OBR analysis of Autumn Statement
Guardian (live at 13:15) and Law360 (£) report the Law Society’s concerns over further cuts to the justice system, as the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) analyses tax cuts in this year’s Autumn Statement.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “Chronic shortages of judges and lawyers mean there isn’t enough capacity to cover all the cases and some of the courtrooms they sit in are falling apart.
“The OBR’s report highlights the strain on public services including the Crown Court backlogs hitting a record high of 65,000 in August this year.
“There’s little hope of the government achieving its target of cutting the backlog to 53,000 by March 2025 unless it invests in justice now.”
Extension to SRA powers
The Gazette covers the Law Society’s view of the proposed extension to the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA) powers.
President Nick Emmerson said: “We are concerned that if such propositions were allowed, the SRA could become the investigator, prosecutor and judge, for the most serious types of misconduct.”
This “could potentially undermine the jurisdiction of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal process which is fair, independent and transparent, and which has the confidence of the profession and the public.”
Leaving the ECHR
Following record migration numbers and the Supreme Court’s decision that the government’s Rwanda policy was unlawful, National World reports increasing conflict over immigration and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) in the Conservative party.
The piece mentions the Law Society’s warning that leaving the ECHR would make the UK a “pariah” in Europe, like Russia and Belarus.
Role of AI in legal profession
Local Government Lawyer discusses the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in public law and analyses whether AI can replace professionals in court or write judgments.
The article cites the Law Society’s analysis in Horizon Scanning: forward thinking Artificial Intelligence and the Legal Profession.
Arbitration Bill
Today’s Family Lawyer reveals the Law Society’s response to news that the Arbitration Bill has passed its first reading.
President Nick Emmerson said: “The Law Society welcomes the introduction of the Arbitration Bill and we hope that, in due course, this will lead to the implementation of provisions which will protect and reinforce the status of England and Wales as the leading centre for international arbitration in the world.
“International arbitration is a major part of the UK’s trade in legal services, with English lawyers providing arbitration services to clients both in England and Wales and throughout the rest of the world. We hope the Arbitration Bill will modernise the offering of arbitration in England and Wales and be a boost to the contribution of the legal service sector to the UK economy.”
Also worth a read:
- Imprisonment for public protection (IPP) sentences will now have end date – Guardian
- Government lawyers warn PM that leaving the ECHR could open more channels to challenge the legality of the Rwanda policy – Times (£)
- LSB proposes a 14% increase in its annual budget – Legal Futures
- Number of SLAPPs grows, but lack of disciplinary action remains – Legal Futures
- Average rent in the UK has risen by 26% since March 2020 – Guardian