Stronger than expected pandemic performance
Our financial benchmarking survey revealed that law firms have performed better than expected during the pandemic, reports the Times (£) and the New Law Journal.
Law Society vice president Lubna Shuja said: "Solicitor firms have demonstrated their resilience through 2020-21, using lifelines from government to retain staff and equipping them to support clients from outside traditional office environments.
"This survey highlights the range of vital activity, economic and social, which solicitors have continued to facilitate through the pandemic. It also provides insights into the drivers of success as firms look towards business in the new normal."
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Criminal legal aid crisis
The Gazette and Legal Futures report on Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce's evidence to the Justice Committee on the government's reforms of criminal legal aid.
She warned that if the government did not implement the minimum 15% rate increase recommended by Sir Christopher Bellamy, criminal legal aid firms will "continue to disappear until eventually the entire sector disappears".
Meanwhile, the Times (£) covers a meeting organised by the London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association to discuss the government's criminal legal aid proposals.
Law Society helps secure access to justice win
Local Government Lawyer reports the Law Society has welcomed the government's decision to remove a controversial element of its judicial review reforms that could have weakened judicial discretion over remedies.
Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said: "If the state is found by an independent court to have done something wrong it's important the judge has discretion to make good in a way that fits the specifics of the case.
"With the government's concession, people who are the victim of an unlawful state action will continue to be able to seek justice on a level playing field."
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Support for Ukraine
Today's Family Lawyer, Today's Conveyancer and Today's Wills and Probate look at our guidance on how lawyers can support people in Ukraine.
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MP report warns of threat to justice
Legal Futures covers the Justice Committee report on court capacity.
We said that unacceptable delays will continue across the justice system without sustained and significant investment.
Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said: "This report shines a light on the shameful state of our justice system. Decades of underfunding and cuts mean there simply aren't enough judges, prosecutors defence lawyers and court staff left to cover the huge backlog of cases."
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