Duty solicitors
Amjid Jabbar and Rubin Italia of Stokoe Partnership Solicitors write in the Times (£) about the freefall of duty solicitors.
They cite our research that forecasts there will be a drop of 15% in the number of duty solicitors. An overall reduction of 2,000 duty solicitors in a decade.
The government’s belated 15% fee increase for duty solicitors was announced in November last year. However, we have said that this fee does not come close to what is needed to attract people back to criminal legal aid work.
Bedford Today also continues coverage of our statistics.
Cyber insurance
The Times (£) covers our research that shows 72% of firms have not purchased cyber insurance.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “Considering how much more work is being conducted online post-pandemic, the low take-up is concerning.”
LawTech and the profession
Legal Futures examines how to become a ‘digital-first’ law firm and outlines ten steps to do so.
It cites our research, which predicted that firms would use fewer office support staff and legal secretaries. We predicted that numbers would drop by two-thirds by 2027, from one secretary to two lawyers in 1998, to one for 20 lawyers by 2027.
Small civil claims mediation
New Law Journal continues coverage of the government announcing it has committed to funding mediation for small civil claims up to £10,000.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “It is reassuring to see the government move towards an integrated approach to the mediation process, rather than impose a rigid mandatory requirement on the parties to find a resolution, as it is doing in other areas of justice.
“However, there may be certain types of small claims where mediation is not suitable. We are concerned that by not allowing exemptions to this new process, the government may be increasing unnecessary bureaucracy and cost, ultimately hindering the ability of some parties to access justice. This must be closely monitored.”
Criminal and civil justice is failing
Law Society Council Member Jonathan Goldsmith writes for the Gazette in a personal capacity on the failing criminal and civil justice system.
He cites our judicial review against the government’s decision not to raise legal aid rates to the full 15% for criminal defence solicitors, as well as our 21st Century Justice project.
Also worth a read:
- SRA investigating firms accused of helping clients make fake asylum claims – BBC News
- Suella Braverman backs Illegal Migration Act – Daily Mail
- Lawyers on frontline in response to cyber attacks – FT (£)
- Post Office Inquiry: Postmasters need justice now – Times (£)
- MoJ rules out exemptions for small civil claims mediation – Legal Futures