Prison crisis
The FT (£), Daily Mail, 247 news around the world and others cover the Justice Secretary announcing plans to reduce pressure on the overcrowded prison system.
“The government has taken a pragmatic response to the prison crisis which is a complex issue. There are advantages and disadvantages in the measures proposed by the Justice Secretary, and difficult balances to be struck,” said our head of justice Richard Miller.
“However, the prison space crisis is one symptom of wider problems across the justice system that need to be addressed. Record backlogs of cases leaving victims and defendants waiting to be heard, crumbling courts and a shortage of judges and lawyers all reflect the urgent need to fund justice.”
Simon Jenkins comments on the prison crisis in the Guardian.
Collapse of justice system in Afghanistan
Our concerns that the erosion of the justice system in Afghanistan have left countless at the mercy of the Taliban, including lawyers, prosecutors and judges, are covered by IAPL.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “Many legal professionals who worked in the legal system prior to the Taliban takeover have become targets of the Taliban.
“Lawyers, prosecutors, and judges have faced harassment, torture, ‘revenge’ attacks, enforced disappearances, and execution. Due to the serious and continuing threats to their lives, many have gone into hiding or fled the country.
“In the absence of an independent legal profession and a functioning legal system, it is clear that countless people are left at the mercy of the Taliban.”
Read our press release
Practising certificate renewals
Today’s Wills and Probate reports on practising certificate renewals, mentioning our plans for the year ahead to deliver more of what the profession has told us is important.
Guide to the legal profession
LawCareers.Net publishes a guide to the legal profession 2023/24 with several mentions of the Law Society.
Also worth a read:
- Former Victims’ Commissioner returns to the role – Gazette
- “Relatively straightforward” for barristers to avoid the cab-rank rule – Legal Futures
- Cost pressures for law firms as billable hours fall – FT (£)
- Evidence of NDA misuse mounting – Gazette