Criminal justice crisis
An opinion piece from Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce on the crisis in the criminal justice system is published by the Gazette, one week ahead of the deadline for responses to the criminal legal aid consultation.
Junior lawyers eschew criminal defence careers
Legal Cheek picks up our survey of junior lawyers on their thoughts about pursuing a career in criminal defence.
Court rules regulator should keep costs protection
Today's Wills and Probate reports a Supreme Court ruling which confirmed the Solicitors Regulation Authority should continue to be eligible for costs protection when it brings prosecutions.
A Law Society spokesperson said: "We note the decision of the Supreme Court and will be considering the judgment in detail.
"While the decision does not cast any doubt on the position taken in Baxendale-Walker v The Law Society, it does highlight the ability of regulatory tribunals – such as the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) – to calibrate their approach to costs in accordance with what's appropriate for each matter that comes before them.
"The SDT has the power to order costs against the SRA and is encouraged to exercise those powers where appropriate and in the interests of justice. This should achieve the right balance between fairness to our members and safeguarding the public interest."
Legal aid means test threshold doesn't take into account rising cost of living
The Morning Star covers a report we commissioned from Professor Donald Hirsch at the University of Loughborough, which reveals proposed thresholds to determine legal aid eligibility will not keep pace with the rapidly rising cost of living.
In addition, the way families' financial needs are calculated would result in single parent families being disadvantaged.
Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said: "Single parent families will be disadvantaged compared with other types of households because proposed changes fail to recognise one-parent families must budget a higher proportion of their income to pay for their children's needs relative to two-parent families.
Read our press release and Loughborough University's comment
Evidence lacking for new SRA health and wellbeing rules
New Law Journal and Today's Conveyancer report the Law Society's critique of the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) proposed changes to its health and wellbeing rules.
I. Stephanie Boyce said: "Existing SRA principles cover solicitors' duty to act with integrity, uphold public confidence in the profession and encourage equality, diversity and inclusion. We do not believe the SRA has provided sufficient evidence to justify the introduction of additional regulatory requirements."
Half-term flight cancellations: Consumers' rights
Gary Rycroft, a member of our council membership committee, spoke with LBC (from 02:42:04) about what rights families have to get a refund as they face flight delays and cancellations as they try to get away for half term.
London Legal Walk
Legal Cheek reminds readers to register for the London Legal Walk on 28 June, noting the Law Society president will be participating along with the great and the good from the legal sector.
Ask a solicitor: Neighbour disputes
Planning and environmental law committee member Philip Kratz spoke to BBC Radio Devon (from 12:54) about neighbour disputes.
Also worth a read:
- First asylum seekers set to be sent to Rwanda on 14 June – BBC
- Lord Chancellor must 'reign in' cabinet on rule of law – Gazette
- Minister says NI Protocol threat to Good Friday – Guardian
- Ukraine: Mass civil action launched, seeking compensation for war victims – Guardian
- Russia services ban and UK lawyers – Legal Futures