Civil Legal Aid Review
The Gazette and the Solicitors Journal report the launch of the UK government’s call for evidence for its Civil Legal Aid Review.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “To form part of our response, the Law Society is facilitating the Ministry of Justice’s roundtables throughout the UK, so our members can feed directly into the government officials undertaking the review.
“A well-functioning civil justice system is vital to the economic health and social wellbeing of our country. Legal aid is an essential part of this. We have a justice system that has long been the envy of the world, but without investment, it will continue to fall apart. Providers of civil legal aid continue to close their doors as it is no longer economically viable.”
Post Office scandal
Gazette Ireland and North Wales Chronicle continue coverage of our reaction to the Prime Miniter’s announcement that the government will grant an unprecedented blanket acquittal for those wrongly convicted in the Post Office scandal.
Law Society of England and Wales president Nick Emmerson said: “We welcome the proposal announced today for new legislation to exonerate all those convicted on the basis of flawed Post Office evidence as part of the Post Office Horizon IT scandal.
“We accept that the government has carefully considered the difficult legal and constitutional issues such legislation raises. It is in the interests of the victims and the wider public that legal redress is made available quickly.
“Such an exceptional scheme can only be justified in these very extraordinary circumstances. It cannot be treated as a precedent or justify further government intervention in the independence of our justice system.
“Resource and funding pressures on our normal legal system and processes meant that they could not be adapted to cope with the needs of the Post Office victims. Instead, a new mechanism is having to be created. In many ways, the Post Office victims suffered from the delays and resource constraints of so many others caught in the wider justice crisis.
“It is essential that faith in our legal system to deliver justice is maintained as a cornerstone of democracy and that the systems in place – including the role of the Criminal Cases Review Commission – are adequately resourced to rise to future challenges.”
Legal Executives regulation
The Gazette reports that the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) have been encouraged by the responses to their consultation on transferring regulation of legal executives from CILEX to the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The Law Society’s opposition to the move is mentioned.
Divorce Day
Law Society president Nick Emmerson Today’s Family Lawyer shares his thoughts on the first Monday after the festive period, coined as ‘Divorce Day.’
He said: “The New Year can be a turning point for couples as they look to make a fresh start and begin the process of divorcing their ex-partner. Divorce law has seen some big changes in how couples can separate.
“In April 2022, ‘no-fault’ divorce came into effect meaning that separating couples no longer have to prove a fault-based fact against their ex-partner and this further means that their children do not have to suffer unnecessary conflict and anxiety.”
Also worth a read:
- New Bar Council chair’s priorities – Global Legal Post
- PM’s letter to Hong Kong governor condemns Jimmy Lai’s trial – South China Morning Post
- Human rights decline globally as leaders fail to uphold laws – Guardian
- Supreme Court verdict on doctors’ duty of care – Gazette
- Top law firm fined half a million after failing to carry out due diligence – Gazette
- Post Office scandal updates - Gazette & Guardian