Criminal legal aid
City A.M. looks at the court backlogs, political instability and the need for investment in criminal legal aid as the criminal barrister action continues.
Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said: “Any delay caused by political instability to laying the statutory instrument on criminal legal aid fees will inevitably lead to the permanent departure of more criminal defence solicitors and law firms at a time when they are needed more than ever to help tackle the backlogs and ensure access to justice for victims and defendants.
“This is a make-or-break moment for criminal defence solicitors who have been waiting more than a quarter of a century for a significant increase in criminal legal aid rates.
“We are keen to work with the new administration to increase the package for solicitors to the full 15% increase recommended by Lord Christopher Bellamy as a bare minimum and ensure that it reaches them as soon as possible, before it is too late.”
Ransomware payments
The Gazette, Tech Monitor and ZDNet cover our response to a joint letter by the NCSC and the ICO to legal professional bodies about ransomware 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.”
Heatwave: Can it be legally too hot to work?
Max Winthrop, from our employment law committee, spoke to BBC Radio London (from 1:18:10) about the heatwave and what health and safety responsibilities employers have towards their employees.
Funding needed to fix crumbling court system
Legal Brief covers the government’s response to a Justice Committee report 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 Law Society president 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.”
Distinguished Alumni Awards
India Education Diary covers the King’s College’s Distinguished Alumni Awards, where I. Stephanie Boyce was awarded Alumna of the Year.
Also worth a read:
- New PM to be announced on 5 September – Guardian
- Polling suggests support for Ukrainian refugees is waning – Independent
- Barriers to law firms unbundling – Legal Futures
- Rwanda deportation flights could be delayed until October – Telegraph (£)