14 Local News
Council Member’s Report
January 2014
I was on holidays in
December, and therefore was
unable to attend either the
December Council Meeting, or
the SGM.
I am sure that many of you will
have heard the result of the
SGM, in which the Vote of No
Confidence in the President
and the CEO was narrowly
carried. I attach a Report in
respect of that event. Since that
time, you will no doubt be
aware that the work
commissioned by TLS to
question the Government’s
figures, has been received,
been passed to the
Government, and the response
is awaited. We should await
that response with interest, as
the figures will not be what the
government wanted to see!
I appreciate that some
members of Merseyside and
District did not agree with my
view, and that of my co council
member Richard Barnett, over
the SGM. I respect all views of
others, and am glad that
members are able to advise me
of such disagreement. That’s
the great thing about a
democracy: freedom to have a
view. Lawyers in many
countries do not have that
freedom.
As regards the December
council meeting I am awaiting
a Report , and will circulate it
when I receive it.
There are various issues being
discussed that concern us all at
the moment: The SRA and OFT,
E Portal, Greater Engagement
(post SGM ) by TLS with
members, communication, The
Excellence Awards, Paralegal
quality standards and WIQS.
I hope that you feel free to let
me have your views so that I
can communicate them to
Council and represent you.
Without your views, all I can
communicate is my own view:
rather dull and one sided.
Exercise : What 5 things would
you like TLS to do for you in
2014. Answers on an e mail to
[email protected]
m by the end of February.
There will be a small prize for
all those that send me an e
mail with five (constructive ! )
suggestions.
Charlie Jones
Weightmans.
Co Council member
Merseyside and District
27 January 2014.
Law Society Council heeds members’ call for
continued opposition to criminal legal aid cuts
The Law Society Council has reaffirmed its vow to
continue opposing cuts that will risk the livelihoods of
criminal solicitors and jeopardise the quality of criminal
defence in England and Wales.
Law Society President Nicholas Fluck addressed a meeting of
the Law Society Council following the passing of a motion of no
confidence over the Society’s strategy of engagement with the
Lord Chancellor to influence the government's criminal legal aid
proposals.
He said: “The Society lost the vote by the margin of 228 to 213.
We have listened closely to our criminal legal aid members and
are clear that we mustn’t waste a single day, between now and
when the Lord Chancellor makes his final decision. We must
press him for more changes for the sake of access to justice, our
members and the clients who depend on them.
"We must increase our engagement with members at the same
time as putting maximum pressure on the Government so that
the Lord Chancellor can be in no doubt of the damage his
proposals will cause.
"Council committed to doing just that. There is still time to
secure further concessions from Government. The Chief
Executive, his team and I are redoubling our efforts. Our
immediate priority is to continue to influence the Ministry of
Justice in our members' interests. We will continue to make it
very clear to the Lord Chancellor that we remain opposed to
cuts.”
"The Council insisted that the Government reconsider
proposals for single fees irrespective of plea, and amend the
single national fixed fee for police station work without
escape mechanism.
"There are lessons to be learned from today’s debate and we
will reflect on these developments. Ultimately, everyone at
today's SGM is seeking the same outcome in terms of securing
a functioning, high-quality criminal justice system with a
sustainable body of criminal law solicitors.”