In France, thousands of the country’s lawyers and magistrates have gone on strike in protest against planned justice reforms.

They say the proposals would pile pressure on an already overstretched court and prison system, and undermine judicial independence.

Christophe Vivet, National Secretary of the National Union of Magistrates said: “Our budget has been insufficient for years. Looking in a Europe-wide context, France is on the same level as Moldova and other countries where the demands on the system are not as high. I think that the judicial system does not have enough money to function and this has a knock-on effect on working conditions and the quality of justice for those that are on trial.”

This is the latest in a long-running battle over the future of France’s creaking justice system, which all sides agree needs reform but details of which have caused bitter disagreement.

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