Collapse of the justice system in Afghanistan
The Gazette reports our concern about the collapse of the justice system in Afghanistan and the persecution of legal professionals by the Taliban.
The warning came as Marzia Babakarkhail, a former family court judge from Afghanistan, was due to speak on behalf of the Law Society at the Afghanistan UPR pre-session in the United Nations yesterday.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “The situation for lawyers and judges in Afghanistan is of significant worry and we are grateful to Marzia Babakarkhail for raising these concerns.
“Marzia’s story highlights the plight of legal professionals under Taliban rule, as lawyers and judges are unable to exercise their profession freely and have become targets of the state.
“Many face death threats, harassment, attacks, enforced disappearances and unlawful killings.”
LSB should renew focus
Today’s Conveyancer covers our recommendation that the Legal Services Board (LSB) should renew focus on its core activities, set out in our 2024/2025 business plan consultation.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “We would strongly encourage the LSB to renew focus on its core activities and only take on more workstreams based on regulatory need or gaps in responding to consumer needs.
“Care should be taken to ensure work isn’t being duplicated by other stakeholders already engaged in research and policy development on common strategic priorities such as access to justice, upholding the rule of law and ethics.”
Building Safety Act 2022 guide
Local Government Lawyer, Estate Agent Today and Property Industry Eye continue coverage of the Law Society publishing a new guide to help members involved in flat sales and purchases understand the Building Safety Act 2022 (BSA 2022).
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “Our guide will help solicitors make sense of the improvements to the legislation that have been made since it was first introduced.
“It will also provide solicitors with necessary information to make informed decisions about taking on residential leasehold conveyancing matters where the BSA 2022 applies.
“Created in response to members’ initial concerns about the legislation and developed with government and industry stakeholders, it contains background information and high-level guidance, signposting the key sources of information solicitors need to navigate the BSA 2022.”
Nigeria-UK trade agreement
Gazette and African Law & Business report on the Nigerian-UK trade agreement. This story is also picked up in BBC Newsday (from 32:55).
“Our understanding is that the agreement is aspirational and provides a forum for UK and Nigerian legal stakeholders to pursue a constructive dialogue on areas of mutual interest, including knowledge sharing and supporting one another on international practice of law issues,” said Law Society president Nick Emmerson.
“The UK and Nigerian legal communities have long enjoyed strong bilateral relations which in turn benefit their clients and trade between the two countries. The Law Society works closely with the Nigerian Bar Association to enhance these bilateral relations and share best practice. We hope to continue our close engagement with the NBA and legal profession both within and outside the ETIP framework.”
Also worth a read:
- CPS may seek judicial review after judge spared trio jail – Times (£)
- LSB asked to set out strategy on AI use in legal sector – Legal Futures
- The family of Leonard Farruku is calling for an independent inquiry into his death on the Bibby Stockholm barge – Guardian
- Double by-election victory for Labour – BBC