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Legal aid focus

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The Ministry of Justice (MoJ), Legal Aid Agency and Deputy Prime Minister, Dominic Raab, have announced that solicitors will see a further £21m investment in fees and long-term reforms and an extra £138m will be spent annually on legal aid ‘to ensure long-term sustainability’. 
The justice budget suffered a ‘real terms cut’ in the Autumn Statement this week, lawyers have warned, despite Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s pledge to protect public services.
Budget cuts, LASPO’s ten-year legacy and recent political decisions have devastated access to justice, according to a major piece of research by the Bar Council.
The Justice Committee will be examining the future of legal aid for criminal defence solicitors on Tuesday 14 November, when it takes evidence from representatives of the Criminal Law Solicitors Association and the Law Society. 
The Law Society has warned that the government’s stance on criminal legal aid is driving solicitors to consider unionising to take direct action, following the barrister strike action earlier this year. 
The cost-of-living crisis provided a focus for this year’s Pro Bono Week, with lawyers attending a wide range of events.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has announced that around 20,000 people facing debt difficulties will be invited to receive free early-stage legal advice through a new pilot launched by the government on 31 October 2022. 

There is no better way to raise money than through the medium of cake—so why not hit the kitchen this Pro Bono Week to raise some dough for access to justice?

Ministers have published secondary legislation widening access to legal aid for victims of domestic abuse.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has announced changes to the legal aid system that will enable domestic abuse victims to obtain free legal advice through new Domestic Abuse Protection Notices and Domestic Abuse Protection Orders under the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 (DAA 2021). 
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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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