The Law Society

Share your views on how the rule of law influences major investment decisions by taking part in our survey by Friday 4 September. We’ve asked Oxford Economics, with support from the World Justice Project and The Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law, to research how businesses evaluate markets and manage risk when making significant investment decisions. It’ll help us understand how, and to what extent, rule of law conditions play a part in these decisions. Senior legal professionals’ judgement is central in shaping how businesses assess markets and manage risk. If you're a senior legal professional, General Counsel or play a part in investment strategy, advice or risk management for a large business, we’d like to hear from you. Your input is vital in helping us build a credible, independent evidence base on the conditions that support investment and long-term economic growth that we can use to inform debate among business leaders and policymakers. The survey takes around 10 minutes to complete and responses are anonymised to protect the confidentiality of participants. Please share your insights by Friday 4 September: https://lnkd.in/emNi3_mB #ruleoflaw #survey The Law Society

Solicitors stand up for people every day, protecting rights, defending justice and helping clients through some of life’s toughest moments. ⚖️ But too often, that commitment comes with risk. Almost half of respondents told us they or their firm had received threats in the last year, and more than a third said they’ve felt their personal safety was at risk because of their work. For many, these experiences are frightening and exhausting. They take a toll on confidence, wellbeing and mental health and for some, raise questions about whether they can continue in the profession. This is a growing danger not just to solicitors, but to justice itself. When legal professionals are threatened or intimidated, the public loses access to the support and representation they rely on. We’re committed to protecting you and the vital work you do and if you’ve ever felt unsafe in your role, we’re here to support you. ➡️ Read the report to understand what’s happening and our next steps: https://ow.ly/vOIY50XB7l1

"I know that when they tell family and friends that their daughter is a solicitor, they do so with pride." 🌟 Junior solicitor, Valankie Fernandes’ journey into law has been inspired by the admiration she has for the profession, its rich history and the difference she can make for others. She reflects, "the little nine-year-old me who moved to a different country with her parents and had to navigate through a new culture, new education system and a new way of living, would look at me in awe. "The pride I see in my parents' eyes makes all the late nights studying and juggling work worth it. ⭐ "Entering the legal field without any prior connections was a significant challenge." Now, Valankie feels confident, she says, "not because I feel like I know everything, but because I feel like I have the ability to learn anything." Qualifying is just the first step in your legal career, there’s always more to learn as our profession continues to evolve. ✨ 📕 Brush up on your professional development through our courses for aspiring and junior solicitors: https://ow.ly/KKPL50XCIaC

“There were times it seemed impossible [to qualify], but I kept going step by step, and that persistence paid off.” Qualifying last year at 42, Rosie Darcy’s journey into law has been quite impressive. After her pregnancy, Rosie was diagnosed with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. “These are invisible illnesses, which can make things harder,” Rosie shares. “People don’t see the pain or fatigue you’re managing behind the scenes. Even now, I have to pace myself carefully.” Working as a legal counsel at Nomad Foods, Rosie highlights the importance of supportive workplaces: "Nomad Foods has given me flexibility when I’ve needed it, trusted me to manage my workload, and created an environment where I feel safe to be open about my health.” Thanks to this, Rosie can thrive in her career without compromising her health. 👏 Rosie’s advice for anyone in a similar situation: “don’t be afraid to ask for what you need. Your health isn’t a weakness; it’s part of who you are, and the right employer will value you for your skills.” “That there’s no such thing as the “perfect” lawyer. The profession needs different perspectives and experiences. Your uniqueness is your strength.” A huge thank you to Rosie for sharing her story of resilience. 🌟

A win for justice and for the people who keep the system running: long-awaited funding for criminal legal aid agreed. 📣👇 Thanks to our advocacy work, the government has agreed to change the escape fee for police station work to be set at £650 instead of £900. This means solicitors can claim more money for work beyond the fixed fee. This win comes alongside broader long-awaited increases to criminal legal aid fees. This announcement is a step forward for the legal profession and for us all because when the criminal legal aid system benefits, we all benefit. ⚖️ Funding criminal legal aid lawyers to carry out crucial work at police stations, in magistrates’ courts, in the Crown Court, and in prisons ensures a level playing field across the system. This means that cases can be dealt with more efficiently, and that victims, witnesses, and defendants can get timely justice and fair outcomes. 🔗 While we welcome this much needed additional funding, there is still more to be done. Find out more about how we’re advocating for increases in criminal legal aid fees: https://ow.ly/SS3F50XA6om

Removing jury trials from so many serious cases is an extreme measure that goes far beyond the recommendations of Sir Brian Leveson’s independent report. 73% of solicitors are concerned about jury trials being removed. The right of an individual to be punished only as a result of “the lawful judgment of his equals” was enshrined in the Magna Carta of 1215 – this measure undermines this deep-rooted principle. There is no real evidence to suggest that expanding the types of cases heard by a single judge will work to reduce the backlogs. Determining a person’s guilt or innocence is a collective duty – limiting jury trial so severely disregards justice as we know it. This is a complex situation that requires investment and reform across the entire criminal justice system. The Leveson proposals were an uncomfortable compromise, only justifiable given the extensive challenges our justice system faces. To go beyond the proposals is a step too far. With a sensible combination of funding and structural change, the government can solve the criminal courts backlog without resorting to extremes.