Reoffending statistics
Worksop Guardian, Swindon Link, Hucknall & Bulwell Dispatch, Ashfield Chad, Bolton News, Telegraph & Argus, Wirral Globe, Kidderminster Shuttle and Yahoo! continue coverage of new findings on the number of young people with criminal records that reoffend within a year.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “Reoffending is yet another issue that is impacted by systemic underfunding of the criminal justice system.
“To succeed in reducing reoffending rates, there needs to be investment in rehabilitation, particularly in relation to literacy and addiction, and support for those who have offended because of reasons connected with their mental health.
“This investment is likely to pay for itself in terms of reduced crime, reduced numbers of cases coming into the courts and reduced pressure on prisons. It needs to be one part of an overall strategy of investing effectively throughout the system to create a justice system fit for the 21st century.”
Axiom Ince fallout
The Gazette covers the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) response to concerns that solicitors may have to pay for the fallout of Axiom Ince.
Law Society chief executive officer Ian Jeffery said: “As the representative body for the solicitor profession, we are of course greatly concerned that our members could be asked to plug a gap of many millions of pounds in the compensation fund arising from the collapse of just three law firms, which were set up under atypical business models and with their own clear and inherent risks.”
CILEX proposals are misguided and fail to consider the wider regulatory context
Law360 (£), Legal Futures and the Gazette cover our response to the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX’s) proposals for changes to the regulation of chartered legal executives.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “There are serious issues with the proposals, which are unsupported by evidence that they will benefit the public and do not consider the wider regulatory context or the serious negative impact these changes will have on solicitors and chartered legal executives.
“CILEX’s key driver appears to be raising the status of CILEX lawyers to be on the same plane as solicitors or barristers – the two most comprehensively qualified legal professions.
“This is not something that can be achieved by sharing the same regulator with the solicitor profession, or by rebranding as chartered lawyers.”
Criminal solicitors urged to join union
Morning Star reports that Criminal Law Solicitors Association (CLSA) and London Criminal Courts Solicitors Association (LCCSA) have urged criminal solicitors to join the trade union Unite to fight for their pay and treatment.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “The future of the criminal defence profession — the backbone of our criminal justice system — is in peril.
“That’s why we are challenging the government’s decision not to increase criminal legal aid rates as recommended by its independent review in court.
“We will continue to fight for the future of this crucial but endangered profession, alongside the practitioner groups and individual solicitors.”
Law Society sets 2030 net zero target
Legal Cheek reports that we have committed to being net zero by 2030.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “It is important that as well as providing guidance for the profession, the Law Society demonstrates what we are doing to reduce carbon emissions in our own operations.
“We are setting this ambitious net zero target despite Chancery Lane being a listed building.
“We have already begun to drive down energy usage across the business and the net-zero target will be at the heart of all our decision-making.
“We get all our electricity directly from verified renewable sources via a power purchase agreement and are exploring further innovative options to retrofit the building to reduce carbon emissions.”
Pro Bono Week 2023
Pro Bono Week 2023 starts today, Today’s Family Lawyer reports.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “The Law Society is once again happy to be taking part in a celebration that amplifies those involved in pro bono work and encourages other members of the legal profession to join. Pro bono has a huge impact on the lives of others by ensuring that people have access to justice no matter what their circumstances may be.
“This year, the Law Society is hosting an invitation-only roundtable along with LawWorks about our Major Incidents Response Plan – a project that was developed after the Grenfell tower tragedy which aims to provide emergency pro bono aid for those involved in significant incidents. I will be chairing this event and look forward to discussing this important piece of work with key stakeholders.”
IBA 2023
Legal Cheek continues coverage of IBA 2023, with an ethics discussion taking centre stage.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said that law firms should accommodate an expression of “climate conscience.”
He added: “There is scope for law firms to enable lawyers to not work for a particular client or matter. It’s the same issue that came up with tobacco companies previously.”
Also worth a read:
- King’s Speech: Legislation speculation – Times (£)
- PM says King’s Speech will help build a ‘better future’ for Britain – Independent
- BARBRI launches QWE competition – LawCareers.Net
- Law firms: Gender progress not quite what it seems – FT (£)
- Shamima Begum: Lawyer quits over ‘unfair’ secret terror hearings – Times (£)
- Senior lawyers criticise handling of case of an activist held in India – Guardian