Crumbling courts
Independent and Yahoo UK cover the rising crisis in court infrastructure and the detrimental impact of dilapidation on court backlog, as the Lady Chief Justice reveals over 100 courts are closed every week.
Law Society vice president Richard Atkinson said: “We have been raising concerns about the dire condition of our crumbling courts for some time and share the views of the Lady Chief Justice.
“Leaking toilets, broken heating, sewage, mould and asbestos were just part of the picture painted by our survey of solicitors about the state of the courts in which they work.
“The courtroom closures only add to the delays faced by victims, witnesses and defendants. Sustained investment is needed to repair and restore our creaking court estate.”
Rwanda policy
Islington Gazette reports that proposals were made to draft more judges and quicken the migrant appeals process, as the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill passed its third reading in the Commons unamended.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said the proposals “once again illustrate the apparent incoherence at the heart of the UK government’s immigration policy”, adding that they “do not overcome the fundamental flaws” of the Bill and instead try to “deal with some legal challenges more quickly with more judges at a time when the entire justice system is suffering from a lack of judicial capacity.”
Richard Young, a member of the Law Society’s immigration law committee, spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live (from 11:25) about the Safety of Rwanda Bill.
Hague 19 Convention
Global Legal Post covers the UK signing up to the Hague 19 Convention.
President Nick Emmerson said: “By facilitating the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments, the Convention enhances access to justice for citizens and consumers around the world. It also strengthens a positive national and international environment for multilateral trade, investment and mobility.”
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Private prosecution powers
Gazette reports that representative bodies have joined calls for curbs on the power to bring private prosecutions in the wake of the Post Office Horizon scandal.
Vice president Richard Atkinson said: “We are reflecting on whether there’s a need to reform aspects of the law on private prosecutions and will look at the additional safeguards proposed in the Justice Committee’s 2020 report.”
Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman
Laing Buisson News reports that Law Society Board Chair, Amerdeep Somal, has been confirmed as England’s new Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
Colleague tribute
Gazette features tributes to Law Society colleague and international legal giant Stephen Denyer.
Chief executive officer Ian Jeffery said: “Everyone at the Law Society is deeply saddened by the passing of Stephen Denyer. Stephen made a wide ranging and enduring contribution to the legal profession both here and abroad over the full length of a very distinguished legal career.
“Stephen was a much-loved colleague and mentor, sharing expertise with and creating opportunities for many colleagues across many organisations, including of course our own. His wisdom and his open and generous spirit will be missed by everyone across the organisation, our membership and the legal community in the UK and internationally.”
Also worth a read:
- House of Lords rejects PM’s calls to pass his flagship Rwanda bill quickly, as new timetable will not see the Bill passed before late March – Guardian
- Home Office hires hanger to practise Rwanda deportations – Times (£)
- PM rebuked by the UK’s statistics watchdog over his claim to have cleared the backlog of asylum claims – BBC
- Home Office ends pause on asylum hotel evictions despite subzero temperatures - Guardian
- Rising number of inheritance disputes head to court – FT (£)
- RAAC-related closure has led to the permanent shut down of Blackpool Magistrates’ and County Court – Gazette
- CILEx Regulation Limited (CRL) launches its 2024 Corporate Plan – Solicitors Journal