No evidence Rwanda is yet a safe country for asylum seekers
i News, i News Morning Briefing and Times (£) cover our response as the Safety of Rwanda Bill reaches Report Stage in the House of Lords today.
We said that the Bill “sets a dangerous legal and constitutional precedent by legislating to overturn an evidence-based finding of fact by UK courts.”
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “We are deeply concerned that the government does not know whether the safeguards in the treaty are yet operational, or even when they will be.
“These questions are imperative for Parliament to be able to consider whether Rwanda is a safe country and conclusively deem it to be one in law.”
New legislation helps public secure funding in fight against corporations
The Telegraph (£), Gazette, Legal Futures and Solicitors Journal report that the UK government is due to announce legislation which will make it easier for the public to secure funding for their legal fights against corporations.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “Too frequently it is said that justice is not a priority for this government, but we would hope recent events will call for reflection on how it supports access to justice through the court system for all those without independent financial means.
“The public do care about justice and are vocal about when it is lacking.”
On the review announcement, Nick Emmerson said: “There could be merit in a review, but it would be worth considering the risk of the funding arrangement rendering any victory hollow for the consumers affected.”
Spring Budget
Today’s Conveyancer and BNN Breaking cover our call for the government to use the Spring Budget to increase growth in legal services.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “The Spring Budget is an opportunity for the government to increase growth in legal services.
“By allowing legal partnerships to access full expensing, boosting legal apprenticeships and changing the National Skills Fund so employees can access legal retraining, the government can unleash the legal sector.
“We hope the Budget will be used to invest in legal services, so the existing economic strengths of our profession can be unleashed, at minimal cost to the government.”
Renters (Reform) Bill
Wired Gov and the Gazette report about the government watering down protections for renters in the Renters (Reform) Bill.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “The suggested changes would require that the Ministry of Justice should report the impact on courts before ‘no-fault’ evictions are banned. While assessing the impact should be part of the implementation process, it should not be written into legislation or used as a reason to further delay the removal of section 21.”
We also warned that “without investment for housing legal aid and the courts, the Bill will not achieve its aims and may lead to an increase in backlogs and landlords and tenants alike will be unable to enforce their legal rights.”
Misuse of NDAs
Personnel Today continues coverage of our response to the Legal Services Board’s report on the use and misuse of Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs).
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “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.”
Civil Legal Aid Review
The Gazette reports that pressure is mounting on the UK government to increase civil legal aid fees after the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is deluged with evidence to its sustainability review.
The Law Society submitted our response to the MoJ’s call for evidence. We called on the government to raise fees for early advice work by 15% and remove a 50% limit on remote working.
Legal aid scheme putting domestic abuse victims at risk
The current legal aid scheme for victims of domestic abuse is putting victims at risk, the Gazette reports.
Jenny Beck KC, a member of our Family Law Committee, highlighted three “critical” areas where change is needed.
She added: “Qualified legal representatives are not there because they need to be funded and they are not being funded. Cases are lasting longer, so it’s more expensive. Judges are having to act as case managers. It’s a lose-lose situation for everyone.”
Turkey: Blatant disregard for international human rights
Irish Legal News compiles a round-up of human rights stories from around the world, including our concerns about the violation of human rights in Turkey as the Ankara government continues to mistreat lawyers and human rights defenders.
Property purchase
The Evening Standard provides useful tips for home-buyers in London.
It includes reference to the importance of appointing a solicitor regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority who is a member of the Law Society.
Also worth a read:
- Rwanda Bill: Cleverly warns against weakening legislation – Times (£)
- MP warns Lords against blocking Rwanda Bill – Telegraph (Live) (£)
- NAO report finds stalled Rwanda asylum scheme costs could rise to £500m – Sky News
- Spring Budget: Working families could be worse off – Guardian
- Spring Budget: Jeremy Hunt hits at tax cuts – BBC News
- Spring Budget: Jeremy Hunt is in for a long week – Politico London Playbook
- Can’t Buy My Silence calls on lawyers to push for NDA law reform – Legal Futures
- ‘No-fault’ divorce delayed in Guernsey – BBC News
- Post Office: Lawyers say staff may have broken law – BBC News
- Post Office: Nick Read demanded pay package of over £1m – Times (£), LBC & City A.M.
- Media lawyer Hugo Mason on SLAPPs – Guardian
- Alex Chalk on new funding legislation – FT (£)