New trade deals with Australia and New Zealand
The Gazette and the Solicitors Journal (£) cover our response to the UK’s Free Trade Agreements with Australia and New Zealand.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “The ratifications of the UK trade deals with Australia and New Zealand are a positive development for legal services. Both agreements lock in the existing right for UK lawyers to advise clients on home-country law and to provide arbitration, mediation and conciliation services in the other jurisdiction using their home-country qualifications and title.
“The creation of a legal services regulatory dialogue in the Australia agreement is especially welcome and brings together legal associations from the UK and Australia to work towards greater liberalisation of legal services trade.”
Means test review
New Law Journal reports that the government has finally published its means test review, which will expand legal aid eligibility to 6 million more people.
“Means test eligibility has not been updated in line with inflation since 2009 despite prices having risen by 40%,” said Law Society President Lubna Shuja.
“While the increased thresholds are welcome, we are disappointed the government is only uprating the gross income thresholds to 2019 prices, which are already out of date as the cost-of-living crisis causes prices to spiral.”
Junior lawyers’ mental health
LexisNexis examines the theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week – anxiety – and how it affects the profession.
It cites data from our PC Holder Survey 2022, which found that junior lawyers found their work “more stressful and less meaningful,” and they felt less fulfilled because they’re “engaged in work that has little to no impact on the organisation they work for or their wider community.”
Our council members for junior lawyers, Lizzy Lim and Baljinder Singh Atwal, advise senior practitioners to adopt open dialogue with juniors, ensure they’re engaged in work and continue to raise awareness of the available mental health support resources.
Read our PC Holder Survey 2022 in full
Climate change guidance
Legal Futures reports that climate change campaign group Lawyers Are Responsible has urged Allen & Overy to stop acting on fossil fuel infrastructure projects.
The piece cites our Climate Change Guidance, which notes that solicitors have a wide discretion in choosing whether to accept instructions. Climate change is a valid consideration in this.
Technology and the profession
Lawyer Monthly cites our 2019 research which examined the future of the profession, as the role of technology increases.
Also worth a read:
- Post Office scandal: payout fight leaves postmaster in ‘black hole’ – Times (£)
- Firms open in Dublin as UPC launches – Gazette
- BCLP ramps up support for new mums and dads – Legal Cheek
- SRA will publish salaries of fined solicitors – Legal Futures
- Reform calls over Lord Chancellor role – Times (£)