Alex Chalk named as new Justice Secretary
The Independent, the Independent, Daily Mail, Evening Standard, Kent Online, Guernsey Press, Ireland Live, Shropshire Star, Darlington & Stockton Times, Ledbury Reporter, Yahoo! News, Law360 (£), the Gazette and 83 other regional outlets report our response to Alex Chalk KC being appointed the new Justice Secretary.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “The justice system is facing worsening backlogs, legal aid on the point of collapse, crumbling courts and a shortage of judges and court staff. The new justice secretary must get a grip on the crisis as a matter of urgency.
“It is Alex Chalk’s job to bring the justice system back to full strength and I look forward to working closely with him to fight for improved access to justice for all.”
The Telegraph & Argus, Oxford Mail, This is Oxfordshire and more than 330 regional media report on the top issues on the new Justice Secretary’s to-do list.
They mention the Law Society’s call to Dominic Raab earlier this year, asking him to rethink the rates criminal defence solicitors received for legal aid work, or face a judicial review.
Workplace behaviour
Max Winthrop, a Member of our Employment Law Committee, speaks to i News about discrimination and bullying claims, in the wake of Adam Tolley KC’s report into former Justice Secretary Dominic Raab.
He said he had seen people of all ages make complaints, from those in their twenties to people in their sixties. What had changed, however, was the perception of what was acceptable workplace behaviour.
“If you go back to the 50s, 60s and 70s the type of behaviour that people put up with in the workplace in general, would be totally unacceptable today.”
Illegal Migration Bill amendment
Coverage continues of our response to the a tabled amendment to the Illegal Migration Bill in the Sunday Express, Independent Eagle, India Times Post, The Justice Gap, North Wales Chronicle and more. Politico’s London Playbook also reports.
Law Society Deputy Vice President Richard Atkinson said: “If the UK were to refuse to comply with a European Court of Human Rights ruling this would entail a clear and serious breach of international law.”
Climate change guidance
Practice Source covers our guidance on climate change. Managing IP (£) also includes it as part of their news rundown and the Gazette runs an in-depth analysis on how the climate crisis will affect the profession.
A Law Society of England and Wales spokesperson said: “Our climate change guidance does not say to solicitors they should not represent certain clients.
“We recognise the importance of access to justice being available to everyone and that lawyers can play an important role in advising heavy-emitting clients to help them transition to net zero. This is critical if the government is to reach its legislative target of net zero by 2050.
“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.”
Gender pay gap reporting
InvestESG.eu reports our response to firms’ mandatory pay gap reporting, which has been in effect since 2017.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “There is no requirement for smaller firms to publish data, but we urge all firms to publish gender pay gap data to promote gender pay equality and remove structural barriers.
“The figures show we must continue to press ahead with initiatives and action plans that will reduce the pay gap and create lasting change in our profession.”
Six Clerks Restaurant
Legal Cheek reports that the Law Society’s new restaurant has opened.
In conversation with Lubna Shuja
The Best of Ealing reports that Law Society President Lubna Shuja will be speaking with Clive Coleman, the BBC’s former legal affairs correspondent, at the University of West London on the 9 May.
Diva Power List
Today marks the start of Lesbian Visibility Week, to mark this, Diva Magazine has launched its Diva Power List 2023, which shines a light on women in the LGBTQ+ community.
Our LGBTQ+ Solicitors Network member Jacqui Rhule-Dhager is on this year’s list.
Also worth a read:
- Geoffrey Vos says AI will change the way lawyers and judges work – Legal Futures
- Adam Tolley KC: his life and career – Guardian
- Mastercard litigation begins at the CAT – Gazette
- Heirs of Slavery body calls for restorative justice – Guardian
- Over 80 arrests in NI under new stalking legislation – BBC News