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

New guidelines published for legal professionals practising within the Coroners’ Courts – Bar Standards Board

Posted September 14th, 2021 in bereavement, coroners, legal profession, news, press releases, standards by tracey

‘The Bar Standards Board, the Solicitors Regulation Authority and CILEx Regulation have today published new guidance designed to ensure standards for solicitors, barristers and CILEX Advocates working in the Coroners’ Courts.’

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Bar Standards Board, 13th September 2021

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Post Office scandal inquiry urged to put more focus on the lawyers – Legal Futures

‘The inquiry into the Post Office Horizon scandal has been urged to put more focus on the role of lawyers in perpetuating the organisation’s intransigence over the IT system’s problems.’

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Legal Futures, 10th September 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Black lawyers most likely to say racial injustice has held back careers – Legal Futures

Posted August 10th, 2021 in legal profession, minorities, news, race discrimination, statistics by sally

‘Black lawyers are much more likely than Asian colleagues to say that racial injustice has held them back in their careers, a survey has found.’

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Legal Futures, 10th August 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Evaluation of flexible court hours stresses need to get lawyers onboard – Legal Futures

Posted August 3rd, 2021 in courts, flexible working, legal profession, news, pilot schemes by sally

‘Flexible operating hours (FOH) can make it easier for people to access civil and family justice, but there needs to a lot more work to bring solicitors and barristers on board, research into two pilot schemes has said.’

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Legal Futures, 2nd August 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Defensive Advising Strategies 2: Know Your Client – Wilberforce Chambers

‘With a history in the world of financial services regulation, “know your customer/client” or “KYC” is a cornerstone of professional practice. What does it mean for legal professionals? In this instalment of my series on defensive advising strategies, I consider three aspects of KYC which are particularly relevant to lawyers, with an emphasis on the interface between solicitors and other professionals and the barristers they instruct. This perspective is based on my own experience as a practitioner and raises issues which crop up relatively frequently.’

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Wilberforce Chambers, 22nd July 2021

Source: www.wilberforce.co.uk

Stronger rules on ongoing competence move step closer – Legal Futures

‘The current regulatory approach to lawyers’ ongoing competence needs to change, the Legal Services Board (LSB) has concluded, with assessments such as spot checks likely to be part of the reform.’

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Legal Futures, 20th July 2021

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Ep147: Vicarious Trauma in the Legal Profession – Law Pod UK

Posted July 20th, 2021 in legal profession, mental health, news, podcasts by sally

‘In Episode 147 Emma-Louise Fenelon speaks to Rachel Francis and Joanna Fleck about their book Vicarious Trauma in the Legal Profession.’

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Law Pod UK, 19th July 2021

Source: audioboom.com

Judicial diversity goes into reverse as barristers dominate – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted July 16th, 2021 in barristers, diversity, judiciary, legal profession, news, solicitors, statistics by tracey

‘Latest diversity statistics show once again a judiciary dominated by barristers – with the number of non-barristers in post lower than it was in 2014.’

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Law Society's Gazette, 15th July 2021

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk