Criminal justice system facing collapse
The Gazette (pgs 16-19) takes a deep dive into the issues facing the criminal justice system.
It notes the High Court granted us permission to bring our judicial review challenge against the government after the government refused to raise criminal legal aid solicitors’ fees by 15%.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja urged Justice Secretary Alex Chalk to reconsider his predecessor’s refusal to engage in alternative dispute resolution and address our members’ concerns without going to court.
Court backlogs
Warrington Guardian, News & Star, Stourbridge News, Watton & Swaffham Times, Mercury Wymondham & Attleborough, North Norfolk News and Wigan Today continue to cover our reaction to the backlog of criminal court cases.
Ministry of Justice figures show there were more than 62,000 incomplete cases – including 869 in Norfolk as of March 2019.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “The figures show that more people – the accused, victims, defendants and their families – are waiting to see justice and are left to cope with unresolved cases hanging over them for years.
“We’ve been saying these delays are unacceptable, but it is only getting worse. The government needs to act now and invest in a properly functioning system if we are to tackle the court delays.”
Duty solicitors’ fees
Western Telegraph and Tivy-Side Advertiser cover our call to the government to take urgent action to increase duty solicitors’ fees.
“Across the country, duty solicitors are working day and night providing legal advice at the crucial earliest stage of cases at police stations, ensuring access to justice for all. But there simply aren’t enough defence solicitors available because the work is not financially viable,” said Law Society President.
“This is creating a perfect storm in criminal justice that will affect victims of crime, witnesses and society as a whole.
“We are calling on Police and Crime Commissioners to urgently raise this issue with the government as it needs to take urgent action now to stop this decline, by increasing the fees paid to those doing criminal legal aid work – as its own independent review recommended."
Sentencing guidelines
Stuart Nolan, chair of our Criminal Law Committee, spoke to BBC Radio Kent (from 3:13:40) about whether people attacking door staff should face the same sentences as those attacking emergency workers.
Civil legal aid in dire state
This is Oxfordshire reports that 200 lawyers, judges and court staff walked 10km to raise money for advice charities and centres.
It cites our research that the number of advice agencies and law centres involved in legal aid work has drooped by almost 60% since the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders (LASPO) Act came into force in 2013 and decimated civil legal aid.
The government launched a review of Civil Legal Aid earlier this year, which is examining the civil legal aid system in its entirety, including family, employment and housing law.
Trial differences
Dr Anna Bradshaw, a member of our EU Committee, speaks to Chronicles Live about how trials work differently in the UK and US as Kevin Spacey’s sexual offence trial is underway in the UK.
SRA business plan and budget
Today’s Wills & Probate covers our reaction to the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) 2023-2024 business plan and budget, which proposes a 12% budget increase.
“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,” said Law Society President Lubna Shuja.
Also worth a read:
- Post Office Inquiry chair issues warning over disclosure failures – Gazette
- BBC: Presenter who paid teenager for explicit images referred to Met police – Times (£)
- Gender critical tribunal claim: Chambers must pay barrister £20k in costs – Legal Futures