Law Society response to bill to tackle small boats
Gazette, Family Law Week, Solicitors Journal and Jurist report our response to the new asylum bill which had its second reading yesterday.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “If the UK were to violate international law … it would jeopardise the British government’s reputation for upholding the rule of law and delivering justice.
“This would rock the UK’s standing as a reliable nation that upholds its international responsibilities, which has underpinned its position as an attractive hub of global investment and a bastion of the rule of law.”
UK in a Changing Europe also references our concerns in analysis of the implications of the bill.
21st Century Justice project
Legal Futures reports the launch of our 21st Century Justice project.
Law Society Deputy Vice President Richard Atkinson said: “Our aim is to lead the debate and identify systemic improvements that will serve society now and far into the future. We will be drawing on the expertise of our council and committee members as well as that of external stakeholders and those who use the justice system.”
Law Society budget demands
Law360 (£) reports the Law Society has called on the government to increase funding for criminal and civil legal aid ahead of tomorrow’s budget.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “Ahead of the Spring Budget, we call on government to meet the £30 million criminal legal aid shortfall, inject cash into the civil legal aid system while the Civil Legal Aid Review takes place and restore legal aid for early advice in housing, debt, welfare benefits and family law.”
The Big Legal Lesson
The Gazette and Legal Cheek cover the Big Legal Lesson which starts today and runs to 24 March.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “Whether or not they go on to practice law, The Big Legal Lesson is a fantastic opportunity for young people to understand how our justice system works and why it matters to them. The Law Society is delighted to support such an exciting initiative, the effects of which we hope will resonate throughout the lives of all participants.”
Financial Benchmarking Survey
Legal Futures covers our annual Financial Benchmarking Survey, which shows law firms sustaining pandemic profit rises.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “It is encouraging to see law firms continuing to perform strongly, especially given the difficult economic climate we are all facing. As the cost-of-living crisis hits England and Wales the legal sector will continue to be an important driver of the UK’s economy.
“It is good to see firms focusing on helping staff deal with the crisis and increasing salaries to retain and recruit staff. Of course, some firms struggle more than others, with lack of government investment continuing to hit legal aid firms.”
‘Lefty lawyers’
Jonathan Goldsmith, our Policy and Regulatory Affairs Committee Chair, writes in the Gazette about the government’s re-use of its ‘lefty lawyers’ rhetoric after the Illegal Migration Bill was announced, and our response to it.
He said: “The Law Society is not party political, and exists, among other reasons, to promote the role of solicitors, not to oppose bills for political reasons. It has responded to the Illegal Migration Bill within its usual framework of the rule of law and access to justice. It did not say a word in its statement about the ‘lefty lawyer’ rhetoric, which does not constitute a formal part of the bill’s contents.”
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