The Rule of Law, By Tom Bingham

Justice explained (are you listening, Tony, Dave et al?)

Reviewed,Brandon Robshaw
Sunday 13 March 2011 01:00 GMT
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This succinct and lucid explanation of what the familiar phrase "rule of law" actually means, by the former Lord Chief Justice, the late Lord Bingham, begins with a history of English law and then explicates the key principles of its rule.

That means accessibility, equality before the law, the right to a fair trial, and (in Bingham's view) protection for human rights. Bingham argues that the invasion of Iraq was a serious violation of the rule of law. On state responses to terrorism, Bingham approvingly quotes Ben Franklin: "He who would put security before liberty deserves neither." This is a trenchant defence of the rule of law by a man who took it seriously.

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