Emergency legislation
The FT (£) Independent (£), News Break and Guardian Live report our reaction to the emergency legislation introduced by the government as it tries to revive its Rwanda scheme following the Supreme Court ruling it was unlawful.
“The UK government is seeking to overturn an evidence-based finding of fact by the Supreme Court and shield itself from accountability under both domestic and international law through this legislation,” said Law Society of England and Wales president Nick Emmerson.
“For the second time this year and by its own admission, the government is unable to guarantee the Bill will be compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.
“The Rwanda scheme has never been the answer to tackling the asylum question. The government is risking the UK’s international reputation and its standing in the world to deliver a plan that can, at best, be described as gestural.”
Muhunthan Paramesvaran, chair of our immigration law committee, speaks to the FT (£) on the impact of the proposed law changes.
New Law Journal, i News, Gazette Ireland, Peninsula Qatar, Electronic Immigration Network, and MENA Financial Network continue coverage of our reaction to the new treaty with Rwanda.
Judicial review
City A.M. looks ahead to next week’s judicial review hearing over criminal legal aid rates.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “Lord Bellamy’s report – which was published more than two years ago – set out the ‘parlous’ state the profession was in. Yet, the then Lord Chancellor, Dominic Raab, chose to ignore his key recommendation of a minimum rates rise to keep the profession afloat.
“The government refused to mediate leaving us with no choice to continue this fight on behalf of our members in the courtroom.
“We hope the High Court will recognise that Dominic Raab’s decision was irrational and give the new Lord Chancellor the opportunity to reconsider it.
“It’s not too late for the government to take the steps needed to make this work financially viable for defence solicitors and help ensure access to justice remains open to all.”
Deprivation of liberty
Today’s Family Lawyer covers our concerns about the lack of legal aid for families where children are being deprived of their liberty.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “These are distressing cases with very vulnerable children who have faced trauma and/or have physical and mental disabilities, but the majority of parents and carers have no access to legal advice when their child is facing deprivation of their liberty.”
Deputy High Court judges appointed
New Law Journal reports that Lady Chief Justice Sue Carr has appointed eleven deputy High Court judges including two solicitors.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “Their promotion will encourage solicitors with judicial aspirations that there need be no limits to their ambition.”
Regulation of the legal sector
Gazette covers Law Society president Nick Emmerson’ giving evidence to the Justice Select Committee about regulation of the legal sector.
He said: “If you go into the market and you are not a solicitor and call yourself a chartered lawyer, and you're regulated by the SRA, would [a client] think that is a solicitor or a legal executive? It will bring confusion to the market.”
Inquest anniversary
Justice Gap covers a report which celebrates the 40-year history of the charity Inquest, which seeks to improve access to justice for those who are killed in police custody or state care.
The piece mentions our call in the 1990s for legal aid to be available to families in some inquests.
Also worth a read:
- Energy giant buys lawyer-free divorce company – Gazette
- Lincoln’s Inn looks to tackle “unacceptable” bullying and harassment – Legal Futures
- Braverman says new Rwanda law won’t work – BBC
- Case management backed by artificial intelligence (AI) could make the courts more accessible – Legal Futures