Legal aid crisis
Legal Futures, Financial News, Today’s Family Lawyer, Scottish Legal News, LawCareers.Net, Gazette and Irish Legal News continue coverage of our advice to members to consider scaling back their legal aid work until ministers provide a meaningful response to their demands.
Incoming Law Society president Richard Atkinson said: “The dedication of criminal legal aid lawyers has allowed successive governments to paper over the cracks and avoid the hard decisions that need to be made about our criminal justice system. That goodwill has run out.
“We can no longer ask firms to hold on in the hope of action from government that may never come. We have gone beyond a system that is based on goodwill, and now it is at the limits of financial viability.
“We recommend firms examine the viability of each type of criminal legal aid work they undertake to decide if they should scale back or withdraw altogether until there is meaningful action by the new government.”
Opening of the Legal Year
Today’s Family Lawyer covers the Opening of the Legal Year and the role that the legal sector plays in safeguarding the rule of law during elections.
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “We are delighted to welcome bar associations and law societies from around the world to mark the opening of the legal year in England and Wales.
“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.”
Bicentennial Year
The Gazette reports about our 2 June 1825 formation and our Bicentenary Year in 2025, as well as the history behind the work of solicitors in regions across the UK
We have a range of celebration events planned next year.
Find out more about these events
Black History Month
Today’s Family Lawyer and Today’s Conveyancer continue coverage of our new guidance to support Black and minority ethnic students entering the profession, as we mark Black History Month.
President Nick Emmerson said: “The journey to a legal career can be a daunting experience for all aspiring solicitors. For a minority ethnic student, the extremely competitive environment may feel even more overwhelming, especially with the added challenges of having to overcome barriers often based on assumptions and lack of knowledge.”
Indian delegation
Foreign Affairs reports that an Indian delegation, led by Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal, Minister of State of the Ministry of Law and Justice, visited the United Kingdom. Our president is mentioned.
Also worth a read:
- Officials warn sacking of Sue Gray won’t fix ‘systemic’ issues at No 10 – Times (£)
- Sue Gray sacking: PM under pressure from to get a grip of the Labour party – Independent
- Autumn Budget: Reeves set to drop pensions tax – City A.M.
- £158m to be paid back to customers by water companies – Standard
- BSB not holding male barristers to account – Legal Futures
- Magistrate issued formal advice for misconduct in open court – Gazette
- High-risk offenders ‘could be released early from secure hostels’ – Telegraph (£)
- Family court judges use victim-blaming language in domestic abuse cases, finds AI project – Guardian
- Legal ‘loophole’ gives reprieve to thief who was let out of prison early then breached order by quickly returning to Britain – Telegraph (£)
- Is there a right to consult a lawyer for non-contentious legal advice? – Gazette