Champions of the Rule of Law

Champions of the Rule of Law looks at an overarching principle of English law. It describes how a powerful and fundamental rule came about and how it has been preserved in the face of attempts to circumvent it. Standing at the heart of all matters of justice - and now exported to many parts of the world - the rule of law holds, in short, that the law applies in equal measure to everyone. Of parallel importance, power can only be exercised under the law, so that no matter how high, mighty, or privileged someone may be, respect for this aspect of the rule lies at the very core of liberal democracy. Events in both modern times and across legal history readily demonstrate the sometimes precarious nature of the rule and the need for 'champions' who are prepared to uphold and defend it. While the need for such a rule may seem obvious on any balanced view of how justice should be dispensed, the central importance of the rule is by no means intuitive to some people. This means that there is always a need to re-iterate the purpose of the rule, the arguments behind it, and to understand the mechanisms which safeguard and protect it. Whenever the rule of law does fall under threat, whether due to arrogance, claims to special treatment, misguided understandings, dubious explanations, or lack of due process, there is a need for people of the calibre of those described in this book to step forward. Quite apart from the book's interest for lawyers, historians, and students, it will appeal to anyone seeking full reassurance that justice is truly blind, fair, even-handed, and accessible to all.