Today's rundown:
Reaction to PM's 'left-wing' lawyers remark
Agreement with Rome
LawTech principles announced
The future of legal aid
Countdown to SQE launch
Reaction to PM's 'left-wing' lawyers remark
The Gazette, MSN UK and Yahoo! News report on reaction to the prime minister's remarks about 'left-wing' lawyers.
A Law Society spokesperson said: "Solicitors have a professional obligation to act in the best interests of their client, whoever they may be, and their personal and political views do not come into it.
"Repeated government attacks on the integrity of the legal profession are deeply concerning. This divisive language serves nobody and puts lawyers and their clients at risk."
Agreement with Rome
The Gazette, Business Mayor, Business Fast and Practice Source report our memorandum of understanding with the Rome Bar. The agreement pledges to continue co-operation in support of the Italian and English legal professions – despite Brexit.
"The relationship between the Law Society and the Rome Bar is deeply rooted. Italy is a nation with a strong legal tradition, and our countries can only benefit by sharing knowledge and expertise. The memorandum of understanding also re-affirms both organisations' commitment to the rule of law, protection of human rights and access to justice, as well as the goals of the United Nations Agenda 2030," said Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce.
LawTech principles announced
Our publication of a set of principles to guide the design, development and use of LawTech is covered by Practice Source and Today's Wills & Probate.
Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce announced the lawtech principles during her presidential address marking the re-opening of 113 Chancery Lane last week.
The Gazette also examines our LawTech principles and the Solicitors Regulation Authority's publication of its state of the market survey commissioned from University of Oxford researchers, which was published last week.
The future of legal aid
Law and Lawyers covers the Justice Committee report on the future of legal aid including references to some of the concerns raised by the Law Society.
It cites our head of justice, Richard Miller, who said at the end of 2020 that "for the first time in two decades, it feels like the public debate is about how to improve legal aid, instead of how to stop further cuts".
Countdown to SQE launch
The Gazette runs a piece examining the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE), which will launch on 1 September, marking a change in the system which has been in place for almost 30 years.
Dr Victoria Roper, chair of our education and training committee said: "The SQE system has a greater range of options and price points for students. We have outlined these in our funding information. It remains to be seen whether the SQE achieves its aim of reducing costs to qualify as a solicitor and this is something we will be reviewing."
Read our information on the different SQE funding routes
Also worth a read:
- Covid-19: New rules for fully jabbed US & EU arrivals – BBC
- Three arrested following the death of a five-year-old boy in Bridgend – Independent
- Tokyo 2020: Belarus sprinter who refused to go home under police protection – Guardian
- Tokyo 2020: All the day's action (live) – BBC
- UK businesses face pressure to appoint more women to boards – FT (£)