Lawyers at risk from far-right groups
Guardian, Mirror, Standard, Independent, Daily Mail, TIME, Global Legal Post, Jurist News and more than 400 regional outlets cover the Law Society’s response to the targeting of the legal profession by ongoing riots, as a list of law firms was circulated on social media.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: "We thank the UK government and the police for their efforts and support in recent days to keep solicitors and legal advice centres safe. The threats have been incredibly distressing for those targeted.
"We also commend those in the community who came out to peacefully defend their local area and businesses last night.
"These threats against our legal profession were an attack on our democratic values.
"Now is the time for our country and our leaders to reaffirm their commitment to the rule of law. They must ensure that all those who have committed crimes in recent days face swift justice."
Telegraph (£) reports that the ongoing riots threaten to exacerbate court delays and push the justice system to a breaking point.
President Nick Emmerson said: “The criminal defence profession is also depleted and overworked and the goodwill of the solicitors who are being called on to work additional anti-social hours is fast running out.”
BBC Radio Foyle (from 1:04:39) and BBC Radio Ulster (from 1:04:39) also mention the Law Society’s concerns about the safety of lawyers and law firms.
Criminal defence solicitors
Gazette reports that a London practitioner group has urged criminal defence solicitors to unionise amid concerns that the new government will not invest extra cash into the legal aid system.
The piece mentions the Law Society’s High Court victory over the previous government’s refusal to increase criminal legal aid rates.
President Nick Emmerson said: “It demonstrates how crucial it is that the UK government urgently takes the steps identified by the independent Bellamy Review to keep the system functioning.
“It is understandable that members of the profession feel the need to take such drastic action to protect access to justice. They play a vital role in the crisis-hit criminal justice system, but they are ageing as younger lawyers are not attracted to the work and their numbers declining because their work is not financially viable.
“The new government has taken rapid action on public sector pay and a similar approach to funding criminal defence solicitors could help to prevent the impending catastrophe in the justice system and stem the decline of this critical part of the legal sector.”
Evictions and repossessions
Property Industry Eye and Letting Agent Today cover the Law Society’s response to rising numbers of evictions and mortgage repossession claims, as the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) publishes its latest statistics.
President Nick Emerson said: “The scale of our housing crisis is staggering. The rising number of eviction claims in England and Wales means that more people are at risk of being made homeless.
“Many individuals and families struggle with rent and mortgage payments as the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite.
“When threatened with eviction or repossession, legal aid is often the only hope a family or individual has to keep their home. Unfortunately, legal aid has become increasingly unavailable, as 25 million people do not have a local legal aid provider for housing advice.
“Without legal aid, many families do not have a fair chance in court. Some will be forced into temporary accommodation, while others will be left on the street.”
Civil legal aid
Gazette writes about the Law Society’s calls for an immediate injection into civil legal aid, as Chancellor Rachel Reeves presented her public spending audit last week.
Also worth a read:
- Fast-track courts set to continue until all rioters prosecuted - inews (£)
- PM has told police to stay on “high alert” this weekend for further violence – FT (£)
- Jailed far-right rioters could be released early under government scheme to tackle overcrowding – Telegraph (£)
- Sadiq Khan warns that Online Safety Act is not fit for purpose, following the spread of misinformation that incited far-right riots - Guardian
- Unrest delays bar exams in Bangladesh – Solicitors Journal
- Migrants numbers fall sharply after curbs on family visas – Times (£)
- Number applying to work or study in UK falls by more than a third - Guardian
- Rise in refugees facing homelessness – Times (£)
- No refunds in historic miscarriage of justice cases - BBC
- Low levels of judicial wellbeing around the world – Gazette
- SRA warns students sharing SQE content will risk automatic fail – Legal Cheek
- Class action boom has made UK a major hub for legal action – City A.M.