Delays in sentencing
Independent, Guardian, Daily Mirror, Daily Mail, Morning Star, MSN UK, Hampshire Chronicle, Oxford Mail, Dorset Echo, Chelmsford Weekly News and over 300 other regional media outlets report that Magistrates have been asked to stop jailing criminals for several weeks in a bid to ease pressure on the UK’s overcrowded prisons.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “This is another clear indicator of the scale of the crisis in our justice system and there are no easy solutions after decades of neglect.
“The Government and judiciary are having to make difficult choices to try to mitigate the emergency in the short term.
“An urgent injection of funding is needed across our justice system. Otherwise, justice will continue to be delayed for victims and defendants.
“Unless investment is forthcoming to ensure we have a functioning justice system, victims will continue to lose faith and deterrence for criminals will diminish.”
Operation Early Dawn
Stuart Nolan, chair of the Law Society’s criminal law committee, speaks to inews (£) and MSN UK about Operation Early Dawn, as the crisis in the criminal justice system reaches a breaking point.
Stuart said: “It’s been running hot now for years but now when you’ve got these exceptional events it’s at the point of collapse. The only thing they can do is start to slow it down.”
Diversity in the profession
Solicitors Journal and LawCareers.Net reveal that the Legal Services Board (LSB) has published research on the barriers to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in the legal profession, alongside a report exploring the judicial diversity pipeline.
President Nick Emmerson said: “We welcome the LSB’s research and its visualisation of what is known about EDI in the legal profession.
“The systems map visualises the structural, cultural and personal factors which create barriers to inclusion and how these interact with each other.
“We hope it is a useful addition to the evidence base to help regulators and others understand where to target interventions to have the greatest impact.
“The Law Society’s Diversity & Inclusion (D&I) Framework is a useful resource the profession can use for firms and organisations looking to take a strategic approach to D&I and embed it in a way that has lasting impact.
“The research presents the systemic barriers which currently prevent the judicial system from reflecting a diverse and inclusive profession. We are disappointed to see that progress remains exceptionally slow.”
Targeting of lawyers
Canadian Lawyer and Australasian Lawyer report that the International Bar Association (IBA) has called attention to the targeting of lawyers by rioters in the UK earlier this month.
David McNeill, director of public affairs at the Law Society, said: “These solicitors and advice centres were targeted because they provide immigration law advice and representation to asylum seekers – no other reason than that.”
Client money
Today’s Wills & Probate reports on solicitors’ responsibility over their clients’ money, as new findings show that firms could make money in interest on clients’ money.
A Law Society spokesperson said: “Solicitors are held to the highest of professional standards and are required to safeguard money and assets entrusted to them by clients.
“The Solicitors Regulation Authority requires law firms to account to clients for a fair amount of interest on money held depending on arrangements made with clients and they must provide enough information for clients to make informed decisions.”
Legal profession in Iran
Gazette and Business Fast cover a joint letter demanding the immediate release of an Iranian lawyer and end to the persecution of the legal profession in Iran. The Law Society has signed the joint letter.
Nigerian Bar Association
Channels TV Nigeria reports that the Nigerian Bar Association’s Annual General Conference has kicked off in Lagos. The piece mentions the attendance and participation of Law Society vice president Richard Atkinson.
Auction process
Euro News Week covers legal complications in the auction process.
According to a report by the Law Society, many auction buyers who do not seek professional legal advice may face legal complications that could have been avoided with proper due diligence.
Asian Achievers Awards
Asian Standard and Reading Chronicle cover the recently revealed shortlist for the Asian Achievers Awards, where Law Society’s immediate past president Lubna Shuja will participate in the judging panel.
New professional podcast
Haringey Community Press covers a new podcast where women leaders offer professional advice. Law Society’s past president I. Stephanie Boyce will co-host the podcast.
Tribute
Gazette pays tribute to Michael Loup, who passed away earlier this month. Michael was a former council member of the Law Society, as well as the president of the Law Society Revenue Law Committee.
Also worth a read:
- Long working hours culture is one of the factors hindering equality, diversity and inclusion within the legal profession - Gazette
- High Court cases against executors of wills rise by 21% - Solicitors Journal
- Cyber-attacks on law firms rose by 77% over the past year - Gazette
- New report argues that Serious Fraud Office (SFO) should be replaced with a new body dedicated to combating economic crime - CityA.M
- Opinion: Online Safety Act fails to provide sufficient protection for victims of 'deepfake' media - Solicitors Journal
- Shop prices fall for first time in almost three years - BBC
- UK government to extend hardship fund for struggling households – FT (£)
- Keir Starmer to vow to ‘reverse a decade of decline’ in Downing Street speech later today – inews (£)