New research shows paid McKenzie Friends operating mostly outside the courtroom – The Bar Council

‘ New research undertaken by the Universities of Cardiff and Bristol shows that the bulk of work undertaken by paid McKenzie Friends is delivered outside court, with very few seeking actively to represent their litigant in person clients in the court room.’

Full Story

The Bar council, 12th June 2017

Source: www.barcouncil.org.uk

LSB decides against changing rules on telling clients about complaints procedures – Legal Futures

Posted May 24th, 2017 in complaints, documents, legal representation, Legal Services Board, news by sally

‘The Legal Services Board (LSB) has dismissed concerns about the “negative” impact of its requirement that lawyers tell clients about their complaints procedures before any work has been done.’

Full story

Legal Futures, 24th May 2017

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

When can a tribunal be forced to pay the costs of judicially reviewing it? – Free Movement

‘“Not often” is the answer. Only if the tribunal acts in an improper way. Incompetence or unlawfulness is not sufficient.’

Full story

Free Movement, 18th May 2017

Source: www.freemovement.org.uk

Paid McKenzie Friends “play on uncertainty and victimhood” of separating fathers – Legal Futures

‘‘Professional’ paid McKenzie Friends associated with fathers’ rights groups (FRGs) play on their “uncertainty and sense of victimhood” to attract business, academic research has found, saying that there needed to be a code of conduct and a greater role for law school clinics in their place.’

Full story

Legal Futures, 20th April 2017

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Judge alarmed about lack of lawyer as he jails woman for begging – The Guardian

‘A judge who sentenced a “fragile and vulnerable” woman to five-and-a-half months in jail for begging has expressed alarm that no lawyer could be found to represent her because of problems over legal aid.’

Full story

The Guardian, 20th April 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Cuts to legal aid for prisoners ruled unlawful – The Guardian

Posted April 11th, 2017 in appeals, equality, legal aid, legal representation, news, prisons by sally

‘The government has lost a key court of appeal battle over access to legal aid for prisoners in a ruling that campaigners have called a groundbreaking victory.’

Full story

The Guardian, 10th April 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Legal aid safety net applications up by 43% – Legal Voice

‘There has been a 43% increase in applications to LASPO’s safety net regime compared to last year and theLegal Aid Agency granted almost six out of 10. There were 441 applications for exceptional case funding received between October and December 2016, comprising 383 and 58 re-submissions. This compares to 308 in the same period for 2015.’

Full story

Legal Voice, 6th April 2017

Source: www.legalvoice.org.uk

Law Society launches mental capacity accreditation for Court of Protection – Local Government Lawyer

‘The Law Society has launched a new mental capacity accreditation for legal representatives serving the Court of Protection.’

Full story

Local Government Lawyer, 27th March 2017

Source: www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk

Public access work grows six-fold in only five years – Legal Futures

Posted March 21st, 2017 in barristers, legal representation, legal services, news, statistics by sally

‘The value of public access work carried out by barristers as a proportion of the profession’s income grew six-fold over just five years, according to new figures seen by Legal Futures.’

Full story

Legal Futures, 21st March 2017

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Solicitor-free access ‘working well’, claims bar – Law society’s Gazette

Posted March 16th, 2017 in barristers, legal representation, legal services, news by sally

‘Methods that allow members of the public and lay clients to instruct barristers directly without turning to a solicitor first are working well, the barristers’ regulator has claimed.’

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 15th March 2017

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

Prolific LiP’s case partly struck out to give her a helping hand – Law Society’s Gazette

Posted March 8th, 2017 in judges, legal representation, litigants in person, news, striking out by sally

‘A High Court judge has thrown out elements of a case brought by a litigant in person, telling her the ruling would help to remedy a lack of legal representation.’

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 7th March 2017

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

BSB announces new regulatory approach to improve advocacy standards within Youth Courts – Bar Standards Board

Posted February 27th, 2017 in advocacy, barristers, legal representation, press releases, standards, youth courts by sally

‘At its Board meeting last night, the Bar Standards Board (BSB) agreed new measures to improve standards of advocacy within Youth Courts. The regulator today published new guidance for barristers working in youth proceedings based on a set of essential competences that are expected of all advocates working with young people.’

Full press release

Bar Standards Board, 24th February 2017

Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk

Legal aid shakeup hands lifeline to domestic violence victims – The Guardian

‘Time limits preventing vulnerable victims of domestic violence from obtaining legal aid for court hearings are to be scrapped, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) will announce.’

Full story

The Guardian, 23rd February 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Introducing the litigant in person network – Legal Voice

Posted February 21st, 2017 in civil justice, internet, legal representation, litigants in person, news by sally

‘The Litigant in Person Network is an online platform which aims to connect a wide range of people with a common goal of improving access to justice. Coordinated by the Litigant in Person Support Strategy, and supported by The Legal Education Foundation, the network is a place for interested professionals to share, discussion and collaborate across sectors on issues relating to both actual and potential Litigants in Person (LiPs).’

Full story

Legal Voice, 20th February 2017

Source: www.legalvoice.org.uk

Moors murderer Ian Brady loses court fight over legal representation – The Guardian

Posted February 21st, 2017 in law firms, legal aid, legal representation, mental health, news by sally

‘Moors murderer Ian Brady has been refused permission to launch a high court battle to get a lawyer of his choice to represent him at a tribunal.’

Full story

The Guardian, 20th February 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Lord Chief Justice “strongly opposes” accountants’ bid to handle litigation and advocacy work – Legal Futures

Posted February 21st, 2017 in accountants, advocacy, legal representation, legal services, news, taxation by sally

‘The Lord Chief Justice has outlined his “strong opposition” to a bid to allow accountants to handle tax litigation and advocacy work – and in return come under fire from the body that would regulate them.’

Full story

Legal Futures, 21st February 2017

Source: www.legalfutures.co.uk

Ian Brady begins ‘unique’ High Court fight over tribunal lawyer – Daily Telegraph

Posted February 14th, 2017 in legal aid, legal representation, mental health, news, prisons, tribunals by sally

‘Ian Brady, the Moors murderer, is launching a “totally unique” High Court fight for the right to have the lawyer of his choice representing him at a tribunal.’

Full story

Daily Telegraph, 14th February 2017

Source: www.telegraph.co.uk

Violent abusers to be prevented from cross-examining ex-partners in court – The Guardian

‘Domestic violence victims will no longer face the threat of being interrogated by their former partners in court under proposed legislation.’

Full story

The Guardian, 12th February 2017

Source: www.guardian.co.uk

Society challenges government’s ‘concern’ for road accident victims – Law Society’s Gazette

‘Plans to increase the small claims limit will create difficulties for road accident victims, the Law Society has warned, as the government begins considering more than 9,000 responses to its proposals for tougher punishment for dangerous drivers.’

Full story

Law Society’s Gazette, 3rd February 2017

Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk

‘Solicitor’s agents’ yet again – no rights of audience? – Nearly Legal

‘What is more, there is updated guidance from the Bar Council to ‘unregistered barristers acting as solicitor’s agents’ (ie, barristers who have been called, even passed the BPTC, but do not have pupillage or have qualified). The effect of which is that “many individuals currently exercising rights of audience in reliance on this provision (Sch 3 Legal Services Act 2007) are at risk of contravening the Act”. Which is a potentially criminal offence.’

Full story

Nearly Legal, 29th January 2017

Source: www.nearlylegal.co.uk