News & Views

From discussions around prison reform and the economic case for rehabilitation, to the experiences of survivors of violence and exploitation, over the past year, our Justice for All series has sought to show that justice is not an abstract principle, but one of the foundations upon which confidence, prosperity and social cohesion depend. The central lesson, perhaps, has been that justice is everyone’s responsibility, and all of us benefit when it works well. So, what now?

Over the past year, our Justice for All series has brought together voices from across the legal profession, business, finance, public policy, philanthropy and the criminal justice system to explore how a healthy justice system supports a thriving society and economy.

From discussions around prison reform and the economic case for rehabilitation, to the experiences of survivors of violence and exploitation, the series has sought to show that justice is not an abstract principle removed from daily work and life, but one of the foundations upon which confidence, prosperity and social cohesion depend.

That has perhaps been the central lesson running through every event and article in this series: justice is everyone’s responsibility, and all of us benefit when it works well. So, what now?

What we’ve learned

London’s position as a global financial centre ultimately depends upon trust in the rule of law. Without confidence in our legal institutions, contracts, markets and public systems, the City cannot thrive in the way it has for centuries. The ability of businesses to operate successfully is fundamentally underpinned by good legal processes and effective justice. That truth, as the saying goes, often feels self-evident, but it is easy to overlook how fragile that ecosystem can become if justice is neglected, and if we always consider it someone else’s responsibility.

Throughout this series we have examined justice from multiple perspectives. We have looked at the challenges facing prison leavers and the economic reality that reoffending costs society billions of pounds each year. We have explored the legal and social barriers faced by survivors of exploitation and abuse, and the role institutions can play in identifying and addressing harm within supply chains and wider society. We have reflected on the legacy of those who came before us, particularly through the history of prison reform connected to the Old Bailey, reminding us that meaningful reform has always required courage, practical thinking and collaboration.

Most recently, our final event, Financing Justice, focused on how the City of London and its institutions can move beyond discussion and towards practical action.

The economic imperative

A recurring theme throughout the series has been that improving justice cannot rely solely upon the moral argument, important though it is. Too often, debates around reform become hijacked by the assumption that change is prohibitively expensive, but the evidence increasingly points to the reality that the long-term economic cost of injustice is far greater than the cost of improvement.

The work surrounding our final event reinforced that point. Sir Brian Leveson’s recent work and recommendations around operational efficiencies highlight the importance of modernising systems so they can function more effectively and fairly. Alongside that, our own work undertaken with support from PA Consulting has explored how financing mechanisms, operational reform and collaboration between sectors could help unlock more sustainable approaches to justice.

The conclusion that we have repeatedly arrived at is that there are opportunities to achieve both better outcomes and greater efficiencies if we are prepared to think differently. That means recognising justice as part of the nation’s social and economic infrastructure.

Just as we invest in transport, housing, or energy because they support economic activity, there is a strong argument that investing in justice delivers long-term social and economic returns as well. Whether through rehabilitation programmes, victim support, improved court efficiency, technology adoption or preventative interventions, the benefits extend far beyond the justice system itself.

What we can do in the City

Importantly, the City has a role to play in helping enable these solutions. Over the course of this series we have discussed practical examples of how financial institutions, businesses and investors can contribute positively to justice, from responsible recruitment practices and stronger due diligence processes to social impact investment models and new forms of public-private partnership. The discussion around financing justice is still developing, but there is growing recognition that capital can be directed towards measurable social outcomes in ways that benefit both society and the wider economy.

As a first step, our intention is not to be unrealistically ambitious, but to begin pragmatically, consolidating the ideas generated throughout this series, exploring pilot programmes and beta-testing approaches with philanthropic support before considering wider implementation. That measured approach matters because genuine reform requires evidence, collaboration and a willingness to learn what works.

That feels like an appropriate next chapter for Justice for All, and I am delighted to share that the Ministry of Justice, the Impact Economy Collective, and the Office for the Impact Economy have agreed to form a policy lab to scope how philanthropy, impact investment and business can help reduce reoffending, with a particular focus on earlier, upstream intervention. It's a structured process that brings government and the impact economy together to design practical models. With particular thanks to Heather Davenport, who directs the Office for the Impact Economy, and Dom Llewellyn from the Impact Economy Collective, for their work so far, and going forward.

What began as a series of conversations has increasingly become an attempt to build practical bridges between sectors that do not always work closely together. The justice system cannot solve every challenge alone, nor can business, philanthropy or government when they operate in a vacuum. However, when institutions are willing to share responsibility and align around common outcomes, new possibilities begin to emerge.

Thank you to all who have contributed

Looking back across this series, I have been consistently struck by the calibre and generosity of those contributing ideas and experience. From practitioners working directly within the justice system, to those in finance and public policy seeking innovative solutions, there has been a shared recognition that justice is not a peripheral concern, but one that sits at the centre of a well-functioning society.

The principle behind Justice for All has always been that better justice is not only ethically right, it makes practical and economic sense. A society with stronger institutions, lower reoffending rates, greater trust and better support for victims is not simply a fairer society, but a more stable, productive and prosperous one as well.

The work does not end with this final event. If anything, it feels as though the real work begins now.