Court challenge granted over legal aid rates
The Law Society’s judicial review challenge against the government was granted permission by the High Court yesterday (22 June), reports the Times (£), Gazette, Law 360 (£) and Solicitors Journal. The application was made after the government failed to fund criminal defence solicitors adequately by increasing their rates by the minimum 15%, as recommended by Lord Bellamy’s Independent review on criminal legal aid.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “We would encourage the new lord chancellor to reconsider his predecessor's refusal to engage with us in some form of alternative dispute resolution and to address our concerns without the need for continued intervention from the Court.
"We are keen to work with the lord chancellor to find a way forward which will make this crucially important work financially viable for criminal defence solicitors.
WFH cybersecurity risks
The Telegraph (£), Yahoo! and Canada Today report that, according to GCHQ’s cyber defence arm, home working puts law firm’s confidential data at risk.
Law Society president Lubna Shuja said on Thursday: “It is vitally important that solicitors and law firms, whether large or small, are aware of the cyber threats they face and take steps to safeguard their systems.”
ADS Advance also covers our response to the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) report.
Climate crisis pledge signed by firms
Global Legal Post, Gazette, Irish Legal News and Scottish Legal News report that prominent city law firms have signed a climate crisis pledge as part of a new initiative, including Taylor Wessing, Osborne Clarke and DLA Piper. The news comes off the back of the Law Society releasing climate change guidance last month.
Law Society president, Lubna Shuja, said: “The launch of the 1.5C Charter represents another important step being taken by the legal profession in relation to the climate change crisis. Our recently released climate change guidance sets out how solicitors and law firms can continue to be at the forefront of responding to the challenges of climate change.”
Delay in replacing Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards
Gazette covers the news that reforms of safeguards for people detailed under the Mental Capacity Act will be delayed, to be picked up by the next government.
Law Society president Lubna Shuja said: “The government is aware of our concern that without substantial changes, the proposals to replace DoLS with LPS would result in weakened safeguards for vulnerable people.”
“Action is needed to improve the current system... We agree with the [committee] that the DoLS system needs urgent reform to protect human rights and ensure vulnerable people can access justice.”
Concerns over SRA budget proposals
Today’s Conveyancer reports on our concerns that the SRA proposed budget increase could have an adverse impact on firms.
Law Society president Lubna Shuja said: “The SRA propose a significant increase in their budget. Given that many firms are facing inflationary pressures, it is vitally important that the SRA is focused on efficiency savings and costs are controlled to avoid unnecessary pressure on the practising certificate fee.”
Legal aid expansion
Law Society president Lubna Shuja writes in the Gazette about how legal aid expansion is threatened by an antiquated IT system.
Lubna Shuja said: “The outdated IT system is too fragile to cope with these large-scale changes in a timely manner. These changes will take time and will lead to major delays in expanding legal aid.”
“Therefore, investment in the LAA’s digital system is needed urgently.”
Also worth a read:
- Protests over UK abortion laws – CNN
- In-house lawyers back the use of ChatGPT – Global Legal Post