LL August 2015

Liverpool Law
The magazine for lawyers in
Merseyside and the North West
August 2015
Access to Justice
The story continues...
Jonathan Smithers
The newly elected President
of the Law Society
This month’s featured charity:
Leukaemia & Lymphoma
Research

alb
Business Solutions
Advanced Legal
www.advanced-legal.co.uk
0844 815 5575
The complete
practice solution
ALB - the fastest growing PCMS in the market - is a single,
fully integrated, system that delivers everything your legal
practice needs to improve productivity and grow in today’s
competitive market.
Improve client engagement
Unify matter management and legal accounting
Ensure firm-wide compliance and risk management
Drive business efficiency with automated processes

EDITORIAL 3
Welcome
To the August edition of Liverpool law,
we have a number of articles this month
relating to access to justice, or more
correctly the increasing lack of access
to justice, Chris Topping updates us on
information provided by the Access To
Justice Forum. We also report in the
Liverpool Law Society's summit meeting
with local MPs and an update on the
action being taken by criminal legal aid
practitioners is also included.
The Law Society Council Summary
includes an update from outgoing
president Andrew Caplen and we also
have an article introducing the new Law
Society President, Jonathan Smithers.
I met up this month with Nicola Palios
and we discussed, as well as Tranmere
Rovers, her meteoric career in both law
and commerce, full details are in our
feature on page 8.
In addition to all this we have of
course the usual movers and shakers
and so I hope there is something of
interest to everyone. Can I also point
out the article on page 5 which
explains how Liverpool Law Society
are giving members an option to
receive the Liverpool law by email.
Sylvia Shepherd
Editor
editor@liverpoollawsociety.org.uk
Follow us on Twitter
@LpoolLawSociety
Like us on Facebook
www.facebook.com/
LiverpoolLawSociety
Liverpool Law Needs YOU
Liverpool Law Society Magazine is produced by and for Liverpool Law
Society Members. This is our opportunity to share our news, events and
celebrations with our friends in the legal community.
Join us on Linked In
https://www.linkedin.com/
company/liverpool-lawsociety
All members' contributions to Liverpool Law are warmly welcomed.
Please send your article (and photo captions where possible) or
request for further information, or assistance to the editor at
editor@liverpoollawsociety.org.uk.
Photographs should be provided in the highest resolution possible to
ensure a good reproduction.
The views and opinions expressed in Liverpool Law are those of the
individual contributed and not those of the Liverpool Law Society.
Published by Baskerville Publications Limited
25 Southworth Way
Thornton
Thornton-Cleveleys
Lancashire FY5 2WW
Tel: 01253 829431
Email: j.baskerville@jbaskerville.co.uk
Deadlines for 2015
SEPTEMBER EDITION - 17TH AUGUST OCTOBER EDITION - 14TH SEPTEMBER
NOVEMBER EDITION - 19TH OCTOBER DECEMBER EDITION - 16TH NOVEMBER
Diary Dates
06/09/15 1.00pm for 1.30pm
Chester & North Wales Law
Society and Liverpool Law
Society Joint Walk
Moel Famau
16/09/15 5.00pm for 5.30pm
Charity Treasure Hunt
Start at Weightmans, then
Liverpool City Centre venues
08/10/15 From 5.30pm
Liverpool Legal Walk in aid of
the North West Legal Support
Trust
QEII Law Courts

4 FROM THE PRESIDENT
President’s Mentions
HELLO
Dear All,
As I am writing these mentions on 6 July I am still in full post-Glastonbury “man
flu” mode. For those of you interested in a detailed analysis of Lionel Richie’s
performance on the Pyramid stage, please see the article and photographic
evidence elsewhere in this month’s edition. Apologies to everyone else, but if
you would like to see a better quality of article gracing these pages you only
have to submit one to our esteemed Editor.
Since the last edition we had our second important meeting with Local
Councillors, Universities, Citizens Advice Bureaux and other non-for profit
advisers to consider the crisis in funding and access to advice for the most
vulnerable in society. Elsewhere in this edition, Chris Topping has written an
article summarising what we discussed at our meeting and mentioning the
event which we are arranging to take place in September to discuss both the
remaining availability of Legal Aid and what firms and individual solicitors can
do to get involved and providing pro bono assistance to those who are most
in need of our professional help.
