Operation Early Dawn
Lancashire Post, Blackpool Gazette, National World, Today’s Family Lawyer and Automobil News cover the Law Society’s reaction to Operation Early Dawn, as the emergency measure is activated to mitigate the prison overcrowding crisis.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “The emergency in our prisons illustrates the consequences of the long-term neglect of the criminal justice system.
“The prisons crisis is just one of many connected problems in the criminal justice system following decades of underfunding and cuts. We have seen growing backlogs in the Magistrates and Crown Courts, a shortage of lawyers, judges and court staff and a crumbling court estate. Probation services are still on their knees.
“Government is having to take difficult steps to deal with the crisis it inherited, such as reactivating Operation Early Dawn, which will impact victims, defendants and those working in the system including solicitors.
“In the longer-term, sustained investment is needed across the criminal justice system in order to avoid it collapsing completely.”
Chair of the Law Society’s criminal law committee, Stuart Nolan, speaks to BBC News about prison capacity and how long those charged with crimes will be held in a police cell under Operation Early Dawn.
Lawyers at risk from far-right groups
Canadian Lawyer Magazine and Australasian Lawyer cover the Law Society’s reaction to lawyers and firms being targeted by rioters earlier this month.
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.
“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.”
Family law
Karen Dovaston, chair of the Law Society’s family law committee, speaks to Guardian about the age limit for riding on the back of a motorbike in England and Wales.
Asian Achievers Award
DesiBlitz and Asian Connect report that immediate past president, Lubna Shuja, will be a panel judge for the 2024 Asian Achievers Award, which honours the contributions of South Asians in the UK.
Also worth a read:
- Clifford Chance partner among those missing in yacht Bayesian tragedy - Gazette
- Victims' Commissioner launches survey to assess how court delays affect victims across England and Wales - Solicitors Journal
- Mass redundancy awards for Axiom Ince staff – Legal Futures
- UK lawyers predict AI would save 140 hours yearly, valued at £51,000 - Solicitors Journal
- UK legal sector has grown more than 13 per cent over the last year, surpassing the wider professional services market - CityA.M, Times (£)
- Inmates being released early in a bid to reduce overcrowding at a prison are reoffending and being recalled - BBC News
- Probation officers’ union warns that early release of prisoners will cause a strain to their services, after a drop in the number of probation officers - Guardian
- Stop and search is one of the less effective tactics to tackle rising violence, such as knife crime - Guardian
- New employment rights under Labour will include ‘right to disconnect’ – City A.M.
- Home Secretary pledges to reopen two immigration detention centres in removal drive - BBC