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The end of the line?

24 April 2015 / Roger Smith
Issue: 7649 / Categories: Opinion
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Adjusting to the legal aid cuts might be the new normal, says Roger Smith

The bulk of the cuts to legal aid are likely to remain. Public opposition to these outrageous reductions in the entitlement of the poorest in society must continue. However, privately, there are signs of adaptation to what is likely to be the “new normal”.

Labour: look away

The Labour Party manifesto at least contains some hopeful words: “We will make sure that access to legal representation, a cornerstone of our democracy, is not determined by personal wealth but remains available to all that need it.” But, if you thought that this meant a commitment to reinstate legal aid for poverty or family law, think again. Labour would widen the test for domestic violence and rescind the hike in employment tribunal fees. It also expressly commits itself to the Human Rights Act which at least protects criminal and some civil legal aid provision. Sadiq Khan, Labour’s shadow Lord Chancellor, spelt out detail to The Guardian (2 March) uncompromisingly headlined “Labour

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Birketts—trainee cohort

Birketts—trainee cohort

Firm welcomes new cohort of 29 trainee solicitors for 2025

Keoghs—four appointments

Keoghs—four appointments

Four partner hires expand legal expertise in Scotland and Northern Ireland

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Brabners—Ben Lamb

Real estate team in Yorkshire welcomes new partner

NEWS
Robert Taylor of 360 Law Services warns in this week's NLJ that adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) risks entrenching disadvantage for SME law firms, unless tools are tailored to their needs
The Court of Protection has ruled in Macpherson v Sunderland City Council that capacity must be presumed unless clearly rebutted. In this week's NLJ, Sam Karim KC and Sophie Hurst of Kings Chambers dissect the judgment and set out practical guidance for advisers faced with issues relating to retrospective capacity and/or assessments without an examination
Delays and dysfunction continue to mount in the county court, as revealed in a scathing Justice Committee report and under discussion this week by NLJ columnist Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School. Bulk claims—especially from private parking firms—are overwhelming the system, with 8,000 cases filed weekly
Charles Pigott of Mills & Reeve charts the turbulent progress of the Employment Rights Bill through the House of Lords, in this week's NLJ
From oligarchs to cosmetic clinics, strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) target journalists, activists and ordinary citizens with intimidating legal tactics. Writing in NLJ this week, Sadie Whittam of Lancaster University explores the weaponisation of litigation to silence critics
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