Means test review
Law 360 (£) and Gazette report that the Law Society calls for the new government to implement changes to legal aid eligibility, as suggested in the Means Test Review 2023.
President Nick Emmerson said: “The fact that those living in the very deepest poverty are the only ones left who are eligible for full legal aid shows just how drastically this vital support has been cut back over the past 20 years.
“Viewing those who are already living significantly below the Minimum Income Standard as being well enough off to contribute to legal costs will only lead to a denial of justice for survivors of abuse deprived of the protection they need and for families vulnerable to illegal evictions from rogue landlords.
“The new government has an opportunity here to improve access to justice for millions by introducing changes that have already been agreed and budgeted for.”
Lawyers at risk
Solicitors Journal reports that the Egyptian state has restricted the free and fair practice of law.
Vice president Richard Atkinson said: “The Egyptian state machinery displays a pattern of contempt against lawyers working in criminal and human rights law.
“This mistreatment is particularly noticeable in cases that involve political opponents. For example, following anti-government protests in September 2019, Egyptian authorities targeted and arrested lawyers who were defending imprisoned protestors.
“Lawyers involved in politically sensitive cases face harassment, intimidation, arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances. The state uses broad anti-terrorism legislation against these lawyers to bar them from fulfilling their professional duties.”
Compensation fund levy
Legal Futures reports that the Solicitors Regulation Authority is going ahead with the hike in the compensation fund levy in the wake of the growing cost of law firm failures despite objections voiced by the Law Society.
SGM
Inside Conveyancing publishes a Q&A about the Law Society’s upcoming Special General Meeting on Tuesday 23 July 2024.
Climate change guidance
Gazette mentions our climate change guidance in a piece on the impact of ESG reporting in law firms.
Anti-SLAPPs bill
Gazette reports that an anti-SLAPPs bill has not been included in the new government’s legislative agenda.
Non-party cost orders
Masood Ahmed, a member of our Dispute Resolution Committee, writes in the Gazette about non-party costs orders and credit hire disputes.
Also worth a read:
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- Post Office general counsel steps back from business – Gazette
- House of Lords to debate assisted dying law with financial consequences in focus – Solicitors Journal
- UK appeals court restores status quo when assessing patentability of AI inventions – Global Legal Post
- New arbitration bill aims to modernise UK dispute resolution framework – Solicitors Journal
- Police to blame for a ‘near total failure’ on stalking, says victims commissioner – Telegraph (£)
- Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper could abandon law that criminalised peaceful protests - Guardian
- Lawmakers call on Secret Service boss to resign after assassination attempt on Donald Trump - BBC