QLR fees
Gazette reports that the Law Society has urged the next government to monitor the impact of a fee increase for lawyers appointed by the court to prevent domestic abuse complainants being cross-examined by their alleged perpetrator.
Law Society President Nick Emmerson said: “The Law Society’s recent research by Frontier Economics suggests that more than a 10% increase would be needed to make legal aid fees sustainable and the same would apply to the QLR fees.
We will need to monitor this closely to understand if it is having the required impact. While this is a positive step in the right direction, we won’t know the impact it is having unless the scheme is properly evaluated.
Our members often tell us about issues with the scheme and the lack of QLRs available across the country. A thorough examination would bring to light what else needs to be improved. We encourage the next UK government to closely monitor this change to ensure it makes the scheme sustainable and encourages sufficient practitioners to sign up to provide this vital service.”
Litigants in person
New Law Journal reports that more than a quarter of parties in some areas of England and Wales are unrepresented in public family law cases, which determine whether a child should be removed into local authority care.
Law Society President Nick Emmerson said: “‘Our members tell us that they see litigants in person (LiPs) who represent themselves feeling overwhelmed with court process, court orders and procedure rules, which leads them to have difficulties.
There has been a small improvement in 2024 of the number of cases with representation in private family law. However, much more is needed to make our family law justice system fit for purpose.”
Conveyancing forms
Inside Conveyancer, Today’s Conveyancer and one other news outlet cover our TA6 property information form, with the Law Society receiving feedback after changes were made.
The Law Society said: “Those engaged in the development of the latest edition of the TA6 and TA7 forms included practitioners from across the spectrum of the membership – small, medium and large firms – as well as professional support lawyers and academics. Many members of the working group have a wealth of experience working on the transaction forms.”
Legal Futures, Estate Agent Today and two other news outlets report that the Law Society is facing a ‘no confidence’ motion over conveyancing forms put forward by The Property Lawyers Action Group (PLAG).
Legal Heroes
Irish Legal News reports that Michael Walker of London firm Kingsley Napley, has been nominated for a Law Society Legal Hero award for his role in establishing the LILA Trailblazers programme.
Compensation fund
The Times reports that solicitors may pay for Axiom Ince demise. The article also mentions that the Law Society was the frontline regulator before 2007.
Also worth a read:
- Killers to get tougher sentences as Tories promise overhaul of law – Times (£)
- Judicial Conduct Investigations Office must comply with FoI requests, ICO finds – Gazette
- Woman charged with assault after milkshake thrown at Nigel Farage – Standard
- ‘Enhanced’ searches at Stratford Magistrates’ Court have been dropped – New Law Journal
- Google faces £14bn UK class action after Tribunal greenlights claim – CityA.M