Industrial strategy
Gazette, Today’s Family Lawyer, Today’s Wills and Probate, Today’s Conveyancer and two other outlets report on the government announcing professional and business services as one of the eight growth driving sectors, identified in the ten-year Industrial Strategy.
Chief Executive Officer Ian Jeffery said: “This is a breakthrough moment for the legal sector recognising its importance and acknowledging that it’s not just about the bigger firms but, very importantly, it is also about supporting the backbone of our economy, small business.
“The Law Society of England and Wales is looking forward to reviewing the plan and contributing to the consultation by helping to identify the opportunities and barriers to delivering growth for the legal profession and their clients.”
New president
New Law Journal continue coverage of Richard Atkinson becoming the 180th president of the Law Society of England and Wales.
President Richard Atkinson 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.
“I will hold the government to account by campaigning for a sustainable future for criminal legal aid, working collaboratively with politicians to ease the current prison overcrowding and tackling the courts backlogs.”
Gazette also publishes a profile on President Richard Atkinson about his legal background and presidential priorities.
President Richard Atkinson said: ‘We need to rescue the justice system, which is in dire, dire straits. The proof of the pudding, as it were, will be in the budget and spending review. The criminal justice system is on its knees. People are leaving in droves.”
Tribunal backlogs
Gazette reports on the backlogs currently in the Tribunals system, which handle cases concerning immigration, employment, social security or special needs.
President Richard Atkinson said: “People are having to wait too long for justice across the system.
“Plans to improve workers’ rights will be undermined if they can’t get swift justice in the employment tribunals because there are huge backlogs and not enough judges and lawyers to do the work.”
World Mental Health Day
Global Legal Post reports on UK lawyers reflecting on World Mental Health Day (October 10).
Immediate past president Nick Emmerson said: “It is time to prioritise mental health in the workplace. The legal profession can see many dealing with heavy workloads and a work culture that may stigmatise being open and honest about mental health.
“Wellbeing and a healthy workplace must be prioritised by organisations to avoid burnout, stress and exhaustion so colleagues can have a rewarding career and a supportive workplace.”
Legal heroes
Travel Gossip reports that Duncan McNair, who we named Legal Hero of the Year last month, is urging the UK government to implement the Animals Act 2023.
AI and family law
Professor David Hodson, member of the Law Society Family Law Committee, wrote a piece in the Financial Remedies Journal about AI transforming the practice of family law.
Also worth a read:
- Bullying and harassment not isolated to the bar, LSB tells probe - Gazette
- Comment: Black History Month: “Lack of representation isn’t a barrier – it’s a challenge” – The Lawyer (£)
- Post Office considered charging Horizon scandal victims to access compensation, inquiry hears – Gazette
- SRA urges voluntary disclosure of Russia sanction breaches – Legal Futures
- Give criminals third of sentence if they plead guilty, says former justice secretary – Telegraph (£)
- Doctors say UK’s immigration system risks ‘re-traumatising’ asylum seekers - Guardian
- Starmer’s attorney-general vows to restore UK’s reputation on rule of law – Financial Times (£)
- 'Hundreds' of criminals could be freed on bail due to government court date cutbacks, judge warns - LBC
- Rachel Reeves accused of breaking Labour pledge with tax rise plan – Times (£)
- County court could be sold by debt-ridden council – BBC News