Queen Elizabeth II, 1926 – 2022
Solicitors Journal, New Law Journal, Local Government Lawyer, The Global Legal Post, Gazette, Legal News Wales, Law.com (£), Legal Futures and the Lawyer cover the sad news of the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The president of the Law Society of England and Wales I. Stephanie Boyce, said: “On this sad occasion we share in the grief of the nation at the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. On behalf of the solicitor profession, I would also like to offer our condolences to the Royal Family.
“As the holder of a Royal Charter, the Society has been very grateful to the Queen for her role in public life, as a defender of the constitution and source of stability in an era of great change. As our longest serving monarch we’re thankful for the way she dedicated her life to the service of this country.”
Jonathan Goldsmith, chair of our Policy and Regulatory Affairs Committee, writes in the Gazette, looking back at the last 70 years of the Queen’s reign and forward to what is to become of the legal profession.
End of the road for Bill of Rights?
There is coverage of our concerns about the Bill of Rights Bill, including in the Times(£), Legal Cheek, Yahoo News, Legal Cheek and Law Info China.
There have been widespread reports the new PM has told her cabinet she intends to scrap the controversial Bill which we have strongly opposed. We will be monitoring for confirmation of the government’s intentions.
Read our press release
Exam graded
One year on since the introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), the Gazette looks at how the new system has fared, if it has been fairer and if it has managed to improve diversity and social mobility in the legal profession.
Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce expressed concern over the disparity between grades of Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates and their white counterparts.
Vice president Lubna Shuja raised the issue of the cost of the exams for candidates: “It was initially hoped that the SQE would increase social mobility. However, this seems less achievable given rising costs and a dearth of loans to cover course fees or assessment fees for those who need them.”
Jane Burton, chair of the Law Society’s Lawyers with Disabilities Division expressed her frustration with how slow the SRA was to make assistive technology available to SQE candidates.
“Our profession should not be made up entirely of people who can afford expensive education. Some preparatory courses may create a culture of high pass rates among affluent students who can pay for extra support and guidance” said Law Society Council member Baljinder Singh Atwal.
Read our press release
New justice minister
The Gazette and Law360 (£) report the justice minister intends to meet the Law Society, Bar Council and Criminal Bar Association as the dispute over criminal legal aid rates continues.
“Civil and criminal legal aid solicitors are being forced to close their doors because government rates have been stagnant for more than two decades,” said Law Society vice president Lubna Shuja.
“The minister should set rates of pay at the level needed to make the system viable so these vital public servants can continue to serve the country properly renumerated for their expertise and hard work.”
Read our press release
Roll on Friday also covers the barristers’ strike action.
“Our members are not striking but leaving altogether and action is needed now before it’s too late to turn the tide of solicitors and firms leaving criminal defence work,” said Lubna Shuja.
Missing sole executor
Today’s Wills and Probate covers our guidance for practitioners on how to trace a missing sole executor.
Law firm automation and neurotechnology
LPM Mag looks at the history of law firm automation and, separately, offers criticism of our neurotechnology report.
Also worth a read:
- Barristers’ strike: Demonstrations cancelled – Gazette
- Rich to get twice as much cost of living support – BBC
- Thinktank warning over “second-class” citizenship – Guardian
- Criticism of police over arrests of anti-monarchy protestors – Guardian
- Court delays leave domestic abuse victims living in fear – Telegraph (£)
- Ukraine war: Russian retreat – BBC