Civil legal aid deserts
Coverage continues of Law Society maps showing extensive civil legal aid deserts across England and Wales in Ashfield Chad, Today’s Family Lawyer, Dudley News, EC1 News, Stourbridge News and Hucknall Dispatch.
1 April marked 10 years since the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Publishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO) came into force, devastating the legal aid system.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “For rights to be real, everyone who qualifies for state-funded legal advice must be able to get that advice when they need it, so that they can uphold and enforce their rights.
“The survival of these services is in the balance. People can’t get the legal support they need, when they need it.”
Lubna also writes in the Gazette about the devastating effect the cuts have had on the sector and how our 21st Century Justice project seeks to ensure the legal system can meet current and future access to justice challenges.
Surrogacy in the spotlight
Naomi Angell, a member of our Children’s Law Subcommittee, writes in the Gazette about a recent surrogacy case before the Court of Appeal.
Economic Crime Plan 2
New Law Journal examines the government’s Economic Crime Plan 2, which aims to tackle illicit finance.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “Solicitors continue to play an important role in the public-private partnership in tackling economic crime.
“We look forward to continuing our work with the government to deliver the plan through a new approach to public-private prioritisation.”
President to speak to law students
India Education Diary reports about Lubna’s upcoming talk to law students at the University of East London which is happening next month.
Rules for UK-India legal agreement need clarification
The FT (£) reports law firm reactions to the announcement by the Bar Council of India that new rules will allow UK firms and lawyers to practice in India. One commentator notes that legal businesses will be waiting for the Law Society of England and Wales and the Indian Bar to clarify the new regulations.
Also worth a read:
- Magistrate warned over ‘politically sensitive’ interview – Gazette
- Barge accommodation for asylum-seekers to be announced - Guardian
- Enhanced risk for lawyers from AI – Legal Futures