Signing of Memorandum of Understanding
The Times (£), New Law Journal, Legal Cheek, India Weekly, Eastern Eye and Asian Voice continue coverage of the Memorandum of Understanding that was signed by the Law Society of England and Wales, the Bar Council of England and Wales, and the Bar Council of India.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: 'We are delighted to have signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the Bar Council of India. The Bar Council of India’s decision is a significant step forward in this much anticipated development and will create huge opportunities for solicitors and Indian advocates in both countries. It will also give a boost to India’s wider economic ambitions.
“We thank the Bar Council of India for their support in reaching this agreement and look forward to engaging further on the implementation of the regulations.”
Legal aid deserts
The Times (£) covers the London Legal Walk including focusing on our research on legal aid deserts.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said that “the cost of living crisis means that increasingly more people on low incomes are in need of free legal advice, as they are facing eviction, struggling with rent or mortgage debt, or seeking protection from a violent partner for themselves or their children”.
Historic appointment
Asian Voice interviews Lubna Shuja about her historic appointment as the first Asian, first Muslim and seventh woman to be president of the Law Society.
“As the first Asian, Muslim, and seventh female president of the Law Society, the historical significance of my appointment indicates that although the legal sector has traditionally lacked diversity and inclusion, we are seeing real progress in the sector.
“However, there is still more to do before we achieve parity in the field. It is for this reason that promoting diversity, social mobility, and social inclusion is a priority for my presidency.”
Prince Harry and privacy
Law Society Council member Steve Kuncewicz spoke to TALKRADIO (from 00:08:12), as Prince Harry gave evidence in the High Court.
Attainment gap research
Legal Cheek mentions our reaction to the first phase of the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s research into the attainment gap between different ethnic groups in law exams.
Dr Sam De Silva, chair of our Ethnic Solicitors Network, said: “We are pleased to see the SRA has made public the first stages of its research which examines the profession’s ethnicity attainment gap. This is an important first step. We await the next stages of the report to identify what actions need to be taken to address the issues.”
Retained EU Law Bill
BBC Radio 4’s Today programme covers the Retained EU Law Bill which was being considered in the Lords. The Law Society was mentioned (at 00:47:43).
Also worth a read:
- Record number of women remanded to prison – Times (£)
- Snowden on surveillance technology – Guardian
- Prince Harry giving evidence – BBC
- Master of the Rolls discusses fixed costs extension – Gazette & Legal Futures