Criminal legal aid crunch
Channel 4 News (4-minute clip) uses our map to illustrate how criminal defence solicitors are leaving the profession alongside their barrister counterparts.
The Big Issue explains why barristers are striking, noting one of the drivers is persistently low pay over many years – for both barristers and solicitors. The piece references our research, which showed one in five criminal defence solicitors has left the profession since 2016, and 81% said they were reluctant to pursue a long-term career in crime.
Public Defender Service
The government has not ruled out expanding the Public Defender Service in response to bar strike action, according to the Gazette, which goes on the examine the value of the service.
Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said: “Criminal defence firms have to run on sustainable business models and so are highly motivated to provide an expert service that represents good value for money.”
New Law Society CEO
The announcement of incoming Law Society CEO Ian Jeffery is covered by Solicitors Journal and Practice Source.
Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said: “As a solicitor and law firm leader, Ian comes with valuable and highly relevant skills amassed during his time as a managing partner and chief executive at a large firm, from his specialism in intellectual property and his early experience in legal aid.
“I am confident he will develop an ever-more sophisticated approach to meeting our members’ needs, from in-house to government, from the City to legal aid practitioners and high street solicitors. I know Ian will be instrumental in helping us to continue to realise our vision for a valued profession delivering the highest quality legal services in the public interest and advancing the rule of law.”
Ian Jeffery said: “It is an exciting time to be joining the team at the Law Society. As the voice of the solicitors’ profession the organisation has a huge role to play in shaping the future of legal services, addressing immediate challenges and leading conversation around long term opportunities. I’m looking forward to working with the Law Society to champion solicitors’ interests and to support them to thrive in a rapidly changing legal environment.’
Harm from unregulated providers.”
Read our press release
Harm from unregulated providers
New Law Journal picks up our comment on the LSB research into the impact of unregulated legal service providers on service users.
The Law Society said the LSB’s research showed the benefits of using regulated lawyers but there was still widespread confusion about the difference between regulated and unregulated providers.
President I. Stephanie Boyce said: “With an increasingly aging population, these areas call for regulatory attention to ensure that vulnerable people – particularly those with mental incapacity – are sufficiently protected.
“The priority must be to enlighten consumers about the limitations through public legal education initiatives alongside addressing gaps in client protections.”
Also worth a read:
- Covid inquiry terms finalised – BBC
- Net zero policy failings - Guardian
- UK law firms on top - Legal Futures
- Watch court cases from home - Gazette
- Energy needs vs human rights - PoliticsHome
- London Legal Walk in pictures – Twitter