Law firms review work in light of Ukraine war
The Gazette reports law firms are reviewing their client lists in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Law Society President I. Stephanie Boyce said "It's the job of solicitors to represent their clients, whoever they may be, so that the courts act fairly. This is how the public can be confident they live in a country that respects the rule of law – unlike Putin's tyrannical regime.
"Solicitors are highly regulated and are not allowed to bring spurious objections to processes – if they challenge the government's actions, it's because they think the government is at risk of breaking its own rules. If parliament wishes to change those rules, they have the power to do so democratically. The Law Society and our profession stand ready to support the government to build a watertight sanctions regime against Russia."
Stephanie is also quoted in a Times (£) article on the challenges for firms as sanctions are imposed. Legal Cheek reports lawyers have left the London office of a Russian law firm.
Law Society support for Ukraine
Practice Source carries our statement in support of Ukraine. Law Society of England and Wales president I. Stephanie Boyce said:
"The Law Society stands in solidarity with the Ukrainian people, the Ukrainian National Bar Association and the Ukrainian Bar Association. We also stand with the Russian people who oppose their government's illegal invasion of Ukraine, and lawyers who are defending the rule of law in the region.
SQE results delay
Solicitors Journal report the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has announced that students who took the first part of the Solicitors Qualification Examination (SQE1) in July 2021 will not have their results back in time to enable them to qualify to sit the second part of the exam (SQE2) in October this year.
Criminal defence crisis
Defence barristers are set to vote this week on strike action over legal aid rates, according to the Justice Gap. The piece notes the Law Society is raising the alarm over the dwindling number of defence solicitors because "many lawyers no longer see a viable career doing this work, and firms are facing a crisis in retention and recruitment... Unless new solicitors are recruited into this sector, this could have a catastrophic effect on the criminal justice system".
Covid sick pay
Jodie Hill, a member of our employment law committee, spoke to BBC Radio Stoke about sick pay if you get covid. Listen from 1:35:02
No fault divorce
As part of our Ask a Solicitor series, David Hodson, a member of our family law committee, spoke to BBC Radio Devon about no fault divorce.
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