Magistrates’ courts
Gazette 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
LBC and Culture Zone UK cover the Law Society’s response to amendments to the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill, as the Rwanda policy was passed in Parliament last night.
We have recently said that the Bill demonstrated “a profound lack of respect for the rule of law and balance of powers.”
TA6 Property Information Form
Today’s Conveyancer covers the Law Society’s updated TA6 property information form and its response to the issue of Japanese Knotweed.
Also worth a read:
- Rwanda policy becomes law, as the Bill is pushed through Parliament – BBC, i News (£), Guardian, Sky News
- Detention of migrants will start in days, as Rwanda policy is passed – Times (£)
- Rwanda deportation flights will not leave until summer, PM admits - Guardian
- Former High Court judge suggests ‘pop-up’ courts could help cut backlog, with pubs, libraries and other public spaces being repurposed as courts to bring justice to the public – Times (£)
- Junior Lawyers Division (JLD) responds to the £250 compensation payment to SQE students affected by a major marking blunder – Legal Cheek
- Analysis of UK prisons at a breaking point, with overcrowding, staff shortages and increased violence – Times (£)
- Judges and barristers have largest gender pay gap in UK – Legal Cheek
- Huw Edwards resigns from the BBC – Standard