Mental Health Act disproportionately affects Black people
There is nationwide coverage of Law Society analysis of statistics on the application of the Mental Health Act, in more than 90 outlets from London to Manchester, Cornwall and Devon, to Liverpool and Oldham. Outlets look at the numbers of detentions under the Act in their area.
Detention rates for Black British people were found overall to be over four times those of white people, while Community Treatment Orders – which require a person to receive supervised treatment in the community – were used for Black British people at 11 times the rate of white people.
Law Society of England and Wales Vice President Nick Emmerson said: “These statistics show why reforming the Mental Health Act must be a priority for the government.”
Driving more diverse workforces
Yorkshire Times, Northeast Post, and Lancashire Times report a paper launched today providing recommendations to government on how to create a more inclusive environment to attract diverse talent to businesses. Immediate past president I. Stephanie Boyce was on an expert panel that advised the commission.
Former Law Society President Christina Blacklaws is quoted in a Gazette article promoting equitable representation of women at the top of law firms, without the utilization of arbitrary female quotas.
Junior Solicitors Network launched
Gazette and Law.com (£) report we have launched a new national network to support junior solicitors to encourage greater collaboration with local and regional bodies.
Vice President Nick Emmerson said: “This change is within the wider context of the Law Society working closely and collaboratively with regional and local grouping such as local JLDs and local law societies and shifting from operating siloed ‘divisions’ to establishing inclusive and joined-up working via Law Society ‘networks’ in order to encourage greater collaboration and exchange of ideas and perspectives.
“We look forward to working with the JSN Advisory Committee, National Junior Lawyers Division (JLD) Committee and local JLDs throughout the next year and beyond.”
President Lubna Shuja writes in the Gazette about the Law Society’s shift from ‘divisions’ to ‘networks’, and how we are promoting inclusivity and collaboration.
Find out more about the Junior Solicitors Network
Gazette stand for editorial integrity
The Independent and Joshua Rozenberg’s ‘A Lawyer Writes’ report attempts by Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s private office to get the Gazette to remove an opinion piece about her.
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