Criminal court delays in Sheffield
Law Society President Lubna Shuja spoke to BBC Radio Sheffield (from 01:11:23) about unprecedented criminal court delays, and the impact that these have on people interacting with the criminal justice system, specifically in the Sheffield Crown Court.
Finance Bill warning
Solicitors Journal and New Law Journal report that the Law Society has issued a reminder to the legal profession of the impact that changes to the Finance Bill will have on private client solicitors.
Law Society president Lubna Shuja commented: “Members of the profession need to be aware of how the Finance Bill could affect them. Firms will have to consider whether they have wills which need to be revised and to be aware that there is now a reduced pool of organisations which will qualify as a charity.”
The Law Society has also called on the UK government to extend the full expensing policy to the legal sector. Lubna said: “Extending full expensing to cover law firms would unlock further investment in one of the UK’s most productive sectors. Legal services add £60bn to the UK economy annually and employ 1.1% of the UK labour force.”
Law firm launches new health and wellbeing strategy
Law360 (£) reveals that Osborne Clarke LLP has uncovered a new plan to tackle burnout and protect wellbeing in the workplace.
President Lubna Shuja said: “We’re supportive of businesses taking action to improve wellbeing in the workplace.
“Tackling excessive working hours and workloads, as well as ensuring better supervision and support, especially for junior lawyers, is essential.
“We’ve called on the profession to take stock of its culture so colleagues can have a rewarding career and a supportive workplace. We also have a collective responsibility for our mental health and wellbeing and to create a positive work environment for everyone.”
PM calls for change to international law
The National Jurist reports that the British Prime Minister called for changes to European Court of Human Rights Rule 39, which was the mechanism that prevented the UK government removing asylum-seekers to Rwanda in 2022.
The piece mentions the Law Society’s concerns that the Illegal Migration Bill would breach international law and undermine the rule of law.
Deputy Vice President Richard Atkinson was quoted: “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.”
TittlePress and ExBulletin also continue coverage.
Also worth a read:
- Renters Reform Bill is set to ban no-fault evictions – BBC, Guardian
- The Victims and Prisoners Bill will be amended so that police officers can no longer ask for invasive evidence in rape cases – Gazette
- Home Office is set to fast-track Iranian and Iraqi asylum claims to reduce the backlog of claims - Guardian
- New justice secretary Alex Chalk will not publicly commit to pursuing the Bill of Rights Bill – Independent
- Dentons becomes the first global law firm to combine with a law firm in India – Legal Cheek