MoJ to fast-track criminal legal aid fee increase
The Ministry of Justice has said that it will fast-track legislation to increase fees for criminal legal aid lawyers, reports the Gazette, Business Mayor and Business Fast.
Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said: “These first-stage changes are welcome, with some rate increases set to be in place as early as September. The next steps will be to ensure our members see the full 15% rate increase recommended by the independent review of criminal legal aid. We also hope to see the Crown court scheme reformed.”
SRA’s fining power increase approved
Lawyers Weekly, Today’s Wills and Probate, Today’s Conveyancer, the Law Society of Ireland Gazette and Inside Conveyancing report that the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has approved the increase in the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s fining power from £2,000 to £25,000.
Law Society vice president Lubna Shuja said: “We remain concerned about the lack of independence within the SRA between decision makers and prosecutors, as well as the lack of transparency around SRA decisions. We do not think that the right of appeal to the SDT is an adequate safeguard.”
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Unregulated legal services
The Legal Services Board (LSB) has carried out research into unregulated legal services which may account for up to 9% of the legal consumer market, Today’s Wills and Probate reports.
Unregulated providers are generally cheaper though customers are more likely to report dissatisfaction, according to the research.
Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said: “We are still concerned about the public’s confusion about the difference between regulated and unregulated providers. Consumers must be made aware of the limited redress available from unregulated providers compared to the substantial redress available from regulated providers"
Women Solicitors Association turns 30
Christl Hughes, chair of the Association of Women Solicitors, writes about the association in the Gazette as it marks 30 years.
She mentions women solicitor role models such as the first female Law Society president Carolyn Kirby and the current president I. Stephanie Boyce.
Also worth a read:
- BPP to offer paid qualifying work experience – Legal Cheek
- Sanctions on strikers ‘could be unlawful’ – Gazette
- Home Office to face legal challenge over post-Brexit rights of EU citizens – Guardian
- Government to pay ‘reasonable fees’ of Post Office claimants – Gazette
- Chris Pincher: Tory whip resigns – BBC