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Legal aid focus

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Cherie Booth QC will name the winners of this year’s legal aid Oscars on 28 June. The Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year (LALY) awards, which are in their fifth year, recognise excellence among legal aid providers who help protect the rights of some of society’s most marginalised people.

In brief

The country’s first Community Legal Advice Centre (CLAC) which aims to improve access to publicly funded civil legal advice for local residents, has been launched.

The LSC has shown a willingness to listen in key areas affecting legal aid provision, says Richard Miller

Criminal Defence Service Direct (CDS Direct), the Legal Services Commission’s (LSC’s) telephone advice service for suspects held in police stations, is to be expanded.

Overseas legal assistance is to receive a major boost with the advent of a new initiative, the Justice Assistance Network.

David Burrows reports from the legal aid family law barricades

Protests against the government’s civil legal aid changes are being planned by the Access to Justice Alliance. Members from various advice organisations will meet in Parliament on Monday 14 May to discuss their strategy.

The government’s plans for legal aid were dealt a serious blow this week after they were savaged by an influential parliamentary committee.

A Law Society plan to obtain a last-minute injunction to stay introduction of the unified legal aid contract has been dropped after counsel advised there were no grounds for such an application.

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Stephen Ward, The Barrister Group

NLJ Career Profile: Stephen Ward, The Barrister Group

From mowing lawns to life at the Bar: Stephen Ward reflects on an unconventional career

Clarke Willmott—Ben Loosemore

Clarke Willmott—Ben Loosemore

Commercial property partner joins Clarke Willmott in Southampton

Ellisons—Robert Tiffen

Ellisons—Robert Tiffen

Robert Tiffen joins Ellisons as Partner in growing Norwich office

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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