16-19 October Regulatory Hearing, Manchester
23-27 October UNAVAILABLE Annual Leave
30 Oct-06 Nov. Regulatory Hearing
02-06 January 2018 Inner London (R v SC)
Availability updated daily at www.freelanceadvocacyservices.uk
NEWS
LAWYERS MET LAMMY – The report by David Lammy MP on race and the criminal justice system concluded the CJS discriminates against black, Asian and minority ethnic people. To stay silent is no longer good enough- as I argued in this updated blog. (See also this commentary in the Gazette.)
There was an event for Lawyers to discuss his report on 2 October 2017 at Kings College which David Lammy attended and I chaired. (Panel: Sir Anthony Hooper, DPP Strategic Policy Advisor Sara Carnegie, Sandra Paul of Kinglsey Napley, Courtenay Griffiths QC of 25 Bedford Row and Judy Khan QC of Garden Court)
The event, attended by over 200 lawyers was the brainchild of barrister Charlotte Watts (see below). We have a responsibility to use this report to challenge discrimination, at the police station and at Court-however uncomfortable that may be. #ColourBlindJustice
14 hours The new heavily policed LAA contracts are having a big impact on the ability of solicitors to retain their “duty solicitor” status. Most people supported a crackdown on “ghosts” which had led to artificially bloated rotas, stuffed with people who had not seen the inside of a police station or court for years. During discussions with practitioner groups as the new contract terms were being drafted, there was agreement that to retain duty solicitor status there should be a requirement to attend a minimum number of police stations and court attendances, some of which should be Duty work. But the LAA wanted more-a requirement that there should be a minimum amount of contract work conducted every week by duty solicitors, from the office where their duties are attached.
The LCCSA were the only association to oppose that provision, which we considered overly onerous, bureaucratic and discriminatory. However, this was supported by the CLSA and the Law Society, as an additional measure to tackle ghosts, because in their view ghosts were not just those on the rota who were dead, dieing, living abroad or retired, they were also freelancers.
Catching self-employed freelancers in their tighter net however has also netted part-time workers, with particular impact on single parents or carers or those returning from a career break or illness.
There is also a question-mark as to whether HCA work is included as contract work- if disallowed that knocks out most Crown Court Advocates, even those who have taken time to carry out duty work around Crown Court commitments.
What to do? The LCCSA consider our next steps at the committee tonight- do let me know your thoughts.
LCCSA– tonight is my last committee meeting after serving for 5 years (including as President last year). It has been a privilege, and I hope to remain an active member. I would encourage anyone not already a member to join. Why not join the committee? The AGM dinner is next month
Archbold or Blackstones? My poll showed a marginal practitioner preference for Blackstones. Let’s see if it is retained.
CLFS Don’t miss the Criminal Law Friendly Society Autumn conference in London on 27th October. Only £75 for a day of law updates and training (trainees go free)
For more news including lawyer of the month, see www.gregfoxsmith.co.uk
Best wishes