Lawyers in England and Wales are poised to withdraw from criminal legal aid work in a pay dispute, which could severely impact the justice system. The Law Society plans to advise members to "withdraw or scale back" their legal aid services unless the government takes “meaningful action”.

Despite high stress levels across the profession and the widespread practise of going into work when sick, new research published by the Law Society has claimed that solicitors are in better general health than the general population.

The Law Society of England and Wales has expressed its support for the House of Commons Justice Committee’s call for urgent reform, following its recent report, which stated that the county court needs “urgent attention”.

The Law Society has responded to the concerns raised in the legal education and training review, reinforcing its commitment to the traditional route to qualification while simultaneously acknowledging that the LETR should lead to the opening of alternative ways into the profession.

As reported recently in the Law Society Gazette, the Law Society has launched a high-profile campaign called Sound Off for Justice aimed at growing public opposition to the government cuts to legal aid.

An independent review of the criminal courts has highlighted that the “entire system needs funding”, according to The Law Society of England and Wales President Richard Atkinson.

The creation of a legal aid task force and the uprating of the legal aid means test are some of the proposals set out in a report by the Law Society to combat the “perilous state” of the criminal justice system in England and Wales.

The Ministry of Justice has downgraded the pilot project to extend court working hours, to the relief of the Law Society.

Trainees should be paid £23,122 outside of London and £26,068 in London, the Law Society has said as part of the annual minimum salary review.

Trainee solicitors’ pay should be increased, the Law Society has recommended. 

Candidates undergoing qualifying work experience (QWE) must be paid the same as those completing a training contract, the Law Society has recommended.

The Law Society has published guidance to highlight how organisations can improve digital accessibility to support people with disabilities.

On Monday 13 January, the government published an AI Opportunities Action Plan, which has been welcomed by Law Society President Richard Atkinson. Atkinson said that the plan “demonstrates the UK's commitment to invest in AI and digital infrastructures, but above all in people and talent”.  

David Greene, president of The Law Society, has resigned over allegations of misconduct. 

The Law Society has pledged to continue using all its influence and resources to support criminal solicitors.