The Magna Carta says: "To no one will we sell, to no one deny or delay right or justice".
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The authors of that 800-year-old legal document would be "crying in their graves" if they knew the state of the NSW justice system, according to a Supreme Court judge who has again criticised the government and prosecuting authorities for delays in the court process.
Acting Justice Robert Shallcross Hulme made the comments on Monday, while denying bail to Neil Avery, a 66-year-old bricklayer facing several charges relating to weapons and dealing with the proceeds of crime.
Mr Avery was taken into custody on January 9, and the brief of evidence against him is not expected to be completed until early next year, the court heard.
Acting Justice Hulme said the concerns of the DPP and police should be taken with a "grain of salt" because they "do not seem to have been in any great hurry to prepare the case".
"Meanwhile [Mr Avery], presumed to be innocent, languishes in prison," Acting Justice Hulme said.
The court heard police expected to lay more charges against Mr Avery, before seeking further advice from DPP ahead of a committal hearing.
Any future trial in the District Court would be likely held in 2017.
"Despite the billions of dollars apparently available for changes or improvement to the roads and rail system in this state, it seems there are not enough resources for a justice system that can enable persons to be tried in less than about two years."
Acting Justice Hulme then quoted the Magna Carta.
"The authors of that document [would] be crying in their graves if they knew of the current justice system."
The court also heard Mr Avery had only been able to speak to his lawyers for a maximum of 20 minutes at a time when they visited him in jail.
"In my capacity as a judge of this court, I have acquired some knowledge of how prisons are conducted. I can see no conceivable justification for legal visits being so restricted, except in most extraordinary circumstances."
Last month, Acting Justice Hulme took aim at the DPP after he was forced to vacate a murder trial because the Crown had not disclosed relevant information earlier.
"I have now been, or acted as, a judge of this court for over 20 years and I never cease to be surprised at the extent of the incompetence or the inefficiency within the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions," he said.
In a statement, Attorney-General Gabrielle Upton said: "The justice system is facing challenges and these challenges were not created overnight.
"We are taking steps to address these issues because we want a justice system that is fast, fair and accessible.
"The NSW Government is working closely with key stakeholders on a systemic reform agenda."