Legal Needs Survey
Legal Cheek, Today’s Conveyancer and the Paradise continue coverage of 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.
“The research shows the essential support solicitors provide to the public and presents an opportunity to raise awareness of how people with legal needs can seek professional help.”
Magistrates’ courts
The Gazette Magazine (pgs 19-21) examines the crisis at the centre of Magistrates’ courts, which are facing backlogs and delays for thousands of victims, witnesses and defendants.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “If the government is serious about tackling the backlogs, it must provide the funding needed to ensure there are enough solicitors to represent people in court and, even before then, at the police station.”
He added this must include the 15% real-terms increase for defence solicitors, which our recent High Court victory demonstrated is desperately needed.
Rwanda Bill
The Australian Institute of International Affairs covers the influence of the country’s deterrence-based asylum policy and its impact across Europe and the United Kingdom, including the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill.
It cites our grave concerns that the Bill demonstrates “a profound lack of respect for the rule of law and balance of powers.”
SQE1 marking error
The Gazette runs an in-depth piece looking at the SQE1 marking error which emerged last week.
A Law Society spokesperson said we will be engaging closely with the Solicitors Regulation Authority “to understand what steps are being taken to ensure any future changes are managed more successfully.”
We encourage candidates affected by the marking error to turn to the Junior Solicitors Network, mental wellbeing charity LawCare or our pastoral care helpline for support.
Uzbekistan visit
Uzbekistan National News reports that Debra Long, the Law Society’s international policy manager and Tríona Lenihan, our international policy adviser, visited the Republic of Uzbekistan for Human Rights (Ombudsman), where they discussed human rights interests in the country.
Compliance culture
Today’s Conveyancer speaks to David Gilmore, a member of our Leadership and Management Committee about compliance culture and mitigating risk.
Also worth a read:
- Post Office/Horizon Inquiry: Questioning of lawyers continues – Gazette, Times (£), Sky News & Roll on Friday
- Subpostmaster still recovering from Post Office/Horizon scandal – BBC News
- PM announces ‘no more delays’ on Rwanda Bill – Telegraph (£)
- Rwanda Bill: PM ready for another voting show down – BBC News & Telegraph (£)
- PM pledges to investigate collapse of SSB Law – BBC News, Legal Futures & the Star
- Russia bans lawyers from Fieldfisher for sanction work – City A.M.
- SRA to update SLAPPs guidance – Gazette