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01 February 2021
Issue: 7919 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , Legal aid focus , Legal services
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Legal aid panel announced

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has announced the 18 members of the expert panel for its ongoing criminal legal aid review
The panel, led by former judge and chair of Linklaters global competition practice Sir Christopher Bellamy QC, will look into the long-term sustainability of the criminal legal aid system. It will begin meeting monthly in February, and Sir Christopher will present his recommendations to the Lord Chancellor later this year.

The members include former Criminal Law Solicitors Association chair Bill Waddington, Nottingham University professor Sue Arrowsmith, CILEx chair Professor Chris Jones, former Court of Appeal Criminal Division judge Baroness Hallett, UCL law professor Dame Hazel Genn and University of Law professor Stephen Mayson.

‘The review must focus on ensuring a criminal justice system that delivers a fair trial and justice for all, including defendants and victims,’ Law Society president David Greene said.

‘Legal aid practitioners must be paid properly, and their businesses must be economically viable, otherwise the system will collapse. Given that the review is just getting under way and any benefits arising from it appear some way off, there is still an urgent need for interim relief in order to provide the additional funds that criminal defence solicitors so desperately need.’

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Jurit LLP—Caroline Williams

Private wealth and tax team welcomes cross-border specialist as consultant

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

Freeths—Michelle Kirkland Elias

International hospitality and leisure specialist joins corporate team as partner

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Flint Bishop—Deborah Niven

Firm appoints head of intellectual property to drive northern growth

NEWS
Talk of a reserved ‘Welsh seat’ on the Supreme Court is misplaced. In NLJ this week, Professor Graham Zellick KC explains that the Constitutional Reform Act treats ‘England and Wales’ as one jurisdiction, with no statutory Welsh slot
The government’s plan to curb jury trials has sparked ‘jury furore’. Writing in NLJ this week, David Locke, partner at Hill Dickinson, says the rationale is ‘grossly inadequate’
A year after the $1.5bn Bybit heist, crypto fraud is booming—but so is recovery. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Holloway, founder and CEO of M2 Recovery, warns that scams hit at least $14bn in 2025, fuelled by ‘pig butchering’ cons and AI deepfakes
After Woodcock confirmed no general duty to warn, debate turns to the criminal law. Writing in NLJ this week, Charles Davey of The Barrister Group urges revival of misprision or a modern equivalent
Family courts are tightening control of expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Dr Chris Pamplin says there is ‘no automatic right’ to call experts; attendance must be ‘necessary in the interests of justice’ under FPR Pt 25
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