07 October 2025
The Justice for All Series and what we hope to achieve

In advance of our inaugural Justice for All event, I wanted to go back over some of my initial thoughts on each of the component parts - justice for the accused, justice for prison leavers, and justice for survivors.
The City of London is one of the world’s leading financial and professional services centres, and this is underpinned by the confidence and trust that is placed in the rule of law in this country. Although in a City context, when we say this we are usually thinking of commercial and corporate law.
Having just taken office as one of the City's elected Sheriffs, and anticipating spending the year living and working at The Old Bailey, the UK's central criminal court, it felt appropriate to also explore law and justice in the UK as it relates to criminal law. So, I will be hosting the first of a five-part series of events exploring the key areas of contemporary justice, on 30th October, at the Old Bailey.
In addition, as it happens, 2025 marks the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the 1225 version of Magna Carta, which enshrined the principle that no one, not even the monarch and their government, is above the law. Justice underpins our freedoms, our economy, and our civic life - interestingly, the 2024 Nobel Prize for Economics looked at the positive economic impact of Magna Carta. However, it's no secret that our systems are under pressure - underfunded, overstretched, and outdated. To my mind, the best way to find a way through is to confront this reality with honesty and ambition.
With that in mind, I have been exploring justice in three pillars:
- Justice for the accused
- Justice for survivors
- Justice for prison leavers
This forms the framework for the events in the Justice for All Series, sponsored by Serco, which bring together those in a position to ask hard questions and propose evidence-based solutions. The series does not seek consensus, but clarity: What does a just society require today? Who must act? What will it cost us if we do not? Crucially, we are seeking to answer why justice for all makes economic sense. The series will conclude with a final event on financing justice, and we will be looking for inspiration from the Green Gilt to social impact bonds.
In advance of our first event, I wanted to go back over some of my initial thoughts on each of the component parts:
Justice for the accused
Innocent until proven guilty, or the presumption of innocence, has been a hallmark of the UK's legal system since time immemorial, and was officially provided for by section 6 of the Human Rights Act 1998.
The right to an unbiased defence, the speed of prosecution, reduction in the use of detention without trial, a clear understanding of one’s sentence including its term, its conditions and its consequences - these are all part of that process. We know that despite a robust and globally admired justice system, in the face of an ever-changing society, we are currently falling short of these ideals.
Where do the opportunities lie for improvement?
Justice for survivors
Justice for survivors is a concept that I think we all appreciate, understand and want, but we see challenges to it play out everyday, especially regarding modern-day slavery.
In a report, Rathbones wrote: "Fifty million people are trapped in what’s known as 'modern slavery’. This includes 28 million in forced labour and 22 million in forced marriages, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO), a United Nations agency."
With its specific shape and community of businesses, the City is able to play a part in driving justice for survivors of crime. For example, In 2010, I created and chaired what is now the Rathbones Stewardship Committee, which has engaged in issues including modern-day slavery and seeks to put investor power behind key ESG issues, including transparent supply chains.
Ultimately, when we talk about the survivors of injustice, it's a complex area. Yes, it's about the obvious victims of crime, but it can also be about those caught up in it. The City cannot be held responsible for all of that, but I do think it can play an essential part - and a greater part than it currently is - in improving the status quo.
Justice for prison leavers
In many ways I think support for prison leavers is where the City and its constituent businesses can make the most tangible difference. It's also an opportunity for companies to access talent that is often overlooked and under appreciated.
In the last few years there has been a lot of talk in businesses about diversity and inclusion, but how well those concepts translate into meaningful reality is perhaps a murkier subject. I think there can also be a lot of misconceptions when it comes to prison leavers, notably about what to expect both from the individuals and from their employers.
In exploring this subject, I have met some amazing people who have given me eye-opening and thought provoking statistics and insights. I have also met some incredible people who have turned their lives around and become assets to the City and the country.
The City must remember that alongside the ethical need to provide opportunities for prison leavers and those with criminal records, engaging in this subject also has practical benefits. The economic cost of not providing those fresh chances is not something we can afford, but the opportunity to show compassion and understanding, and turn it into collective success, is vast.
800 Years of Justice: Magna Carta to UN SDG 16
Our Justice for All event on 30th October will be hosted by Sheriff Elect Deputy Keith Bottomley, His Honour Judge Mark Lucraft KC, and myself, and will be sponsored by the City of London Corporation, with following events sponsored by Rathbones and Sodexo.
Marking the 800th anniversary of the 1225 Magna Carta (and thanks to the Magna Carta Trust and London Archives we will have a copy of Magna Carta on display), this launch event will explore the evolution of justice and the enduring importance of the rule of law. Linking historical legal traditions with contemporary justice goals, it will consider what progress has been made under UN Sustainable Development Goal 16 “justice for all” in its first 10 years, and what can be achieved in the next five years.
All are welcome to register, and I invite the thoughts, considerations, and input of all with a shared interest in the integrity of our legal system and how justice for all makes economic sense.