LSB confirms review of SSB Group collapse
Today’s Family Lawyer, Today’s Wills & Probate and Today’s Conveyancer continue coverage of the Legal Services Board (LSB) has announcing an independent review of the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) regulatory actions in the lead-up to last year’s collapse of SSB Group.
Law Society chief executive officer Ian Jeffery said: “We welcomed the LSB carrying out an independent review of the events leading to the collapse of Axiom Ince and the SRA’s intervention to close the firm. We similarly welcome this independent review of regulatory actions in the lead-up to the collapse of SSB Group, which also raises concerns about the timely detection of and protection against consumer detriment.
“As the oversight body responsible for assessing and monitoring effective and transparent regulatory performance, the LSB has the necessary investigation and enforcement powers to ensure that the events and regulatory actions relating to such serious incidents are fully brought to light.
“We stand ready to work with the LSB and, as appropriate, the SRA to ensure that all proper assurance is provided to the public and to our members.”
Criminal court backlogs
LawCareers.Net covers the Ministry of Justice’s latest criminal court backlogs, which show the Crown Court backlog hit 67,673 between October and December 2023.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “Decades of underfunding and cuts have left us with a justice system which is failing victims and defendants, who are having to wait far too long to access justice, with thousands of cases outstanding for more than two years.
“There aren’t enough judges and lawyers to cover the cases. Pay and conditions to work in the system are unattractive and court staff are undermanned and under pressure. Eligible people can’t access legal aid because changes to the means test have been delayed. Prisons are overcrowded with inmates being released early to free up space.
“Only increased and sustained funding can stop the ongoing collapse of our criminal justice system.”
Climate change guidance
Pioneers Post runs an in-depth piece looking at lawyers joining campaigners to protect the planet. It mentions the Law Society’s climate change guidance.
Also worth a read:
- UK government looks to four alternate countries for Rwanda scheme – Times (£)
- PM to give Rwanda £50m if Rwanda Bill becomes law – Guardian
- Rwanda Bill: MPs reject Lord amends for second time – Evening Standard
- Lawyers’ deportation removal arguments revealed – Times (£)
- 40,000 migrants living in limbo in the UK – FT (£)
- Post Office/Horizon scandal puts focus on politicians – Guardian
- Vardags makes computer error that results in wrong couple being divorced – Times (£) & Guardian
- Vardags stands behind lawyer behind computer error – Gazette
- SRA re-issues exam results for SQE1 after marking error – Gazette, Legal Cheek & Legal Futures
- Law schools’ reaction to SQE marking error – Legal Cheek