On a lighter note, by the time you read this I will have enjoyed the South
Western delights of Bristol for a Joint V meeting with our colleagues from
Leeds, Birmingham and Manchester. A report will follow in our next edition.
Finally, if you only read one article in this month’s magazine please read
about our Charity Treasure Hunt which is taking place on 16 September.
Rather than having a nominated charity the winning team gets to choose
their own charity which will scoop all of the
money we raise. I hope to see as many of
you as possible there next month.
Emlyn Williams
President
Sponsored by
Charity Spotlight
Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research
Every 14 minutes in the UK, someone is diagnosed with
blood cancer or a related disorder. That’s almost 38,000
people every year.
Being diagnosed can be devastating. But thanks to
Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research’s work, people today
see a very different world than they would have when we
started in 1960.
Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research is the UK’s biggest
blood cancer charity. We’re here to beat blood cancer -
we stop people dying from blood cancer, we make
patient’s lives better and we stop people getting blood
cancer in the first place.
We were founded back in 1960 by the Eastwoods, a family
who lost their 6-year-old daughter Susan to leukaemia. At
the time, most people thought nothing could be done, but
Susan's parents saw things differently. They believed there
could and should be hope for people with blood cancers.
Now, 55 years on, and with over half a billion pounds
raised and invested in research, we're proving them right.
Together with our researchers, supporters and donors,
we've helped to change the world for people with blood
cancers.
We’ve seen a massive change in how blood cancers are
diagnosed and treated – and we’ve helped make that
happen. For example, thanks to our research, nine out of
ten children survive the most common form of childhood
cancer, acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).
So how do we do it?
• We research: in a hundred and one different
ways, because research will beat blood cancer.
• We help: through information, support,
connections and collaboration.
• We campaign: to improve patient experience
and enhance research.
• We share learning: to enhance knowledge,
understanding and expertise of all those
involved in beating blood cancer.
• And we raise money: so we can meet the
needs of blood cancer patients.
In 2014–15, we invested nearly £33 million in new research
to change the lives of people affected by blood cancer,
and we invested over £1.5 million in patient services. We
have more than 1,000 researchers, clinicians and nurses
working to beat blood cancer, and around 550,000
people access our online information each year.
Here in the North alone, we’re currently investing over
£18 million to beat blood cancer, with over £890,000
invested in to our Liverpool research centre and clinical
trials work. In the region, we have our Northern office
along with voluntary Branches and Fundraising Groups,
such as our Wirral & Merseyside Branch.
They form part of our unique community made up of
blood cancer patients, carers, researchers, health
professionals, legislators, opinion formers, trustees, staff,
Branch members, volunteers, individual and corporate
fundraisers, celebrities, sports people, families and friends.
We’ve changed the world for blood cancer patients. But
we need to do more. We won’t stop until every single
person diagnosed with a blood cancer survives and can
go on to live their life to the full.
To find out more about our work or to get involved,
please contact Catriona and Lauren in our North team at:
north@beatingbloodcancers.org.uk
0191 208 2716

NEWS 5
Access To Justice Forum – The Story Continues
“We find a lot of people just
put up and shut up as they
can’t find free services of the
standard they require…even
though their rights depend on
it.”
This conclusion of the research
carried out jointly by Rachel
Stalker from Liverpool JMU and
James Organ from the
University Of Liverpool was a
stark reminder that things are
getting worse for those in need
of advice
.
At the first meeting of the
Access To Justice Forum in April
2015 the two universities in attendance offered to carry out a
mapping exercise across the region to see what Third Sector
agencies are in existence and find out what they were
experiencing in the light of the cuts. In their report which can
be found at www.liverpoollawsociety.co.uk there was a stark
reminder that the effect of the Legal Aid cuts, austerity
measures and reform of the welfare system mean that those
giving advice in the Third Sector are increasingly stretched.
The agencies are finding that demand for their services are
significantly increasing due to the welfare reforms while the
funding has significantly decreased. It is increasingly difficult to
provide a quality service; to ensure there are sufficient advisers
and to make sure that those signposted to other agencies
actually get the advice they need.
The second meeting of the Access To Justice Forum took place
on Thursday 2nd July 2015 at the Cotton Exchange and was
attended by a wide range of those concerned with, and
involved in, trying to provide advice for those seeking it across
Merseyside.
