Law Society response to bill to tackle small boats
The Times (£), Independent, Gazette, Evening Standard, Daily Mail, Solicitors Journal, Sunday Post, Express & Star and more than 300 regional outlets cover the Law Society’s response to the new immigration bill, including the Herald, Western Telegraph, South Wales Argus, Northern Echo, Lancashire Telegraph, Bolton News, Dorset Echo, Norwich Evening News and Hereford Times.
The Law Society said that it will closely scrutinise the bill’s impact on rule of law and access to justice.
Chris Cole, member of the Law Society’s Immigration Committee, spoke to Sky News about the legality of the bill and expressed concern over its impact on the rule of law.
Chris said: “There is a real concern that this bill is being rushed through without [the rule of law and access to justice] being taken into account by the government unfortunately. And there is a concern that there are aspects of this bill that could well be unlawful.”
Chris also spoke to BBC Radio Shetland (from 1:07:08), BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Highlands & Islands and BBC Radio Orkney about the potentially unlawful nature of the Illegal Migration Bill.
Muhunthan Paramesvaran, Chair of the Law Society’s Immigration Committee, spoke to Times Radio (from 0:18:15) about the Law Society’s concerns about the bill.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “The rule of law is undermined if the UK Government takes the view that laws, international or domestic, can be broken.
“If a government breaks laws, it breaks trust with its own citizens and with international partners.
“We will be carefully combing the detail of this Bill to determine whether it will lead to the Home Office delivering a fair and workable process, and seeking clarity from the Government on whether it is compatible with the UK’s international obligations.”
International Women’s Day
Law Society President Lubna Shuja writes in the Gazette of the integral role that women play in the legal profession and the Law Society’s pledge to focus on intersectionality in the sector on International Women’s Day.
LawCareers.Net celebrates Lubna as a woman who has transformed the legal industry on International Woman’s Day. The outlet recognizes Lubna as the seventh female, first Asian, and first Muslim president of the Law Society and highlights her impressive career trajectory.
Legal Heroes campaign
Practice Source covers the launch of the Law Society’s Legal Heroes campaign, which celebrates nominated lawyers as legal heroes.
Nominate your Legal Hero for 2023 here
Law Society legal challenge to criminal legal aid decision
The UK Human Rights Blog and LexBlog report that the Law Society has legally challenged the UK government, in the wake of the MoJ’s refusal to increase funding for criminal legal aid by the recommended 15%.
Changes to legal aid for domestic abuse victims
Class Legal reports that the Law Society supports the UK government’s decision to remove hurdles for domestic abuse victims who apply for legal aid.
President Lubna Shuja reacts: “Victims used to have to produce a letter from a health professional, but it would only be accepted by the Legal Aid Agency if the meeting had been face-to-face, at a time [when] medical appointments are increasingly online. This change to legal aid recognises the additional hurdle created by the requirement for evidence of face-to-face medical appointments.”
Changes to the Saudi Code of Practice Law
Global Legal Post mentions the Law Society in reporting new amendments to the Saudi Code of Practice Law that would allow international law firms to practise in Saudi Arabia.
Law firms and billings
LexisNexis cites Stephen Denyer, director of strategic relationships at the Law Society, in debating the suitability of the billable hours model.
Also worth a read:
- UN reacts to the UK’s new asylum bill - Guardian
- Former lord chancellor joins Payne Hicks Beach firm - Gazette
- Competition law becomes fastest growing practice area – Legal Futures
- New pathway emerges for part-qualified aspiring solicitors – Legal Cheek
- RMT calls off March strike action - BBC