Legal aid focus

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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.

The good news is the government has announced a civil legal aid review. The bad news is it won’t report until 2024.

Far from a bold initiative, the announcement of a distant & unfunded review of civil legal aid is an abdication of government responsibility, says Roger Smith

Members of the public across the three main parties support legal aid, research has shown.

Lawyers have welcomed the ‘long overdue’ review into civil legal aid, but expressed concern about the timescale and called for immediate action to prevent collapse.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) plans to recruit up to 1,100 judges and tribunal members and 4,000 more magistrates in 2022-23, according to its annual report and accounts for 2021-22.

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

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Withers—Sophie Barrett-Brown

Withers drives further growth in its UK immigration team with new partner Sophie Barrett-Brown

Venus Legal—Esther Amoako

Venus Legal invests in next generation of legal talent as specialist litigation practice grows

Fisher Phillips—Catrina Smith

Fisher Phillips continues momentum in London with arrival of Catrina Smith

NEWS

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NLJ this week: Silence comes dear

Restrictions on workplace non-disclosure agreements could make settlements slower, more complex and more expensive when reforms expected in 2027 take effect

NLJ this week: Prosecutions under watch

Private prosecutors face closer scrutiny under Crown Prosecution Service guidance designed to strengthen accountability and consistency when intervention is requested

NLJ this week: Immunity breached

Foreign states cannot necessarily claim immunity for cyber operations launched abroad against computers in Britain, following a divided Supreme Court ruling

NLJ this week: Blame game backfires

Defendants who make unsupported complaints about their lawyers risk losing legal aid while confiscation proceedings continue without representation

NLJ this week: Sanctions divide

Lawyers advising Russian clients face different sanctions restrictions across the UK, EU and US, despite their shared objective of increasing pressure on Russia

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Legal aid focus

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Withers—Sophie Barrett-Brown

Venus Legal—Esther Amoako

Fisher Phillips—Catrina Smith