‘Solicitor advocate Caitriona McLaughlin fears government cuts will deter firms from taking loss-making magistrates court cases.’
The Guardian, 27th February 2014
Source: www.guardian.co.uk
“Low rates for criminal legal aid and the growing share of work taken by solicitor advocates are contributing to a decline in advocacy standards that is harming the administration of justice, according to a survey by the Bar Standards Board. The report, Perceptions of Criminal Advocacy, showed that over three-quarters (78%) of the 762 practitioners who completed an online survey felt that standards of advocacy have declined over the past five years. However, Law Society chief executive Desmond Hudson today condemned the study as ‘deeply flawed’ and ‘self serving’.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 19th April 2012
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
“We commissioned ORC International to conduct research into the frequency with which underperformance is encountered in the criminal courts.”
Bar Standards Board, 18th April 2012
Source: www.barstandardsboard.org.uk
“Solicitor advocates have made a final effort to stop a scheme that will see judges evaluating their competence, which they claim would discriminate against solicitors.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 8th July 2011
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
“The training given to solicitor-advocates is ‘not fit for purpose’ and must be improved to conquer the perception that they are inferior to barristers, according to an independent review.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 16th December 2010
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
“A proposed new quality assurance scheme for criminal advocates could prejudice solicitors because it places too much weight on the views of judges, an advocates’ group has warned.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 25th October 2010
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
“The Law Society has made an official complaint over what it says were ‘inappropriate comments’ by a Crown court judge about the alleged incompetence of three solicitor-advocates.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 30th April 2009
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
“An extraordinary public row has erupted over the role of solicitor-advocates after a Crown Court judge told a court that he came close to discharging a jury because of concerns that a solicitor lacked the competence to represent his client properly.”
Law Society’s Gazette, 23rd April 2009
Source: www.lawgazette.co.uk
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