Criminal legal aid judicial review
Law Society President Lubna Shuja writes in the Times (£) about the Law Society’s decision to judicially review the government’s failure to properly fund criminal legal aid.
Lubna writes: “Legal aid solicitors are the bedrock of a functioning criminal justice system. The advice they provide at the earliest stage of the process can keep minor or misconceived cases out of court, or make sure the cases pass through the system efficiently, ensuring swift justice for victims and defendants.
“More than a year has passed since Lord Bellamy KC, now a justice minister, recommended an urgent and immediate minimum 15 per cent increase to rates to protect the future of criminal legal aid solicitors. Dominic Raab, the justice secretary, has failed to deliver.”
India opens up legal services sector
Jurist reports the Law Society’s response to the Bar Council of India publishing regulations to allow the establishment of foreign lawyers and law firms in India.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “The Bar Council of India’s decision is a significant step forward in this long-standing issue and will create huge opportunities for solicitors and Indian advocates in both countries.
Law Society TikTok launch
The Times (£) notes the Law Society has launched a TikTok channel. A Law Society spokesperson said: “millions of people, including solicitors, have TikTok accounts, so this is a way of connecting with them in a more visual and often upbeat way”.
LSB reserved legal activities list
Today’s Family Lawyer covers news the LSB is to park the issue of amending the list of reserved legal activities after concluding there was not a case to consider reform at this stage.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “The Law Society agrees this is not the right time to review reserved legal activities (RLAs). Currently, RLAs can only be carried out by qualified legal professionals regulated by one of the approved regulators under the Legal Services Act 2007.”
Covid penalties back in the spotlight
MSN and i news reconsider the way covid penalties were applied following the Privileges Committee grilling of former PM Boris Johnson yesterday.
Stuart Nolan, chair of the Law Society’s Criminal Law Committee, said: “People that have adhered to the guidance religiously, at a detriment to themselves and their families, will feel that there is a gulf between those that rule and those that are ruled. That might cause them concern.”
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