Legal Heroes
Shabina Begum, one of seven solicitors to be recognised as Legal Heroes by the Law Society, is interviewed by the Times (£).
Shabina was in the legal team that helped to draft what became the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act.
Rise in unrepresented defendants
The Times (£) looks at research showing a rise in defendants representing themselves at magistrates’ courts.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said the “shocking statistics” corroborated anecdotal comments from lawyers, who report seeing a rise in the number of people representing themselves.
She suggested that the rise could be linked to falling numbers of duty solicitors.
Taskforce launched to stop SLAPPs against journalists
News Media Association continues coverage of the Law Society’s participation in a new government taskforce which aims to put a stop to Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) against journalists.
Civil contract tender
Solicitors Journal and Today’s Family Lawyer report our reaction to the Legal Aid Agency’s launch of the 2024 Standard Civil Contract tender.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “We are disappointed the government has not listened to our call for an emergency 15% (£11.3 million) interim investment in early advice to stop legal aid from completely vanishing.
“Civil legal aid fees have not increased since 1996, representing a real-terms cut of 49.4% in fees to 2022.”
Diversity Access Scheme
Solicitors Journal (£) covers the announcement of our Diversity Access Scheme (DAS) scholarship winners.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “I hugely admire DAS awardees’ achievements in the face of great challenges – our scholars include a paramedic, carers and an active member of the Junior Lawyers Division. Our previous scholars have spent their childhoods in care and others have escaped oppressive regimes.”
Unregulated will-writing
FT Adviser writes about unregulated will-writing, and the consequences of drafting a will without legal help.
Law Society President Lubna Shuja said: “When writing a will, we would encourage consumers to use a solicitors’ firm … people who use a solicitor receive support from a specialist legal professional who is regulated and insured.”
Court of Protection
Local Government Lawyer covers the updated version of our Practice Note on the role of accredited legal representatives in the Court of Protection.
Future of Work conference
Legal Futures mentions our Future of Work conference, in a piece about the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s new workplace conduct rules.
Also worth a read:
- Lack of certainty over post-Brexit employment law – Times (£)
- Family of a man who is believed to have killed himself at an immigration removal centre say he begged for helped and was willing to leave the UK – BBC News
- Substantial damages paid to two women arrested during Sarah Everard vigil – Guardian
- Only people who have completed pupillage should be allowed to use the protected title of ‘barrister’ says Bar Council chair – Gazette
- Starmer pledges to scrap the government’s Rwanda policy – Times (£)