New statistics show Home Office needs urgent overhaul
The Independent, Yahoo! News, Left Foot Forward and the Gazette report our reaction to Home Office statistics showing 148,533 individuals were waiting for a decision from the Home Office on their claim for asylum in the year to September 2022.
Law Society Deputy Vice President Richard Atkinson said: “Far too many people are waiting far too long for a decision on their request for sanctuary in the UK.
“There is also still a problem with the quality of Home Office decision-making – 52 per cent of decisions were overturned when appealed.”
Rogue Landlords
After the death of two-year old Awaab Ishak from mould exposure in his parents’ rented house, the Guardian takes an in-depth look at renters’ rights in the UK.
Daniel Fitzpatrick, a member of our Housing Law Committee, says: “There isn’t the equality of arms there is supposed to be” and limited legal aid is only available for forcing landlords to make repairs when there’s a serious risk to health, but not for claiming damages.
Consumer rights: Subscription services
Gary Rycroft, a member of our Council Membership Committee, speaks to the Mirror about how consumers can cancel a subscription mid-contract to get a refund.
“In recent years, the laws governing how we shop have improved dramatically. If you have taken out a new subscription or annual contract online then by law you have the right to cancel the order 14 days after placing it,” he said.
Clampdown in Iran
London-based Persian news outlet Kayhan Life covers our concerns about the detention and treatment of lawyers in Iran as the regime attempts to contain pro-democracy protests there.
Criminal legal aid solicitors’ strike action
Personnel Today provides a round-up of all the sectors looking to strike, including criminal legal aid solicitors, who are considering whether to strike over levels of pay for legal aid work.
We have described the government’s failure to implement a 15% rise in fees for criminal defence work as “baffling.”
We are in the foothills of true judicial diversity
Law Society President Lubna Shuja writes in the Gazette about the need for more diversity in the judiciary.
She said: “The judiciary is one of the most important and visible symbols of justice and authority in our country. If the judiciary does not broadly reflect the make-up of our society, we risk undermining the social contract that binds us together.
“However, the judiciary is still overwhelmingly white and male, particularly at more senior levels.
“The government’s own figures show that progress in improving the diversity of judges in England and Wales has been far too slow, and in some cases, has stalled.”
Also worth a read:
- SLAPPs: Minister rejects proposed change to law – Guardian
- Rail strikes could cause chaos in the North of England – BBC
- 2,000 law students join action over lost learning – Legal Cheek
- Easyjet loses appeal on flight delay claims – Legal Futures