Funding needed to fix crumbling court system
Today’s Family Lawyer covers the UK 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.”
Ransomware payments
Digital Guardian 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 do not advise members to pay ransoms, nor suggest that is what they should advise their clients.”
Housing market supply
Sarah Dwight, a member of our conveyancing and land law committee, spoke to BBC Radio Solent (from 1:11:45) about the current state of the housing market, including demand outstripping supply and how the home buying process could be improved.
LALYs 2022
In the first ceremony held in-person since the first lockdown, legal aid champions gathered at the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year (LALY) awards this week.
I. Stephanie Boyce tells Today’s Family Lawyer: “Congratulations to all the winners and finalists who work tirelessly on behalf of people faced with the most difficult circumstances.
“Legal aid is critically underfunded despite being a crucial bedrock of justice.
“Increased eligibility for legal aid through means test reform is a welcome development, but sustained investment is needed to ensure there are enough practitioners still working in both civil and criminal legal aid, where they are so desperately needed.”
Employment and long Covid
Shantha David, chair of our employment law committee, spoke to BBC Radio Shropshire (from 1:11:20) about employment issues around long Covid.
Devolution in Wales
The Gazette runs an in-depth pieces looking at the accelerating divergence of Wales’ legal services sector.
In June, I. Stephanie Boyce visited Wales, where she discussed the benefits of a joint jurisdiction: “As the Welsh government’s policy vision becomes reality, we must ensure that plans for the justice system deliver tangible benefits for the people of Wales. When it comes to regulation, there should be a single regulator [for solicitors], while the jurisdiction of England and Wales must be maintained. Our jurisdiction is recognised as a global legal centre, which brings benefits to England and Wales alike, and this [status] should be protected.
“This means not creating barriers between England and Wales or anything that could impede the ability of practitioners to work across the single jurisdiction.
“Finally, future devolution of powers must come with fair and proportionate funding so that they can be effectively exercised too. An underfunded justice system serves no one, whether it is a victim seeking justice or a business pursuing redress in a commercial dispute.
“Through these steps we can ensure that the legal sector in Wales continues to grow and thrive, while providing a justice system that accommodates the distinct needs of Wales.”
Also worth a read:
- Tory leadership race: Mordaunt and Sunak emerge as frontrunners – FT (£)
- Top 50 financial results 2022: live – Gazette
- BSB to investigate if solicitors give clients choice on how they choose a barrister – Legal Futures
- Clifford Chance hands out cost of living bonuses to staff and trainees – Legal Cheek