Bereavement finances
Melinda Giles, a member of our Wills and Equity Committee, featured on BBC Radio 4’s Money Box (from 00:40), where she gave listeners advice about how to deal with the finances of a loved one who has passed away.
Project Rise
LawCareers.Net and Legal Futures report 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.”
Legal Ombudsman must focus on backlog
Solicitors Journal, Law360 (£) and Legal Futures cover our response to the Office for Legal Complaints' (OLC) business plan and budget 2023/24.
Law Society president Lubna Shuja said: "Reducing the backlog of cases waiting to be investigated must continue to be the priority for the Legal Ombudsman service (LeO).”
We also raise concerns about a proposed 8% pay rise for LeO staff.
“The proposed 8% staff pay rise is particularly concerning when sections of the legal profession have seen no increase in their fees for many years. Criminal legal aid solicitors have not had a pay rise for over 25 years and fees have in fact been cut,” said Lubna Shuja.
Criminal defence
Solicitor and stand-up comedian Abigail Rolling speaks to the Times (£) about the crisis in the criminal justice system.
The piece mentions our warning that about the financial sustainability of criminal defence work.
Also worth a read:
- Nurses go on strike – Guardian (Live)
- Migrant boat deaths: search resumes – BBC
- Former Law Society president exonerated – Times (£)
- Life sentence for murderer of law graduate – Guardian
- Publishing sentencing remarks for all cases logistically impossible – Gazette