Fall in number of duty solicitors
Wigan Today, Lancashire Telegraph and Eastleigh News continue coverage of our statistics predicting a “perfect storm” in criminal justice as the number of duty solicitors has fallen by more than a quarter since 2017.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: "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 of them to go around because the work is not financially viable.
"The government sees itself as the party of law and order, but the evidence points to the contrary as its decisions continue to put the future of our criminal justice system at risk."
Read our press release on Norfolk and Staffordshire
Judicial diversity
Today’s Wills & Probate and Today’s Family Lawyer publish our response to the Ministry of Justice’s latest judicial diversity statistics.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “Women still only make up just over a third of judges. The proportion of the judiciary from a non-barrister background remains persistently low despite solicitors making up the majority of applicants.
“The selection process needs to be urgently reformed. The requirement to consult sitting judges on candidates’ suitability, known as ‘statutory consultation’, must be reviewed with serious consideration given to removing it altogether, as it is not working fairly or transparently at the moment.”
Also worth a read:
- Illegal Migration Bill set to become law – BBC News & Guardian
- LSB CEO: Legal profession five years behind on diversity – Legal Futures
- AI: Will it replace lawyers? – Legal Cheek
- Post Office Inquiry: Chair urges government to address compensation delays – City A.M.