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monidipafouzder.bsky.social
Monidipa Fouzder
@monidipafouzder.bsky.social
230 followers 80 following 34 posts
Reporter, Law Society Gazette
Posts Replies Media Videos
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
BBC: We're not obsessed with Reform.

BBC: Let's do a piece on what a Reform government would look like.
November 5, 2025 at 11:01 AM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
Back from Liverpool where I covered the Labour party conference. ICYMI, some of the justice-related issues that were discussed, starting with growing concern about the recent political attacks on judges:
www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/labour-...
Labour conference: Tory attacks 'putting judges at personal risk'
Attorney general and justice minister say attacks are putting lives in danger and threatening UK prosperity.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
October 1, 2025 at 4:14 PM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
Also incredibly frustrating to see Starmer asked 'if you say this policy is racist, are you saying the people who vote for that party are racist?' No, he isn't. So stop focusing on whether people are being called racist and focus on people terrified of being on the receiving end of racism.
mrjamesob.bsky.social James O’Brien @mrjamesob.bsky.social · Oct 1
Right-wing media fluffs Farage for years, to the point where he now leads the polls, and then start whining about Starmer being 'obsessed' when he starts telling some long overdue home truths. It's actually hilarious.
October 1, 2025 at 9:01 AM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
The Liberal Democrats: Currently in Bournemouth for their annual conference; 3rd biggest party in the House of Commons; deserve helluva lot more media coverage than they get. On that note, here's my interview with their justice spokesperson, Josh Babarinde MP:

www.lawgazette.co.uk/news-focus/i...
In depth: As the Lib Dems convene in Bournemouth, what are the party's plans for justice?
Family court reform and a radical new legal aid policy are in the party's sights as members convene for this weekend's annual conference in Bournemouth.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
September 21, 2025 at 10:11 AM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
"And for the Lib Dems, they have a record breaking 72 MPs but are frustrated at a perceived lack of attention, amid the din elsewhere." Nothing "perceived" about it. My anger at the disproportionate amount of media coverage given to Reform has reached boiling point. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reform UK amplifies existing jitters for Labour and Conservatives
The BBC's political editor says people at the top of government acknowledge the last few weeks have been dreadful for them.
www.bbc.co.uk
September 16, 2025 at 9:14 AM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
Now to convince my editor to make me 'Taylor Swift correspondent':
www.lawgazette.co.uk/commentary-a...
Will Taylor Swift sign a prenup?
We're more likely to see Taylor Swift's 13th album before significant movement on pre-nuptial agreements in England and Wales.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
August 29, 2025 at 11:58 AM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
Exclusive: The Home Office wrongly referred an immigration solicitor to his professional regulators.
www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/home-of...
Home Office wrongly referred immigration solicitor to regulators
Solicitor considering legal action after Home Office wrongly told regulators he was using delay tactics to frustrate immigration system.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
July 25, 2025 at 12:18 PM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
The Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards - undoubtedly better than the Oscars.
www.lawgazette.co.uk/news-focus/l...
LALYs 25: Pillars of a decent society
The Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards highlighted the full gamut of critical work, from representing prisoners to family law and immigration. Such advice ensures that 'people's rights have real, pra...
www.lawgazette.co.uk
July 11, 2025 at 9:56 AM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
"Forget early retirement. You’ll bore yourself to death with golf and gardening... Age may be 'just a number' but it’s not an unbreakable barrier. And 60 is so last year."

Cannot express just how much I loved reading what Hilary did next:
www.lawgazette.co.uk/commentary-a...
What Hilary did next
In 2007, an aspiring solicitor wrote in the Gazette about being told she was too old at 60 to start a training contract. She proved otherwise.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
May 2, 2025 at 1:27 PM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
What do tech giant Apple and Prince Harry have in common? Not the start of a bad joke, but the start of a new blog from me on why it has been a good week for open justice:
www.lawgazette.co.uk/commentary-a...
Apple, Prince Harry and open justice
High-profile cases involving the tech giant and the Royal advance the important principle of open justice.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
April 9, 2025 at 2:39 PM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
This is an excellent - and depressing - piece by @johnhyde.bsky.social on the shocking state of Cardiff Civil and Family Justice Centre.
www.lawgazette.co.uk/news-focus/i...
In depth: Cardiff Civil and Family Justice Centre is falling apart
Leaky roof, missing tiles, inadequate security...the Cardiff Civil and Family Justice Centre is not fit for purpose. The centre's decrepitude touches raw nerves in Westminster's relationship with Wale...
www.lawgazette.co.uk
February 24, 2025 at 8:32 AM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
A blog from me on feeling optimistic that we might see more black judges on the bench soon.

