SRA compensation fund
City A.M., Today’s Conveyancer and Today’s Wills & Probate report that the SRA has proposed law firms and solicitors will pay at least three times more in compensation fund contributions next year.
Law Society chief executive officer Ian Jeffery said: “The compensation fund provides crucial protection and reassurance to consumers in contrast to the lack of protections offered by unregulated providers.
“Professions can only succeed if they uphold core values, such as integrity, reliability and accountability. On the rare occasions when our professional colleagues fail to uphold these values, our collective responsibility means that public faith is maintained.
“It is unfortunate that there have been such significant failings that we now face substantial increases in the individual and firm contributions to the compensation fund. It underlines the need for greater vigilance and probity on the part of our members and a focus on effectiveness by regulators.
“Ultimately, we accept that the role of solicitors is to protect the interests of their clients, and that we must do that, even when the costs are high, because the costs of not doing so would inevitably be higher.”
Crown court backlog
Times (£) continues coverage of the NAO’s report that Crown court backlogs in England and Wales cannot be reduced to 53,000 by March 2025.
The NAO report, published on Friday, warns that court buildings are not fit for purpose due to “long term underinvestment,” possibly adding to the difficulty in reducing the backlog.
President Nick Emmerson said: “The UK government’s shortsighted approach to justice including more than a decade of underfunding of our criminal justice system, has resulted in a chronic shortage of judges and lawyers, huge backlogs, crumbling courts and prison spaces running out.”
Litigants in person
Gazette covers the impact that representing oneself in court has on litigants in person (LiPs), as the number of LiPs has increased in the family courts while access to legal aid remains limited.
President Nick Emmerson said: “Our members tell us that they see litigants in person who represent themselves feeling overwhelmed with court process, court orders and procedure rules, which leads them to have difficulties.”
Liz Fisher-Frank, a member of the Law Society’s family law committee, said: “Where in the past a solicitor’s letter may have resolved issues or encouraged mediation, now clients seeking to resolve issues, where necessary, must navigate the process of making an application to the court on their own - which can be incredibly daunting and for some simply too much to deal with.”
Legal Heroes shortlist
LawCareers.Net reveals the Law Society has shortlisted 19 nominees for the Legal Heroes 2024 ceremony.
President Nick Emmerson said: “Congratulations to the 19 shortlisted nominees, who have consistently gone above and beyond to make a lasting impact on their colleagues and communities. It has been truly inspiring for us to read so many entries showcasing the fantastic work done by our members. They exemplify the best of our profession.
“Solicitors play a crucial role in the justice system, providing essential support and advice to individuals, businesses and the government. It is important that we take the time to recognise and commend their hard work and achievements.”
Post Office victims exonerated
New Law Journal (£), Birmingham Live and Yahoo UK report that hundreds of Post Office Horizon victims will be exonerated, as the Post Office (Horizon system) offences bill receives Royal Assent.
President Nick Emmerson said: “We are pleased that postmasters and others affected by the Post Office/Horizon scandal now have their convictions quashed and can gain access to compensation schemes.
“We reiterate that a piece of legislation as constitutionally significant as this required adequate parliamentary scrutiny time.
“This bill has now been pushed through both houses at pace and the Law Society remains concerned that it could set a precedent for parliamentary intervention in the justice system.”
Post Office Horizon Inquiry
Times (£) has an opinion piece from David McIntosh, a former president of the Law Society, and Rodney Warren, a former Law Society council member, on Post Office and role of lawyers in the “wrongful and aggressive prosecutions”.
Victims and Prisoners Act
New Law Journal reveals that the Victims and Prisoners Act has passed into law.
President Nick Emmerson said: “While we did not support changes to parole decision making, we were pleased that the Bill was amended so that instead of giving the Secretary of State the power to intervene in parole cases involving serious offenders, the Secretary of State will have the power to refer a case to the Upper Tribunal or High Court.”
Mortgage possession claims
Shropshire Star continues coverage of recent figures that highlight the rising number of eviction and repossession claims made earlier this year.
President Nick Emmerson said: "We are concerned about the number of people who are at risk of becoming homeless.
"With the cost-of-living crisis and high interest rates, many are struggling with rent and mortgage payments and are at risk of losing their homes."
Small claims cases
New Law Journal reports that mandatory mediation will be required for most smalls claims cases.
Vice president Richard Atkinson welcomed the initiative but urged HMCTS to collect “as much data as possible.”
TA6 property form
Gazette mentions the Law Society’s TA6 property form in a piece on conveyancing.
Also worth a read:
- Public accounts committee (PAC) says there is no credible plan to implement the Rwanda scheme - BBC
- Post Office Horizon IT scandal has made in-house solicitors reflect on their ethical role - The Lawyer (£)
- Up to half of prisoners released early recalled within days at some jails – Telegraph (£)
- New research suggests lawyers with AI skills can expect higher salaries - Legal Cheek
- SRA will generate £66m in SQE income next year - Gazette
- SQE2 pass rate climbs to 73% - Legal Cheek
- Number of complaints to law firms is up 20% in five years – Legal Futures
- Hong Kong court convicts 14 democracy activists in security case - BBC
- Backlog of visa fee waiver applications leaves vulnerable families in limbo - Guardian
- Taylor Swift concert pushes homeless out of Edinburgh - Telegraph (£)
- Junior doctors have announced a five-day strike in June - Times (£)
- Evening Standard will cut its daily newspaper and publish weekly instead - inews (£)