Post Office scandal
ABC News, Exec Review and Mainichi reports that the bill to quash hundreds of wrongful convictions over Post Office scandal goes before UK Parliament.
Nick Emmerson, Law Society president, said: "An exceptional scheme such as this can only be justified by extraordinary circumstances. It cannot be treated as a precedent or justify further government intervention in the independence of our justice system. However, we believe this is a price worth paying to ensure that many innocent people are exonerated."
Probate delays
Legal Futures reports that law firms are suffering a backlash from clients, and increasing unbillable time, as a result of the continuing delays at the Probate Service, according to the Law Society. A minimum service standard should be introduced, with 'clear processing times, guidelines and performance metrics' to help 'manage expectations' and reduce stress and frustration.
State of the courts
Standard and Yahoo News report that a 'truly dreadful' London court has the 'ugliest courtrooms' amid calls for funding. Over decades, the court estate was trimmed right to the bone. Buildings were not invested in by way of proper maintenance or refurbishment, or they were simply disposed of. Last week’s budget included a planned 4.8 per cent cut in operational justice spending. The Law Society welcomed the extra money.
Disability and/or Neurodiversity award
Today’s Wills and Probate and Global Legal Post reports that the Law Society has won the Disability and/or Neurodiversity Initiative of the Year award for its work to improve inclusion for disabled solicitors.
Spearheaded by the Law Society’s disabled solicitors network, the Society has published guidance that focuses on reasonable adjustments employers can make to aid the recruitment and retention of disabled staff. The Law Society is now seen as leading on this agenda, with other firms and organisations coming to it to seek advice.
21st Century Justice Project
Dr Natalie Byrom speaks about the Law Society’s 21st Century Justice Project in a Gazette comment piece about consumer-facing legal AI needing regulation now.
Also worth a read:
- EU parliament approves groundbreaking regulations on AI, potential framework for UK to follow – Legal Cheek
- Britain’s prison system is brutal and broken - Guardian
- Gove’s new definition of extremists ‘reflects darkest regimes’, lawyers warn - inews
- More than a quarter of pupil barristers encounter bullying or harassment – Legal Cheek.
- Former barrister, disbarred in 2016 for repeatedly publishing antisemitic material in blog posts, has been sentenced – Gazette
- Former Lord Chief cautions against regulation of litigation funding – Legal Futures