Crown court backlog
BBC Politics South East examines the state of the court backlogs in England and Wales.
Richard Miller, our head of justice, speaks about these issues from 15:36, explaining that the UK government needs to invest in our courts system in the interests of victims, witnesses and defendants accessing justice.
The Knutsford Guardian and the Winsford & Middlewich Guardian also examine the issue of delays in the Magistrates and Crown courts.
Law Society of England and Wales president I. Stephanie Boyce said: "Some trials are being delayed until 2023, leaving victims, witnesses and defendants disillusioned as they wait to access justice. We have been highlighting the problems plaguing the justice system since long before the pandemic and now is the time for action before it's too late."
"Years of underfunding and cuts including court closures, caps on judicial sitting days and a lack of investment in legal aid have hit the criminal justice system hard, stretching it to breaking point."
Disability in the profession
Members of our Lawyers with Disability Division (LDD) – Yasmin Sheikh, Mark Blois, Coralie McKeivor and Reena Parma – spoke with the Gazette's Weekly Edition (pages 16-19) about their experiences of being disabled in the profession, what's changed pre- and post- pandemic and what still needs to be done.
Vice chair of the LDD, Yasmin Sheikh said: "Gender inequality, LGBTQIA+ and Black, Asian and minority ethnic [solicitors] are all being covered, while disability has been a poor relation."
Reena Parma added the Legally Disabled? report "has been instrumental" in increasing the focus on disability inclusion by law firms.
The article also highlights the work the Law Society has done to make a range of adjustments to our Chancery Lane headquarters.
Climate change and the law
I. Stephanie Boyce spoke about climate change at last week's London International Disputes Week, reports Lexis Nexis.
In a keynote speech, she said that climate change is the greatest challenge since the Covid-19 pandemic, nobody will be able to avoid climate change and the legal profession will be directly impacted.
She highlighted our climate change resolution, which encourages in-house counsel, solicitors and law firms to "develop a climate-conscious approach to legal practice".
Read our climate change resolution
Small claims pilot
The Ministry of Justice has unveiled a new practice direction, which comes into force next month.
The small claims paper determination pilot will mean judges can decide whether a hearing is necessary in accordance with the overriding objective.
A Law Society spokesperson told the Gazette: "There is a balance to be struck in these cases. Proceedings must always be resolved fairly, but this should be done in as cost-effective a manner as possible.
"We will consider the evidence of the pilot very carefully for any indication of a reduction in the quality of justice delivered."
Consumer advice
Gary Rycroft, a member of our council membership committee, spoke with the Daily Express about how the public can deal with parking fines ahead of the UK government legislating for a new parking code of practice, which will introduce controls on private parking companies and limit maximum fines.
"One big and welcome change is that all private parking ticket charges should now mirror and cost the same as the system for public car parks run by your local authority, which means tickets which used to be up to £100 will now be capped at £50.
"You'll also be offered a 50 percent discount if you pay within 14 days.
"So, if you find yourself with a parking ticket, and it's not playing by the new rules, my advice is don't pay – complain instead."
Also worth a read:
- Brexit: Legislation could override parts of Northern Ireland protocol – BBC
- PM attacks lawyers challenging Rwanda plans – again: BBC and Mail
- Andy Cooke says police forces are 'not the thought police' and must focus on real crime – Times (£)
- Priti Patel rejected legal advice on immigration and asylum cases – Independent
- Passports backlog: New woes for holidaymakers as couriers lost hundreds of passports during pandemic – Sky News