@neill_bob @CommonsJustice @DavidLammy @KarlTurnerMP 1/ This extraordinary development announced today, the Saturday before Monday when its due to take effect must, with respect be raised in Parliament. Lives are at stake. Which courts are covid safe? What about shielding? How
2/ are firms & chambers supposed to adjust arrangements over the weekend? What about child care?
Who has the insurance liability for sending staff to court not proven to be covid safe? The firms? @HMCTSgovuk? @MoJGovUK ? Who covers self employed Counsel & solicitor agents?
Who has the insurance liability for sending staff to court not proven to be covid safe? The firms? @HMCTSgovuk? @MoJGovUK ? Who covers self employed Counsel & solicitor agents?
3/ @TheLawSociety @barcouncil @TheCriminalBar @CrimeSolicitors @lccsa If the answers raised by the profession are not answered immediately then proactive emergency protective measures may have to be considered including guidance to ensure measure are disciplinary complaint proof.
4/ The legal establishment are failing to grasp that special consideration has to be given to the social makeup of and risk associated with dealing with many criminal clients. At the best of times there are risks which we take. At a time of covid these problems are more acute.
5/ As other serious professionals have pointed out the insulting suggestion that we telephone or email courts and should be confident about receiving a reply shows how totally out of touch the legal establishment is with the reality on the ground with calls and emails unanswered.
6/ Unless these issues such as court safety, unrealistic return timetable, insurance liability for practitioners are dealt with then we can only assume total contempt by HMG for legal professionals and respond accordingly. For once a line should be drawn in the sand. Enough!
7/ if HMG will not listen to our words then perhaps they should feel consequences of our action. We are not cannon fodder to be sent to destruction like the light brigade at a stroke of your ministerial or bureaucratic pens.
8/ The haughty arrogant manner & timing of this announcement says it all. Unacceptable! I am no longer in office but I urge all the representative professional groups to come together and draw up a strategy of resistance until these issues are resolved in both theory & practice.
9/ Years of abuse by Govermment & divisive tactics must now be met by firm professional resolve. Not polite protest but robust reaction to the threat to lawyers lives, families and staff. We need to take them on and form a united front. Talk to each other. Form alliances & fight.
@threadreaderapp unroll please for other platforms
