Persecution of human rights lawyers
The Gazette looks at lawyers continuing to face systemic persecution for defending human rights in China.
We said that the “continuing erosion of judicial independence and the independence of the legal profession in China remains a worry.
“Lawyers have been subject to harassment, surveillance, politically motivated prosecutions, unfair trials, arbitrary deprivation of liberty, enforced disappearances and torture – largely due to the types of cases and clients they represent.”
Five short-term fixes for the justice system
New Law Journal and Lexis Nexis (£) cover the five short-term fixes we have outlined to help prevent the justice system from collapsing.
“There is no overnight solution to decades of neglect,” said Law Society President Lubna Shuja.
"However, the lord chancellor can make some short-term fixes which will help stabilise the system, cut the backlogs and improve access to justice. This will also save money in the long-term.”
Criminal courts backlog
New Law Journal looks at the rising backlog of criminal court cases.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “It is alarming that the huge backlogs of criminal court cases continue to grow rather than shrink.”
Fight against fraud
Security Matters reports that the Law Society was one of numerous organisations in attendance at the latest meeting of the Joint Fraud Task Force.
Judicial diversity
New Law Journal covers the latest statistics on judicial diversity.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “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:
- Workers need protection from AI – BBC
- Proposed overhaul of punishments for domestic murder – Guardian
- Most legal executives do not think transferring regulation to the SRA from CILEX is a priority - Gazette
- Yorkshire solicitor seeks to be the world’s first “AI-powered” MP – Legal Cheek
- By-election polling stations open – BBC