Response to govt targeting lawyers
The Guardian, Yahoo, Law 360, Business Mayor, The Barrister, USA News Hub, News Sniffer report our joint response with the Bar Council to the news that the government targeted Jacqueline McKenzie, an immigration lawyer, by sending a dossier to right-leaning newspapers calling her a “lefty lawyer”.
Lubna Shuja, the president of the Law Society, and Nick Vineall KC, the chair of the Bar Council, condemned the Tories’ behaviour in sending out the document, saying: “Political leaders know that lawyers represent their clients within the legal framework that parliament creates and CCHQ [Conservative central headquarters] should seriously reflect on what has happened in this case.
“Language and actions that unfairly undermine confidence in the independence of the legal professions, and potentially risk the safety of lawyers, will ultimately undermine confidence in our entire justice system and the rule of law.
“No lawyer should be criticised, or made the subject of a targeted campaign, for doing their job. Everyone is entitled to legal representation, and it is a United Nations basic principle that lawyers should not be identified with the causes of their clients as a result of representing them.
“That is why, as we have said repeatedly, it is wrong to describe lawyers as ‘lefty’ or ‘activist’ simply on the basis of the causes they advocate on behalf of their clients.”
The targeted lawyer, Jacqueline McKenzie, wrote a commentary piece in the Guardian. Her law firm also wrote in the Gazette.
Government hints at leaving ECHR
The Independent, ITV News, Mirror, Today’s Family Lawyer, News Chain and various regional newspapers report that the UK could withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
Law Society president Lubna Shuja said: “Leaving the ECHR would mean the UK would sit as an outlier in Europe, alongside only Russia and Belarus who are already outside of the Convention. This would be using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, when the Government already has a perfectly good nutcracker it can use.”
The ipaper covers the backlash Jenrick has received from Conservative ministers after making this claim, which is picked up in the Morning Star, MSN, MSN Ireland and Head Topics.
Law Society president Lubna Shuja said: “This would be using a sledgehammer to crack a nut, when the government already has a perfectly good nutcracker it can use.”
Home Office ‘taskforce’ for solicitor misconduct
Financial Times (£), Gazette Ireland, Mail Plus (£), Epoch Times (£) and several other outlets continue coverage of the Law Society’s reaction to the Home Office’s ‘taskforce’ to investigate immigration lawyers.
Election of new DVP
New Law Journal covers the election of Mark Evans as the new Deputy Vice President of the Law Society.
Mark Evans said: “I want to encourage ambitious and aspiring solicitors from all backgrounds to enter and stay within the legal profession.”
LSB’s plan to increase financial penalties
New Law Journal continues coverage of the Law Society’s reaction to the LSB’s plan to increase financial penalties.
Law Society president Lubna Shuja said: “There is no evidence that the SRA’s current fining powers are insufficient.
“The SRA does not exist on its own in the regulatory process. It sits alongside the SDT, which already has draconian powers to sanction any wrongdoing in the solicitors’ profession. These include not only fining powers but also the ability to remove a solicitor from the profession altogether.”
HLPAS scheme
New Law Journal reveals the Law Society’s reaction to the Ministry of Justice’s HLPAS scheme.
President of the Law Society Lubna Shuja said: “In principle we support the HLPAS.
“It is also a welcome recognition of the value of early advice and the need to address a client’s problems holistically. We cannot underestimate the value of early legal advice as it can help address problems before they escalate, preventing cases from going to court unnecessarily.
“However, we have continuing concerns as to whether the system will be effective, and about the increasing legal aid advice deserts caused by long-term underfunding of the system.”
Dentons parts ways with Chinese law firm
According to the Gazette, Dentons has severed ties with Chinese partner Dacheng.
A Law Society spokesperson said: “This decision reflects an increasingly complex regulatory environment in a market that is already relatively restrictive for UK law firms.
“We have seen positive developments in recent months, with foreign firms being permitted to establish joint ventures in the southern city of Shenzhen. However, expanding cybersecurity and data protection laws in China are making it more difficult for foreign law firms to practise in the country.”
Also worth a read:
- Lawyers who move firms have higher wages – Legal Cheek
- More migrants arrive at Bibby Stockholm – BBC
- Government resists transparency legislation reform – FT (£)
- UK water companies facing £800 million fines – Reuters