Court challenge granted over legal aid rates
Scottish Legal News and Irish Legal News continue coverage of the Law Society’s judicial review challenge against the government, which the High Court granted permission to be heard last week.
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: “The High Court’s decision to grant us permission to bring a judicial review challenge against the government is a significant and positive step forward in our fight to safeguard the future of the criminal justice system.
“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.”
WFH cybersecurity risks
Legal Cheek reports that according to GCHQ’s cyber defence arm, home working puts law firm’s confidential data at risk.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “By taking proactive steps to address cyber threats, we can continue to protect the rule of law, ensure access to justice, and provide secure legal services that allow businesses, individuals, and the wider economy to thrive.”
The Aura Network
According to the Gazette, Bradford-based SKB Law has founded a legal community called the Aura Network which is dedicated to empowering South Asian women in the legal profession.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja attended the launch event at the House of Lords last week, where she discussed the unique challenges facing South Asian women in law during a panel discussion chaired by barrister Faareen Ali.
In July, the legal profession will celebrate South Asian Heritage Month.
SRA business plan and budget
Legal Futures covers our response to the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) 2023-2024 business plan and budget, which proposes a 12% budget increase.
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.”
Unbundled legal services
Today’s Family Lawyer covers the SRA’s research into unbundled legal services, which sought to find out how it can help law firms and clients, and if there were any regulatory barriers that stop the process.
“We are pleased the SRA has published this important research. Some practitioners have already started to deliver forms of unbundled services. However, concerns remain around the risk of being found negligent for things the solicitor believed fell outside the retainer,” said Law Society President Lubna Shuja.
“This risk needs to be addressed as it is one of the biggest barriers to the prospects of unbundled services being used more widely.”
Also worth a read:
- Three types of SLAPPs – Gazette
- Legal aid: Govt spend on housing disrepair cases have more than halved since 2013 – Gazette
- SRA rule change won’t stop advanced invoicing – Legal Futures
- Domestic abuse services under strain from lack of funding – Today’s Family Lawyer
- Funding needed to enforce ban on no-fault evictions – BBC News