Legal Needs Survey
Legal Futures covers the launch of the Legal Needs Survey. This new research by the Law Society and the Legal Services Board reveals that two thirds of adults in England and Wales have experienced at least one legal issue in the last four years.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “With two in three people experiencing at least one legal issue, it is evident that the legal system continues to play a vital role in everyday life.
“Solicitors are the most frequently used adviser by individuals with legal issues. Out of those who received professional help, almost nine in ten were satisfied with their legal adviser and seven in ten believe that the help they received allowed them to get a better outcome.”
Criminal court backlogs
New Law Journal reports on the latest figures for the backlogs in the criminal courts.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “The government’s target of cutting the Crown Court backlog to 53,000 looks fanciful. There aren’t enough judges and lawyers to cover the cases.”
Technological innovation
Law News states that the legal industry must be open to innovation citing a recent report from the Law Society that concluded that ‘a lack of understanding by, and encouragement from management is proving a barrier to the uptake of technologies.’
Probate delays
The Law Society is mentioned in a Legal Futures piece looking at how probate delays have left some clients feeling suicidal because they are running out of money.
Litigation Funding Agreements
New Law Journal reports on the Litigation Funding Agreements (Enforceability) Bill having its second reading in the House of Lords.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “We recognise there are important arguments on both sides concerning this Bill. Litigation funding can enable access to justice for individuals or groups who would otherwise not have the means to be able to bring a legal challenge. For this to be viable, litigation funders need certainty over the conditions in which they are providing funding.
“However, there are ongoing debates about the regulation of litigation funding and the need to ensure that consumer interests are protected so that funding arrangements do not result in hollow victories for claimants.”
Culture of compliance
Inside Conveyancing hosts a conversation with David Gilmore, member of the Law Society’s leadership and management committee - among others - who shares his specialist knowledge and insight on how SME law firms can instil a proactive culture of compliance.
Also worth a read:
- BSB on notice to improve its complaints handling – Times (£)
- Church of England will oppose the government’s pledge to abolish marriage value as part of its leasehold reforms – Gazette
- Gender pay gap for judges and barristers – Solicitors Journal
- Parliamentary battle over Rwanda Bill will continue into next week – Guardian
- Gove insists ground rents will eventually fall to nominal levels under his leasehold reforms – FT (£)