The Councillors in attendance (Cllr Lappin from Sefton and Cllr
Corbett from Liverpool) presented a sombre picture of what is
likely to be coming down the tracks with more welfare cuts
and increasing austerity measures to be imposed by
government. Since the last meeting we had been through a
General Election and the feeling, in advance of the
Chancellor’s Budget on 8th July, was that things were not
going to get better.
We were able to report that the Liverpool Law Society is
seeking to get involved in filling the gap. An initial Pro Bono
Survey had been sent round to firms in June, to gather
information about what is already being done by members.
Although there had been a limited response we were now
seeking to build on this start. We are trying to work out ways in
which there could be opportunities for firms to provide real
assistance to the Third Sector and to ensure that advice is
given and people do not give up.
It was agreed that we host a conference in September 2015
entitled Access to Justice – Mind The Gap. There will be a
presentation to explain where Legal Aid is still available and
thus educate ourselves, a presentation to outline where there
are opportunities to provide pro bono advice already and
then a chance to discuss how we as the legal profession can
get involved.
If you wish to attend please email
committees@liverpoollawsociety.org.uk with your contact
details.
Chris Topping
Liverpool Law Society
Members’ Survey: further news,
feedback, and action
‘Liverpool Law’: magazine or online
link? Members’ choice!
From next month, Liverpool Law Society is offering members
the choice to continue to receive ‘Liverpool Law’ as a
magazine or to opt in to receive an email with a link to an
online version in a PDF reader.
According to our members’ survey conducted earlier this year,
most people prefer to receive communications from Liverpool
Law Society via email, however when it comes to ‘Liverpool
Law’, 70% of respondents stated they still wish to receive
Liverpool Law via hard copy. Therefore hard copy will remain
the default option.
If you wish to change from the hard copy magazine to
receiving a link to the online PDF version of ‘Liverpool Law’,
please email in stating your request to
contactus@liverpoollawsociety.org.uk and your preference will
be updated on our database.
In other news, Rupert Gill, a Partner at Brabners, was the lucky
winner of the food & wine hamper prize after he kindly agreed
to be asked additional questions in a telephone consultation
following completion of the online membership survey.
Thank you Rupert!
Criminal Law
& Costs Update with Colin Beaumont
-

6 OPINION
The Battle Continues
The Criminal Law Lawyers
continue to fight for their
existence and access to
justice for the public.
Following the failure to
convince the Court in the
judicial reviews and the
election result both of which
seemed to surprise everyone
including Cameron, Grayling
and Gove, the Government
have marched on with their
plans to cut the fees further.
On 01 July 2015 8.75% was cut
from all fees in Police Stations
and Magistrates Courts such
that for attendance at
2.00am to deal with an
inarticulate vulnerable Client
accused of anything from
murder to public disorder or
fraud to dangerous driving we
will get the princely sum of
£142.00 total however long
we are there.
Equally at the Magistrates
Court the sum is £180.00 for a
Guilty Plea even if the case is
adjourned for reports. Less in
real terms than we received
some 10 years ago with
increase in all overheads
since.
Further cuts are threatened in
the Crown Court together
with Court closures and revamping
the whole system of
Criminal Justice.
Hence unanimously it was
Thursday, 9th July 2015 saw
the latest of the Society's
regular meetings with local
councillors which we have
been hosting 6-monthly since
2011. These meetings are an
excellent platform for the
Society and councillors to
keep in touch about issues of
mutual concern and
Thursday’s meeting was no
exception.
As you can see from the
photo we had an excellent
turnout and despite the
challenges faced by our local
communities on the access to
justice front the mood of the
meeting was extremely
positive.
Topics covered included the
decided to work to rule
(some say strike) but we
realised that we had
contractual obligations under
the Duty Scheme which
would play into the hands of
the Government who
seemingly do not want
Defence Lawyers.
HM Government do not
realise the goodwill and
extent to which we Defence
Lawyers keep the system
running smoothly.
Given that all Agencies are in
effect quango’s of the
Government save Defence
Lawyers. Police, Crown
Prosecution Service, Courts,
Witness Support, Probation,
Social Services and Judiciary
are all controlled, directed,
supported and paid for out of
the public purse with all
equipment and facilities
including a handsome
pension.
