Rape trial delays
Oxford Mail, This is Oxfordshire and Yahoo News report a rape trial has been delayed two years from the date it was originally meant to be heard, due to a combination of unavailable court rooms in Oxfordshire and no available judge in the alternative, Reading.
The piece notes Ministry of Justice figures showed that of 55 trials listed at Oxford Crown Court between July and September last year, 30 were ‘ineffective’ and had to be postponed until a later date.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: "The impact of decades of underinvestment in our criminal justice system is plain to see. The latest figures show huge backlogs in our criminal courts and unacceptably long delays for victims and defendants to access justice."
Legal Pride
Global Legal Post notes we have marked the start of Pride with a joint statement with the Bar Council, and that the legal profession will be marching together.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “This year, we will be marching under a banner that says: ‘Fighting for equality under the rule of law’. We are proud to carry this message and will do so throughout this year and beyond.”
The article notes findings from the Law Society 2022 practising certificate survey that showed 80% of LGB solicitors felt supported by their peers and 78% felt that their work is meaningful.
Seven in 10 (69%) of LGB solicitors felt comfortable expressing themselves at work and felt supported by their line manager (70%), with eight in 10 (80%) saying they felt their job utilised their skills.
New trade deals with Australia and New Zealand
Australian Lawyer and Canadian Lawyer 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.”
Also worth a read:
- European Court’s powers examined – Gazette
- PM threatens Parliament Act if Lords vote down Illegal Migration Bill – Telegraph (£)
- EU Court rules Poland’s justice reforms infringe rule of law – Aljazeera
- Vote holds CBI future in the balance - Guardian