Civil legal aid review
The UK government is set to embark on a major review of civil legal aid, reports the Gazette.
Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce welcomed the “concrete indication” that a review will happen, adding: “The government will need to consider how it can support firms whilst the review is taking place. The legal aid provider base is in crisis and the spiralling cost-of-living will only add to the existing financial pressures”
Black History Month: call to action
DiversityQ and International Employment Lawyer cover Black History Month. This year’s theme is ‘Time for Change: Action Not Words.’
I. Stephanie Boyce said: “Black people often experience racism and discrimination. Then they are expected to fix it. This must change.
“Improving diversity and inclusion in the legal profession has always been one of my primary ambitions as president.
“I hope the work I have done during my time as president has gone some way to improving how the profession recruits and retains its talent. Personal characteristics or an individual’s socio-economic background should not determine how far people can go.”
Diversity and inclusion framework
Today’s Wills & Probate covers our diversity and inclusion (D&I) framework, which was launched to serve as a roadmap for workplaces to develop and deliver a strategic approach to D&I.
“From the high street to the Supreme Court, the legal profession must reflect the society it serves,” said I. Stephanie Boyce.
“Our D&I framework helps workplaces drive change by supplying a proactive three-step action plan that will help our members develop and deliver a strategy that creates lasting change.”
Diverging from the ECHR
Aylin Zybek, a trainee lawyer at Elias Neocleous, writes in the Cyprus Mail about the UK’s potential move to diverge from the European Convention on Human Rights.
While the Bill of Rights has been shelved, for now, the Law Society will continue to lobby for human rights to be upheld.
I. Stephanie Boyce said the legislation is a “lurch backwards for British justice”.
Company takeovers
New Law Journal covers a consultation response by a joint working party of the City of London Law Society and the Law Society of England and Wales company law committees in relation to takeovers.
Also worth a read:
- Tory’s in turmoil after fiscal U-turns – Guardian
- Conservative Party Conference: Truss will claim economic disruption will be worth it – BBC
- Brandon Lewis calls for a resolution to the barristers’ strike – Gazette
- Ukraine annexation prompts further Russian sanctions – City A.M
- Hybrid working creating disconnect between staff – Legal Futures