Mandatory Mediation
Lubna Shuja writes in the Times (£) on our concerns about the government’s plans for mandatory mediation for divorcing couples.
“Mediation is important in resolving family disputes, as it helps people resolve their differences without going to court. But making it mandatory fails to recognise the complex nature of cases involving domestic abuse and presents a very real risk for survivors,” she said.
Illegal Migration Bill
The Daily Mail, Independent, Evening Standard, Express, Morning Star and several regional publications covered our concerns about the Illegal Migration Bill.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “The Illegal Migration Bill is a defective and dangerous piece of legislation that threatens to undermine the rule of law and access to justice. It is likely to be unworkable.”
Bill of Rights Bill scrapped
The Times Brief and Local Government Lawyer reports our reaction to the Bill of Rights Bill being officially scrapped.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “We are pleased the government has seen sense and decided not to pursue the Bill of Rights Bill, which would have been a step backwards for British justice.”
Gazette Ireland also mentions our concerns about the bill.
AI regulation
Inside Conveyancing reports about our consultation response & key recommendations to the government white paper on AI regulation.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “We encourage the government to adopt a nuanced, balanced approach to the development and use of AI with the legal sector, to enable the profession to make the most of these technologies.
“The rule of law and the legal profession will also have an integral role in shaping the future of AI regulation.”
Lawtech report
Landmark research about solicitors’ attitudes towards the development and adoption of lawtech in the workplace, carried out by the Law Society in collaboration with the University of Manchester and UCL, is covered in the Gazette.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “Partners and senior management within solicitor firms have a vital role to play to encourage and support individuals through change that greater use of technology inevitably involves. It’s essential that the legal sector capitalises on the potential benefits of lawtech, but also mitigates the risks involved by upskilling its leaders and managers in the art of change management.”
Cybersecurity
Bloomberg Law and Business Telegraph looks at guidance issued by the National Cyber Security Centre.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said the updated guidance was a ‘timely intervention’.
Judicial review
New Law Journal reports that the High Court has granted the Law Society permission to bring a judicial review challenge against the government over criminal defence solicitors’ legal aid rates.
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.”
Criminal court backlogs
The Epoch Times (£) looks at court delays including Law Society President Lubna Shuja saying the backlogs will ‘not go away anytime soon’.
Trial differences
Dr Anna Bradshaw, a member of our EU Committee, speaks to the New York Times (£) about how trials work differently in the UK and US as Kevin Spacey’s trial was set to get underway. This is also picked up in 10+ more publications, including New Edge Times, USA Mail and News Deal.
Court modernisation
Our continuing work to help improve working practices of the court system and ensure modernisation in the courts is reported in Today’s Wills and Probate and Today’s Family Lawyer. We are polling members who use different HMCTS online portals for private family law, probate and damages claims to seek their views on pace and effectiveness of changes made over the past 6 months.
Memorandum of Understanding
Global Legal Post and Commercial Dispute Resolution News cover our Memorandum of Understanding with the Bar Council of India.
Unbundling legal services
Today’s Wills and Probate looks at SRA research into unbundling of legal services.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “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.
“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:
- Unlimited fining power will apply to SLAPPs – Legal Futures
- High costs deterring legal challenges to protect environment – Guardian
- Ethics of AI – Times (£)