Criminal court backlog
The Solicitors Journal reports that the backlog in the Crown Court has risen to 66,842 cases in February 2024, up from 60,275 cases in the same period last year.
Reacting to these figures, Nick Emmerson, President of the Law Society of England and Wales, expressed deep concern over the escalating backlogs in the criminal courts. He stressed that these delays translate into significant challenges for victims, witnesses, and defendants in accessing timely justice.
Nick Emmerson criticised the government's target of reducing the Crown Court backlog to 53,000 cases, labelling it as "fanciful" in light of the current situation where the backlog has surpassed 66,000 cases.
Law Society calls for sustained funding to alleviate the strain on the system, citing a recent High Court victory that highlighted the urgent need for a 15% real terms increase in funding for defence solicitors.
The Politico Playbook also reports that the crown court backlog still remains at near-record levels. Law Society said: “These outstanding cases mean huge delays in accessing justice for thousands of victims, witnesses and defendants.” But a government spokesperson said “our courts are running at full throttle with more hearings taking place each month to tackle the outstanding caseload.”
Pro Bono Recognition List
Solicitors Journal reports that the Pro Bono Recognition List aims to acknowledge solicitors and barristers who have dedicated 25 or more hours of their time to provide free legal assistance to those in need throughout the previous calendar year.
The initiative received widespread support from legal bodies, with Nick Emmerson, president of the Law Society, emphasising the profound impact of pro bono work in bridging the gap between legal needs and representation.
New Law Journal mentions that Nick Emmerson, president of the Law Society will be a judge for the Pro Bono Awards 2024.
Technology & AI
Max Winthrop, chair of The Law Society Employment Law Committee, spoke with BBC Radio Essex (from 31:00), about concerns around artificial intelligence replacing people’s jobs and the legal rights employees have with new technology.
Lawyers at risk
IAPL Monitoring Committee on Attacks on Lawyers cites our concern for lawyers at risk in Algeria. Lawyers for Lawyers, SHOAA for Human Rights and the Law Society of England and Wales have issued a joint statement expressing their grave concern regarding the escalation of prosecutions against lawyers for their work defending people involved in the Hirak movement in Algeria.
Also worth a read:
- Top UK law firms borrowing more as lawyers struggle to get clients to cough up – City A.M.
- The UK economy has grown for the second month in a row, raising hopes that it is on its way out of recession. - inews
- Rwanda flights won’t save Sunak in face of ‘tide’ of small boats, say pollsters. - inews
- Continued coverage of the Post Office inquiry as former chair gives evidence - Times (£), i news (£) and Independent
- US bill would require AI companies to disclose copyrighted work in training models – The Global Legal Post
- New survey shows only 25 percent of associates expressed aspirations to become partners within their UK firms – Australasian Magazine
- Report calls for major overhaul of BSB enforcement processes – Legal Futures
- The Bar Standards Board has taken a significant step forward by releasing its Data and Intelligence Strategy for the years 2024–2027– Solicitors Journal
- Unlocking opportunities: Why universities must embrace the SQE – The Lawyer (£)
- SLAPP campaigners call for ‘objective’ test in new law - Gazette
- Position Paper issued by the Law Society of Hong Kong on the impact of artificial intelligence on the legal profession - Hong Kong Lawyer
- The US’s top environmental regulator is expected to face a barrage of legal challenges from fossil fuel groups – FT (£)
- EU votes for €2bn reform of migrant laws - Times (£).