Legal aid deserts
The Justice Gap looks into the widespread issue of legal aid deserts across England and Wales through our maps and research.
Justice minister James Cartlidge has denied there are legal aid deserts across the country, the author highlights that refugees arriving into the UK may have no access to legal aid due to the lack of immigration legal aid providers along the coast.
We found that almost 40% of the population of England and Wales do not have access to a housing legal aid provider in their local area.
LPA modernisation
Today's Wills and Probate carry our comments on the governments proposals to modernise and digitise the process of obtaining Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPA) and also look at what it means for practitioners.
Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said "The consequence of an attorney making a poor decision could be the loss of all their assets, being put into a care home against their current or past wishes, or even their premature death.
"We welcome the MoJ's commitment to improve the speed and accuracy of making an LPA, as well as to continue to provide a paper service. Many people – such as those in care homes or people with learning difficulties – will continue to need to make an LPA via a paper process.
"We are pleased the government is looking at proposals to improve support for those who will struggle with using digital channels, as more needs to be done to ensure the reforms do not negatively impact vulnerable, disabled or older people."
SRA set to increase its fining powers
New Law Journal covers the SRA confirming plans it will 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.
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."
UK-Mexico trade talks
Today's Family Lawyer covers the UK starting its free trade agreement 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 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."
Parking fines
The Daily Express, Auto Day News and Auto Moto Buzz poll readers asking 'should car parks still accept cash?' This comes after Gary Rycroft, a member of our council membership committee, was asked about parking fines on Rip Off Britain.
Some elderly people received parking fines because they were unable to pay for parking as they couldn't figure out how to use the app required to do so.
Also worth a read:
- 'Too fair, too kind, too gentle': legal aid solicitors demand tougher action – Gazette
- Sunak U-turns on 'energy profits levy' in £15bn cost of living package – Guardian
- Police force spending £1m redacting material – Gazette
- Migrant fruit pickers charged thousands in illegal fees to work on UK farms, investigation shows – Guardian
- Actor Kevin Spacey facing sexual assault charges – BBC
- Government admits spying on MPs' emails was unlawful – Independent
- Bristol surgeon 'harmed' 203 women with unnecessary operations – Guardian