The Attorney-General Fires Back at ‘Two-Tier’ Justice Claims

Author: @grassmonster

Lord Hermer Defends British Legal System as Critics Cry Foul Over Sentencing Disparities

In a nation already worn threadbare by institutional distrust, the latest accusation to gain traction is that Britain operates a “two-tier” justice system – one law for the favoured, another for the forgotten. Fuelled by recent high-profile protests and trials, the claim has become a drumbeat across social media and public discourse.

But now the government’s chief legal adviser has entered the fray.

Attorney-General Lord Hermer has strongly rebuked the idea that the legal system plays favourites, calling it a “dangerous myth” and an insult to the principles of justice. In a pointed statement, he reminded the country that even the most reviled individuals are entitled to a legal defence – and that barristers must not be attacked for doing their job.

Where Did the Two-Tier Claim Come From?

The row was ignited by recent disparities in sentencing between climate protesters, pro-Palestinian demonstrators, and those involved in the Southport riots. Politicians including Nigel Farage have claimed that left-leaning protesters are treated more gently than others, implying a systemic bias.

Lord Hermer’s response? Not so fast.

He argued that every case must be judged on its facts, and that courts are bound by the evidence before them – not public opinion or political pressure. To undermine that process, he warned, is to risk the very legitimacy of the system.

A Fierce Defence of Barristers and the Rule of Law

Lord Hermer’s speech took particular aim at those who publicly vilify barristers for representing unpopular clients. “This is offensive,” he said, “and it threatens the foundations of our democracy.”

Indeed, the British legal tradition has long held that no one is above or below the right to legal representation. From war criminals to whistle-blowers, the courtroom is meant to be a place of due process – not mob verdicts.

But in an era of hashtags and outrage, nuance is often the first casualty. Hermer’s words were a plea to protect that principle before it fractures beyond repair.

Public Confidence Wavers – But the System Still Stands

Surveys show that public confidence in the justice system has declined in recent years, largely due to delays, backlogs, and controversial sentencing. Critics point to underfunded courts and uneven outcomes. But to leap from imperfection to corruption is, Lord Hermer argued, to commit a dangerous sleight of hand.

There may be cracks in the system, he admits – but they are to be mended, not mined for populist outrage.

Conclusion: Fairness Is Not Always Popular – But It’s Still Law

In this latest clash between legal authority and political heat, the Attorney-General’s defence rings clear: fairness must apply to all, or it applies to none.

Whether the British public still believes that is another matter entirely.

Tags: #TwoTierJustice, #BritishLaw, #JusticeForAll, #AttorneyGeneralSpeaks, #RuleOfLaw, #BarristerRights, #FairTrialUK, #GrassmonsterSays, #LegalIntegrity, #DemocracyInCourt