Transparent justice
Law Society President Lubna Shuja writes in the Times’s (£) about the state of the family courts.
She said: “Transparency and open justice are important to help the public understand how the law works (Family court pilot scheme hailed as ‘step towards transparency’, 26 January).
“Journalists attending family courts will see the impact of the increase in litigants in person: people struggling to navigate legal processes alone, usually because they can’t afford a lawyer but don’t qualify for legal aid.
“Litigants without a lawyer require more time and support from the courts. Where are they are vulnerable the human cost is particularly high, such as for victims of domestic abuse or in cases involving children are taking almost a year to complete.
“Legal aid for early advice would ensure people know all the out-of-court options they have to resolve their issues. Open reporting is one important step to improving our family courts and we hope it will help further public understanding of these challenges.”
Neurodiversity and autism in the workplace
Arwen Makin, co vice-chair of our Disabled Solicitors Network, spoke with BBC Radio 4’s Anti Social (from 43:31) about how much support employers should give neurodivergent and autistic employees, including making reasonable adjustments.
Criminal court delays
The Reading Chronicle, Wigan Today, Luton Today and other regional outlets continue coverage of our reaction to the criminal court backlog and delays.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “The impact of decades of underinvestment in our criminal justice system is plain to see.
“The latest figures show huge backlogs in our criminal courts and unacceptably long delays for victims and defendants to access justice.
Criminal law tensions continue
Criminal legal aid lawyers have been left with no choice but to unionise, the president of the London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association tells the Gazette.
The piece notes our potential judicial review challenge against the government.
Read more about our pre-action protocol on criminal legal aid rates
SLAPPs
Minsters are facing pressure to speed up action against the use of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) to silence legitimate criticism, reports the Observer.
There are concerns this legal tactic is being used to stop legitimate questions being asked about powerful figures, the ultra-wealthy and oligarchs.
A Law Society spokesperson said: “The Law Society consulted experts within our profession, including those who represent defendants in SLAPP cases. The overwhelming consensus was that there was a pressing need for reform to stamp out these kinds of cases and abuse of processes."
Lord Pannick writes in the Times (£) about SLAPPs, explaining lawyers’ ethical obligations to clients in this context.
Also worth a read:
- Zahawi’s sacking: What does this mean for PM? – BBC News
- Wales justice devolution: MoJ acts on five recommendations – Gazette
- Law students join class action against universities over disruptions – Gazette
- LawCare report shows lawyers are questioning their futures – Legal Futures