A reminder: the proportion of black judges in England and Wales has remained at 1% since 2014.

www.lawgazette.co.uk/commentary-a...
LCJ's diversity pledge gives cause for optimism
The proportion of black judges has remained at 1% since 2014, but the judiciary is working hard to change that.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
February 21, 2025 at 12:10 PM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
Amazon, don't you dare ruin Bond for me.
February 20, 2025 at 3:44 PM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
The first 4 paragraphs of this brilliant column by @suzywrack.bsky.social are things I've done instinctively to stay safe for as long as I can remember, not realising for ages that so many women were doing the exact same thing.
February 12, 2025 at 12:22 PM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
A depressing story about the legal aid landscape in Scotland and the devastating impact on domestic abuse survivors:
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Woman's divorce case was turned down by 116 legal aid lawyers
A woman who was assaulted by her husband was unable to find a legal aid lawyer in Scotland to handle her case.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 6, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Reposted by Monidipa Fouzder
willfordosblaw.bsky.social
Nice article in the Law Society Gazette regarding judicial review regarding legal aid for welfare benefits. Many thanks to @monidipafouzder.bsky.social
www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/welfare...
Welfare benefits decision prompts firm to drop legal aid JR
Lawyers will be able to claim total costs at hourly rates when costs exceed three times the £208 fixed fee.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
February 4, 2025 at 3:55 PM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
A beautiful piece by in-house solicitor Hulya Erzurumlu on her journey with arthritis and how running, and charity Versus Arthritis, has helped Hulya reclaim her life.
www.lawgazette.co.uk/commentary-a...
Why I’m running…the London Marathon
My journey with arthritis and how running - and Versus Arthritis - helped me reclaim my life.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
January 28, 2025 at 11:55 AM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
Criminal duty solicitors provide a vital public service day and night. But the duty population has shrunk considerably (pay not great) and less than 4% of duty solicitors are under 35. So it was a joy to write this particular criminal legal aid story.
www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/north-w...
North Wales solicitor, 30, boosts duty population
Chloe Young urges aspiring lawyers interested in criminal defence to do work experience.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
January 7, 2025 at 8:55 PM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
One of my legal aid stories has been picked up by the Canadian Lawyer magazine!

*puts Canada on list of next potential holiday destination*

www.canadianlawyermag.com/news/interna...
UK legal aid lawyers encouraged to join menopause support network
The PAMELA network seeks to help not just lawyers, but clients as well
www.canadianlawyermag.com
December 24, 2024 at 11:28 AM
Reposted by Monidipa Fouzder
freerepunit.bsky.social
Thanks to the Law Society Gazette for talking to our CEO and new trustees Samuel Pape and Anne Collins about their appointments.
We can strengthen our connection with solicitors through these appointments.

#WeDoProBono

www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/pro-bon...
Pro bono charity welcomes first solicitor-trustees
Free Representation Unit changed governance arrangements to steer the organisation into becoming a '21st century business'.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
December 20, 2024 at 3:31 PM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
Total 24% fee uplift sounds like a lot. But MoJ says latest cash will take total fee uplift to 24% "over this parliament". Does that mean there won't be extra £££ down the line? Worth noting Bellamy recommended *minimum* 15% fee uplift as *the first step* in November 2021.
December 20, 2024 at 8:50 AM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
Extra £££ for criminal legal aid.

Bellamy review recommended minimum 15% fee uplift as "first step" in nursing sector back to health after years of neglect.

Ministry of Justice says extra cash will take total fee uplift to 24% "over this parliament".
www.gov.uk/government/n...
Millions invested in legal aid to boost access to justice and keep streets safe
Criminal legal aid solicitors will receive up to £92 million more a year to help address the ongoing challenges in the criminal justice system.
www.gov.uk
December 20, 2024 at 8:25 AM
Reposted by Monidipa Fouzder
laurajanes.bsky.social
Great to see PAMELA covered in the Law Society Gazette - thank you @monidipafouzder.bsky.social

www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/new-men...
December 18, 2024 at 7:47 AM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
My then-live blog of Shabana Mahmood's debut before the justice committee as lord chancellor and justice secretary, where it emerged she had an early Xmas present for the criminal justice system- an extra 2,000 Crown Court sitting days:
www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/justice...
Justice committee: Lord chancellor pledges extra 2,000 court sitting days - as it happened
Shabana Mahmood makes her first appearance before MPs on the select committee as lord chancellor and justice secretary.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
December 17, 2024 at 7:01 PM
monidipafouzder.bsky.social
This is such a fantastic new initiative: a menopause support network for the legal aid sector. And much needed. As the brilliant Dr Laura Janes points out: "Legal aid and advice work is literally fuelled by women."
www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/new-men...
New menopause support network for legal aid lawyers
Solicitor says a lot of menopause support within the legal sector is focused on corporate entities and big institutions.
www.lawgazette.co.uk
December 17, 2024 at 10:37 AM