Lawyers in the state of Victoria have been warned about their public conduct. Fiona McLeay’s December 2021 report sets out the importance of balance between access to justice and acting in a client’s best interests. The report reminds lawyers to think carefully before advising communities to pursue cases which will likely not be successful in…
New South African National Legal Practice Council begins its term of office
The Legal Practice Council (LPC), a statutory body responsible for regulating the affairs of the legal profession, announced a new 23 member Council to take office for a term of 3 years, commencing on 01 November 2021. Established in November 2018, this is the second Council that is being appointed to regulate the South African…
State Bar of California’s consultation on new paraprofessional licence closes
The consultation, which closed on 12th January, focused on the potential licensing of a new legal service provider, the paraprofessional. It is hoped this new legal qualification will improve access to justice by creating a new professional to provide routine legal services at a more affordable rate. Read the full article here.
Arizona Supreme Court grants first ABS licence
Law company Elevate has been granted an Alternative Business Structure (ABS) license by the Arizona Supreme Court, making Elevate and its affiliated law firm, ElevateNext, a single entity. This makes Elevate the first non-lawyer-owned law firm in the United States. In 2020 Arizona became the first state to remove the prohibition of non-lawyers owning law…
The Bar Standards Board of England and Wales has welcomed the new sanctions guidance announced by the Bar Tribunals and Sanctions Service
The Bar Standards Board of England and Wales has welcomed a new sanctions regime brought in by the Bar Tribunal and Sanctions Service. The new sanctions will be used by Disciplinary Tribunals and by the BSB’s Independent Decision-Making Body in deciding what sanctions to bring against barristers found to have committed professional misconduct. The new…
The Scottish Parliament’s Criminal Justice Committee has released a report on reforming the criminal justice sector
The Scottish Parliament’s Criminal Justice Committee report into the criminal justice sector has highlighted the severe issues within the sector and confirmed the need to urgent change to avoid any potential disasters. The committee held a series of roundtables aimed at uncovering the short and long term steps that need to be taken to mitigate…
The legal Aid Board in the Netherlands is to begin a subsidy scheme experiment for divorce cases
The legal Aid Board in the Netherlands will begin a subsidy scheme experiment for complex divorce cases. The scheme will begin in February 2022 with the aim of uncovering how best to assist litigants in complex divorce cases, with a view to providing high quality legal aid assistance after an appropriate fee has been agreed….
The Young Lawyers’ Committee and the Women in Practice Committee of Singapore are working to develop a workplace harassment prevention policy
The Young Lawyers’ Committee and the Women in Practice Committee of Singapore currently working in tandem to develop a key policy to address work place bullying. The harassment prevention policy is to be rolled out amongst Singapore law firms at some point next year. It comes on the back of the Law Society of Singapore’s…
Legal Sector Workers United report claims that 7 out of 10 of its members have suffered issues with their mental health linked to their jobs
The Trade Union survey of it’s members reported that 71% of respondents said their position had negatively impacted their mental health. This is compared to just 14% who responded that it had had a positive affect on their mental health. While 59% suggested their work was the biggest threat to their mental health. This survey…
The Legal Services Regulatory Authority of the Republic of Ireland undertakes first survey of trainee and early career legal professionals and undergraduates
The Legal Services Regulatory Authority of the Republic of Ireland is undertaking the first detailed survey of trainees, early career solicitors and barristers and law undergraduates. The survey is being done through anonymised surveys. The survey is taking in a wide range of topics including remuneration, information available to early career professionals and the potential…