Japan’s legal market
Gazette, Global Legal Post, Asia Business Journal and Law.com report that Japan will streamline the registration process for foreign lawyers.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “These changes to streamline the registration process will help to save time and money for both law firms and foreign lawyers in Japan.
“They are a positive reflection of the Japanese government’s broader desire to attract more foreign direct investment and highly skilled talent to its domestic market. This helps both foreign and Japanese firms hire foreign lawyers.
“This is a positive step in streamlining the registration process for foreign lawyers in Japan.”
Recommended minimum salary
Law360 (£) reports that the Law Society has recommended a 5% increase in minimum salaries for trainee solicitors.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson: “The minimum salary policy and uplift supports those seeking to enter the profession with an appropriate salary recommendation.
“We encourage employers to consider this recommendation when looking at how much they will pay their employees.
“The policy applies to anyone undertaking a period of recognised training, such as a training contract, or anyone employed with the primary purpose of gaining QWE.”
Project Rise
New Law Journal reports that another law firm has signed up for Project Rise, a scheme initiated by the Law Society’s Disabled Solicitors Network to encourage firms to offer part-time training options for aspiring solicitors unable to train full-time.
President Nick Emmerson said: “Firms already participating in Project Rise report that applicants are interested in part-time, with one firm reporting 20% of the latest cycle of applicants wanted to train part-time.
“Given recent legal changes providing more opportunities for employees, including trainees, to request flexible working, firms have found it useful to have the discussions and put working practices in place in advance, rather than having to deal with these following an actual request. One of our participating firms now has 30% part-time work across all levels of employee/partner.”
Special General Meeting
New Law Journal reports that a vote of no confidence in the Law Society’s ability to represent conveyancers failed at the Special General Meeting last week.
Amerdeep Somal, chair of the Law Society Board and Mark Evans, deputy vice president of the Law Society, said:
“The Law Society Council and Board fully support the President and CEO and are pleased with the outcome of today’s vote.
“We have listened to the concerns raised by some of our members on this specific issue. It is important to note that we have already taken steps to address these concerns by postponing the compulsory implementation of the updated TA6 form.
“We have also launched a consultation to ensure we understand the full range of member views.”
Wills and inheritance
Melinda Giles, a member of the Law Society’s Wills & Equity Committee, speaks to Saga Magazine about writing a will for blended families. She discusses intestacy rules and how to ensure inheritance is passed down to stepchildren and unmarried partners.
Melinda said: “I’ve seen cases where a couple were cohabiting and one died without a will. The surviving partner had no rights to anything.
“If you’re married, your surviving spouse will receive a share under the intestacy rules, but, if they then die without a will, their estate would only go to their kids.”
Annual General Meeting
LexisNexis (£) reveals that the Law Society’s Annual General Meeting will be held on 9 October 2024.
Legal aid franchise
Telegraph & Argus and MSN report that two Bradford-based accredited members of the Law Society’s clinical negligence panel have been awarded a Legal Aid franchise for 2024-25.
Sham marriage conviction
Pehal News reports a solicitor that has been struck off for organising sham marriages for migrants to the UK. The solicitor was admitted to the UK's Roll of Solicitors in February 2013, according to an order filed with the Law Society.
Also worth a read:
- Prison sentences fall by 10% for knife crimes – Times (£)
- UK legal services sector generates turnover of £47.5bn in the UK – New Law Journal
- Record-high levels of self-harm in women’s prisons - Justice Gap
- SRA probe finds that most immigration firms have ‘robust’ client vetting system after three firms were closed last year, following an investigation by Daily Mail - Gazette
- Analysis: Rich cannot be left to weaponise the legal system with SLAPPs – Times (£)
- Law firms need WhatsApp policies when advising asylum clients - Legal Futures
- Labour’s private school tax likely to breach ECHR law - Telegraph (£)
- Judge lifts anonymity in family court judgment involving footballer Kyle Walker - Gazette
- Pay rise for young people, as Labour removes National Living Wage age bands - inews (£)
- Police arrest more than 100 in riots following Southport stabbing - BBC
- Huw Edwards admits to child abuse image charges - Standard
- Suella Braverman eyes media job at GB News - inews (£)