Whereas Defence Lawyers
have to finance their
practice, staff and pension to
endeavour to keep up to
date with training, IT and risk
management.
So it was that on 1st July we
decided to refuse all work
including Own Client and
ceased to apply for Legal Aid
only complying with the Duty
Contract to the letter.
Human Rights Act/Bill of Rights
debate, issues around
guardianship and our
forthcoming evening
conference on Access to
Justice and Legal Aid. This will
take place on in September
and will be aimed third sector
independent advice
agencies, lawyers, members
of the judiciary and local
authority councillors and MPs
from Merseyside.
Other topics on the agenda
were the changes to welfare
benefits following the
announcements made in
July's budget and an
Employment Tribunal LIP pro
bono pilot scheme due to
commence later this month in
London and whether we can
Result – chaos in Police
Stations and Magistrates
Courts and to the Duty
Solicitor Call Centre.
The Bar also supported
Solicitors in an act of unity
within both branches of the
profession rarely seen in the
past.
The Government through their
dirty tricks department of
course though they could
“divide and rule” setting one
against the other and
indicating that they had
contingency plans to cope
with any difficulties.
The Public Defender reared its
ugly head once more
travelling the length and
breadth of the country at
some cost and muddling their
way through the system.
The Public Defender you may
recall made a guest
appearance for a short while
at Liverpool at three times the
cost of private practice and
perished without an autopsy.
The current Public Defender
came from that hot bed of
crime in Cheltenham and
Darlington rumour has it that
they stayed at a four star
hotel to ensure timely
attendance at Court. I
wonder if the Public Auditor is
aware of the cost of such a
venture.
Gove it is believed entered
into brief discussion with
representatives of the
profession and invited us to
put forward alternatives and
has promised to keep
dialogue open – watch this
space.
Since Friday 23 July solicitors
have now moved on to Phase
2 and returned to Police
Stations and Magistrates
Courts but refuse to take
instructions for Crown Court or
applying for Legal Aid and so
the Crown Court will be beset
with the problems of
unrepresented Defendants.
The Bar have nationally
unanimously voted to refuse
to accept any new
instructions and returns from
27 July 2015.
Mr Gove and his cronies
better listen and come to
some sensible agreement to
unite the Justice System said
to be the best in the world.
Well it is crumbling and likely
to fail unless he recognises
that he needs a strong Legal
Profession to maintain the
standards and to work in
harmony to achieve access
to justice. All the changes in
cost and efficiency that are
recommended by Lord
Justice Leveson in his January
2015 Paper cannot be
undertaken without a full and
properly financed Solicitors
and Barristers Profession and
their goodwill.
John Ballam
Summit Meeting with Councillors and
General Committee
replicate this in conjunction with the Employment Lawyers
Association. Thanks to everyone who attended Thursday’s
meeting and contributed so positively.
If you are interested in getting involved in any of these issues
please get in touch with Chris Topping who chairs our Access
to Justice Committee or the President Emlyn Williams.

INTERVIEW 7
Meet Jonathan Smithers
President of the Law Society
Jonathan Smithers, senior
partner at CooperBurnett in
Tunbridge Wells was elected
the 171st President of the Law
Society last month.
Jonathan’s involvement with
local law societies goes back
to 1984, when as an Articled
Clerk he was instrumental in
establishing a Trainee
Solicitors Group in Tunbridge
Wells. He then went on to join
the Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge
and District Law Society and
was the Dinner Secretary for
22 years becoming President
in 2002. He was also a
member of the Kent Law
Society, and was the
President in 2008.
Through his activity within
local law societies, Jonathan
recognises how important
they are to local lawyers. He
says “Local law societies are
the personification of the
profession. They are groups of
like-minded professionals, who
may be competitors, working
together for the greater
good. They have a great deal
of history and some are older
than the national Law
Society. I recently attended
the 200th anniversary dinner
of Plymouth Law Society and
Kent Law Society is
approaching this landmark.”
