Poor state of English and Welsh courts worsening backlog, says Law Society – The Guardian

Posted December 19th, 2022 in courts, delay, Law Society, news, solicitors by tracey

‘Broken heating, sewage, mould, asbestos and leaking toilets and roofs are among the problems encountered by solicitors in courts in England and Wales, a survey by the Law Society has found.’

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The Guardian, 19th December 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Solicitors fury at “real-terms cut” in criminal legal aid fees – Legal Futures

Posted December 1st, 2022 in fees, Law Society, legal aid, news, solicitors by sally

‘The Law Society yesterday reacted with fury to the government’s failure to deliver the 15% increase in criminal legal aid fees that its own report said was needed as a bare minimum.’

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Legal Futures, 1st December 2022

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

EU law overhaul will have ‘devastating impact’ – Society – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted November 9th, 2022 in bills, brexit, EC law, Law Society, news, rule of law by sally

‘The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill could have a devastating impact on legal certainty in the UK, the Law Society said today as the bill reaches committee stage in the House of Commons.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 8th November 2022

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Law Society calls for Mental Health Act reform to be prioritised after data shows disproportionate impact on Black British people – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Law Society has said that reforming the Mental Health Act “must be a priority for the government” after annual statistics on the Mental Health Act have revealed that Black British people are still disproportionately affected in terms of detention and treatment compared to white people.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 1st November 2022

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Bio Age “likely to impact legal practice” amid global climate change – Legal Futures

‘A report into the so-called bio age, presumed successor to the digital age, has painted a picture of a world in which innovations in bio-technology and the role of global ecosystems have a huge impact on legal practice.’

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legal Futures, 28th October 2022

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Law Society has ‘duty’ to tell solicitors to shun underpaid work, says president – The Guardian

‘The new president of the Law Society has said the association has a duty to tell solicitors in England and Wales to refuse criminal work if they are not paid properly for it, as they demand a 15% increase in legal aid fees to give them parity with barristers.’

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The Guardian, 23rd October 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Give legal rights to animals, trees and rivers, say experts – The Guardian

‘Granting legal rights and protections to non-human entities such as animals, trees and rivers is essential if countries are to tackle climate breakdown and biodiversity loss, experts have said. The authors of a report titled Law in the Emerging Bio Age say legal frameworks have a key part to play in governing human interactions with the environment and biotechnology.’

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The Guardian, 10th October 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

Rwanda asylum deal not legally binding: Law Society – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted August 30th, 2022 in asylum, foreign jurisdictions, human rights, Law Society, news, Rwanda by tracey

‘The UK “asylum partnership” with Rwanda is not legally binding, has not been scrutinised by parliament and does not protect the rights of asylum-seekers, the Law Society has said in evidence to the House of Lords on the memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the provision of an asylum arrangement.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 30th August 2022

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Lawyers of the future “could face pressure to upgrade brains” – Legal Futures

‘Lawyers of the future could face pressure to augment their “cognitive capacity” through neurotechnology if they want to become partners or meet client demands, a report for the Law Society has speculated.’

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Legal Futures, 10th August 2022

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Bar Council and Law Society unhappy with LSB’s oversight reforms – Legal Futures

‘The Bar Council and Law Society have attacked proposed Legal Services Board (LSB) changes to way it assesses frontline regulators’ performance, saying it could change the focus of both the regulators themselves and the LSB.’

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Legal Futures, 18th July 2022

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Prime Minister must stop attacks on legal professionals, say Bar Council and Law Society – The Bar Council

‘Following the Prime Minister’s comments suggesting lawyers representing migrants were “abetting the work of criminal gangs”, the Bar Council and Law Society of England and Wales have issued [a] joint statement.’

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The Bar Council, 14th June 2022

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

Barristers to be balloted on possible walkouts in row over legal aid rates – The Guardian

‘Barristers are to be balloted this weekend on escalating industrial action over legal aid rates as figures reveal the number of crown court cases adjourned because of a shortage of lawyers has increased nearly fivefold over the decade.’

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The Guardian, 11th June 2022

Source: www.theguardian.com

No future in criminal defence, juniors tell Law Society – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted June 6th, 2022 in criminal justice, fees, Law Society, news, remuneration, solicitors, statistics by tracey

‘Few junior lawyers see criminal defence as a viable long-term career, according to the unsurprising results of a Law Society survey.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 1st June 2022

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Equalising goal: Law Society proposes SLAPP curbs – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted May 19th, 2022 in costs, freedom of expression, Law Society, news, public interest by sally

‘The Law Society has today echoed calls for a clampdown on so-called “lawfare”, but warned of “unintended consequences” if reforms are not properly thought through.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 19th May 2022

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Legal aid work “close to being unsustainable”, new campaign warns – Legal Futures

‘A new campaign for increased legal aid funding has been launched after the findings of a unique census showed the market will not be sustainable without more government action.’

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Legal Futures, 31st March 2022

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Solicitor overturns disciplinary tribunal’s dishonesty finding – Legal Futures

‘A solicitor suspended for a year after a tribunal ruled he had acted dishonestly in signing a declaration on behalf of one of his firm’s directors has successfully challenged the decision.’

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Legal Futures, 21st February 2022

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Society voices ‘genuine concerns’ about power of attorney reforms – Law Society’s Gazette

‘The Law Society has raised concerns about plans to make it easier to obtain lasting power of attorney (LPA), warning that sufficient safeguards must remain in place to protect the vulnerable.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 14th October 2021

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Cost of practising as a solicitor set to fall by 6.7% – Legal Futures

‘The cost of practising as a solicitor is to fall by 6.7% in the coming year, although it may have to rise in future once the Law Society sets a new reserves policy.’

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Legal Futures, 20th August 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Law Society warns against remote hearings in public law children cases where parties have limited access to technology – Local Government Lawyer

‘Public law children cases where a party has limited access to technology or where parties require an intermediary or a translator are instances where remote hearings may not be the best format, the Law Society has warned.’

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Local Government Lawyer, 5th July 2021

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Wide-ranging concerns’: Law Society opposes remote juries – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted June 11th, 2021 in barristers, bills, coronavirus, juries, Law Society, news, remote hearings by tracey

‘Remote juries could jeopardise the security of court proceedings, alienate participants, and prove more expensive than in-person hearings, the Law Society has warned.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 10th June 2021

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk