Spring Budget
FT (£), City A.M., Gazette, Today’s Family Lawyer, Solicitors Journal, A Lawyer Writes, Legal Futures and New Law Journal cover our reaction to the Spring Budget.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “The UK government has once again failed to address the crisis facing our justice system.
“Small amounts of money to the family court system for early advice are welcome, but it shows the government isn’t facing up to the challenges plaguing the justice system.
“Only through investment in staff, judges, legal professionals and our court buildings can the government begin to address these issues.”
Justice in Afghanistan
Judge Marzia Babakarkhail, who was forced to flee her home after the Taliban tried to kill her, is interviewed by the Times (£).
Babarkarkhail addressed the United Nations (UN) on behalf of the Law Society last month.
Civil Legal Aid Review
Gazette reveals that the Ministry of justice has delayed its Civil Legal Aid Review.
President Nick Emmerson said: “We are liaising closely with the UK government as it undertakes its Civil Legal Aid Review.
“An emergency investment of £11.3m for providers of early legal advice is desperately needed while the review takes place. This is made more urgent by the delay.
“There is an ongoing tension between doing things quickly – as the system is in such a dire state – and doing them effectively. We will continue to advocate on behalf of our members while the review takes place.”
Court backlogs
Gazette reports that more than 180 alleged rape cases, which are more than two years old, will be prioritised for trial this year.
“We agree with Lord Justice Edis that the long delays victims, witnesses and defendants are facing in accessing justice are unacceptable,” said Law Society president Nick Emmerson.
“Thousands of people are left in limbo for years waiting for their cases to come to trial.
“Scant progress has been made in reducing the huge backlog of Crown Court cases. Only increased funding across the entire justice system can reverse the negative impact of years of cuts and underinvestment.”
Rwanda Bill
New Law Journal reports the UN special rapporteurs on the independence of judges and lawyers, human rights of migrants and trafficking in persons have raised concerns about the Safety of Rwanda Bill.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “The Law Society – alongside scores of parliamentarians and civil society organisations – have repeatedly expressed concerns that the Rwanda Bill profoundly undermines the democratic balance of powers in the UK by sidelining the courts from providing independent, legal oversight. This makes it incompatible with international law and the rule of law.
“This statement from UN experts shows that these concerns are shared beyond the UK.
Crime Contract
Solicitors Journal reports that we have collaborated with the Legal Aid Agency and Association of Prison Lawyers to introduce amendments to the 2022 Standard Crime Contract.
Early legal advice
A commentary piece in the Gazette discusses our research on the impact of early legal advice in resolving family law issues.
Also worth a read:
- Rwanda Bill: Evidence of torture cannot be whitewashed by legislation – Times (£)
- MPs warn that a substantial proportion of Post Office scandal victims may miss out on compensation – Guardian
- More than seven out of 10 professionals have experienced “discriminatory or exclusionary behaviour in the workplace” in the past five years – Legal Futures
- Spring Budget reaction – BBC