Offenders not appearing for sentencing
BBC News continues coverage of serial killer Lucy Letby refusing to attend court to hear her sentence.
It examines the existing laws in place, where judges can order a defendant to attend court, but cannot compel them to do so.
If they refuse, prison authorities can use reasonable force to bring them to court. It cites our assertion that there can be a reluctance by prison governors to use such force.
Conveyancing and the climate crisis
The Washington Post (£) examines the implications of buying a house in the climate-crisis era.
It cites our confirmation that a buyers’ conveyancing solicitors have a duty to advise on climate legal risks, which can be met by an environmental search or a specific climate-change report on a property.
Read our climate change guidance
Government targeting ‘lefty lawyers’
The Rest is Politics podcast (from 16:55) examines the government’s recent rhetoric, which targeted lawyers as “lefty” and “crooked.”
It cites our joint statement with the Bar Council in response to Conservative Central Headquarters sharing a dossier of information about Jacqueline McKenzie with the national media.
Our president, Lubna Shuja and Nick Vineall KC, chair of the Bar Council said: “The legal community is gravely concerned by the experience of immigration solicitor Jacqueline McKenzie.
“No lawyer should be criticised, or made the subject of a targeted campaign, for doing their job. Everyone is entitled to legal representation, and it is a United Nations basic principle that lawyers should not be identified with the causes of their clients as a result of representing them.
“That is why – as we have said repeatedly – it is wrong to describe lawyers as ‘lefty’ or ‘activist’ simply on the basis of the causes they advocate on behalf of their clients.”
Read our joint statement in full
New Civil Justice Committee Chair
Business Link and Solicitors Journal (£) cover the appointment of John McQuater as Chair of our Civil Justice Committee.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “The Law Society welcomes and congratulates John McQuater on his recent appointment as Chair of our Civil Justice Committee. Having already served for several years on the Committee, John is well placed to lead its work over the next four years. It will be advising on issues affecting civil litigators and access to justice, areas in which he has much experience.”
Also worth a read:
- Prigozhin dies in plane crash: Live reporting – BBC News
- PM breached code of conduct over wife’s shareholdings – Guardian
- Lucy Letby: CEO stopped from running another trust – Times (£)
- Channel 4 TV show puts jury verdicts on trial – Times (£)
- SQE2: 77% of candidates pass – Legal Cheek
- Pre-action protocols should be designed for LiPs – Gazette
- Lawyers actively seeking new jobs falls to 10% – Legal Futures