*/
Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor Jack Straw called for a “better balance in legal aid” in England and Wales, in a speech at London School of Economics in March.
He highlighted the fact that half of legal aid in the Crown Court is consumed by just one per cent of cases, and warned that lawyers and law firms who are dependent on state funding “would be wise to reconsider expectations of earnings”. “Successful legal business may be a by product of law ... but it is not the purpose of law,” he said. There still needed to be a debate about how much “lawyers should be able to draw from the taxpayer.” Quoting former US President Jimmy Carter, he said the UK was “in danger of becoming ‘over-lawyered and under-represented’”.
He highlighted the fact that half of legal aid in the Crown Court is consumed by just one per cent of cases, and warned that lawyers and law firms who are dependent on state funding “would be wise to reconsider expectations of earnings”. “Successful legal business may be a by product of law ... but it is not the purpose of law,” he said. There still needed to be a debate about how much “lawyers should be able to draw from the taxpayer.” Quoting former US President Jimmy Carter, he said the UK was “in danger of becoming ‘over-lawyered and under-represented’”.
Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor Jack Straw called for a “better balance in legal aid” in England and Wales, in a speech at London School of Economics in March.
As we look ahead to Justice Week 2022, the sustainability of the Criminal Bar remains a critical issue for the government to address
Opportunity for female sopranos/contraltos in secondary education, or who have recently finished secondary education but have not yet begun tertiary education. Eligibility includes children of members of the Bar
Fear of the collection and test process is a common factor among clients, especially among vulnerable adults in complex family law cases. Cansford Laboratories shares some tips to help the testing process run as smoothly as possible
Casey Randall explains how complex relationship DNA tests can best be used – and interpreted – by counsel
Casey Randall, Head of DNA at AlphaBiolabs, explores what barristers need to know about DNA testing for immigration, including when a client might wish to submit DNA evidence, and which relationship tests are best for immigration applications
Julian Morgan reminds barristers of the top five areas to consider before 5 April
The case ofR v Brecanihas complicated matters for defence lawyers. Emma Fielding talks to gang culture expert, Dr Simon Harding about County Lines, exploitation and modern slavery
Barristers are particularly at risk of burnout because of the nature of our work and our approach to it but it doesnt have to be this way. Jade Bucklow explores how culture, work and lifestyle changes can rejuvinate our mental health...
The Schools Consent Project (SCP) is educating tens of thousands of teenagers about the law around consent to challenge and change what is now endemic behaviour. Here, its founder, barrister Kate Parker talks to Chris Henley QC about SCPs work and its association with Jodie Comers West End playPrima Facie, in which she plays a criminal barrister who is sexually assaulted
Professionally embarrassed? The circumstances in which criminal barristers may return instructions to appear at trial have become clearer following the Court of Appeal judgment inR v Daniels By Abigail Bright
Following the launch of the Life at the Young Bar report and a nationwide listening exercise, Michael Polak and Michael Harwood outline the Young Barristers Committees raft of initiatives designed to address your issues of concern
