Sir Ernest Ryder Published: 11 November 2016 ‘The next six years marks out the most ambitious period of change since the Judicature Acts of the 1870s. The aim that the Lord Chief Justice and I have agreed with the Lord Chancellor is quite simply to strengthen the rule of law. The reform programme that was announced this last month is a breathtaking £1bn investment project. The programme’s genesis is of course a response to the realities of our age. Austerity is not the driver of reform – that approach runs the risk of price rationing which is the antithesis of equal access to justice. What austerity has forced us to do is face up to the system’s failings and be clear about what is necessary to prevent further decline. The programme’s genesis is of course a response to the realities of our age. Austerity is not the driver of reform – that approach runs the risk of price rationing which is the antithesis of equal access to justice. What austerity has forced us to do is face up to the system’s failings and be clear about what is necessary to prevent further decline.’ Sir Ernest Ryder opening address PLP 2016