Retained EU Law Bill reaches committee stage
The Gazette and Gazette Ireland cover the devastating impact that the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill could have on the UK’s legal system as it reaches committee stage in the House of Commons.
Lubna Shuja, President of the Law Society, warned of impending damage caused by the bill and said the proposed measure would allow ministers to overhaul laws without appropriate parliamentary scrutiny or public oversight, noting: “This raises uncomfortable questions for parliamentary sovereignty, legal certainty, and the rule of law.”
“Many basic protections for workers could disappear unless the government makes a proactive decision to keep EU-derived employment law.
“Workers would no longer be able to take paid annual leave, challenge an employer over equal pay, have pregnancy protections, take rest breaks or have family-friendly policies such as maternity, paternity and parental leave.”
Law 360, Australian Lawyer, and NZ Lawyer also report on the Law Society’s response to the bill.
Revisions to LSB’s new regulatory framework
Legal Futures examines a revised version of the new regulatory performance framework introduced by the Legal Service Board (LSB). The Law Society said these changes would be detrimental to the LSB’s role as an oversight body. Lubna Shuja, President of the Law Society, said:
“We are concerned that the new performance framework reflects an emphasis on self-reporting and that the LSB appears to be taking a minimalist approach to regulatory performance monitoring.”
Mental Health Act disproportionately affects Black people
UK Human Rights Blog continues coverage on the disproportionate detention rates of Black British people under the Mental Health Act. The Law Society is mentioned in calling for Mental Act reform and that the Mental Health Act be used in the “least restrictive way possible.”
Also worth a read:
- An extra 1,400 pieces of EU law will be wiped out by Brexit legislation - Guardian, FT(£)
- Government clashes with trade unions over Retained EU Law bill - Guardian
- Lawyers and legal commentators move to social media platform Mastodon after Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter – Legal Cheek
- Attorney general speaks at Pro Bono week event and claims that pro bono work should complement, and not substitute, legal aid - Gazette