Government targeting ‘lefty lawyers’
LBC (from 00:54:36) interviewed Law Society President Lubna Shuja about government targeting of ‘lefty lawyers’.
“We are very concerned about the safety and welfare of honest, hard-working solicitors who are being criticised,” she said.
The Guardian’s Friday roundup focuses on the recent media stories around immigration lawyers and Haroon Siddique tracks how the legal profession has been attacked and dragged into culture wars since 2020.
On the dossier targeting immigration lawyer Jacqueline McKenzie, he said: “The Bar Council, who represent barristers, and the Law Society, who represent solicitors, put out a joint statement, which is quite rare. They’re distinct organisations, they don’t do that very often. So I think the strength of feeling was demonstrated by that.”
The Guardian also reports that polling suggested the “small boats week” activity backfired with the public.
Claiming asylum in the UK
The BBC looks at the case of a Cuban priest seeking asylum in the UK, who says he has been unable to find a solicitor.
Our Head of Justice, Richard Miller, said the number of solicitors providing immigration work had dropped significantly in recent years.
“The position has been made a lot worse because the rates the government pays for this work have not been increased since the 1990s,” he said.
Regional admissions ceremony
LawCareers.Net reports the Law Society is holding a regional Admissions Ceremony in Leeds this September.
“We are delighted to be introducing regional admissions ceremonies for our members,” said Law Society President Lubna Shuja.
“We hope the event in Leeds will be a step towards ensuring all lawyers, no matter where they are based, can attend, and celebrate their achievements.”
Prison law legal aid
Legal Futures looks at the crisis in prison law legal aid work, as a survey of members from the Association of Prison Lawyers (APL) published this month shows that 74% of respondents do not anticipate being prison law legal aid lawyers in three years’ time.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said the report demonstrated “the plight of the prison lawyer and the urgent need to stop the exodus from the profession”. She backed the APL’s call for an immediate fee increase of 15%.
SRA fining power
The Gazette reports the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) released a statement which opposes the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) call for unlimited fining power.
Chief executive Paul Philip said: “We agree with the [Law] Society that with issues like strike-offs it should go to the SDT. But that takes time and [to create] a deterrent it has to be as close as possible to the wrongdoing. It is likely to turn up at the SDT in a year’s time. If the SRA is threatening to fine the firm and the partners in the firm that is going to make a difference.”
Today’s Wills and Probate covers our views on the SRA fining power being increased.
“More serious matters continue to be referred to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT). There is no evidence that the SRA’s current fining powers are insufficient,” said Law Society President Lubna Shuja.
Back to school
The Telegraph & Argus covers Law Society President Lubna Shuja visiting her old school, Carlton Bolling in Bradford.
Lubna was the first inductee into the school’s new ‘Alumni Hall of Excellence’.
“Where you start in life is not necessarily where you end up. Take every opportunity that comes along because you never know where it will lead you,” she told students.
Will power
The Law Society is mentioned in a piece in the Sun about traps to avoid when writing a will.
Residential conveyancing
Today’s Conveyancer looks at pressures on residential conveyancers.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “We recognise the pressures they are under and the daily stresses they face.
“The responses in relation to a continually evolving and expanding role are understandable.”
Also worth a read: