New president
The Times (£), Times Brief, Solicitors Journal, Legal Futures, Law360 (£), EIN Presswire, Culture Zone and Global Culture Review cover Richard Atkinson becoming the 180th president of the Law Society of England and Wales.
“I am honoured to serve as Law Society president. I will continue to shine a light on the importance of improving the justice system, making it more accessible to everyone, upholding the rule of law and supporting our members,” he said.
“As president, I will be using my experience as a criminal lawyer to speak out on behalf of those who are less able to do so. Access to justice is key to a functioning democracy and it is currently under threat, as legal aid continues to decline.
“Solicitors play an essential role in our economy and society. During my presidency, I look forward to promoting justice and to highlighting the contribution solicitors make to society and their communities as the Law Society celebrates its 200th year.”
Commercial courts
The Financial Times (£) reports that London’s top commercial courts are grappling with some of the highest value and most complex cases in English legal history, handing lawyers a fees bonanza but increasing pressure on an already-creaking justice system.
Immediate past Law Society president Nick Emmerson said: “It is crucial that our justice system is properly invested in, and that the UK’s current pre-eminence as a legal centre is not left to wither.”
Court backlog
The Times (£) reports on the Crown Court backlog.
The piece mentions the Law Society’s concern about the government’s “failure to show it is serious about tackling the crisis in our criminal justice system”.
World Mental Health Day
As the world marks World Mental Health Day today, the Law Society urges the government to modernise the Mental Health Act, reports Today’s Conveyancer and Today’s Wills and Probate
Law Society president Richard Atkinson said: “The current mental health legislation is undeniably outdated.
“Under the current system, there is a risk that compulsory detention and treatment is used too often and that patients do not have enough involvement or support in decisions about their care.
“We urge the government to prioritise the reform of mental health legislation.”
Rental reform
Today’s Conveyancer, Letting Agent Today and the Negotiator reports on the Renters’ Rights Bill getting its second reading in the House of Commons.
Immediate past president Nick Emmerson said: “As the housing crisis spirals out of control, it is vital that renters are afforded clear rights that protect them from unjust treatment and homelessness.
“Abolishing ‘no-fault’ evictions is a critical step in bolstering these protections and we are pleased the government has prioritised this action in its Renters’ Rights Bill.
“The government must also balance tenant rights with landlords’ routes to repossessions. Maintaining this balance is key to reforming the rental market.
“We remain concerned that an underfunded justice system will hinder any progress made in strengthening renters’ rights.”
Legal aid crisis
Our guidance setting out why and how firms providing criminal legal aid services should review the viability of carrying out legally aided work is covered by New Law Journal.
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.”
Black History Month
New Law Journal covers our recent guidance to support Black and minority ethnic students entering the profession, as we mark Black History Month.
Immediate past 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. ”I. Stephanie Boyce, a former Law Society president, was interviewed by the RSA about Black History Month.
Council renumeration
The Gazette and Legal Futures report on the Law Society’s AGM which included approval of a motion to renumerate members for their work following removal of a tax break by HMRC.
The Legal Futures piece also examines the size and cost of the Law Society group.
60 Carey Street
The Times (£) reports on plans to renovate 60 Carey Street.
CMA warning
Today’s Family Lawyer reports that the Competition and Markets Authority has issued a warning about unregulated will-writing and divorce advisers.
The piece reports that immediate past president Nick Emmerson previously said: “We share the concerns raised by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) about possible breaches of consumer protection law such as misleading advertising, pressure selling and coercion of vulnerable customers.”
Also worth a read:
- Lord Timpson urges prison governors to lead reform – Solicitors Journal
- IFS warns Labour needs £25bn a year in tax rises to rebuild public services - Guardian
- Latest news from the Post Office inquiry - BBC News (live) and the Gazette
- Dilapidated state of Winchester prison - Telegraph (£)
- Legal definition of a disabled child is out of date and offensive - Gazette
- Overhaul of workers’ rights to be outlined - BBC & Guardian
- ¾ of sexual violence survivors subjected to rape myths in court - Guardian & Mirror
- Open courtrooms seven days a week to tackle backlog – Times (£)
- Rape victims ‘subjected to trial questions rooted in misogyny and blame’ – Telegraph (£)