One of Jonathan’s aims this
year is to encourage
dialogue with local law
societies. He adds “Some law
societies, both large and
small, are very successful and
vibrant, yet others struggle to
maintain membership. The
size of the society isn’t
important, but what is
important is that they engage
with their members. We are
also looking to local law
societies to assist us by
providing local information
and evidence. The Lord
Chancellor has just
announced a consultation on
a series of court closures and
I am seeking views from law
societies up and down the
country on the effect that
“Local law societies are the
personfication of the profession. They
are groups of like-minded professionals,
who may be competitors, working
together for the greater good...”
these closures will have on
the local communities.”
Jonathan has outlined three
main themes for the coming
year. Firstly, Access to Justice
remains a core theme.
Jonathan comments “We
need to widen the
conversation on Access to
Justice and explain what it
really means. We have to
continue to lobby for change
to ensure that we have a fair
system of justice.
Secondly, Jonathan wishes to
drive forward the Law
Society’s Rule of Law
campaign by promoting the
economic value to the
country of the legal services
market. He says “The rule of
law is everywhere. Look on
any high street and there is a
firm of solicitors, who may
have been there for
decades. The legal profession
is integral to business and the
economy and we need to be
promoting this. As a
profession we need to be
proud of what we do and the
Law Society needs to be
leading the way in this
campaign.” Similarly
Jonathan wants to highlight
the amount of Pro Bono work
undertaken by solicitors
“There are hundreds of law
firms who do pro bono work,
week after week, not
necessarily in formal
schemes, and this needs to
be recognised.”
Jonathan’s third theme is
Conveyancing and Land
Law. He was the Chair of the
Society’s Conveyancing and
Land Law Committee, was
instrumental to the setting up
and promotion of CQ as well
as acting as the key
spokesperson on homebuying
and selling. One of his
objectives is to enhance the
appreciation of the role
solicitors have in undertaking
property transfer, and in
particular to highlighting
solicitor’s knowledge about
property and the housing
market.
Turning to human rights,
Jonathan says that the Law
Society will continue to lobby
for retention of the rights
contained in the HRA and
continued adherence to the
European Convention on
Human Rights and to the
rulings of the European Court
of Human Rights.
Continuing the work of his
predecessor Andrew Caplen,
Jonathan will also focus on
legal services and the armed
forces as the 70th anniversary
of the end of the Second
World War approaches. He
wants to highlight the role of
the profession in armed
conflict and those currently
serving in the Armed Forces,
as well as lawyers supporting
veterans via the Armed
Forces Legal Action initiative.
Raised in a musical family,
“Look on any high street and there is a
firm of solicitors, who may have been
there for decades. The legal profession is
integral to business and the economy
and we need to be promoting this.”
Jonathan has been a
member of the Oriana
Singers for over twenty years.
The choir provides cover in
Cathedrals when the regular
choir are on holiday and
have performed in over 40
English cathedrals. Jonathan
says “There are 22 of us, all
from very different walks of
life, but the one things we
have in common is we enjoy
making music together.”
Julia Baskerville
Need an expert in medical or
dental negligence?
Refer to us. City : Allerton : Garston
0151 733 3353
www.gadllp.co.uk

8 FEATURE
An Interview with Nicola Palios
I met up with Nicola at the end of an afternoon after we had
both attended the Merseyside Women of the Year Awards at
the Crowne Plaza.
I knew that Nicola had spent most of her working life as a
commercial lawyer and last August she and her husband Mark
had taken a controlling interest in Tranmere Rovers FC from the
outgoing Chairman Peter Johnson. Mark Palios is now the
Executive Chairman of the club, with Nicola as Vice Chairman
and Peter Johnson the Honorary President.
I was interested in speaking to Nicola to find out how she had
managed to achieve so much both as a lawyer and in
business and we started with her education, Nicola comes
from one of those families that move around the country a lot
and so she struggles to say where she can call home territory
but most of her high school years were in the north east where
she attended a local comprehensive school. From there she
went to Oxford University to study law. Following her degree
she qualified as a barrister and then re-qualified as an
advocate in Jersey joining the law firm Mourants and began
as a business and trust lawyer. After several years as a fee
earner, she was seconded for six months into the business arm
of Mourants. She found she enjoyed that side of the firm best
and the six months turned into seven years as she rose to
become the CEO of the Mourant Group. Nicola probably still
has the right to practice although she stopped giving legal
advice back in 1996.
