Backlogs in the family courts
The Times (£) covers our concerns about the backlogs of cases in the family courts.
Combining both public and private law cases involving children, a total of 103,676 children were trapped in the family courts backlogs over 2023.
Employment Tribunal fees
The Times (£) looks at plans to reintroduce Employment Tribunal fees.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “Bringing in fees introduces a potential barrier to justice. The Employment Tribunal is the place where workers get the chance to enforce their statutory rights. If they are not able to do so, they could be exploited to the detriment of themselves and of wider society.
“More evidence is needed that those on low wages will not be negatively impacted by fees before such a regime can be introduced.”
Criminal legal aid
Gazette reports that Ben Brown, Law Society Council member for criminal defence, has quit criminal defence work and resigned his seat on Council over the government’s decimation of the criminal justice system. The piece mentions our judicial review.
A Law Society spokesperson said: “We are meeting the Lord Chancellor later this month.
“We will set out the urgent need for criminal legal aid to get the funding it so desperately requires, as the High Court judgment made clear, and how this can be implemented as quickly as possible.”
New TA6 form
Gazette, Legal Futures and Estate Agent Today report that we are looking into concerns raised about the new TA6 property information form.
A Law Society spokesperson said: “We are aware of concerns that have been raised by some of our members. We are taking them seriously and have been looking into them.
“Once we have had the opportunity to examine those concerns, we will be in a position to consider what, if any, additional guidance, clarification or measures may be necessary.”
Regulation of the legal profession
Local Government Lawyer covers a Justice Select Committee evidence session about the Legal Services Act 2007 and its impact on the regulation of the profession. The piece mentions our role in the evidence session.
Political limbo
Jonathan Goldsmith, chair of our Policy & Regulatory Affairs Committee, writes in the Gazette about the current state of political limbo. The piece mentions our 21st Century Justice Project.
Also worth a read:
- Former Supreme Court judges say UK arming Israel breaches international law – Guardian
- Labour calls for legal advice on Israel’s conduct in Gaza to be published – FT (£)
- Sunak hints UK could leave ECHR if Rwanda plan blocked – Independent & Times (£)
- CILEX concerns over the inadequacies of government’s response to the Criminal Legal Aid Independent Review – Solicitors Journal
- Scotland’s new hate crime law, introduced on Monday, has already led to more than 3,000 hate crime reports made to the police – BBC
- Top judge cites AI as a useful tool for those who cannot afford lawyers – Legal Cheek
- Judges have been told to consider more lenient sentences for offenders from “deprived” or “difficult” backgrounds – Telegraph (£)
- MPs consider sanctions against ex-Post Office boss – FT (£)
- Tributes paid to local land charges expert – Today’s Conveyancer