Iran must release lawyers
Gazette, Defend Lawyers, Company Insight and World News cover our call with Lawyers for Lawyers, to halt the arbitrary arrest, detention and ill treatment of lawyers in Iran.
Law Society president Lubna Shuja said: “The Law Society calls on the Iranian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all lawyers who have been arbitrarily arrested and detained and drop any charges against them, as well as to ensure their psychological and physical integrity pending such release.”
Read our press release
Legal aid debate continues
The Gazette covers the news criminal barristers voted to end their strike and the continued impact of government cuts on criminal legal aid solicitors.
The Gazette notes the Law Society has asked the government to match the 15% rise being given to barristers. This is backed up by a threat that if the gap is not bridged by November, the Society “will advise our members that there is no viable future in criminal legal aid work” and a warning that the exodus of solicitors will have a far greater impact than the bar strike.
Bio-law report
Environment Journal covers our Law in the Emerging Bio Age report.
Read the report Law in the emerging bio-age
Anti-money laundering breaches
A report by campaign group Spotlight on Corruption claims the legal sector enjoys “unique protections” to launder money.
A Law Society spokesperson tells the Gazette: “The Law Society and legal sector share the UK government’s determination to combat economic crime.
“Solicitors play a key role in the UK’s anti-money laundering (AML) and economic crime regime. They act as gatekeepers to the financial system.”
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