Full coverage: Law Society

With the justice department refusing to budge on the new legal aid flat fee and solicitors digging in, the criminal justice system is feeling the crunch. Released court impact surveys give a flavour of what may await.

Niall Sargent and Alice Chambers were awarded the top prize in the environmental and international justice categories at the long-standing and prestigious awards, which recognise excellence in legal journalism.

As the Department of Justice pushes for a radical overhaul of the fee system next month, practitioners warn it will lead to an exodus from the criminal legal aid system, with the most vulnerable ultimately paying the highest price. As July comes closer, things are heating up.

After 26 years, Ken Murphy is stepping down as head of the Law Society. In this extensive interview with legal editor Francesca Comyn, the face of the solicitors' profession looks back at his long, successful career and talks politics, lobbying, Marian Finucane, and why the fun has gone out of the job.