Public confidence in lawyers undermined
The outgoing chief of the LSB has declared that failure to root out systemic misconduct is starting to undermine public confidence in lawyers, the Gazette reports. The piece also cites our response to the LSB’s 2024/2025 business plan.
On the business plan, president Nick Emmerson said: “The oversight regulator has listened to our feedback and plans to have a greater focus on its core function of protecting and promoting the public interest, supporting the rule of law and maintaining the professional principles.
“It should also focus on the performance issues of the Legal Ombudsman and increased monitoring and evaluation of the Office for Legal Complaints, to ensure they are fair, transparent and consumers and the profession have confidence in seeking redress.”
NAO report on legal aid cuts
New Law Journal, LawCareers.Net and Electronic Immigration Network continue coverage of a new report by the National Audit Office (NAO) which shows that annual legal spending has been cut by nearly a third (28%) over the last decade.
Law Society of England and Wales vice president Richard Atkinson said both the civil and criminal legal aid systems are “on their knees”, with millions of people unable to access the help they are entitled to.
“The MoJ must ensure that access to legal aid – which is itself a core element of access to justice – is supported by a sustainable and resilient legal aid market.
“This landmark report shines a light on the stringent and successive government cuts to legal aid alongside stagnant fees paid for expert advice provided by the remaining charities and small firms.”
Legal Heroes 2024 open for nominations
Nominations for Law Society Legal Heroes 2024, which recognises the solicitors who stand out for making a lasting difference, are open until 28 February 2024. Today’s Wills and Probate reports.
President Nick Emmerson said: “We are excited to be once again celebrating solicitors who are committed to helping people in their local communities and beyond.
“Solicitors are the backbone of the justice system and our Legal Heroes are people who use their skills, expertise and drive to put the interests of others first, demonstrating the core values which are at the heart of our profession: helping others in need.”
Climate change guidance
Lexology (£) reports that the Law Society has issued climate change guidance to in-house lawyers, which covers how to advise clients on mitigating the risk of greenwashing claims and how to advise on sound climate governance.
Also worth a read:
- CBA says there is a ‘crisis’ in barristers available for rape and serious sexual offences – Sky News
- Criminals relying on trial delays to evade justice – Independent
- Senior MoJ officials will be grilled next month on the damning NAO report on legal aid – Gazette
- Labour party defends its candidate over alleged comment about the Hamas gunmen attack on 7 October – BBC News
- Rape and sexual assault investigation into Conservative MP dropped – BBC News and Guardian
- Colin Pitchfork is to face fresh Parole Board hearing in his bid to be released – BBC News, Sky News, Independent and the Mirror
- Judges have let criminals use religion conversion to escape deportation – Times (£)
- Human Rights lawyer says it’s the Home Office’s responsibility to stop people defrauding the system - GB News
- Guidance issued to judicial office holders on generative AI – Lexology