Special Guardianship Orders
The Gazette and Dispatchist cover our response to the recent extension of legal aid for Special Guardianship Orders (SGOs). We welcome the expansion to legal aid but urge the government to make legal aid for Special Guardians non-means tested so that grandparents on pensions can afford legal help.
Vice President Nick Emmerson commented: “Legal aid for Special Guardians, who are often grandparents, should not be means-tested.
“Many fall through the ‘justice gap’ as they are excluded from legal aid because of the capital from their home but they may not have enough income from a pension to cover legal costs.”
Misuse of NDAs
The Gazette reports our reaction to the news that the Legal Services Board (LSB) will investigate the use of unethical and illegitimate NDAs and thwart the misuse of these documents through regulation.
Law Society spokesperson said: “This exercise by the LSB will provide a useful evidence base for regulators, the profession, employers and the public on how NDAs are being used in practice and to inform any changes to policy or regulation. We will be responding to the LSB’s call for evidence and following developments closely.”
Legal Futures, Solicitors Journal and Legal Cheek also cover the LSB’s plan of action.
Diversity, Equality & Inclusion in the legal profession
The Lawyer cites Law Society research on demographic diversity in the legal profession. Legal Futures uses Law Society guidance on DEI to discuss the importance of embedding DEI into the culture of the legal profession.
Climate change guidance
Mortgage Strategy reacts to our milestone guidance on the impact of climate change on solicitors.
Wellbeing research
Today’s Family Lawyer and Today’s Wills & Probate highlight research conducted by the Junior Lawyers Division of the Law Society to illuminate the impact of stress, bullying and discrimination on those in the legal profession.
CBI scandal
Jonathan Goldsmith, chair of the Law Society’s Policy & Regulatory Affairs Committee, writes in the Gazette about lessons to be learned from the CBI scandal for membership bodies.
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