Probate delays
Solicitors Journal and Today’s Wills and Probate report on the decline in probate delays as the number of applications saw a 39% increase from July 2024, compared to the previous year.
President Nick Emmerson said: “The reduction in probate delays is encouraging, but we must continue to push for further improvements. Delays in the probate process can significantly impact families and loved ones during their time of grief.
“It is reassuring to see that HMCTS is implementing recommendations made by the Law Society during the Justice Select Committee’s inquiry into the probate service. These changes are crucial, and we urge the government to continue focusing on reducing delays to ensure families can receive timely resolutions.”
Diversity Access Scheme
Solicitors Journal reports on our Diversity Access Scheme (DAS) which has awarded scholarships to fourteen promising future solicitors this year. The initiative is designed to enhance social mobility and diversity within the legal profession by aiding individuals who face significant social, educational, financial, or personal barriers to becoming solicitors.
President Nick Emmerson said: “In this landmark year, I am delighted to welcome 14 new students to the Diversity Access Scheme. I am grateful to our sponsors, the Law Society Legal Educational Trust, and the many mentors and work experience hosts who have made all this possible.”
Renters’ Rights Bill
New Law Journal reports on the Renters’ Rights Bill, which would bring an immediate ban to no-fault evictions.
President Nick Emmerson said: “More details are needed on how the government will ban “no-fault” evictions, while balancing tenant rights with landlords’ routes to repossessions. Maintaining this balance is key in reforming the rental market.”
Reimagining justice in Wales
Irish Legal News, Legal Futures and Solicitors Journal cover a newly published Law Society report that highlights serious concerns around legal aid deserts, solicitor recruitment and crumbling court infrastructure in Wales.
Law Society head of Wales Jonathan Davies said: “The Law Society believes that the Welsh Government must put the building blocks in place prior to devolution. For example, we will continue to echo the importance of a Minister for Justice which would create a much-needed budget line for the sector.
“This idea of evolution, not revolution, will ensure that both the sector and Welsh government are fully prepared and are in a strong position to ensure that any devolved justice function delivers for the people of Wales.”
Mark Davies, chair of the Law Society’s National Board for Wales, said: "As Chair of the Law Society National Board for Wales, I am deeply concerned about the growing legal advice deserts across our country. Access to justice is a fundamental right, yet many communities in Wales are being left without the vital legal services they need and deserve."
Criminal sentences
Stuart Nolan, chair of our Criminal Law Committee speaks to LBC (01:06:20 – 01:10:12) and 10 other radio outlets about the outcome of ex BBC presenter, Huw Edwards’ suspended sentence which he was handed yesterday.
International Bar Association Annual Conference
Solicitors Journal reports that the British Embassy in Mexico City will be at the centre of international legal dialogue as it hosts a series of high-profile networking events aimed at promoting UK legal services, as part of the International Bar Association Annual Conference which was jointly organised by Law Society of England and Wales.
Also worth a read:
- People are getting ‘stuck’ in insecure work for years, says UK thinktank - Guardian
- Legal right to work from home will boost productivity, says Labour – Times (£)
- Opinion: Want to fix UK prisons? Let the women out – Financial Times (£)
- Opinion: Physical access to the courts needs to be improved – Legal Futures
- Renters' Reform Bill: Legal Insights – Solicitors Journal
- Crackdown on intimate image abuse as government strengthens online safety laws – Today’s Family Lawyer
- British crime fighters sent to Austria to stop people-smugglers – Telegraph (£)
- Amazon tells staff to get back to office five days a week – BBC News