Criminal legal aid response
The Justice Gap, New Law Journal and LandlordZone report our reaction to the government’s final response to the Independent Review of Criminal Legal Aid.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “Until the government chooses to address the crisis in the criminal justice system, victims will continue to be let down, court delays will increase and talk of being tough on crime will be nothing but empty words.”
Read our press release
Court delays
Care Appointments examines how sexual violence cases are handled in the UK. It details the number of court closures and how they have contributed to the backlog.
164 of 320 magistrates’ courts in England and Wales were closed over the last decade. By June 2021, we said these court closures had contributed to a backlog of over 386,000 cases in the magistrates’ courts and delayed 58,000 Crown Court cases.
Call for step-change in socio-economic diversity
The Global Legal Post covers our support for the Social Mobility Taskforce’s recommendations for the City of London.
Law Society president Lubna Shuja said: “Where you start in life should not determine where you end up. We are pleased to have contributed to the Taskforce’s work to boost social mobility in the financial and professional services sector.”
Tech-enabled dispute resolution
Today’s Family Lawyer and Today’s Wills and Probate mention our role in the SRA’s successful bid for a grant to support technology-enabled dispute resolutions.
New pilot will allow journalists in family court
Morning Star reports that a new pilot will allow journalists to report from family law courts for the first time.
A Law Society spokesperson said: “Transparency and open justice are important to help the public understand how the law works and how decisions are made.
“Provided it’s done in a sensitive manner, such reporting will be a valuable tool in re-educating the public. It can also raise awareness of what the rule of law means and why it’s important.”
Mental health patients must have more involvement in decisions about their care
Company Insight covers our response to the Care Quality Commission’s annual report.
Law Society president Lubna Shuja said: “For patients detained under the Mental Health Act, it can be an uncertain and frightening time as they put their care into the hands of medical professionals.
“This is why our members feel that people should have the opportunity to make ‘advance decisions’ when a patient can state how they’d like to be cared for while they are under section.”
Also worth a read:
- Christmas rail strikes will go ahead – Sky News
- SDT chief resigns over HQ eviction – Gazette
- New pilot will allow reporters in family courts – BBC
- Barrister sues BSB for belief discrimination – Legal Futures
- SRA looks to statutory designation to encourage SLAPPs reporting – Gazette