Judicial review
BBC Radio 4’s Six O’Clock News covers the Law Society’s High Court victory (from 20:15). The High Court ruled that our judicial review was successful, and the government acted unlawfully in failing to increase criminal legal aid rates.
Coverage also continues in Solicitors Journal, The Justice Gap and Reuters.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “We are delighted the High Court has recognised that then Lord Chancellor Dominic Raab’s decision was irrational.
“We are delighted the High Court has recognised that then Lord Chancellor Dominic Raab’s decision was irrational.
“We may have won the court battle but it’s the public who will lose out in custody suites and courtrooms across the country unless the Government takes immediate action to stop the exodus of duty solicitors from the profession.
“We are already seeing that there simply aren’t enough solicitors to represent suspects at police stations and magistrates’ courts day and night across the country.
“This situation will only get worse, with potentially dangerous consequences for society.”
Legal Heroes 2024
Gazette, Solicitors Journal and Inside Conveyancing report that nominations are open for Legal Heroes 2024, which will recognise solicitors who have made a positive difference to the lives of others, their local community or society over the last two years.
President of the Society Nick Emmerson said: 'We are excited to be once again celebrating solicitors who are committed to helping people in their local communities and beyond.”
Family law
Karen Dovaston, chair of the Law Society’s Family Law Committee, speaks to BBC South East Today (from 11:16) and BBC News at One (from 24:45) about the consequences of underinvestment in family legal aid on those in the family justice system.
Karen said: "You're dealing with people who are [at] a difficult time in their life with limited money, limited assets, presenting yourself to be doing things for them that you're not."
Probate professionals’ concerns
Ian Bond, member of The Law Society Wills and Equity Committee, speaks to Today’s Wills and Probate about some of the issues probate professionals come up with when processing probate applications.
Also worth a read:
- Opinion: huge fines show the SRA is misusing its power – Gazette
- MoJ amends fixed cost rules to avoid incentive to settle cases on the eve of the trial – Gazette
- Govt to commission review of third-party litigation funding regulation – Legal Futures
- Ed Davey apologises for the first time over his role in the Post Office Horizon IT scandal – Guardian
- Govt’s ‘delaying tactic’ by refusing to share knowledge of Post Office trial – Computer Weekly
- Justice minister Mike Freer announced he is stepping down – FT (£)
- Lawyers raise alarm at struggle to tackle UK local government corruption – Guardian