Criminal courts backlog
Andrew Marr writes in the New Statesman about a number of government failings, including the courts backlog.
He quotes Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce saying unless things turn round, "we will no longer have a criminal justice system worthy of the name".
SRA set to increase its fining powers
City AM covers the SRA confirming plans to increase its fining powers from £2,000 to £25,000 are to go ahead, alongside a new system of 'fixed penalties' for lower-level breaches.
Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said: "We remain of the view that increasing the SRA's fining powers by more than 12 times the current limit (representing an increase of 1150%) isn't appropriate, and our members have concerns about the SRA acting as investigator, prosecutor and judge, in potentially many more serious and significant cases which currently go before the SDT."
Separately, the Supreme Court has ruled that the SRA should continue to receive costs protection as a default position when bringing prosecutions. The Gazette, Today's Conveyancer and Today's Family Lawyer and Legal Futures include our response.
Sending asylum seekers to Rwanda
Our head of public law, Ellie Cumbo, spoke to BBC Radio Shropshire (from 43:44) about the lack of clarity on plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda.
UK-Mexico trade talks
Today's Wills and Probate covers the UK starting its free trade agreement (FTA) talks with Mexico.
"We welcome the start of these trade negotiations, as Mexico is a priority market in the Latin America region for our members," said Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce.
"The deal reflects the significant commercial opportunities there for law firms – particularly in sectors such as banking and financial services, insurance, reinsurance, infrastructure, energy, telecommunications and fintech."
Solicitors Qualifying Examination
A Gazette piece on the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) and social mobility quotes Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce and a member of council, Baljinder Singh Atwal.
Rising star diversity award
Liverpool Business News reports on a member of our ethnic minority division committee, Shivani Jobanputra, who won a rising star diversity award at the Women, Influence & Power in Law UK awards.
Also worth a read:
- Refugees hit by shortfall in legal aid – Guardian
- Calls for a courts' inspectorate – Times (£)
- 'Cautious success' of whiplash reforms – Legal Futures
- Partygate: Met faces legal action – Guardian
- In-house lawyers branching out – FT (£)
- 'Catastrophic' impact of cyber-attack – Legal Futures