While corporate exploitation of consumers, employees and independent suppliers has mushroomed, access to the law for those with limited means has dramatically worsened. Legal aid funding to those most in need has been cut. So has that for CABX and Legal Advice Centres. 'No win no fee' lawyers are no substitute.

Article 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights says, "In the determination of his civil rights and obligations or of any criminal charge against him, everyone is entitled to a fair and public hearing within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial tribunal established by law." But how can a hearing be fair if the citizen cannot even establish what the law says? And remember "ignorance is no defence".