Ransomware payments
Legal Futures, Law360 (£), IT Pro and Bolly Inside report that some lawyers are wrongly advising their clients to pay ransoms when they’ve fallen victim to cyber-attacks.
A Law Society spokesperson said: “We welcome the letter from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and the opportunity it provides to remind our members of the importance of cyber security to their legal businesses.
“We do not advise members to pay ransoms, nor suggest that is what they should advise their clients.
“We provide advice to our members about the steps they should take to meet their obligations to keep their businesses cyber secure through our Practice Notes, regular updates on our website, and events, and we promote the helpful resources and guidance provided by both the NCSC and the ICO in doing so.
“The Law Society and Bar Council have reacted swiftly to recent ransomware attacks by producing our questionnaire on IT security for the use of firms when instructing Chambers, and we welcome the support we have had from the NCSC in this work.
“We and the Bar are committed to building on this and maintaining our ongoing dialogue for better cyber security in the profession.
“We welcome the offer to meet to discuss future collaboration with both the ICO and NCSC and our keen to play our part in helping combat ransomware criminals.”
President talks about her life and career
Law Society president and Buckinghamshire local I. Stephanie Boyce spoke with BBC Three Counties Radio (from 01:07:10) and BBC Radio Northampton (from 01:07:10) about her life and career.
Bill of Rights signals collision course with rule of law
Up Jobs News covers our response to the UK government’s proposed Bill of Rights.
Law Society of England and Wales 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.”
Criminal court backlog
Birmingham Live reports that over 1,000 people suspected of committing crimes are released back into society in the West Midlands every year.
It cites our concern about the widespread release of suspects, warning that it could put victims at risk of coming into contact with attackers.
“Innocent suspects can be left in limbo for months or even years and victims can face an open-ended wait for justice.”
Funding needed to fix crumbling court system
The Gazette covers our response to a report by the Justice Committee on court capacity.
“We have been raising the crumbling state of our court buildings for some time now and our members – and all court users – need more clarity on what the government intends to do about it,” said I. Stephanie Boyce.
“When there is such a vast backlog, the criminal justice system can ill afford to lose sitting days because of heating failures for example.
“We also question whether the court reform programme can be completed in the timescale suggested. The end date remains unchanged despite many projects being paused during the pandemic.”
Read our press release
I.Stephanie Boyce honoured with alumni award
CN1699 covers the news that I. Stephanie Boyce has been honoured with the Alumni of the Year Award by King’s College London.
“I am delighted to receive this award, which recognises distinguished alumni and students who’ve demonstrated outstanding professional achievement to King’s and society,” said I. Stephanie Boyce.
Also worth a read:
- Tory leadership: Who’s in the contest to be next PM? – Guardian
- Support Through Court still in urgent need of funding – Gazette
- AG sets out her Prime Minister campaign – Telegraph (£)
- Conveyancers battling with inbox as workload soars – Today’s Conveyancer
- Top talent: 55% of lawyers received pay rise in last 12 months – Today’s Wills & Probate