Sunak’s asylum reforms
The Prime Minister announced plans for new legislation to reform the asylum system and control illegal migration in the UK, reports the Gazette.
A Law Society spokesperson said: “Law Society members will want to hear that the proposed new legislation protects access to justice and meets the UK's obligations under international law. We will be keen to see the detail when it's published in the New Year.”
Lasting Power of Attorney Bill
The Law Society’s response to the new Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) Bill currently on its parliamentary passage is covered in the Gazette.
We support the bill’s aim to improve access to powers of attorney by digitising the process but are “disappointed” the bill does not address the need for LPA certification to expressly include consideration of the donor’s capacity.
This “would establish that a person making an LPA has the capacity to do so and is a crucial safeguard that is needed to protect the most vulnerable.”
Project Rise
Legal Cheek reports that three more firms have joined Project Rise, which is a scheme initiated by our Disabled Solicitors’ Network.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “I am delighted to welcome Bates Wells, Browne Jacobson and Freeths to Project Rise. They have committed to offering all successful candidates the opportunity to train on a part-time basis to provide more accessible routes to qualification for people from diverse backgrounds.”
100 years of women solicitors
LawCareers.net has an in-depth piece written by our Council Member Dana Denis-Smith about the centenary that marks the first women to be admitted to the roll and the challenges women face today in the profession.
“The first generation of women lawyers were clear about what they wanted. After qualifying Maud Crofts went on to educate women on their legal rights saying: ‘We women want not privileges but equality’.
“A hundred years on, for women in the legal profession equality remains an aspiration but with so many demanding change, I’m optimistic we can take the great strides needed to get there.”
Clinical negligence debate
Legal Futures examines the ongoing clinical negligence debate and roundtable that took place at the Law Society six months ago.
“As well as journalists from the Law Society Gazette, and both claimant and defendant lawyers, May’s roundtable participants represented medical experts, after-the-event insurance providers and NHS Resolution, but there was broad consensus around many of the issues we discussed.”
Also worth a read:
- Rail strikes: Passengers advised not to travel – Guardian
- Out-of-court disposals warning – Gazette
- Law firms increase billable hours targets – City A.M.
- £15m funding for violence against women – Today’s Family Lawyer