‘Ministers should consider abandoning jury trials for some crown court cases unless they properly fund a justice system “in serious crisis”, the former lord chief justice has said.’
The Guardian, 10th December 2024
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘The Lady Chief Justice yesterday complained to MPs about the government’s decisions to reduce the digitisation of civil justice and limit sitting days in the criminal courts.’
Legal Futures, 27th November 2024
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
‘Legal aid solicitors feel they have been “neglected the most and taken advantage of” in the years following the LASPO cuts, according to an academic study.’
Legal Futures, 13th November 2024
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
‘The Autumn Budget 2024 (“the Budget”) saw history being made as Rachel Reeves, who became our first female Chancellor of the Exchequer, set out arguably the biggest tax changes for a generation, set to raise taxes by £41bn by 2029/30 and said to be part of the Government’s plan to revitalise Britain. In this article, we will summarise the key reforms of the Budget, highlighting those which may be of particular relevance to financial remedy practitioners and their clients.’
Financial Remedies Journal, 1st November 2024
Source: financialremediesjournal.com
‘Three hundred and fifty-five wealthy landowners in England including aristocrats are benefiting from an obscure tax break worth at least £68m, data shows.’
The Guardian, 29th October 2024
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Major reforms via the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders (LASPO) Act 2012 and subsequent reforms have reduced the legal aid budget and the scope of eligibility in criminal as well as civil cases. According to Mansfield et al., the principles of justice that embody the legal aid provision has been neglected by governments for over a decade and as such; created a gap that emasculates the most vulnerable in society, such as recipients of legal aid. This study employs an interview-based approach to investigate alternative perspectives in terms of the cuts and widespread impact on service providers in England and Wales, such as barristers, and solicitors. Detailed qualitative data were collected to provide insights into the diminishing legal aid scheme through the lived experiences of both civil and criminal legal aid providers. The study examines the concerns of service providers regarding their future as public defenders and the future of the judicial system post-LASPO 2012, focusing on safeguarding the rights of individuals facing litigation and ensuring that newly qualified lawyers are not deterred from public defence roles due to the long-term effects of ongoing legal aid cuts.’
Legal Ethics, 10th September 2024
Source: www.tandfonline.com
‘Two judgments recently handed down by Master Thornett illustrate the risk of adverse costs orders being made at Costs Management Conferences where parties fail to produce reasonable and proportionate costs budgets.’
1 QMLR, 9th October 2024
Source: 1corqmlr.com
‘In two rulings, claimants’ overstated costs budgets and the inability to settle issues without a hearing have attracted judicial ire. Experts are warning that parties are not immune from sanctions.’
Law Society's Gazette, 14th September 2024
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘Master Thornett has ordered a 35% reduction in the claimed budget of a man who suffered an accident while working for Thurrock Council.’
Local Government Lawyer, 12th September 2024
Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk
‘Public funding for justice is down by 22.4% in real per person terms since 2009/10, according to new analysis of government spending under the last government published by the Bar Council.’
The Bar Council, 4th September 2024
Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk
‘A clinical negligence claimant who saw their unrealistic costs budget slashed cannot claim for the costs of sorting out the argument, a court has ruled.’
Law Society’s Gazette, 23rd August 2024
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
‘A controversial decision to refuse refunds to wrongly convicted prisoners who were charged for bed and board while in jail was made in part to save money, the Guardian has learned.’
The Guardian, 21st August 2024
Source: www.theguardian.com
‘Hackney Council is facing a High Court challenge by campaigners battling to save two children’s centres from closure.’
BBC News, 18th August 2024
Source: www.bbc.co.uk
‘The efforts of the chancellor Rachel Reeves to get control of Britain’s finances are being hampered by a massive £47bn bill in outstanding compensation claims which could balloon even further, The Independent can reveal. Analysis of a report by the National Audit Office (NAO) showed £84bn has been pledged by previous governments, with 12 compensation schemes for injustice, cover-ups and negligence.’
The Independent, 11th August 2024
Source: www.independent.co.uk
‘Providing free specialist legal advice could save the government £4.5billion for every half a million people who receive it, a new report has found, as leading legal organisations renew calls to “spend to save on justice”.’
The Bar Council, 5th August 2024
Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk
‘Outlines the main drivers of homelessness and summarises the UK Government’s approach to tackling homelessness in England, including stakeholder views and comment.’
House of Commons Library, 30th July 2024
Source: commonslibrary.parliament.uk
‘The county court has “borne the brunt” of the failure of the court modernisation programme to deliver, a former adviser to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has said.’
Legal Futures, 8th May 2024
Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk
© Inner Temple Library 2024