Today's rundown:
People don't know how to find legal advice
Wedding rights
New Law Society deputy vice president
Charitable giving
Excellence award nomination
Beware Japanese Knotweed
People don't know how to find legal advice
New Law Journal reports research showing 46% of people in Britain don't understand the legal system enough to find advice when they need it or access legal aid. Law Society vice president Lubna Shuja said:
"Many people, particularly those who are living below the poverty line, are regularly denied legal aid by a means test which is too stringent.
"They face serious and life changing legal issues such as in housing, employment and family law with no recourse to legal advice due to legal aid cuts. The legal aid system needs proper funding, otherwise there will continue to be inequalities between those who can afford to access legal support and those who cannot."
Wedding rights
Law Society vice president Lubna Shuja in a legal advice column for Eastern Eye explains couples' rights regarding weddings that were postponed or cancelled due to restrictions during the pandemic. Eastern Eye notes Lubna will become the first Asian president of the Law Society and its seventh female president.
New Law Society deputy vice president
New Law Journal reports the election of Nick Emmerson to the role of Law Society deputy vice president.
Nick Emmerson said: "I'm proud to be a solicitor and am keenly aware of the issues facing our profession at this exceptionally difficult time."
I Stephanie Boyce, president of the Law Society, said: "My congratulations go to Nick who emerged as the winner from a strong field of candidates. I wish him all the very best for his three years as a Law Society office holder."
Charitable giving
In an article about a young boy's fundraising efforts, Manchester Evening News and MSN note the Law Society research showing a 30 per cent increase in demand for wills during the first lockdown, this despite many charities reportedly scaling back legacy marketing activities.
Excellence award nomination
Somerset County Gazette celebrates a local solicitor's nomination for a Law Society award for technology and innovation for reportedly the first video-witnessed will during the pandemic using video-conferencing technology, establishing that video-conferencing technology could be used to witness a testator's signature and that this approach was compatible with the 1837 Act and the common law interpreting it.
Beware Japanese Knotweed
The Times (£) advises a reader on what to do about Japanese knotweed as they try to sell their property, citing Law Society guidance.
Also worth a read:
- Taliban celebrates as US departs Afghanistan - BBC and FT (£)
- Hurricane Ida devastation - Guardian
- Harpers law campaign continues - Telegraph (£)
- Freedom of information eroded – FT (£)