Law Society court infrastructure report
The Guardian, Gazette, FT (£), Telegraph(£), Bloomberg UK, Law360 and a range of other outlets cover the Law Society’s newly released report on the state of court infrastructure and the impact of disrepair on court delays and backlogs.
Lubna Shuja, President of the Law Society, said: “The poor state of court buildings across England and Wales is a contributor to the huge backlog of court cases and a stark illustration of the lack of investment in our justice system.
“Decades of damage cannot be reversed overnight but urgent action can halt this decline before it’s too late.”
Celebrating 100 years since the first female solicitor
Law Society President Lubna Shuja spoke to the BBC to celebrate the 100 years anniversary yesterday of the first woman to become a solicitor. Carrie Morrison was admitted to the profession on 18 December 1922.
Lubna talked about how Carrie Morrison prepared the way for all the women who now practice as solicitors, saying: “She was a real pioneer. Had she not stood up to this male profession, we would not be where we are today.”
Today’s Conveyancer, Today’s Wills & Probate, and Today’s Family Lawyer also report the 100 year anniversary of women in law.
Lubna said: “Although women have outnumbered men in the solicitor profession since 2017, a relatively small proportion are in senior roles – for instance just 35% of partners in law firms are women.”
Family court statistics
Solicitors Journal and Family Lore cover the Law Society’s response to the Ministry of Justice’s newly released family court statistics, which include data on delays and backlogs within the system.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “We have long voiced our concern about the delays in the family courts – which pre-date the pandemic. Delays can cause significant harm as well as uncertainty for the parties involved.”
Criminal legal aid
Horizon-scanning 2023, the Gazette notes the Law Society’s warning that the government’s failure to properly uplift fees for criminal legal aid work could force solicitors to take industrial action or abandon this area of work.
Eviction court delays
Central Housing Group reports on delays in eviction court cases following the spending cuts in the Ministry of Justice’s budget.
Vice President Nick Emmerson commented: “The justice system is in crisis and facing systemic failure. Increased funding is vital to keep it functioning.”
SRA proposal for new professional indemnity scheme
The Gazette and Business Fast cover our response to the regulator’s proposal for a new post six-year run-off cover scheme that aims to secure long-term consumer protection.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said that the proposed scheme “will enable consumers to claim compensation if there is a rare occasion when something goes wrong many years after a solicitor has provided legal advice.”
Also worth a read:
- Rwanda policy ruling due today - Independent
- Migration and labour demands – Times (£)
- UK’s first climate crisis law degree – Gazette
- Raab’s bullying allegations - Times (£)
- Fixed costs for clinical negligence - Gazette