Opening of the Legal Year
Gazette and Today’s Family Lawyer cover the Opening of the Legal Year event highlighting the role of lawyers in elections.
President Nick Emmerson said: “With billions participating in the electoral process this year, the legal profession plays a vital role in safeguarding the cornerstone of democracy - the rules regarding free and fair elections. As independent bodies, we must maintain political neutrality.
“Our legal profession is made up of individuals across the political spectrum, united by an interest in the legal system, rule of law and access to justice.”
Family court statistics
Solicitors Journal and Today’s Family Lawyer report that an increasing number of domestic abuse survivors in the UK are being forced to represent themselves in family court proceedings, highlighting a troubling gap in access to justice.
President Nick Emmerson said: “Our research shows 19% of legal aid firms have closed in the last five years.
“Unable to afford representation, many are forced to appear in court on their own, navigating complex court processes and procedures to seek protection for themselves and their children.
“The UK government’s failure to expand the legal aid means test has also meant that people living in poverty are unable to meet the income threshold.
“We must expand the means test and invest in legal aid, so that survivors of domestic violence can access the legal help they need.
“Only then can survivors of domestic abuse get the justice they deserve.”
Compensation Fund levy
Paradise, Today’s Conveyancer and Today’s Family Lawyer cover the Law Society’s response to news that the Legal Services Board (LSB) decision about increasing the contributions solicitors must pay to the Compensation Fund.
Law Society chief executive officer Ian Jeffery said: “The SRA’s request for additional funds is largely the result of the collapse of Axiom Ince and the cost of compensating its victims.
“We expect the independent review of the SRA’s performance on this matter commissioned by the LSB to be published as f the SRA’s performance on this matter commissioned by the LSB to be published as soon as possible, so that the lessons can be learned.
“We also strongly encourage the SRA to prioritise its focus on core activities and only undertake additional workstreams based on evidence of regulatory need, or specific gaps in responding to consumer needs, rather than looking for additional fining powers.”
Read our press release
Also worth a read:
- ‘Major landmark’ as CILEX lawyer appointed a recorder – Gazette
- Nearly 500 law firms sanctioned for transparency failures – Legal Futures
- Legal Aid statistics show rising demand in England and Wales – Solicitors Journal
- Ombudsman warns lawyers over CFA costs deductions – Gazette
- Little slowdown in UK law firm mergers – Solicitors Journal
- Almost half of professional services firms are not equipped to survive a major cybersecurity attack – Today’s Wills and Probate
- Woman detained under Mental Health Act convicted of not having TV licence in latest fast-track justice outrage – Standard
- Disgraced human rights lawyer Phil Shiner admits fraud linked to claims against Iraqi war veterans – LBC
- Fossil fuel projects face higher bar in UK as legal challenges mount – Financial Times (£)
- Third British judge quits top Hong Kong court amid China-imposed crackdown on dissent - Independent