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Legal aid focus

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A decade after the ruinous cuts brought about by LASPO 2012, what is the extent of the impact on the legal aid sector? Jon Robins surveys the wreckage
Grandparents taking on the care of vulnerable children as special guardians could miss out on an extension to legal aid, the Law Society has warned.
The Law Society has launched a ‘21st Century Justice project’, with a remit for working groups to prepare for the future in five key areas.
The proper funding of our justice system, so neglected by recent governments, is a vital issue for our society and it demands urgent action, says Geoffrey Bindman KC
The government has extended legal aid in private and public family law cases, and changed the evidential requirements for domestic abuse.
The Law Society applied to the High Court last week for permission to bring a judicial review of the government’s implementation of Sir Christopher Bellamy’s recommendations following his Independent Review of Criminal Legal Aid.
The Law Society of England and Wales has applied to the High Court for permission to challenge the government’s decision not to increase criminal defence solicitors’ legal aid rates by the recommended minimum 15% as it is unlawful, irrational, and has affected access to justice.
Means-testing for legal aid has been removed for foster parents and approved prospective adoptive parents bringing special educational needs and disability (SEND) appeals. 
The Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA) has responded to the Tribunal Procedure Committee consultation on possible changes to the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) Rules and the Upper Tribunal Rules arising from the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 (NBA 2022). 
The number of crown court cases waiting for trial for two years or more has reached a record high, official figures show.
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

mfg Solicitors—Deborah Bufton

mfg Solicitors—Deborah Bufton

Law firm boosts residential property team with new associate appointment

Flint Bishop—Russell Bainbridge

Flint Bishop—Russell Bainbridge

Flint Bishop lands corporate partner from Knights amid Sheffield growth drive

Bird & Bird—Huw Edwards

Bird & Bird—Huw Edwards

Bird Bird appoints expert tech patent litigator as new partner in London

NEWS
The Law Society RFC Festival of Sport returns next month, bringing together legal and financial services professionals for one of the sector’s largest annual sporting events
Legal aid deserts leave almost one in four without adequate access to justice
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has warned solicitors and law firms that using artificial intelligence does not alter their professional obligations, amid concerns over inaccurate legal material and client confidentiality
From forgotten interest claims to case-management appeals, a string of procedural developments offers useful—and occasionally cautionary—lessons for practitioners

Jonathan Fisher KC highlights that it now accounts for around 40% of criminal offences, with roughly 70% involving technology, and argues that the UK cannot simply prosecute its way out of the problem. Detection, investigation and prosecution all require improvement, while different fraud types demand tailored responses.

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