Record criminal court backlog
The Press Association and Daily Mail report on the latest Ministry of Justice court backlog figures which show record levels in the criminal courts with 60,692 outstanding cases at the end of June – a 40% increase on the same period the previous year.
Stephanie Boyce is quoted saying the figures "reflect that to date no significant inroads have been made". She added: "Some trials are being delayed until 2023, leaving victims, witnesses and defendants disillusioned as they wait to access justice.
"With the easing of pandemic restrictions, physical court space is now less of a problem, but we are seeing the ability to run criminal courts at capacity hit by a lack of judges, court staff, prosecutors and defence lawyers."
Also in the Evening Standard, Press and Journal and Belfast Telegraph
End of stamp duty taper
The Times (print on page 3) covers the extremely difficult time conveyancers have had in recent months – from the long hours to, in some cases, abusive clients – as the stamp duty holiday in England ended and then the period of tapering cut in. Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce is quoted as in an article by conveyancer Kate Atkinson in the Gazette.
Furlough finale
Members of our employment law committee hit the airwaves yesterday to mark the end of the government's furlough scheme. Shantha David, chair of our employment law committee spoke to Vanessa Feltz on BBC Radio London (from 41:22), Jim Hawkins was on BBC Radio Shropshire (from 9:38) and Mike Graham on TalkRADIO (from 5:28). Jodie Hill spoke to BBC Radio Merseyside (from 21:46) and Adele Edwin-Lamerton was on BBC Radio Humberside (from 1:12:04).
Meanwhile Paul Singh was on BBC Radio Cornwall talking about flexible working (from 15:40)
New role for chief executive
Legal Futures reports on Paul Tennant taking up a new role including a quote from I. Stephanie Boyce.
Police station protocol
In its Covid blog, the Guardian refers to our role in helping formulate the police station protocol which was introduced in April 2020 in response to the pandemic.
The new version, which was published yesterday (30 September), envisages a return to in-person attendances at police stations in most cases.
Black History Month begins
Today's Conveyancer reports that solicitors in England and Wales will celebrate Black History Month, which starts today, by embracing the 'Proud to Be' theme.
Stephanie Boyce said: "We will be sharing stories of Black lawyers from across the profession throughout October. I wholeheartedly encourage my Black colleagues to share their stories and experiences and celebrate their achievements and diversity."
Stephanie Boyce examines this theme in more detail in an article for the Gazette.
Also worth a read:
- MoJ 'worst for openness' – Guardian
- Challenge plain clothes officers – BBC
- Lawyers praised in Everard case – Gazette