COURT AVAILABILITY – www.freelanceadvocacyservices.uk)
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NEWS
Opposition to Freelance solicitors Growing hostility against the self employed freelance solicitor model from the entrenched self interest of exploitative fat-cat firm owners. Article in the Gazette:- https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/opposition-to-freelance-solicitor-plans-grows-louder-/5064259.article
The 14.5 hr p/w rule is meaning many freelancers are losing their duty slots, even where covering their duties and doing many more Magistrates Court and Police Station attendances. The “hours per week” on contract work rule means only for the firm with whom the duties are attached, so freelance solicitors who are instructed by several firms lose out, as do part time employees. The rule, opposed by the LCCSA , was cheered on by the CLSA and others, but now appears to be nothing short of a the consolidation measure favouring Big Firms that we warned off. The LAA are proving to be merciless in Sanction and recoupment, even when there is still no clarity on areas such as whether Crown Court Advocacy Counts.
Meanwhile, again in the Gazette, a spotlight is briefly shone on the culture of bullying junior employees in law firms, particularly by “practice managers” often employed to do the dirty work of equity partners:- https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/practice/tribunal-shows-mercy-to-junior-who-worked-in-culture-of-fear/5064270.article
Congratulations to Former CLSA chair Zoe Gascogne who has now joined the CPS at senior level.
We have a New Lord Chancellor. yes, the 6th in 6 years, with the replacement of David Lidington, the silent chancellor who said little and did less. My assessment of his brief tenure in this new blog.
The new bod is former lawyer David Gauke MP. Let’s see if he lasts longer than his predecessor (6 months)
Defendants having to identify their nationality in court -an appeal for a defendant to act as claimant in LIBERTY JR.
(See blog Name Number and Nationality on the provisions and their inherent absurdities)
Sooner or later somebody will be charged and convicted of “failing to identify their nationality”, and let us hope that whoever takes the case stated appeal gets it right. In the meantime, there is an
opportunity to JR the provision, but this has to be brought within three months of the November implementation-ie next month. These provisions can be challenged due to the inherently discriminatory nature of this legislation.
Liberty are are very concerned about the requirement for defendants to state their nationality in open court pre-conviction and may be able to assist you or your clients to bring a challenge.This needs to be someone who has had to confirm their nationality in a criminal court as a result of this legislation, and was offended by it, irrespective of whether they answered correctly or at all (in other words, no need for them to have been charged) In addition, they need to be eligible for (civil) legal aid. Read more here
Do you have a client who fits these criteria and who may be interested in taking on such a case? Please let me know! Email gregfoxsmith@msn.com Thank you
Music My playlist of the best tracks released in 2017 here
Lawyers of the month: Congratulations on silk appointment to Jenny Dempster QC (Red Lion) and Adrian Eissa QC (25 Bedford Row!) 👍