Yesterday’s snap general election announcement has left the future of pending legislation and other government initiatives affecting lawyers mired in uncertainty.
A ‘wash-up’ period before the dissolution of the current parliament begins today, where the final bills that may become law will be considered.
Any unfinished business is lost at dissolution and the government may need the co-operation of the opposition in passing legislation that is still in progress. In the past some bills have been lost completely, while others have progressed quickly but in a much-shortened form.
Bills still in progress include the the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill, the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill and the Renters (Reform) Bill.
The announcement also raises questions over other ongoing business, including for overstretched and underfunded legal aid practitioners pinning their future on the outcome of the government’s civil legal aid review. An overarching final report summarising the review’s evidence-building phase, green paper consultation and the government’s response to the call for evidence are intended to be published in July.
In addition, the introduction this October of fixed costs for clinical negligence now appears to be in doubt.
More to follow.
