Illegal Migration Bill amendment
The Daily Mail, Guardian (at 14.13pm), Independent, Standard, Gazette, Belfast Telegraph and 280+ regional publications report the Law Society’s reaction to news the government intends to table an amendment to the Illegal Migration Bill enabling it to ignore rulings from the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) – known as interim measures.
Deputy Vice President of the Law Society Richard Atkinson said:
“The rule of law means governments respect and follow domestic and international law and disputes are ruled on by independent courts.
“This amendment would undermine the global rules-based order, set a dangerous precedent within the international community and damage the UK’s standing in the world.”
Climate change guidance
Scottish Legal News, Irish Legal News and Best Advice continue coverage of the launch of our climate change guidance.
A Law Society spokesperson said:
“Individual solicitors and firms can accept or decline to represent clients as a basic regulatory fact, and we present this neutrally to the profession as something they can consider in a climate change context, as there is a lot of confusion around what approaches can be taken.”
Economic crime report
The Gazette looks at calls for reform of the Serious Fraud Office.
Law Society president Lubna Shuja said the report “makes an important contribution to the debate about tackling economic crime.”
Crown Courts backlog
Outstanding cases in the Crown Courts are reported on in Today’s Family Lawyer.
President of the Law Society Lubna Shuja said: “The data cuts through the rhetoric and clearly shows that delays in the criminal justice system aren’t coming down anytime soon.
Read our press release
Basic income for asylum seekers
The BBC covers the ‘row’ between the first minister and Sunak over Wales’ basic income pilot, which offers £1,600 a month to 18-year-olds leaving care, including unaccompanied asylum seekers.
The Law Society says that asylum seekers can be entitled to free legal advice to help with asylum claims if they have little or no money.
Lack of judicial diversity
Law360 writes that a report from Whitehall revealed there was limited progress in improving judicial diversity.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “To be truly inclusive, our country needs a judiciary that reflects the society it serves.
“This report highlights what little improvement there has been in judicial diversity.
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