She clearly had such a meteoric (indeed vertical) rise and I
had to ask her if she'd ever felt being female was an
advantage or a disadvantage. She said in Jersey, at least one
third of the firm's partners were female and during all her time
at Mourants the question of an applicant's gender had never
been mentioned, let alone been an issue.
We discussed the importance of motivation and reward and
she told me an interesting story about research she had come
across when she was at Harvard Business School. The project
had been to discover what drives three categories of people,
professionals including lawyers, entrepreneurs and politicians.
The drivers for lawyers included intellectual challenge and peer
group respect in fact salary or drawings were only relevant
insofar as being relative to the peer group. An issue Nicola
came across when she reviewed the Mourant Lockstep
scheme! The drivers for entrepreneurs were achievement of a
business goal and personal authority. For politicians, not
surprisingly, it was power and influence.
Having sold the various independent businesses owned by the
Mourant Group she left the group and was able to relax a little
and keep purely consultancy roles in a number of companies
including directorships at British Rowing Ltd and the States of
Jersey Development Company Limited and for that she still
visits Jersey on a monthly basis.
Mark and Nicola were travelling back from France when they
heard on the car radio the problems that Tranmere were then
going through, Mark of course particulary interested having
played as a mid-fielder for Tranmere Rovers for nine years. In
the car, on that journey, they decided to "do something about
it".
With Mark's business background, he qualified as an
accountant and built up a very successful career specialising
in business turnaround. Then after taking an interest in sports
governance, became the Football Associations chief
executive in 2003. Mark managed to be both an accountant
and a footballer - at the same time! Together with Nicola's
business and legal background they were well qualified for the
job.
At that time they were living in Hampshire but having made
the decision to invest in Tranmere moved up here so that they
could be on the spot and most of their working day is devoted
to the club. Mark and Nicola share an office and she thinks
they work well together, he having the disciplined, one matter
at a time approach and Nicola having a more dive in and
keep the plates spinning approach which works for them both.
Off pitch their main problem is the financial deficit they
inherited when they took over the club and Nicola is pleased
to say she feels they are making significant inroads into that.
For a football club, none match day income is critical and
they have concentrated efforts on the refurbishment of parts
of the club to provide a top class commercial facility. But it's
not all about commerce, they are just as keen to develop
community work at the club. Both Mark and Nicola look to
engage with sections of society through football where
perhaps more traditional approaches have failed. One of the
projects they are very keen on is for "looked after kids",
children in care or foster care, who go to the club after school
for sport related activities.
Nicola has no influence on the pitch, she confirms that players
are picked by the club manager and, although the manager
may want to discuss matters with Mark, he will not try to get
involved so long as the manager stays within the set financial
limits. They have ambitious plans for the redevelopment of the
club including - eventually raising enough investment to turn
the stadium round by 90%!
I asked Nicola if any particular person had inspired her at the
club, she mentioned Peter Johnson, who though may be
criticised by others for lack of investment did write off
£6,000,000 of his own money to give the club a more solid
financial base.
Both Mark and Nicola, having earned enough in their previous
lives, could have stayed in semi-retirement and as Nicola says
"anybody who buys a football club to make money needs
their head examined". They are both intent on using their
ability to make Tranmere Rovers successful and to make a real
contribution to the community served by the club. Nicola has
a huge amount of regard for the people working at the club
and particularly mentions Audrey who has been at the club for
40 years as a volunteer.
We parted at the Crowne Plaza and Nicola went to meet
some club sponsors and left me with the impression that
Tranmere Rovers was in very safe hands indeed.
Sylvia Shepherd
DLA Piper LLP

Liverpool Law Society summit
meeting with local MPs
The Liverpool Law Society
warmly welcomed a number
of local MPs, John Pugh MP,
Justin Madders MP, Luciana
Berger MP and Bill Esterson MP
to one of our regular summit
meetings.
MEETING WITH MPS 9
It was a very constructive and
progressive meeting. The
Society outlined to MPs the
work that is going on with
local councils and other
stakeholders around access
to justice and all were invited
to the next Forum around
those issues which will take
place in September. The MPs
were very keen to understand
how and when legal aid
might remain open to their
constituents and certainly
expressed interest in attending
the forthcoming event at
which that will be one of the
key areas of presentation. The
HR Act, current issues over
legal aid and access to the
employment tribunals were
also considered and a very
constructive discussion was
had.
