Lord Chief Justice “strongly opposes” accountants’ bid to handle litigation and advocacy work – Legal Futures

Posted February 21st, 2017 in accountants, advocacy, legal representation, legal services, news, taxation by sally

‘The Lord Chief Justice has outlined his “strong opposition” to a bid to allow accountants to handle tax litigation and advocacy work – and in return come under fire from the body that would regulate them.’

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Legal Futures, 21st February 2017

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Ian Brady begins ‘unique’ High Court fight over tribunal lawyer – Daily Telegraph

Posted February 14th, 2017 in legal aid, legal representation, mental health, news, prisons, tribunals by sally

‘Ian Brady, the Moors murderer, is launching a “totally unique” High Court fight for the right to have the lawyer of his choice representing him at a tribunal.’

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Daily Telegraph, 14th February 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Violent abusers to be prevented from cross-examining ex-partners in court – The Guardian

‘Domestic violence victims will no longer face the threat of being interrogated by their former partners in court under proposed legislation.’

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The Guardian, 12th February 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Society challenges government’s ‘concern’ for road accident victims – Law Society’s Gazette

‘Plans to increase the small claims limit will create difficulties for road accident victims, the Law Society has warned, as the government begins considering more than 9,000 responses to its proposals for tougher punishment for dangerous drivers.’

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Law Society’s Gazette, 3rd February 2017

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

‘Solicitor’s agents’ yet again – no rights of audience? – Nearly Legal

‘What is more, there is updated guidance from the Bar Council to ‘unregistered barristers acting as solicitor’s agents’ (ie, barristers who have been called, even passed the BPTC, but do not have pupillage or have qualified). The effect of which is that “many individuals currently exercising rights of audience in reliance on this provision (Sch 3 Legal Services Act 2007) are at risk of contravening the Act”. Which is a potentially criminal offence.’

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Nearly Legal, 29th January 2017

Source: www.nearlylegal.co.uk

Rape victims shouldn’t have to pay for their own justice through the civil courts – The Independent

‘The jury in a criminal case must believe the accused is guilty ‘beyond reasonable doubt’, meaning that a victim can be believed and yet a ‘not guilty’ verdict is still returned. This is part of the reason that many cases never reach trial: the police or CPS think the evidence may not fulfil the tough requirements of the criminal courts.’

Full story

The Independent, 18th January 2017

Source: www.independent.co.uk

Immigration tribunal President blasts legal representatives in sex grooming gang appeal – Free Movement

‘President McCloskey has blasted the representatives for both claimants and the Home Office in his latest determination of Shabir Ahmed and others (sanctions for non – compliance) [2016] UKUT 00562 (IAC).’

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Free Movement, 13th January 2017

Source: www.freemovement.org.uk

Jailed marine Alexander Blackman’s defence team ‘fell below standard required’, official report concludes – Daily Telegraph

Posted January 4th, 2017 in armed forces, legal representation, miscarriage of justice, murder, news by tracey

‘The legal team tasked with defending a Royal Marine accused of murdering a wounded Taliban fighter were responsible for a litany of failings that rendered his subsequent conviction unsafe, the body that investigates potential miscarriages of justice has found.’

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Daily Telegraph, 3rd January 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Domestic violence legal aid applications rise – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted December 19th, 2016 in domestic violence, legal aid, legal representation, news, statistics, time limits by sally

‘Relaxing time limits for reporting domestic violence may have contributed to the steep increase in legal aid applications from victims this year, latest government figures suggest.’

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Law Society’s Gazette, 15th December 2016

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Review urges higher fees and mandatory training to combat “poor-quality” advice in Youth Courts – Legal Futures

Posted December 14th, 2016 in fees, legal aid, legal education, legal representation, news, youth courts by sally

‘The status and quality of legal representation for children before the Youth Court need to be raised first by an increase in legal aid rates and then by mandatory training for all solicitors and barristers appearing for them, a government-commissioned review has recommended.’

