SRA regulation of CILEX could risk consumer confusion
The Gazette and Today’s Conveyancer continue coverage of our response to the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) consultation on the regulation of Chartered Institute of Legal Executive (CILEX) members.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “If CILEX are allowed to rebrand as ‘SRA-regulated Chartered Lawyers’, there is a risk of consumer confusion.
“This proposal would negatively impact a consumer’s ability to clearly understand the legal choices available to them and choose the right legal provider for them especially where their legal needs are multiple.”
Support for disabled lawyers
Legal Cheek, Today’s Wills & Probate and Law360 (£) continue coverage of our guidance which was released to support disabled students through the course of their legal career and to mark the start of Disability History Month.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “The journey to a legal career can be a daunting experience for many aspiring solicitors. A disabled student faces the additional stress of having to overcome barriers based on assumptions and lack of knowledge.
“Entry to the solicitors’ profession is open to a wide range of candidates and being disabled does not mean exclusion. We hope this guidance will help disabled students have a positive start as they enter the legal profession.”
Leaving the ECHR
Following the Supreme Court’s decision last week that the government’s Rwanda policy was unlawful, National World reports that there has been increasing focus on the European Convention on Human Rights and the UK’s continued participation in it.
Immediate past president Lubna Shuja said: “Leaving the ECHR would mean the UK would sit as an outlier in Europe, alongside only Russia and Belarus, who are already outside the convention.”
The importance of inclusivity
Paul Maddock, vice chair of our LGBTQ+ committee, speaks to Legal Cheek about the work we are doing to improve the experience for LGBTQ+ solicitors.
He said: “At the Law Society, I work with the relevant stakeholders to improve the experience of our LGBTQ+ colleagues. We publish articles, policy pieces and also conduct pride events and much more.
“Recently, we produced our ‘Pride in the law’ report which was informed by real-life experiences of lawyers in the profession. The profession needs to reflect the communities that it deals with. Without having people pushing the envelope on these initiatives, we run the risk of missing out on some great talent.”
Civil legal aid funding report
The Gazette continues coverage of the Ministry of Justice’s evaluation report on how its investment has helped people get financial support for legal advice on family, housing and debt problems.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “We welcome the recognition from the government that providing support to anyone facing legal issues is a cost-effective investment for the taxpayer. We hope to see further policies and proposals that build on that recognition.
He added that these must include “a sustainably funded legal aid system, rather than expecting advice-providers to live hand-to-mouth on precarious government grants. The Law Society has long called for a more strategic approach to legal support for people who need it.
“Widening legal aid for early advice in family, housing and debt cases, as well as investing in legal aid services to make the system more sustainable, would better provide people with the access to justice they deserve.”
Also worth a read:
- Autumn Statement speculation – Telegraph (Live) (£)
- Autumn Statement: Chancellor given £16bn boost – Times (£)
- Lord Sumption says Rwanda policy is “probably dead” – Sky News
- Lord Cameron backs hardline stance on ECHR – The Sun
- SRA warns solicitors not to trust AI – Legal Futures