Legal aid in 2023
Law Society President Lubna Shuja spoke to the Times (£) about the year ahead.
“2023 is likely to see an acceleration in the systemic failure of our justice system,” she said.
“There are huge backlogs in the courts leading to long delays for victims, defendants and users of the civil and family courts, while vast legal aid deserts across England and Wales means the public don’t have access to advice when they need it, such as when facing eviction or fighting for welfare benefits.
"Duty solicitor schemes are failing, leaving the right to representation at police station in peril and the fabric of the courts estate is deteriorating rapidly. We expect the number of criminal legal aid solicitors to fall by a further 10 per cent this year alone. 2023 could be a tipping point.
“The government can start by giving criminal defence solicitors the minimum 15% legal aid rates increase. Investment in civil legal aid advice provision must also be made now – there simply isn’t time to wait until the end of the civil legal aid review process.”
Judicial Appointments Commission Chair
New Law Journal covers the Law Society welcoming new Judicial Appointments Commission Chair Helen Pitcher OBE. President Lubna Shuja is quoted as saying that the appointment is an “an opportunity to reset the commission and drive forward meaningful progress in judicial diversity.”
Witness interviews
99 Newsbuzz mentions the Law Society in a piece about witness interviews in internal investigations.
‘No fault’ divorce
The Mail and others report that ‘no fault’ divorce legislation has sped up the divorce process but the cost-of-living crisis may deter some couples from splitting up.
The piece mentions our Find a Solicitor tool.
Also worth a read:
- Royal commission on criminal justice on hold – Gazette
- Legal action over proposed new coal mine – Guardian
- Higher rights of audience plan backed by CILEX – Legal Futures
- Criminal justice in St Helena – Gazette