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

AG tells government lawyers to be more like those in private practice – Legal Futures

Posted August 2nd, 2022 in government departments, legal advice, legal profession, news by tracey

‘New guidance on the advice given by government lawyers aims to instil a more “private sector” approach to client service seen in law firms, the Attorney General said yesterday. Suella Braverman said she wanted to move away from the “computer says no” response that has “hampered” ministers.’

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Legal Futures, 2nd August 2022

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Judicial diversity – solicitor numbers continue to dwindle – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted July 15th, 2022 in barristers, diversity, judiciary, legal profession, news, solicitors, statistics, women by tracey

‘Latest judicial diversity statistics continue to paint a bleak picture for solicitors, with the percentage of non-barristers in post lower than it was in 2014.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 15th July 2022

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Vulnerable clients struggle in face of “cold, clinical and chaotic” lawyers – Legal Futures

Posted June 21st, 2022 in complaints, disabled persons, legal profession, legal services, news by sally

‘Vulnerable clients are being disadvantaged by the “cold, clinical and chaotic manner” in which they are treated by some lawyers, a report for the Legal Services Board (LSB) has found.’

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Legal Futures, 21st June 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

Regulators must tackle “out-of-date” lawyers, LSB says – Legal Futures

‘Legal regulators must take action to ensure that lawyers are not operating with “out-of-date” skills or knowledge, the Legal Services Board (LSB) has said.’

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Legal Futures, 10th June 2022

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Legal professional privilege in the UK – OUT-LAW.com

‘If a document is privileged, the basic position is it can be withheld from third parties.’

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OUT-LAW.com, 13th May 2022

Source: www.pinsentmasons.com

Legal regulators “need to do more” in dealing with SLAPPs – Legal Futures

‘The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), Bar Standards Board and other legal regulators need to do more to deal with SLAPPs – strategic lawsuits against public participation – because they are undermining the profession’s reputation, a report has argued.’

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Legal Futures, 26th April 2022

Source: www.legalfutures.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

Legal aid sector put on sustainable footing for years to come – Ministry of Justice

‘Criminal legal aid lawyers are set for the biggest pay boost in a decade under wide-ranging reforms proposed by the government today.’

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Ministry of Justice, 15th March 2022

Source: www.gov.uk

Gender equality: More flexible working, less unconscious bias training – Legal Futures

Posted March 10th, 2022 in equality, legal profession, news, reports, women by tracey

‘The legal profession is “making progress” towards more equitable gender representation at a senior level, but there is plenty of scope for improvement, new research has found.’

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Legal Futures, 10th March 2022

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Call to understand impact of menopause on family clients and lawyers – Legal Futures

‘Family law specialists need a better understanding of the impact of the menopause on clients – and female lawyers too – according to the solicitor launching a project to highlight the issue.’

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Legal Futures, 28th February 2022

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

LSB paves way for “remedial action” to ensure lawyers’ competence – Legal Futures

‘Regulators of legal services must develop plans for “remedial action to address competence issues” among lawyers, according to a draft policy statement published today by the Legal Services Board (LSB).’

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Legal Futures, 8th December 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

IBA report links wellbeing to equality and diversity – Legal Futures

Posted November 29th, 2021 in barristers, diversity, equality, legal profession, mental health, news, statistics by tracey

‘Women, ethnic and other minorities and young people in the legal profession are most likely to suffer from depression, showing a link between wellbeing and issues of equality, diversity and inclusion, according to a high-level report.’

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Legal Futures, 29th November 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Diversity scheme launched in Liverpool to inspire next generation of lawyers – Crown Prosecution Service

Posted November 9th, 2021 in Crown Prosecution Service, diversity, legal profession, news, universities by tracey

‘Dozens of legal hopefuls from Liverpool and Manchester have started a scheme relaunched today in Liverpool aimed at encouraging people of different walks of life into law. The Anthony Walker Pathways initiative was launched by the Crown Prosecution Service with the Anthony Walker Foundation, National Black Crown Prosecution Association, Liverpool John Moores University and Salford University. It aims to continue the increase diversity in the CPS by inspiring and supporting students of minority backgrounds into a rewarding career as a prosecutor.’

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Crown Prosecution Service, 8th November 2021

Source: www.cps.gov.uk

Legal Ombudsman admits recovery will take longer than expected – Legal Futures

‘Performance at the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) will get worse before it gets better as the complaints-handler has admitted recovery will take longer than it anticipated.’

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Legal Futures, 8th November 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Legal regulators slammed for “lacking expertise” on comparison data – Legal Futures

‘Lawyer data already in the public domain cannot easily be adapted to help consumers choose a lawyer, mainly due to failings by legal regulators, according to research.’

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Legal Futures, 18th October 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Human rights lawyers call on UK government to ban ‘conversion therapy’ – The Guardian

‘Leading human rights lawyers and experts have called for swift action to outlaw so-called conversion therapy, which they say is degrading and harmful, and should not be tolerated in a civilised society.’

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The Guardian, 1st October 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com

New Guidelines for Lawyers Practising within the Coroners’ Court – Inquests and Inquiries Law Blog

‘New guidelines for legal professionals practising within the Coroners’ Courts have been published by the Bar Standards Board, the Solicitors Regulation Authority and CILEx Regulation. The new guidelines were introduced in response to concerns, particularly about the adversarial approach adopted by some lawyers. The key takeaways are summarised below.’

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Inquests and Inquiries Law Blog, 20th September 2021

Source: inquestsandinquirieslawblog.com

QC calls on UK to support female judges at risk in Afghanistan – The Guardian

‘Helena Kennedy QC has launched an urgent appeal to provide support to judges along with lawyers, women’s rights activists, human rights defenders and their families at risk in Afghanistan and in need of a safe haven abroad.’

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The Guardian, 21st September 2021

Source: www.theguardian.com