Stamp duty land tax holiday ends
Sarah Dwight, a member of our conveyancing and land law committee, spoke to BBC Radio WM (from 2:55:00) about the property market ahead of the tapering off of the stamp duty land tax holiday concluding today.
Legal aid deserts
Lexology and New Law Journal cover our report on legal aid deserts.
Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said: "Our analysis shows people on lower incomes who face terrifying legal issues from domestic abuse to homelessness or who need to challenge inadequate care or education from their local authority increasingly can't get the expert legal advice to which they are entitled."
Read our release
New role for chief executive
The Gazette, Inside Conveyancing, Today's Wills and Probate and the Law Society of Ireland report on Paul Tennant taking up a new role as chief executive of the Abbeyfield Society.
Money laundering compliance
Solicitors Journal covers our research alongside Lexis Nexis which revealed that firms have spent around £1m on money laundering compliance, to adhere to the Fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directive (5MLD) which came into force last year.
Probate fees hike
New Law Journal reports our response to the proposed hike in probate fees.
Read our release
Reasonable adjustments for disabled staff
Access & Mobility Professional and the New Law Journal cover our guidance for reasonable adjustments for disabled staff.
Stephanie Boyce said: "It is important for employers to approach discussions with their disabled employees positively and constructively."
Read our release
National pro bono centre
David Lammy's speech at the Labour Party conference, proposing a national pro bono centre and pro bono targets, is covered by the New Law Journal and Legal Cheek
Pro bono "should never be a substitute for a properly funded, resourced legal aid and justice system, which is the real solution to providing justice to the vulnerable", said I. Stephanie Boyce.
Solicitors Indemnity Fund
Stephanie Boyce writes in the Gazette about the future of the Solicitors Indemnity Fund.
"We are in no doubt about the importance of this issue, or the very real hardship that will face our members and former members if a good solution cannot be found, so we hope to work constructively with the SRA to achieve a positive outcome."
Risk of burnout
The Times reports on the risk of burnout for lawyers who often have heavy workloads, long hours and a poor work-life balance.
The Law Society said that there need to be a more "preventative approach" with a greater focus on mental health and wellbeing from the earliest stages of legal training.
Also worth a read:
- Labour conference: Keir Starmer speech – Guardian
- People losing their homes during the pandemic – Times (£)
- Wayne Couzens to be sentenced - Guardian
- Furlough scheme ends – BBC