. A lot done but a lot more to do.