Guidance was given to the
Society around how we may
best engage with politicians
and committees and the
manner in which areas of
enquiry are now gathered
and put to the House.
The MPs were also able to
outline some areas of
concern that are being raised
by their constituents around
legal issues. There was a clear
impression that enquiries of
this nature are on the increase
in their clinics perhaps
because of the difficulty that
individuals now have in terms
of accessing legal advice in
other areas. The Society was
able to offer some insight and
guidance into other options
that might be available to
individuals that were perhaps
not commonly known and
this was very much
appreciated.
It’s clear that the local MPs
are keen to work with the
Society to progress and assist
in the projects that are
underway and indeed
advised as to the best time
and day to hold these
meetings in the hope that
would make it easier to
secure the attendance of a
greater number of MPs which
would be really beneficial.
So on to the next meeting
and breakfast. Always a
winner!
Peter Holland
DWF LLP
The next meeting is at 8.30
am on 23rd October 2015.
INTRODUCING OUR NEW ENCRYPTED
ELECTRONIC DOCUMENT EXCHANGE
NEW W !
NEW !
Here at DX the security
of your documents lies at the heart of everything we do,
be it a letter, a parcel or an
encrypted email.
eDX is the latest service e offering from DX. Powered
by Egress Switch, it is the award ard winning and only
UK
Government certified
encryption product on
the market which embraces: es:
GREAT SERVICE – relied upon by our Customers to
deliver your promises on time, every time
A HIGHLY SECURE network that you can trust
CUSTOMER CHOICE – providing the best solutions from
a broad range of services to meet your needs
FIND OUT MORE:
0843 90 33 300
exchange@thedx.co.uk
.uk
@DX_Exchange
thedx.co.uk/edx
DXD/MKT/0392/11JUL14/0392/11JUL14

LOCAL NEWS 11
Lord Dyson’s visit to Vernon Street
Friday 26th June 2015
Liverpool Law Society, local solicitors, barristers, members of
the Judiciary and representatives of local advice agencies
were honoured to welcome the Right Honourable Lord Dyson,
Master of the Rolls, Head of Civil Justice and the second most
senior Judge in England and Wales, to Vernon Street on Friday
26th June 2015 for a question and answer session arranged by
His Honour Judge Graham Wood QC.
Those practising civil litigation would be foolish to ignore Lord
Dyson’s insightful views into what the future holds and here is a
summary of the questions that were asked and Lord Dyson’s
thoughtful responses.
On Solicitors’ guidelines for hourly rates and fixed costs:
In the absence of funding to properly research and review the
rates, Lord Dyson considered that it is unlikely that the problems
that practitioners are encountering will change but the
solution, in Lord Dyson’s view, is to extend fixed costs in civil
litigation to a level where “big firms, demonstrating economies
of scale” are able to provide the service required.
“Acquiescence on disproportionate costs is not an option”,
Lord Dyson commented. “Cost Judges must always have an
eye on proportionality.”
Providing support to unrepresented Litigants in person and the
prospect of more specialist Judges:
Lord Dyson was very committed to the idea of assisting
Litigants in person but recognised “the enormous strain”
currently on resources within the MOJ.
“If there was countrywide support for specialist Judges to be
created then it would be up to the Senior Judiciary to take the
matter forward” Lord Dyson was almost certain that a
modernisation process will be implemented in any event.
The Recent Increase in Court Fees:
Lord Dyson was at pains to point out that the huge hike in
Court fees was government policy robustly resisted by the
Senior Judiciary. However as far as the prospects of the fees
ever being modified, it could only ever be on the basis that the
total take to the MOJ’s coffers was not affected.
Fundamentally therefore the level of fees was most unlikely to
change.
Fixed costs in Fast Track Trials and Counsel’s fees:
Lord Dyson took this as an opportunity to reassert once again
his firmly held view that we cannot carry on with a system
where “costs for a claim worth £2,500 might be as high as
£25,000” and that fixed costs will be extended to
proportionalise the costs of litigation. Lord Dyson did not
underestimate the problems that this may create but was
unable to see any other answer to the current problems
concerning proportionality.
