Civil legal aid fees
The Gazette reports our “extreme concern” over the increased number of litigants in person in private family law cases in the decade since the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act came in to force. In a call to the UK government, we said civil legal aid fees should be increased.
Law Society of England and Wales president Nick Emmerson said: “Removing legal advice led to many more people going straight to court instead of seeking to resolve their cases through mediation.
“As the figures show, thousands of people are being forced to take on their case on their own, as they have no access to free legal advice. Means test eligibility has not been uprated for years, meaning people on lower incomes and sometimes those living in poverty, are unable to access justice.
“It is extremely concerning to see the rise in the number of people representing themselves in these kinds of cases. The rise in litigants in person is creating further pressure on a system already in crisis. Further action is needed to make our family law justice system fit for purpose.”
SLAPPs
Legal Futures covers a letter written by the Society of Media Lawyers to Lord Chancellor Alex Chalk explaining that the current stance of the Solicitors Regulation Authority over Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) will make lawyers reluctant to act on cases that could fall foul of the Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation Bill.
The article notes that the Society of Media Lawyers has previously criticised the Law Society for our support of SLAPPs reform.
Also worth a read:
- Chris Philp ridiculed for asking whether Rwanda and Congo were different countries – Independent
- Rwanda Bill criticised by Irish foreign minister as ‘fearful’ migrants cross border – Independent
- Macron criticises PM’s Rwanda plan as politics of ‘cynicism’ – Independent
- AI could be a valuable tool for residential property lawyers – New Law Journal
- UK policy denying visas to children of care workers faces legal challenge – Guardian
- Rape victims’ therapy notes to stay private – Times (£)
- Loosening credit agreements mean investors who once could avoid messy legal battles are having to evolve – FT (£)
- Campaign group concerned over proposals to grant non-parties access to court documents in civil proceedings – Solicitors Journal
- Cost-cutting beckons if leasehold law goes ahead – New Law Journal