Justice system in Afghanistan
The Times Brief reports on Marzia Babakarkhail, a former family law judge in Afghanistan, speaking on behalf of the Law Society at the United Nations earlier this month.
Seven lawyers have been killed and 146 arrested or investigated in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover in 2021.
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SLAPPs Bill
The Times (£) and New Law Journal cover the new bill which looks to tackle Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). We cautioned that some of the measures may “increase ambiguity and the risk of satellite litigation.”
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “We welcome this Bill and its aim to legislate for the remaining SLAPPs cases not covered by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023.
“There are, however, areas which require significant modification if the bill is going to achieve its aim.”
Civil legal aid research
New Law Journal continues coverage of our calls to family law practitioners to join our research on civil legal aid.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “In February, the Law Society published the results of its analysis of data from housing legal aid providers.
“It provided us with vital information as we continue to lobby the Ministry of Justice to make real and lasting changes to the civil legal aid market and ensure its future.
“Now we are embarking on the next stage of our research – family law providers – and we are calling on the profession to help us with this.
“We want family law practitioners to sign-up to take part in this research, so we can get a fuller picture of the issues facing the sector and continue to provide evidence as to why the UK government should invest in civil legal aid.”
Misuse of NDAs
City AM, Gazette, Today’s Conveyancer and Today’s Wills & Probate cover our response to the LSB’s report on the use and misuse of NDAs.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “While it is not possible to know how many illegal or unethical NDAs have been used the LSB have evidenced that there have been instances of such agreements. We look forward to seeing their analysis of existing regulatory and legislative framework and considering any proposals the LSB has to help improve it.
'We recommend that all solicitors who advise on NDAs in employment situations read both the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s warning notice and our practice note on the subject. These clearly set-out a solicitor’s legal, regulatory and ethical responsibilities when advising on the use of NDAs.”
20 years of Diversity Access Scheme
President of the Law Society Nick Emmerson writes a commentary piece in the Gazette about the 20-year anniversary of our Diversity Access Scheme (DAS). He writes:
“I am delighted DAS has helped so many aspiring solicitors achieve their goal of working in the legal profession.
“In this landmark year, I hope we will come together to recognise their achievements and reflect on what more we as a sector can do to welcome and support aspiring solicitors from all kinds of backgrounds, lived-experience and other challenges faced on the path to working in the legal profession, so they can thrive.
“The Law Society will be celebrating our alumnis’ achievements throughout the year and will be hosting an event later this year.”
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HMCTS court reform
Landlord Zone covers our reaction to HMCTS court reform plans and its impact on the Renters Reform Bill.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “The UK government has previously indicated that it intended to defer the implementation of the abolition of no-fault eviction until after the digitisation of the existing court process. We would welcome clarification at the government has now recognised that this approach should be reconsidered.”
Also worth a read:
- Full compensation for postmasters wrongly convicted in Horizon IT scandal may take up to two years – Gazette
- Navalny’s lawyer briefly detained in Moscow - BBC
- AI used in training contract and pupillage applications - Legal Cheek
- Domestic abuse victims to access justice through new pilot - Gazette
- Housing disrepair in government asylum sites – Guardian
- Prince Harry loses High Court case over UK security - Times (£)