Changes to legal aid for domestic abuse victims
A High Court ruling on a challenge brought by a domestic abuse complainant after she was denied legal aid is covered by the Guardian, Gazette, News Break, USA News Hub, Business Mayor and others.
The Law Society’s Head of Justice, Richard Miller, said: “We are pleased that today’s ruling will mean more parents in similar situations can be properly represented and that this applies not only to family cases but other areas of civil legal aid.”
Law Society response to bill to tackle small boats
The Law Society’s response to the new immigration bill continues to be covered, including by Lexis Nexis, Social Work Today and New Law Journal
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.”
LPA and Mental Health Act Reform
Law Society President Lubna Shuja writes in the Gazette about the work of the Law Society in shaping new legislation on Lasting Powers of Attorney and Mental Health.
On the Draft Mental Health Bill, Lubna wrote: “When the bill is introduced to parliament we will work to ensure it upholds the rule of law and enables patients to have more opportunities to access justice and challenge decisions made on their behalf.”
The piece is picked up in Trendeepro.
Lawyers at Risk in Iran
The Dispatchist, Canadian Lawyer, NZ Lawyer and Australasian Lawyer all report on lawyers at risk in Iran, and the wider crack-down on human rights following widespread protests.
Law Society Deputy Vice President, Richard Atkinson, said: “Access to a legal representative is a right established in Iranian law, as well as in international law, and must be respected and guaranteed.
“This widespread arrest and intimidation of lawyers makes legal representation impossible. It prevents the functioning of the administration of justice and the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms of the many people in detention and facing trial in Iran.”
Singapore Convention on Mediation
Global Legal Post looks at news the UK government is set to ratify the Singapore Convention on Mediation.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja is quoted as saying: “Joining the Singapore Convention will further strengthen the reputation of England and Wales as a jurisdiction of choice for dispute resolution and positively affect the mediation market."
Equity in the profession
Law Society Women Solicitors Network committee member Neha Lugg and vice chair Amandeep Khasriya write in the Gazette about the significant challenges to equality in the legal profession.
The Law Society Women Solicitors Network will hold an online panel on 16 March to discuss what equity means for women in the legal profession and the need for collective action towards change.
Find out more about our D&I Framework
Also worth a read:
- WhatsApp refuses to comply with Online Safety Bill - Guardian
- New statistics show divide in Bar Training Course pass rates – Legal Cheek
- £3m funding for Met police overhaul in their treatment of crime victims - BBC
- Sunak meets French President for support with small boat crossings bill - iNews