Court reforms
The Daily Mail and 380+ regional publications look at how public confidence in the justice system is at risk of being undermined due to delays in court reforms. Law Society President Lubna Shuja said:
“Reform is long overdue but mustn’t be done in a way that adds to the burden on judges, court staff, solicitors and barristers who are already overstretched. Neither should it make the long delays faced by court users worse.
“Feedback from our members has been that the speed of change and the number of changes all at once has been problematic. Technology can drive efficiency in courts, however, rolling out unfinished or untested software drives delays and costs, as we have seen with Common Platform. Completion dates of projects still in development should be adjusted so they are realistic and achievable.”
Illegal Migration Bill
Lubna was on LBC radio this morning talking to presenter Nick Ferrari about the Rwanda ruling and our response to the Court of Appeal’s decision yesterday.
The Guardian also covers our concerns about the Illegal Migration Bill in an article about the Rwanda ruling.
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.”
AI regulation
Solicitors Journal 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.”
New Russian sanctions on legal services
The Gazette, Legal Futures and Practice Source report that individuals and businesses linked to the Russian regime will be further restricted from accessing UK legal expertise under sanctions introduced by statutory instrument this week.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “We are supportive of all strong and effective measures which respond to Russia’s violation of international law, provided they protect the fundamental rights of access to justice and the rule of law.
”The government has taken a firm and principled stance with our international allies and partners. We will be providing continued support to the profession as it navigates the implementation of the SI.”
Duty solicitors decline – Cumbria
BBC Radio Cumbria (from 08:04)mentioned the Law Society’s new research which shows the decline in duty solicitors across the country. Cumbria is among one of the worst hit, with the 25 duty solicitors recorded in 2023 projected to fall to 20 in the next 5 years.
Family court delays
Family Lore and Wales 247 cover the latest family court data, which shows increasing delays in the family courts. Law Society President Lubna Shuja said:
“We have long voiced our concern about the delays in the family courts, which will have a detrimental impact on families seeking justice.
“Delays in cases are exacerbating the uncertainty facing families. This must be addressed before the family court system collapses.
“These delays are preventing parents from being able to see their children and could mean children are left without the stability they need to thrive.”
Criminal court backlogs
President of the Law Society Lubna Shuja spoke to Plymouth Live about the court backlog and lack of criminal legal aid solicitors.
Lubna said: “We have had a crisis in criminal legal aid for a number of years, there has been no significant increase in rates since the 1990s. It means criminal defence solicitors can’t afford to live on the rates they are receiving at the moment. The work is not sustainable.”
Economic Crime Bill
Solicitors Journal looks at Lord Bellamy’s statement in the House of Lords about the Economic Crime Bill, which aligns with the concerns we have voiced about the bill. President of the Law Society Lubna Shuja said:
“We are pleased Lord Bellamy highlighted how important it is for the objective to be implemented in a targeted and proportionate way, and that regulatory activity should be transparent, accountable, proportionate and consistent as well as targeted only on cases where action is required.
“Lord Bellamy’s statement makes clear how Parliament expects the Legal Services Board and the front line regulators – like the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) – to interpret the government’s proposed new regulatory objective.”
Also worth a read:
- Covid inquiry in the high court – Guardian
- Legal aid firm winding down after 24 years – Gazette
- New way to quality for costs lawyers – Legal Futures