Law firms and Russian clients
City AM covers the Bar Council's response about lawyers 'enabling' Russian oligarchs.
Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said lawyers are being singled out and scapegoated for the horrors in Ukraine.
Today's Family Lawyer also covers a letter I. Stephanie Boyce wrote in the Times about the relationship between English law firms and Russian clients.
P&O Ferries mass sackings
Max Winthrop, a member of our employment law committee, spoke with Times Radio (from 22:10) about the continued the legal implications of the fallout of P&O's decision to sack 800 crewmembers at once.
Max also spoke to BBC Radio Humberside (from 1:10:38) on this issue.
Ukrainian refugees and the Nationality and Borders Bill
Christopher Cole, a member of our immigration law committee, speaks with LADBible about the "problematic" system the UK has put in place to offer safety to Ukrainian refugees. He argues it is "directly" at odds with the Nationality and Borders Bill, which is currently making its way through parliament.
On the UK's Ukrainian visa scheme, Christopher said: "The Home Office – in terms of dealing with immigration matters – for years has been under a lot of pressure and has been described as not fit for purpose, with very little resources.
"What they're putting in place for the Ukrainians is going to be really resource intensive, and it pours away resources from other areas.
"There are already huge backlogs in ordinary asylum decision making, plus in terms of ordinary folks trying to get visas from other parts of the world to join family.
"Any shift in resources is going to have an impact on the normal business part of the Home Office immigration process.
"I've already seen it through speaking to people about waiting times increasing and the Home Office sending out emails saying, 'we're now dealing with the Ukrainian crisis, and we don't have time to deal with standard applications in the normal time scale'."
Lasting Power of Attorney
Sheree Green, a member of our mental health and disability committee and Melinda Giles, a member of our wills and equity committee spoke with the Which? Money Podcast (from 03:00 and 09:43), where they discussed the ins and outs of registering for a Lasting Power of Attorney.
'No fault' divorce
On 6 April, marriage laws in England and Wales will be changed for the first time in 50 years when divorce reform – also known as 'no fault' divorce – comes into effect.
I. Stephanie Boyce told Which?: "No fault' divorce will cut unnecessary conflict from the separation process – allowing couples to move on amicably.
"This divorce reform will bring our marriage laws into the 21st century and ensure that, in the future, separating couples and their children do not suffer unnecessary conflict."
The issue is also discussed by Gary Rycroft, a member of our council membership committee, who gives advice to a Guardian reader whose partner won't divorce his wife.
Spring statement
New Law Journal reports our response to the chancellor's Spring Statement.
I. Stephanie Boyce said: "Legal services make an enormous economic contribution to the UK and a healthy legal system is vital for individuals and businesses.
"We are keen to engage with the government over the plan to help design a tax system that works for legal services and allows us to get on with supporting people and businesses across the economy.
"We also welcome plans to explore whether the current tax system – including the operation of the Apprenticeship Levy – is doing enough to incentivise businesses to invest in the right kinds of training, an issue we have previously raised."
Legal world unites to help tackle cyber threat
Today's Conveyancer, Today's Family Lawyer and Today's Wills & Probate cover our new questionnaire which is designed to help law firms better assess the cybersecurity arrangements of the chambers whose barristers they instruct.
"Law firms and Chambers, like all other businesses, are potential targets for the ever-growing threat from cyber criminals," said Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce.
"We know that no one tool can offer complete protection against cyber threats so firms will need to continue to take other precautions, but the development of the questionnaire is an important step in the right direction."
Economic Crime Act
Edward Craft, chair of our company law committee, writes in International Investment about the Economic Crime Act, which was hastily rushed through parliament earlier this month, in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"The position of the UK in the flow of unwelcome of dirty money has been the subject of significant scrutiny, particularly from investigative journalists.
"The UK has a rigorous and deeply-rooted anti-money laundering regime discharged by skilled professionals, but as one of the crossroads of the world it is at the very same time a destination and point of transit for numerous complexions of capital."
Also worth a read:
- Russia and Ukraine will resume peace talks – Guardian
- Oscars 2022: Will Smith slaps Chris Rock on stage – BBC
- Shapps calls on P&O Ferries to re-hire 800 sacked UK workers – FT (£)
- P&O bosses will meet UK govt officials today – Sky News
- Legal & General backs higher wages for Sainsbury's staff – Times (£)
- Over 1m households will miss out on £150 energy bill rebate – Evening Standard
- BBC News makes editorial change in article on endometriosis – Telegraph (£)
- National Grid's £4.2bn gas sell-off to Macquarie criticised by Vince Cable – City AM
- SRA will launch 'thematic review' of financial sanctions – Gazette