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LASPO: why it’s time to listen & review

30 June 2017 / David Greene
Issue: 7752 / Categories: Opinion , Legal aid focus , Profession
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The Lord Chancellor should recognise that legal aid is a basic right, not a luxury, says David Greene

New government. New Lord Chancellor. New Agenda for legislation. Brexit negotiations start. But the real human news is the tragedies in London and Manchester over the past few weeks. The victims will soon enough become embroiled in the civil and criminal justice process in seeking answers and asserting rights. As well as ensuring they can do so we also want to ensure that the justice process can provide answers and lessons.

We are reminded of Hillsborough because we look back at other disasters, particularly this week with confirmation that the Crown Prosecution Service will press criminal charges. The history of Hillsborough, however, does not make for good reading when it comes to the ability of the civil and criminal process to deliver justice. Only with sheer doggedness on the part of the victims and their solicitors did they overcome the best efforts of the establishment.

Let’s hope those affected by

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Muckle LLP—Rachael Chapman

Muckle LLP—Rachael Chapman

Sports, education and charities practice welcomes senior associate

Ellisons—Carla Jones

Ellisons—Carla Jones

Partner and head of commercial litigation joins in Chelmsford

Freeths—Louise Mahon

Freeths—Louise Mahon

Firm strengthens Glasgow corporate practice with partner hire

NEWS
One in five in-house lawyers suffer ‘high’ or ‘severe’ work-related stress, according to a report by global legal body, the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC)
The Legal Ombudsman’s (LeO’s) plea for a budget increase has been rejected by the Law Society and accepted only ‘with reluctance’ by conveyancers
Overcrowded prisons, mental health hospitals and immigration centres are failing to meet international and domestic human rights standards, the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM) has warned
Two speedier and more streamlined qualification routes have been launched for probate and conveyancing professionals
Workplace stress was a contributing factor in almost one in eight cases before the employment tribunal last year, indicating its endemic grip on the UK workplace
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