A new report from the UK House of Lords Constitution Committee warns that personal attacks on judges—by politicians and the media—are undermining public confidence in the rule of law. While open debate about court decisions is healthy, the Committee stresses that targeting individual judges or portraying the judiciary as “activist” is unjustified and harmful.
The report highlights a growing trend of hostility toward judges, especially those ruling on immigration cases. Incidents include media criticism suggesting political bias and even direct attacks from lawmakers, prompting senior judges such as Lady Justice Carr to publicly defend judicial independence.
Experts note that this pattern dates back at least to the backlash against the High Court’s 2016 Miller decision on Brexit. According to Sam Townend KC, criticism of judicial rulings should be handled through proper legal channels—not political grandstanding.
Beyond these attacks, the Committee identifies systemic challenges eroding the rule of law: chronic underinvestment in the justice system, severe court backlogs, limited access to legal aid, and rising low-level crime. These issues collectively contribute to a public sense that the law is not being applied fairly or effectively.
The Committee calls for improved public understanding of the rule of law, urging better civic education to demystify the UK’s constitutional system. Strengthening education and restoring trust in legal institutions, members argue, are essential to safeguarding what they describe as the “cornerstone” of democratic society.