Climate change guidance
The Guardian reports that a group of lawyers have said company directors in the UK could be held personally liable for failing to properly account for nature and climate-related risks.
It cites our climate change guidance, which was published to help solicitors to advise company boards about climate risk.
Read our climate change guidance
Legal aid means test changes delayed until 2026
The Gazette reports that the Ministry of Justice has delayed reforms to the legal aid means test until 2026.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “The government is displaying a pattern of behaviour of refusing to commit resources to the justice system resulting in unmet legal need. They have already acknowledged there are issues with the current means test, leaving ordinary people without access to justice.
“Frequently blamed for the continued delays is the Legal Aid Agency’s antiquated IT systems – which are causing implementation problems. This is itself evidence of the long-term neglect of our justice system.
“Civil legal aid providers are questioning their ability to stay in the profession. The system is in a precarious state and ultimately the ones who will suffer are those trying to seek justice.
“This means that poverty-hit families are being denied vital help to fight eviction, tackle severe housing disrepair and address other life-changing legal issues. We need decisive action and we need it now.”
Access to justice
Kathleen Harris, a partner at Arnold & Porter, writes in the Gazette about access to justice in England Wales. The justice system has seen legal aid cuts for decades, meaning millions cannot get free legal advice when they need it.
The piece cites our 2023 civil legal aid deserts research, which showed that between 42% and 90% of the population do not have access to a local legal aid provider.
Find out about our legal aid deserts
Post Office scandal convictions
Indian Politics continue coverage about the UK government introducing legislation to quash the wrongful convictions of hundreds of sub-postmasters in the Post Office Horizon scandal.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson 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.”
Duty solicitor decline
The QT (£) covers our warning that urgent investment is needed to halt the declining number of duty solicitors and avoid miscarriages of justice.
Also worth a read:
- Solicitors share their experiences of intense pressure – Roll on Friday
- Passage of the Safety of Rwanda Bill could be delayed until after Easter – Guardian
- Rwanda policy could cost billions of pounds, says thinktank – FT (£)
- Rwanda policy: PM facing rebellion over deportation for Afghan allies – Independent
- Post Office: Children of wrongly convicted postmasters speak out – Telegraph (£)
- Lib Dems claim people don’t care about Post Office scandal details – Telegraph (£)
- Research shows 28% of pupil barrister experienced or observed bullying or harassment – Legal Cheek
- Rishi Sunak tells backbenchers to hold their nerve, amid leadership challenge speculation – Telegraph (£)