Reactions to new prime minister
Solicitors Journal covers our response to the announcement of the new PM. We urge Liz Truss to demonstrate respect for the rule of law, rethink the Bill of Rights, fund criminal legal aid and consider the importance of solicitors in assisting clients facing challenges due to the spiralling cost of living.
Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said: “The criminal justice system is facing a make-or-break moment with huge backlogs in the courts delaying justice for victims and defendants, while chronic underfunding is forcing solicitors to leave this area of work in droves and leading to the collapse of our vital network of duty solicitor schemes.”
Meanwhile People’s World focuses on the response of unions and other bodies to the election, noting I. Stephanie Boyce said that the bill of rights “needs a complete rethink as the current draft represents a lurch backwards for British justice which would disempower people in Britain while giving the state more unfettered authority.”
Read our press release
Priti Patel’s tenure
Indy 100, MSN and Newsbreak look at Priti Patel’s tenure as Home Secretary.
This included her proposal of the Nationality and Borders Bill which we describe as “incompatible” with international law, adding that “in particular, we’re concerned that penalising refugees who arrive in the UK via irregular means is incompatible with the Refugee Convention 1951.”
Read our press release
Climate Change
Jonathan Goldsmith, chair of our Policy & Regulatory Affairs Committee, writes in the Gazette about the SRA’s first steps to fight climate change.
Judicial Applications
The Judicial Office is offering a pre-application seminar for people interested in applying for posts as a deputy district judge, the Gazette reports. We encourage members to apply.
Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce said: “Solicitors bring important skill sets to a judicial role, particularly when it comes to dealing with litigants in person.”
Disruptive neighbours
Gary Rycroft, a member of our council membership committee, is quoted in the Sun, the Sun US, MSN, Birmingham Mail, the California Sun and the JJ Report discussing a neighbour dispute involving a large trampoline.
Also worth a read:
- Justice system ‘put at risk’ by MoJ data-sharing – Telegraph
- Liz Truss: New prime minister puts allies in positions of power – BBC
- Suella Braverman set to take even harder line on migration – Guardian
- Firms ‘face collapse or job cuts’ – BBC
- Bill of rights would undo Worboys’ victims’ victory – Guardian