Stephanie Boyce on Channel 4 News
Stephanie Boyce was on Channel 4 News discussing her journey to becoming the first person of colour, first black office holder and sixth female to hold the role of president of the Law Society and the importance of having a visible role model in the profession.
Fraud warning as home buyers targeted
Sky News, the Times (£), Times Radio, Independent, Daily Telegraph [print], Press and Journal, Manchester Evening News, Today's Conveyancer, Property Industry News and 40 more outlets report our joint warning with the National Economic Crime Centre, National Crime Agency and Action Fraud, that a spike in scams has seen victims lose hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said: "These frauds can involve huge sums of money and have a devastating lifelong impact on the home buyer and their personal finances. Solicitors and their clients can all play a part in making such crimes more difficult for the criminals."
Criminal courts backlog to last years
Head of justice Richard Miller spoke to Times Radio this morning about the pressing need for investment into the justice system to reduce backlogs, and how that investment should be spent. He also addressed a question on recording evidence from rape victims.
The Law Society Gazette Ireland covers a National Audit Office report which suggests the backlog of criminal cases waiting to be heard in England and Wales is set to last beyond 2024.
The backlog has risen by 19,000 since the Covid-19 pandemic began, reaching 60,692 cases at the end of June.
Stephanie Boyce said the report highlighted "the dire need for investment resulting from years of cuts".
New Zealand trade deal
NZ Lawyer reports on the UK's free trade agreement in principle (AIP) with New Zealand, which was agreed last week.
The AIP confirms existing rights of UK and New Zealand lawyers to advise clients in their home-country and international law; and to provide arbitration, mediation and conciliation services in the other country's territory using their original qualifications and title.
Stephanie Boyce said: "UK workers will benefit from improved business travel arrangements and professionals such as lawyers and architects will be able to work in New Zealand more easily, allowing UK companies to set up shop and bring the best British talent with them."
AGM and Council meeting
Paul Tennant, our CEO, writes in the Gazette about this year's Council meeting and annual general meeting (AGM), which saw 31 council member leave and both meetings address our members' disquiet over the planned closure of the Solicitors Indemnity Fund (SIF).
SRA confirms PII cybercrime clause
According to the Gazette, insurance policies will have to make clear whether cover is provided for cyber losses under new rules agreed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
In May, we voiced our support of the SRA's consultation on changing the minimum terms and conditions for professional indemnity insurance (PII) policies so they're clearer on cyber risks.
Read our consultation response
Tickbox AML regime isn't working
E Private Client reports our warning that changes to money laundering regulations should focus on increasing the effectiveness of efforts to tackle money laundering through a more risk-based and proportionate approach.
Conveyancing solicitors braced for further change
Lubna Shuja, our vice president, spoke at our second virtual National Property Law Conference, which addressed the difficulties conveyancing solicitors faced over the past 18 months and the changes they will have to grapple with in future, such as legislative changes, building safety, leasehold and planning reforms.
She told the Gazette: "Throughout the lockdowns, the virtual market shutdown in the early days of the pandemic, the huge pressures that came with the SDLT holiday and subsequent extension, the challenges of remote working, and of course the economic strains we have all felt, I feel proud to say that conveyancing solicitors have acquitted themselves incredibly well."
The need for legal aid reform for special guardianship
Family Law Week reports on the challenges for prospective special guardians of getting legal aid to ensure best outcomes for children.
Stephanie Boyce said: "In February 2019 the government recognised that legal aid should be made available to support clients involved in cases related to Special Guardianship Orders and committed to address this.
"Access to legal aid in these cases, to ensure all involved receive advice and representation, is vital for the long-term wellbeing of the children involved. It is disappointing that since then there has been no further progress on introducing legal aid in these cases."
Shantha David celebrated as part of Black History Month
Shantha David, chair of our employment law committee, is the first Black or Asian woman to head the legal services team of trade union UNISON.
On why there aren't more Black women at the top of the legal profession, she told UNISON: "Yes, we are a bit of a novelty really across the profession. I. Stephanie Boyce was inaugurated as the 177th president of the Law Society of England and Wales last week – and she is only the sixth female and the first Black person to hold that post. While this is progress, we have a long, long way to go."
Fire & rehire
Max Winthrop, a member of our employment law committee, spoke with LBC (from 2:10:10) about when 'fire and rehire' practices started, what this means, what circumstances it's used in and what people's rights are.
Also worth a read:
- Autumn Budget: £6bn to tackle England's NHS waiting list – Guardian
- Halyna Hutchins death: Assistant director subject to safety complaints – Independent
- Actor who played Gunther on Friends dies aged 59 – BBC
- British businesses failing too comply with EU-UK trade deal – FT (£)