Solicitor judge appointed to Court of Appeal
The Gazette reports the appointment of Lady Justice Falk as the sole solicitor on the Court of Appeal bench.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “Solicitors bring particular skills and experiences to the judicial process and decision-making. They also come from more diverse backgrounds than the barristers who traditionally populate the bench.
“Lady Justice Falk is currently the only solicitor on the Court of Appeal, and will be only the 20th lady justice of appeal ever, which demonstrates there is still much progress to be made before the judiciary reflects wider society. I’m sure her appointment will encourage solicitors with judicial aspirations that there need be no limits to their ambition.”
Diversity and inclusion
Legal Practice Management examines the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s regulatory principles for diversity & inclusion.
Lubna Shuja’s appointment as the first Asian, first Muslim, and seventh female to become President of the Law Society is referenced.
Mental Health Act disproportionately affects Black people
Coverage continues of the recently published data revealing the number of people detained under the Mental Health Act, including in Ledbury Reporter, Evesham Journal, Luton Today, Biggleswade Today, and Leighton Buzzard Observer.
Detention rates for Black British people were found to be more than 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 Vice President Nick Emmerson said: “These statistics show why reforming the Mental Health Act must be a priority for the government.”
SRA’s reporting requirements
The Gazette covers several changes to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) code of conduct and regulatory obligations, including changes for junior lawyers.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “We are pleased to see the changes to reporting requirements, following our feedback on [the SRA’s] original proposals, particularly in recognising and removing the burden on junior lawyers.
“We would still like to see the SRA produce more guidance and communications to highlight good practice, particularly around speaking up and challenging behaviour in the workplace.
“Such guidance should be sensitive to how difficult it can be for some people to speak out, not just junior lawyers, but those in minority groups, or those who are in a less secure role within the business.”
Legal Futures also reports.
Also worth a read:
- 4.5m left without power in Ukraine following attacks – BBC News
- Resources needed to achieve 53,000 Crown Court backlog target – Gazette
- Lawyers should counsel their clients about environmental harms – Legal Futures
- Retirement plans affected by hybrid working, finds report – Today’s Family Lawyer