Increased powers for magistrates courts
President of the Law Society I. Stephanie Boyce was on Times Radio (from 19:05) and BBC Radio WM (from 2:34:24) discussing the government proposal to allow magistrates courts to give sentences of up to one year, up from a maximum of six months. She highlighted that this will not solve the backlog and that greater legal aid funding is needed.
Anti-vax protestors claim defunct law
Anti-vaccination protestors have been handing out pamphlets claiming there's a 'sovereign citizen law' and stating that covid restrictions are crimes. Our head of public law, Ellie Cumbo, told the BBC "there is no such concept in our law as a sovereign citizen".
Misogyny as a hate crime
BBC Radio Wales (46:55) presenter Gareth Lewis discussed the amendment to the Police, Crime, Sentencing, and Courts bill which would make misogyny a hate crime, on his show yesterday. He referenced our thoughts that such a move would not solve the issue of hostility towards women.
Read our response to the Law Commissions consultation on hate crime
Championing social mobility and disability inclusion
One of our social mobility ambassadors. Lynette Wieland, wrote for LawCareers.net about the Law Society's social mobility ambassador scheme, her career journey, and the importance of championing social mobility and disability inclusion in the legal profession.
Also worth a read:
- Boris Johnson expected to ease Plan B measures – BBC
- Tory MPs openly discuss Johnson challenge – Guardian
- British companies invited to join four-day week experiment – Times (£)
- UK inflation his near 30-year high – Guardian
- Review on pre-2000 LGBT military ban – BBC
- Meningitis B cases rising sharply – Guardian