Decline in criminal duty solicitors
The Law Society’s research on the decline in duty solicitors was given exclusively to the BBC. This research was cited on BBC News at One (from 16:39) and Radio 4’s World at One (from 38:40).
President of the Law Society Lubna Shuja told the BBC about our calls for an immediate increase in legal aid fees for criminal solicitors.
Lubna Shuja also spoke about the duty solicitor deserts live on the BBC News Channel.
BBC News Online follows a day in the life of a duty defence solicitor and the challenges they face. The coverage also cites our research on duty solicitor deserts and the sharp decline in duty solicitors across the country.
Lubna Shuja told the BBC: "If this government wants to be a government which is interested in law and order, it needs to take this seriously and do something about it."
The Gazette, Law 360 (£) and Justice Gap also cover our research on criminal duty solicitors.
Women in Law Pledge
Elizabeth Turner and Chantal Davies, two members of the Law Society Women Solicitors Network Committee, write in the Gazette about the four-year anniversary of the Women in Law Pledge, which encourages and supports gender parity within the legal sector.
Today’s Family Lawyer also covers the four-year anniversary of the Women in Law Pledge. President of the Law Society Lubna Shuja said: “We know, however, that we must continue to work collectively to enact positive change for gender equality in the profession.
“Women make up 53% of the practising profession and there has been slow steady growth in women partners over the past few years. Despite this, women continue to experience barriers when attempting to reach senior levels.”
Victims and Prisoners Bill
Dr. Laura Janes, member of the Law Society Criminal Law Committee, writes in the Gazette about the Victims and Prisoners Bill.
Legal Pride
Paul Maddock, vice chair of the Law Society LGBTQ+ Committee, speaks to Vada Magazine about the impact his identity has had on his professional journey.
Legal challenge against Home Office
Sue Willman, former Chair of the Law Society Human Rights Committee told BBC that the Home Office may face a legal challenge against their barges for asylum seekers.
US-Switzerland agreement
Relocate Global continues coverage of the Law Society’s reaction to the US-Switzerland agreement.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “Switzerland is the third largest UK legal services export market in Europe, so this deal will benefit not only our members but also the wider economy.
"Legal services facilitate all international business transactions and provide crucial support to UK and multinational firms wanting to export. The sector consistently generates a trade surplus with net exports of UK legal services standing at £5.4 billion in 2021."
Also worth a read:
- 25,000 non-practising lawyers fail to pay £20 to stay on the roll – Gazette
- Master of the Rolls claims that AI-powered robots could make judicial decisions in the future – Legal Cheek
- Seeking legal advice has positive health outcomes – Legal Futures
- Law is the most searched for profession – Legal Cheek