Criminal legal aid
The BBC covers the publication of the report from the Independent Review of Criminal Legal Aid which recommends the first significant rates increase for criminal defence solicitors in 25 years. Legal affairs correspondent Dominic Casciani writes that the report cites Law Society research showing a "40% fall in the number of firms carrying out legal aid work in the last decade".
Law Society of England and Wales president I. Stephanie Boyce is quoted saying: "With a huge backlog of criminal cases to be heard and increased police numbers predicted to lead to more arrests, criminal defence solicitors are needed more than ever, but those that remain are already stretched to breaking point."
The Justice Gap also covers Sir Christopher Bellamy's report.
Read our release here
Impact of remote hearings
The New Law Journal covers the HM Courts and Tribunals Service's report on the impact of remote hearings which states three out of five judges and more than half of lawyers say remote hearings affected their health and wellbeing.
I. Stephanie Boyce said the report reflected "concerns we have raised that in some scenarios [remote hearings] are unsuitable and can have a serious impact on access to justice and may not be suitable for vulnerable people". The journal cites Law Society research from September 2020 which found only 16% of solicitors felt vulnerable clients could participate effectively in remote hearings, and only 45% were confident non-vulnerable clients could do so.
Time to retire?
Shantha David, chair of our employment law committee, was on TalkRADIO (from 06:08 in the 12-12.30 slot) discussing whether an employer can ask an employee if they are going to retire soon.
Avoiding property title fraud
Today's Conveyancer reports on the joint publication by the Law Society, the Fraud Advisory Panel and HM Land Registry of a guide aimed at helping home owners avoid property title fraud.
Legal Ombudsman needs radical action on backlog
Law Society concerns about the backlog of cases with the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) are covered by Today's Family Lawyer.
Also worth a read: