Availability of Legal Remedies (was Law, Human Rights, and democracy)

[jspotila]

No: HPFGUIDX 31178

Jenett wrote:
<snip>
It's where Fred and George 
> finally get forced to explain why they're trying to track down 
Bagman, and 
> what the whole situation is. 
> 
> They go through the whole "We tried this, and we tried that, and we 
can't 
> get this to work..." but they don't, as I recall, mention anything 
formal 
> (like a civil court system) even to discard it as an option for 
some other 
> reason. (like "Mom would find out and she'd be angry we gambled.")
> 

I think there is a very simple explanation why Fred and George don't 
consider a legal remedy for their problem - they're KIDS and the 
offender is head of a department at the MOM!  Even in the US, where 
the legal system is supposed to be available to everyone, the 
disenfranchised or those without power are unaware or unable to seek 
legal redress of wrongs.  As a former lawyer, even in the litigious 
American climate, I know there are many people who do not or cannot 
avail themselves of legal remedies and protection.  How are Fred and 
George supposed to find and retain an attorney (assuming a civil 
court system analogous to the US)?  How would a court look at two 
Hogwarts students, with a reputation for pranks and mischief, trying 
to sue the head of a MOM department?  No, I think their approach is 
much more realistic, albeit risky - threaten to expose Bagman's 
misconduct in public.  I'm sure Rita Skeeter would have loved that 
scoop (before Bagman had to flee from the goblins).

Cheers,
Jennie