Northern Rail passengers
Daily Mail, Independent, Standard, ITV, This is Money, Yahoo! UK and Ireland, Hampshire Chronicle, Oldham Times, Daily Echo, South Wales Argus and 128 other regional outlets report that tens of thousands of Northern Rail passengers have had their convictions for rail evasion overturned after a judge ruled they were not lawful.
Law Society president Richard Atkinson said: “We welcome the Government's commitment to review the Single Justice Procedure as we are aware concerns have been raised for some time about how fairly the fast-track system operates, particularly in regard to vulnerable people.”
Civil legal aid
Legal Futures reports that the government has announced plans for an extra £20m for civil legal aid, the first increase in funding for the sector in nearly 30 years.
President Richard Atkinson said: “The government now needs to restart the review of civil legal aid and provide a timetable for further investment, as well as steps to reduce the cost of delivering legal aid services, setting out a clear vision for putting this public service on a sustainable footing.”
Mental Health Bill
Law360 (£) and Today’s Wills & Probate cover the second reading of the Mental Health Bill and the Law Society’s calls for the government to support new legislation with more funding, safeguards, and clarity.
President Richard Atkinson said: “We are pleased the Mental Health Bill’s main aims are to ensure that compulsory detention and treatment are not used inappropriately.
“The Bill proposes that treatment cannot be forcibly given if the patient refuses it in advance, unless there is a ‘compelling reason’ to do so. While we welcome this proposal, greater clarity is needed on how this reason will be determined in practice.
“For the Bill to achieve its aims, it must be supported by sufficient funding, clarity and safeguards. This would ensure that mental health patients have access to justice, as well as the dignity and respect they deserve.
“We will continue to scrutinise the new Bill and ensure it provides patients with enough involvement and support in decisions about their care.”
Domestic abuse safeguards
New Law Journal reports that the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has launched additional safeguards for survivors of domestic abuse in Greater Manchester and the London boroughs of Croydon, Sutton and Bromley.
President Richard Atkinson said: “There could be serious consequences for perpetrators who breach these orders, so they must be made aware of what the orders mean for them and be able to receive legal advice and representation. For this to happen without delays for the victims, the government should provide sufficient legal aid funding before implementing these intended protections.”
Economic Value Report
Times Newsletter covers the Law Society’s Economic Value Report, as the value of legal services in the UK rocketed by 50 per cent over the past decade.
President Richard Atkinson said: “Without question, the legal sector is a key contributor to the UK’s economy and is consistently growing. A thriving economy is important as it impacts people’s prosperity seeing a positive difference in their lives.”
Wellbeing in the profession
Law Society Journal covers wellbeing in the legal profession, as lawyers experience high rates of burnout, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds.
President Richard Atkinson cites “workplace stress, anxiety, emotional distress, poor work-life balance and high expectations” as major drivers.
“There are intersectional viewpoints which should be factored in.
“Experiences can be varied due to personal circumstances and demographics such as women, people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, junior and disabled lawyers.”
Judicial diversity
Parliamentlive.tv (from 16:15:38) covers a Justice Committee meeting, where Lady Chief Justice mentions working with the Law Society on why solicitors are underrepresented in the judiciary.
Lady Chief Justice also mentions her commitment to improving diversity in the judiciary, which has been featured in the Gazette.
Also worth a read:
- MPs to vote on legalising assisted dying today – BBC, Guardian
- Rachel Reeves pushes back multiyear UK spending review until June – FT (£)
- Supreme Court hears landmark case on gender recognition and the definition of a woman – Times (£)
- Net migration to the UK hit record 900,000 in 2023, as Starmer to toughen migration rules – FT (£)
- Farmers consider legal action on inheritance tax – Times (£)
- Bar chiefs to quit following Bar Standards Board (BSB) restructure – Gazette
- CILEx Regulation urges reforms to protect consumers from risks posed by unregulated legal service providers – Solicitors Journal