Legislation slows

The number of new Acts of Parliament and statutory instruments by the Westminster and Holyrood Parliaments fell by eight per cent to 1,727 in 2011, according to research by Sweet & Maxwell, bucking the trend towards annual, exponential statutory expansion. 

Trust in lawyers

The general public’s trust in the legal profession has fallen, according to research by the Legal Services Board’s consumer panel. The annual survey showed trust had fallen from 47 per cent to 43 per cent, and was particularly low among some ethnic groups – a mere quarter of people with Pakistani heritage said they would “generally trust lawyers to tell the truth”.

Middlesex JPs

Lord Phillips, President of the Supreme Court, has unveiled a brass plaque to commemorate the work of former Justices of the Peace from the old county of Middlesex. The plaque is on the ‘Middlesex Wall’ of the exhibition space within the Supreme Court, which is housed in the former Middlesex Guildhall, in Parliament Square.

Public access

The Bar Council has set up a dedicated telephone number and email address for queries relating to public and licensed access. Barristers and members of the public can call 0207 611 1472 or email PAenquiry@BarCouncil.org.uk with their questions.