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Legal Futures, 14th December 2016

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

BSB welcomes Ministry of Justice review into youth justice – Bar Standards Board

Posted December 13th, 2016 in legal representation, news, reports, young offenders, youth courts by sally

‘The Bar Standards Board (BSB) welcomes the Ministry of Justice’s review into youth justice, led by Charlie Taylor.’

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Bar Standards Board, 12th December 2016

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Oversupply of law graduates and growing number of LiPs are solution to each other’s problem, says MR – Legal Futures

‘The combination of an oversupply of law graduates shut out of the profession due to fewer training contracts or pupillages and the growing number of litigants in person (LiPs) offers an opportunity to enhance access to justice while helping students into practice, the Master of the Rolls has said.’

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Legal Futures, 7th December 2016

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Children: Public Law Update (December 2016) – Family Law Week

Posted December 8th, 2016 in adoption, appeals, care orders, families, fostering, legal representation, news, witnesses by tracey

‘John Tughan QC of 4 Paper Buildings reviews recent important judgments in the field of public children law.’

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Family Law Week, 7th December 2016

Source: www.familylawweek.co.uk

Lecture by Sir Terence Etherton, MR: LawWorks Annual Pro Bono Awards lecture 2016 – Courts and Tribunals Judiciary

‘It is a real pleasure to have been asked to give this year’s LawWorks Annual Pro Bono Awards lecture. My subject is Access to Justice. I am not interested in it as a slogan. I am interested in it because access to justice lies at the heart of any society that aspires to call itself just, civilised, and committed to democracy and the rule of law.’

Full speech

Courts and Tribunals Judiciary, 7th December 2016

Source: www.judiciary.gov.uk

Lord Pannick vs Jeremy Wright: Who are the top lawyers doing battle over Brexit? – Daily Telegraph

‘Lord Pannick QC, 52, is a veteran of hundreds of cases in the House of Lords, the UK Supreme Court and the Privy Council.’

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Daily Telegraph, 2nd December 2016

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

The Duty the Police Owe to the Police – Zenith PI Blog

Posted December 6th, 2016 in appeals, duty of care, legal representation, London, news, police, striking out by sally

‘The case concerns an appeal against the Order of Mr Justice Jay in which he struck out claims brought by a number of serving officers of the Metropolitan Police against their Commissioner.’

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Zenith PI Blog, 5th December 2016

Source: www.zenithpi.wordpress.com

Claimants with minor injuries “don’t need lawyers”, says government – Legal Futures

‘Low-value road traffic accident claims “are not so complex that claimants routinely require legal representation to pursue them”, the government has argued – and suggested that claims management companies and paid McKenzie Friends could help instead.’

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Legal Futures, 17th November 2016

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

16-year-old’s representation plight highlights pro bono dependency – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted November 8th, 2016 in appeals, care orders, children, legal representation, news, pro bono work by sally

‘The Court of Appeal has allowed a 16-year-old involved in care proceedings to instruct her own solicitor in a case highlighting the extent to which pro bono solicitors are now needed to resolve representation challenges.’

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Law Society’s Gazette, 7th November 2016

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Hillsborough inquests: Families’ legal fees were £63.6m – BBC News

Posted November 3rd, 2016 in costs, families, health & safety, inquests, legal aid, legal representation, news, police, sport by tracey

‘Legal costs for the families at the inquests into the deaths of the 96 Hillsborough victims totalled £63.6m.’

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BBC News, 2nd November 2016

Source: www.bbc.co.uk

Legal aid cuts creating two-tier justice system, says Amnesty – The Guardian

Posted October 11th, 2016 in children, civil justice, legal aid, legal representation, news, reports by sally

‘Cuts to legal aid are far worse than anticipated and are creating a “two-tier” system which denies the poorest people access to justice, warns a critical report by Amnesty International.’

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The Guardian, 11th October 2016

Source: www.guardian.co.uk