Historically, the legal sector has been rife with sexual misconduct, known for its inherent prejudice and “frat-like mentality”. While some steps have been made in the way of improving female representation in the sector, with women now making up 50.1% of UK solicitors, changing the sector’s toxic culture has proven more difficult.  Reports of sexual…

UK law is changing. Often seen to be stuck in a time warp, as new trends begin to emerge, digitisation creeps in and educational shakeups take hold, the legal profession is beginning to evolve. Over the years the transatlantic titans have tempted many from the magic circle, with salary being boosted by a third across…

Back in 2016, HM Courts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) launched a reform programme which set out to modernise the UK’s justice system. With a budget of £1.2bn, the programme sought to improve how people access justice, and make the processes surrounding this more effective. Some of the changes brought in under the programme include the…

The UK’s equality watchdog, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), recently released findings from its inquiry into the criminal justice system (CJS) and disabled people’s experience of it. The results from the “Inclusive Justice” report highlighted fundamental failures within the system. It also shone a light on the severe lack of provisions made for…

Back in 2017 at the Pink News awards former Prime Minister Theresa May announced her commitment to improving trans rights. She outlined plans to push forward legislation meaning trans people would no longer need medical checks to change their gender officially. Further to this, the MP for Maidenhead added that being trans was not an…

On 8 June 2020, the UK government introduced revised immigration and asylum work fees. Known as a “stage 2c fee,” this scheme increases the fixed fee for appeals, and the amount of work a solicitor must complete before charging an hourly rate. Many of those within the legal sector, including the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association…

Over the last few years, legal aid has been decimated by huge funding cuts. These cuts were first initiated back in April 2013, under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012 (LASPO), as part of the government’s plan to save £350m a year. The legislation significantly reduced the number of people eligible…

Back in May, a coalition made up of environmental, farming and animal welfare organisations attempted to safeguard the future of the UK’s food standards. Led by the National Farmers Union, they wrote to all 650 MPs. In the letter they urged the Commons to ensure all food imports, post-Brexit, meet the high standards of animal…

Back in March, the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill saw its first reading in the House of Commons (HoC). It has now reached its second reading, with cross-party support, and backing from both the public and judiciary. If passed, the Bill will mean that couples seeking divorce no longer need to prove “irretrievable breakdown” as…

On 22 May, Priti Patel announced controversial plans to introduce a 14-day quarantine for those who enter the UK after 8 June. These plans also include sizeable fines for those who do not comply with the new measures. However, when the Home Secretary confirmed quarantine plans this week, they were faced with extraordinary backlash. Many…