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Clarke and Djanogly to consider ban on referral fees

Justice secretary Ken Clarke and minister Jonathan Djanogly are to consider a ban on referral fees, it emerged during the second reading of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill in the House of Commons this afternoon.

Teacher who kissed pupil has no right to lawyer at disciplinary hearing

A teaching assistant who kissed one of his male pupils was not entitled under article 6 of the ECHR to be represented by a lawyer at the disciplinary hearing before the school governors, the Supreme Court has held.

Referral fees 'crucial' to insurance industry's earnings, Straw claims

Former justice secretary Jack Straw has accused insurance companies of earning up to £1,000 a time from referral fees, making them a “crucial part” of revenue streams.

Speak up

The Sound Off For Justice campaign failed to have an impact on either the public or the government – let's hope it comes back bigger and louder, says Russell Conway

Falling on deaf ears

Despite more than 5,000 responses to the government's consultation, the legal aid bill offers few concessions. If enacted, it could deprive nearly 70 per cent of people currently eligible for legal aid of access to justice. According to the figures collated by the Legal Action Group, Liverpool, one of Britain's most deprived areas, is set to lose 80 per cent of its casework.

Taking liberties

The Neary case is a warning to local authorities not to misuse the deprivation of liberty safeguards, says Claire Bentley

Vacant position

It's only taken 65 years, but at last we have a real idea of what vacant possession actually means. John de Waal reports

Blending in

Online automation systems don't have to mean cheap and nasty, they can enable firms to combine quality work with a more accessible and convenient service for their clients, says Grahame Cohen