NIGHTINGALE COURTS

Eight further Nightingale Courts have been announced by the Lord Chancellor as efforts to tackle the case backlog in the justice system continue. Three of the new venues '“ the Lowry Theatre in Salford, Jury's Inn Middlesbrough and York's Hilton Hotel have already started hearing cases. The other venues are yet to be confirmed but are in Chester, Liverpool, Bristol, Winchester and Cirencester. The Nightingale Courts hear civil and family cases, non-custodial crime cases and take tribunal work to relieve pressure on the court system. 21 September 2020 SQE The introduction of the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) will significantly cut costs, lead to fewer barriers to entry and to greater diversity in the industry, according to new research from legal education provider Barbri. However, its report said the SQE alone cannot be expected to solve the diversity problem. More effort is needed along with intervention at a much earlier stage to encourage talented candidates to consider a career in law. The new system must be actively monitored by the profession and the regulator, it added. 21 September 2020 Concerns raised over Overseas Operations Bill

---