Fury over ‘woke’ lawyers’ eco vow

TOP lawyers have been accused of undermining the legal system by declaring that they will not prosecute climate activists.

Around 120 legal professionals are set to sign a ‘Declaration of Conscience’ vowing to refuse their services in prosecuting protesters from eco-groups such as Just Stop Oil and Extinction Rebellion.

Amid accusations of virtue signalling, the group – who call themselves ‘Lawyers are Responsible’ – will also refuse to act on behalf of clients involved in oil and gas on the grounds that they are destroying the environment.

Prominent lawyers understood to be involved are Jolyon Maugham, KC, founder of the Good Law Project, and Sir Geoffrey Bindman, KC, chairman of the British Institute of Human Rights.

The move triggered fierce condemnation last night from senior members of the legal profession, who accused the group of undermining the convention that everyone is entitled to fair legal representation.

Tory MP Robert Buckland, a King’s Counsel and former justice secretary, said: ‘There are plenty of people lawyers represent who are deeply unpleasant and deeply unpopular, such as rapists and paedophiles. But they are entitled to a fair trial. When lawyers start picking and choosing, in a way it undermines the independence of the legal profession. That’s a very odd approach to take, frankly, and not really consistent with the role of a lawyer. When you are a lawyer, you put your personal views aside.’

Another senior legal figure, who did not want to be named, said: ‘It seems absurd, a piece of virtue signalling by Lefty lawyers.’

In English law, the so-called cab rank rule means a barrister must take a case that is within their knowledge and expertise, provided they are free to do so, no matter how unpalatable the cause.

Tory MP Sir Geoffrey Cox, KC, a former attorney general, said: ‘It’s difficult to see, given the very clear rules that the profession requires, how you could justify refusing instructions for political reasons.’

Matt Hutchings, KC, one of the drafters of the declaration, said: ‘We are looking at a global catastrophe. The UK needs to divest from fossil fuels and invest in alternatives far more rapidly than we are.

‘It is imperative that everyone, including lawyers, does what they can to make this happen.’