Criminal barristers begin walkout
The BBC and Wales Online cover the strike which begins today as criminal barristers walk out in protest at legal aid funding.
Our criminal duty solicitor map is cited and Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said:
“This is a make-or-break moment for the future of the beleaguered criminal justice system.
“The short-term impact of direct action will pale in significance against the permanent departure of ever more criminal defence solicitors, barristers and law firms if this demanding work in the public interest is not properly rewarded.”
The Gazette reports about our updated guidance for criminal defence solicitors whose cases are affected by the strike action.
Bill of Rights signals collision course with rule of law
Eastern Eye, Garavi Gujarat, Asian Times, Republic Americas, Impakter, the Indian Panorama, Nam News Network, Disabled People Against Cuts, and Merco Press cover our response to the UK government’s proposed Bill of Rights.
Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said: “It is a lurch backwards for British justice. Authorities may begin to consider some rights violations as acceptable, because these could no longer be challenged under the Bill of Rights despite being against the law.”
A Question Time (from 37:31 ) audience member asks: “Would Dominic Raab’s Bill of Rights as he claims strengthen our UK tradition of freedom or would it, according to the Law Society president, make some human rights abuses in the UK acceptable?”
Legal Futures cites a letter written by Green Party co-leaders to us and the Bar Council – rather than the Solicitors Regulation Authority and Bar Standards Board who have the powers to discipline the professions – asking us to consider whether voting for legislation that breaks international treaties would be serious professional misconduct and could lead to being suspended.
Divorce and pensions
Mail on Sunday reports that divorcees could be sacrificing a stake in their ex-spouse’s pension. It cites our Find a Solicitor service as a valuable tool to find family and divorce lawyers throughout England and Wales.
Also worth a read:
- Dominic Raab describes criminal barrister walkouts as ‘regrettable’ – Sky News
- SRA opens over 20 SLAPPs investigations – Gazette
- Life sentences: Dangerous driving laws to be changed this week – BBC News
- Consumers & lawyers wary of LawTech – Today’s Wills & Probate
- PII process to change for CLC-regulated firms – Today’s Conveyancer