Global legal centre
Legal Futures, Solicitors Journal, Today’s Conveyancer and Commercial Dispute Resolution News cover the Law Society’s newly published International Data Insights Report 2024, which reveals the global dominance of English law, as England and Wales remain a legal centre of the world.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “We are proud to see that England and Wales have remained a leading legal jurisdiction and global legal centre.
“England and Wales continue to extend their global reach, attracting even more individuals and businesses with no direct ties to the UK to use our courts, while English law is chosen for contracts in international transactions worth trillions of pounds.
“As the number of cases heard at the London Commercial Court surges, it is evident that our popular courts reflect the attractiveness of English law. As the global demand for UK legal services continues to rise, the legal sector contributes ever more significantly to the UK economy.
“It is critical we recognise the work of the legal profession in powering the UK economy and bolstering our international reputation. We must support our justice system and promote our legal profession as an economic powerhouse, as we continue to unleash our global potential.”
Prison overcrowding
Gazette, Today’s Family Lawyer and All News Press report that around 1,700 prisoners were released early yesterday as part of the UK government’s plans to tackle overcrowding in prisons.
President Nick Emmerson said: “The early release scheme is a pragmatic response to the chronic lack of jail spaces.
“While not an ideal step to take, in view of the parlous state of our prisons, it enables more time and space for longer-term solutions to the many problems bedevilling our criminal justice system.
“It will be important to ensure that appropriate safeguards are in place so that any risks to the public are minimised.
“Rebuilding the criminal justice system after decades of neglect will take years of hard work, investment and sensible reform.
“With this stabilising step, the vital rebuilding work can begin and efforts made to stem the exodus of essential professionals. The recent swift arrests and prosecutions following the riots showed the justice system to be an essential part of our society and those who work in it should be properly valued.”
In-house ethics programme
Gazette, Today’s Family Lawyer, Today’s Conveyancer and Today’s Wills & Probate report that the Law Society has partnered with Inter-Disciplinary Ethics Applied Centre (IDEA) at the University of Leeds to create a new resource aimed at supporting in-house solicitors with ethical practice.
President Nick Emmerson said: “'Over the past four months, the IDEA Centre has carried out research to identify the challenges faced by the in-house community, explore potential solutions and define the scope of the project.
“The next stage of the research will involve focus groups and one-to-one interviews with in-house solicitors, to explore the issues in greater detail and to inform the content of the framework.”
Annual General Meeting
Gazette covers a motion to be heard at the Law Society’s October Annual General Meeting (AGM), where members will vote if the Law Society Council should be paid directly for the first time.
A Law Society spokesperson said: “The Law Society’s council has proposed a new system of a nominal allowance to council members that replaces the previous one. This new system will be presented for ratification by the Law Society’s members at the upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 9 October 2024.”
Professional indemnity insurance
Gazette covers the growing number of firms with professional indemnity insurance (PII).
The piece cites the Law Society’s most recent PII Survey, which found that firms that had provided conveyancing in 2022/23 paid an average premium of £50,000, compared to just £7,000 for firms that had never done so. The survey also revealed that fewer than three in 10 firms have a cyber insurance policy.
Linda Lee, chair of the Law Society’s PII committee, said: “The Law Society firmly believes that reducing protections would lead to a substantial increase in liability, without any corresponding reduction in costs.
“Three new providers have joined the market since 2023, and none have left. This is a positive sign of underwriters’ growing confidence in the profession.”
Deputy vice president launces LegalRunner
Today’s Family Lawyer reports that the incoming vice president, Mark Evans has launched a new initiative LegalRunner.
Mark said: “My Dad had a long battle with dementia and died in January 2020. My Mum, who was for many years his carer, died in 2014. The everyday stress of work, family illness and bereavement was beginning to impact on my wellbeing. I felt like something had to change and so in 2020 I set myself a challenge to go from couch to marathon.
“The aim of LegalRunner is to improve mental and physical health and foster a healthier, inclusive and supportive legal community. I am delighted to have the support of LawCare, the mental health charity for the legal sector as a partner. We are very much at the start of a journey; one I will be championing throughout my term as vice president, and president of the Law Society, encouraging people to get involved and join in the community.”
Also worth a read:
- Early release scheme may rob inmates of vital time to sort out their future - Times (£)
- Two Labour MPs are running to chair the justice select committee - Gazette
- Human Rights First calls for greater protection and support for immigration lawyers in the UK - Gazette
- Explainer: Employment law changes that can be anticipated under a new Labour government - Solicitors Journal
- Bolt drivers seek to be classed as workers at London employment tribunal - Guardian
- EU court has ruled Ireland must recover £11bn in taxes from Apple - City A.M.
- Home Office did not meet ‘minimum standards’ for assessing whether Rwanda was a safe place to send asylum seekers - Guardian
- MPs have voted to cut winter fuel payments - BBC
- Mel Stride knocked out of Tory leadership race – Telegraph (£)