Police and lawyers meet to avoid Auld report acrimony

Criminal law solicitors and senior police officers are to meet in an effort to reduce animosity between the two sides ahead of the Auld report on the criminal justice system going out for consultation.Speaking at New Scotland Yard last week to the newly formed International Pen & Sword Association - made up of ex-law enforcement officers - Law Society President David McIntosh said: 'I intend to become involved in meetings with those who lead the law enforcement agencies in order to strive for a mutual understanding of the importance of both law enforcers and solicitors in the pursuit of justice.'Mr McIntosh said later that, with the Auld report delivered to the government last week and to be published 'shortly', it was important that law enforcers and solicitors appreciate that for both sides 'the only reasonable approach is one which seeks a clear and just result achieved by fair and just case handling'.There is concern that some senior police officers believe solicitors simply aid criminals - especially in relation to money laundering and other serious frauds - while some solicitors believe the police are too zealous in seeking convictions.Louise Delahunty, chairwoman of the Society's serious fraud and money laundering task force, said that constantly criticising the profession for not doing enough was unhelpful.Solicitors would accept their new role as 'gatekeepers' provided it could be reconciled to their duty to clients.'The Law Society is working closely with law enforcement to balance the human right of confidential access to legal advice and assistance with the needs of modern policing to confront the threat from organised crime,' she added.Neil Rose