Judicial Review
The Gazette reports that we have successfully sought disclosure in our challenge to the government over criminal legal aid fees.
We brought an application to amend our judicial review grounds and orders for specific disclosures, which were both granted by Mr Justice Fordham.
Our disclosure request included legal aid scheme performance reports and provider activity reports covering nine “red light” capacity risk areas, the judge said: “This material is, in my judgment, directly relevant…to the judicial review claim as a whole. If the Lord Chancellor is putting forward a positive case about the virtues of relevant arrangements – as, in my judgment, he is – then it is necessary in the interests of justice that the Law Society should be in an informed position to assist the court with any contrary contention.”
The judicial review hearing will be held over three days this month.
Reoffending statistics
Wigan Observer continues coverage of reoffending statistics. 368 of the 1,451 adult criminals in Wigan committed further offences.
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.”
No immediate levy in response to Axiom Ince fallout
Today’s Conveyancer reports that the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has ruled out an immediate levy on practitioners in response to the Axiom Ince fallout, though a hike in contributions is still possible next year.
Law Society chief executive officer Ian Jeffery said: “As the representative body for the solicitor profession, we think it right that our members are not being asked to make an in-year contribution to the Compensation Fund. This decision will protect consumers and maintain public confidence in the fund.
“We maintain that the solicitor profession must be consulted before any decision is made by the SRA on its future approach to such exceptional compensation questions, given that our members would be required to pay for it.
“We will work with the SRA as it seeks to review whether its client protection and compensation fund arrangements are fit for purpose in the future.”
Justice Committee on regulation of legal professions
Legal Futures covers the Bar Council’s evidence before the Justice Committee, as it examined the regulation of the legal professions.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson will be before the Committee tomorrow from 2:15pm.
Also worth a read:
- Rwanda policy: British lawyers could be stationed in Rwandan courts – BBC News
- LSB comes into focus before Justice Committee – Gazette
- Civil servants dubious about emergency law to revive Rwanda policy – Times (£)
- Ince administrators look to personal guarantee for outstanding Axiom cash – Legal Futures
- Top legal experts to join review of disclosure rules and fraud laws in England – FT (£)
- Foreign criminals will serve shorter sentences than Britons under emergency plan – Telegraph