Retained EU Law Bill reaches committee stage
Canadian Lawyer, New Law Journal and Today’s Family Lawyer cover the devastating impact that the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill could have on the UK’s legal system, as the bill reaches committee stage in the House of Commons.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja warned proposed measures 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.”
Criminal legal aid
The Gazette reveals that some criminal legal aid lawyers are looking to set up a trade union that would allow them to strike.
Meanwhile, law firm owners with criminal legal aid contracts are to set up their own representative body with a view to becoming a statutory consultee, also in the Gazette.
Both developments are in response to the government’s failure to give solicitors the recommended minimum 15% rise in criminal legal aid rates.
The Law Society has warned it will advise members that criminal defence work is no longer viable if the government’s final response to the Bellamy review is unsatisfactory.
India-UK FTA talks
The Leaflet reports on India-UK FTA talks and mentions the Law Society’s work in pushing to remove restrictions on foreign lawyers in the Indian legal sector.
Primary responsibility
Policy and Regulatory Affairs Committee Chair, Jonathan Goldsmith, discusses in the Gazette whether a lawyers’ primary responsibility lies with the client or with the wider public interest.
Mental Health Act disproportionately affects Black people
Keighley News covers our call for reform of the Mental Health Act as statistics reveal the disproportionate detention rates of Black British people under the Act.
Also worth a read:
- SLAPPS warning imminent - Gazette
- Pro Bono and legal aid – The Times (£)
- Press freedom concerns after journalists arrested – FT (£)
- Firms are under investigation for breaching sanctions – Legal Futures
- Criminal legal aid firms unite – Times Brief
- Behaviour training for judges after bullying revelations - Gazette
- Profitability of global law firms falls – Legal Futures