Legal Needs Survey
Gazette, Today’s Family Lawyer and Today’s Wills & Probate cover 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.
“We will use these findings to improve understanding of the legal profession and boost access to justice.
“The upcoming proposals of our 21st Century Justice project aim to address the issue of unmet legal needs amongst those on low incomes and narrow the access to justice gap.”
Civil legal aid
President Nick Emmerson writes in Legal Action Group about the Law Society’s Frontier Economics research and analysis of the sustainability of the civil legal aid system, as we wait for the government’s long overdue Civil Legal Aid Review.
Judicial reviews
The Telegraph (£) writes about judicial reviews and analyses the pattern of legal challenges against the government.
Director of public affairs at the Law Society, David McNeill, said: “When public services are being withdrawn or limited or rationed, the possibility [the authority] will clash with an individual or interest group increases.”
Crisis in the county courts
Prospect Magazine covers the crisis in the county courts, as staff shortages and crumbling infrastructure lead to rising civil justice deserts across England and Wales.
The Law Society said: “The physical condition of the court estate is having an impact on the work of the courts across England and Wales. Repair issues often force courts to close, the buildings themselves can be unpleasant work environments, while some courts are difficult for disabled users to access. […] This is not the main cause of the significant backlogs we see across the estate, but it is a contributing factor. The backlogs themselves are down to extensive cuts to the justice system including to courts, sitting days, legal aid and to administrative staff in recent years.”
Delays in criminal courts
Commercial Dispute Resolution covers delays in the criminal court system, as the number of outstanding Crown court cases reaches a record high.
The article cites the Law Society’s concern regarding “decades of cuts” that have contributed to a “chronic shortage of lawyers and judges.”
Renters Reform Bill
Landlord Today and Property Industry Eye report the Law Society’s response to the Renters Reform Bill, as the bill returns to the House of Commons next week.
The Law Society said: “Without investment for housing legal aid and the courts, the bill will not achieve its aims and may lead to an increase in backlogs and landlords and tenants alike will be unable to enforce their legal rights.”
Technological innovation
Today’s Conveyancer 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.’
Also worth a read:
- MPs warn that SLAPPs bill may be watered down – Times (£)
- Investment in law firm that created ‘AI paralegal’ that passed the SQE – Legal Cheek
- Research shows that only 40% of people in England trust their police force - Guardian
- Downing Street has refused to recommit to Rishi Sunak’s spring deadline to get deportation flights off the ground to Rwanda - Independent, i news (£)
- Further delays in the Rwanda Bill explained - Guardian
- Scottish government saying its 2030 climate target is ‘out of reach’ - BBC
- Latest developments in the Post Office Inquiry - Gazette
- Criminal review board ‘sorry’ for failing Andrew Malkinson – Independent