Catherine Baksi
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FeatureSetting the bench mark
Three women who have reached the peak of their jurisdiction’s judiciary talk to Catherine Baksi about the challenges they have faced.
NewsJudges warn of 'dysfunctional' relationship with justice watchdog
Ministry ignored 'genuine concerns' about Criminal Cases Review Commission's ability to perform its statutory functions.
FeatureMilitary mettle
‘Warfare no longer looks like a tank driving over a battlefield,’ says the head of Army Legal Services. These days lawyers are on the frontline – in every sense.
NewsMerseyside lawyers plan private prosecution of Cummings
Solicitors take steps to bring private prosecution of prime minister’s adviser for alleged driving offences during lockdown.
NewsDefendants made to disclose nationality fear bias – report
Not-for-profit specialist criminal firm calls on government to review policy urgently or face legal action.
NewsFully remote jury test a ‘success for open justice’
Experimental trial dealt with fictional case to test whether videolink could be fair alternative to face-to-face hearings during lockdown.
FeatureHome-made justice
For the lawyers and expert witnesses involved, the first trial conducted through Skype was a success – but that enthusiasm is not shared by the litigant.
NewsPioneering Skype trial 'went without a hitch', says judge
Court of Protection hearing was first trial to be conducted entirely by video.
NewsFirst all-Skype trial tests crisis working at CoP
Court of Protection is being asked to decide whether a man in his seventies should have nutrition withdrawn.
NewsHigh Court to rule on access to full adoption file
Freelance journalist Melanie Newman asked court to make order allowing her to see all court papers relating to adoption case.
FeatureFollowing the footsteps of the first
106 years after the courts told would-be lawyer Gwyneth Bebb she was not a ‘person’, Catherine Baksi takes a walk with her granddaughter
NewsBarristers set up direct family mediation scheme
Divorce Puzzle will operate ‘lawyer-supported mediation’ at fixed fees starting at £1,350 per party.
NewsMoJ accused of ‘double standards’ on claims portal
The MoJ has not signed up to the portal but still expects firms to charge lower rates, according to Express Solicitors.
NewsWelsh language parity for solicitors
Status of Welsh as official language recognised in new SRA measures to cut red tape.
NewsFirm scales up for legal aid cuts
South coast firm set to complete its fourth merger in three months, driven by the government’s cuts to legal aid.
NewsSolicitors berate ‘sham’ victim plans
Criminal solicitors have dismissed government plans to enshrine victims’ rights in law as ‘electioneering’ by an administration that has presided over an ‘under-resourced, dysfunctional criminal justice system’ that fails victims.
News‘Community courts’ call to revive local justice
The closure of one in five magistrates’ courts has had ‘lamentable’ consequences for justice and led to rocketing costs, according to a paper from a centre-right thinktank calling for the restoration of local justice.
NewsHigh Court slaps down legal aid reform
Consultation process so unfair as to be illegal, judge rules – but new fee cuts likely to go ahead.
NewsNumber of disbarred and suspended barristers soars
Nineteen barristers were disbarred in 2013/14, up from 13 the year before.