" It is a great privilege and honour to be following in the footsteps of the previous lecturers who have delivered the Birkenhead Lecture. Much has been written and even more said, whether true or apocryphal, about the Earl of Birkenhead. His career was so remarkable that it would be difficult to give a lecture in his honour without mentioning his contribution to the subject. It is, however, more convenient to do this a little later, as I must first place this lecture in context.

That context must begin with the significant issues that the administration of justice faces today"¦"