New president
Gazette, Gazette Ireland and LawCareers.Net continue coverage of 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.”
SRA fining powers
President Richard Atkinson writes in the Gazette about how new SRA fining powers will weaken regulation, not strengthen it.
Court backlog
The Telegraph (£), Yahoo! and Ireland UK , MSN News US, MSN UK and AOL UK on the Crown Court backlog.
Immediate past president Nick Emmerson said: “Decades of underinvestment and cuts have led to this dire situation, which can only be reversed if the courts are able to run at full capacity and there are sufficient prison spaces to support the courts’ work.
“However, this is not possible when the courtrooms themselves are crumbling, judges’ sitting days are limited and the exodus of defence lawyers continues because of underfunded criminal legal aid.”
World Mental Health Day
On World Mental Health Day, Gazette publishes a comment piece asking if law firms are supporting their people enough and Today’s Family Lawyer covers our story.
Council remuneration
Irish Legal News and Scottish Legal News cover 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.
Former president
Bucks Herald reports that Aylesbury solicitor I. Stephanie Boyce and former Law Society president returns to former school for inspirational project.
Also worth a read:
- The SRA consultation on financial penalties that could have profound implications for law firms across the UK closed on 20 September - Lexology
- Comment: Prioritising workplace mental health – we can do better, so let's do it – Gazette
- Labour’s Bill on employment rights strikes positive notes with lawyers - New Law Journal
- Renters' Rights Bill will cause court 'gridlock', warns Badenoch - Gazette
- CMA cautions will writing and legal service providers – Solicitors Journal
- Ex-Tory minister who tried to end short jail terms expected to chair sentencing review – Telegraph (£)
- Manchester prison latest to be put in special measures due to ‘catastrophic’ drug problems and ‘squalid’ conditions – The Justice Gap
- Opinion: ‘You cannot get a functioning justice system on the cheap’ - Times
- Children being traumatised at Gatwick deportation centre, finds watchdog - Guardian
- UK housebuilders to be given deadline to fix dangerous cladding – Financial Times (£)