Hague 19 Convention
Gazette reveals that the UK government has pledged to join the Hague 19 Convention on the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments ‘as soon as practicable’. This comes after a Ministry of Justice consultation on accession to Hague 19.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “We welcome the unanimous support from respondents to the consultation for the UK joining the Hague 19 Convention. We urge the government to proceed with accession as soon as possible.
“It is important, however, that the UK becoming a contracting state to Hague 19 should not stop efforts to further facilitate cross border enforcement of judgments, including continued discussions to accede to the Lugano Convention.”
Autumn Statement
The Gazette Ireland, Today’s Family Lawyer and Inside Conveyancing cover the Law Society’s response to the Autumn Statement.
President Nick Emmerson said: “While it is great news for business that full expensing has been made permanent, it is disappointing that parts of the legal services sector have once again been overlooked. Our call for the scheme to be expanded to include all law firms has gone unheard.
“No new money was announced for a justice system crying out for investment despite it being in crisis with huge court backlogs, crumbling court buildings and a chronic shortage of lawyers and judges. Investment is needed right now to ensure access to justice remains open to everyone.”
Rwanda asylum ruling
Sussex Bylines and Lexology mention the Law Society’s reaction to the Supreme Court’s ruling that the Rwanda asylum plan is unlawful.
We assert that the ruling is the “end of the line” for the Rwanda policy and challenges the Illegal Migration Bill as a whole.
Inquiry into probate delays
Legal Futures and Today’s Wills & Probate report that the House of Common’s Justice Committee has launched an inquiry on the probate registry, as delays in the probate process rise.
The Law Society will respond to the inquiry and face the committee in its evidence session on the regulation of the legal profession.
Also worth a read:
- High Court hands down landmark ruling on AI, which will allow key aspects of AI to be patented in the UK for the first time - New Law Journal
- AI-powered paralegal passes part one of the SQE – Legal Cheek
- Ministry of Justice is on course for further budget cuts - Gazette
- Net migration figures hit record high - Guardian
- Amazon workers go on strike in Coventry as Black Friday begins - BBC