Pro bono recognition list
Local Government Lawyer and East Midlands Business Link report that more than 3,000 solicitors have been included on the pro bono recognition list.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “This list reminds us of the crucial role pro bono plays in our society, filling the gaps left by an overburdened and underfunded legal aid system.
“An increasing number of individuals find themselves without the necessary support to navigate the legal system. While we celebrate the Pro Bono Recognition List and the dedication of thousands of lawyers, there is an urgent need to strengthen and expand legal aid to ensure that justice, as a fundamental right, is truly accessible to all.”
CILEX Regulation
Todays’ Conveyancer and Law360 (£) report that the Solicitors Regulation Authority is set to decide this week whether to proceed with proposals to regulate both authorised and non-authorised members of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX).
Law Society’s chief executive officer, Ian Jeffery, said: “The SRA must seriously consider whether the time, resources and management focus required to integrate CILEX regulation into the SRA is wise, given the other priorities the SRA faces in light of the collapses of Axiom Ince, Metamorph, Kingly and the SSB Group.
“Now is not the right time for the SRA to seek to widen its regulatory scope or take on additional responsibilities. The SRA has failed to make the case for any positive consumer impacts – as highlighted by the Legal Services Consumer Panel’s consultation response – which underscored the lack of evidence and information from both CILEX and the SRA.
“In common with CILEX members, we remain of the view that the regulation of CILEX members is best managed under the current bespoke arrangements with CRL.”
Immigration law
Jonathan Goldsmith, chair of the Law Society’s Policy & Regulatory Affairs Committee, writes in the Gazette about the current challenges faced by immigration lawyers.
Social mobility
Alice Kinder, a social mobility ambassador at the Law Society, speaks to Birmingham Business about the importance of creating workplace environments that encourage and promote inclusivity, and engage those who are traditionally excluded from the legal profession.
Also worth a read:
- High Court throws out SRA’s appeal in AML case – Gazette
- Plans to boost the use of ‘lawtech’ in the West Midlands is unveiled – Legal Futures
- Former senior engineer behind Horizon IT scandal appears at Post Office inquiry – inews (£), Gazette, FT (£)
- Wrongly jailed sub-postmistress rejects apology from former engineer - BBC
- Court of Appeal to hear test case for widening use of class action lawsuits – FT (£)
- Gambling Commission investigates insider betting on General Election date – Solicitors Journal
- Explainer: the laws around gambling and the election scandal – Times (£)
- Julian Assange walks free after US federal court accepts a plea deal – Times (£)
- ICC issues arrest warrants for Russian officials over alleged Ukraine war crimes - Guardian
- Combined support for Labour and Tory parties hits lowest since 1918 – FT (£)