The prospect of electronic Courts:
Lord Dyson was optimistic that a significant proportion of the
monies that the MOJ hoped to receive from the Treasury will
be designated to IT and that in the next five years things could
well be different.
On Unqualified Advocates in Court:
Lord Dyson warned that solicitors who instruct unqualified
advocates should be reported to the Law Society and that
Judges should exercise their discretion in a consistent way as
to whether or not they grant them rights of audience.
SUMMARY
So, in summary, what can civil litigators look forward to and
what may the new Lord Chancellor, Michael Gove, have in
store for the profession? Well, in Lord Dyson’s view, almost
certainly, fixed fees will be extended to lower value Multi Track
cases (including clinical negligence) as proportionality remains
very high on the agenda.
Court fees are almost certainly going to remain at their current
levels and compulsory ADR is unlikely. Something that he
would not advocate.
The possibility of more specialist Courts may come back onto
the Judicial agenda and assistance for unrepresented Litigants
in person is being reviewed by the government. One thing
Lord Dyson is certain of: radical change, not a question of if
but when.
This article was written by Sarah Lapsley, General Committee
Member of Liverpool Law Society, Litigation and Employment
Law Partner at Cook and Talbot Solicitors, Southport.
M en
ntal
Capacity Act
Update
with Helen Clarke
-
-
-

12 LOCAL NEWS
Hill Dickinson makes senior
appointment to Health team
How To Generate
Leads Throughh
Online Marketing
with Phil Birss
-
International law firm Hill Dickinson
has bolstered its national health
team with a senior appointment
who will be working in the
Manchester and Liverpool offices.
Georgina Rowley joins the firm as a
Consultant. She previously worked
at Hempsons, where she spent two
and a half years as head of the
healthcare advisory team
specialising in healthcare law
including consent and capacity,
Court of Protection, Deprivation of
Liberty Safeguards, commissioning,
mental health and risk
management issues.
Commenting on Georgina’s
appointment, Richard Watson,
Head of Health at Hill Dickinson,
said: “Georgina is extremely wellrespected
in her field and will really
enhance our offering. We look
forward to welcoming her to the
The charity team at North West law firm
Brabners have been appointed to
establish Waterloo Uncovered as a
registered charity.
Waterloo Uncovered is a ground breaking
archaeology project which aims to
explore the battlefield of Waterloo and
reveal secrets that have been buried
underground for 200 years.
While the Battle of Waterloo has been
studied by generations of historians, it is
the first major international
archaeological project at the former
battlefield using the latest technology
and practices developed by conflict
archaeologists.
Waterloo Uncovered has been
developed by two soldiers from the
Coldstream Guards, Major Charles
Foinette, who currently serves with 1st
Battalion Coldstream Guards, and exserviceman
Mark Evans. The project is also
supported by a number of universities
including Glasgow, Dundee, Gent and
Utrecht, the Service Public de Wallonie
and LP Archaeology.
The archaeology is led by Dr Tony Pollard,
who heads the Centre for Battlefield
Archaeology at Glasgow University, and
includes both professional archaeologists
from across Europe and wounded
veterans from recent military campaigns.
The team has so far discovered coins,
buttons, and English and French musket
balls.
team.”
Georgina Rowley
Georgina added: “I’m looking forward to
joining such a well-established team, aligning
my experience to that of the firm and
contributing to its continuing growth.”
Brabners to establish Waterloo
Uncovered as a registered charity
The aims of Waterloo Uncovered are to
transform understanding of the Battle
through archaeology as all findings will
be made publicly available and to
provide a unique opportunity for
veterans to participate in an important
dig and support those that are injured in
their recovery.
Stephen Claus, Partner and Head of
Charity and Social Enterprise at Brabners
said: “Registration as a charity will
enhance Waterloo Uncovered’s ability to
raise funds from grant makers and others
who as tax payers can use gift aid to
increase the value of their gift, making
even more cash available to fulfil the
charity’s objects. Fascinating and
incredibly interesting projects such as this
do not come along everyday, and we
are delighted Mark and his colleagues
have chosen to use Brabners to help with
registration which can be a daunting
process, leaving the team free to
concentrate on the project.”
Mark Evans, Project Co-ordinator of
Waterloo Uncovered, said: “This is an
exciting new chapter in the story of
Waterloo Uncovered. Charity status will
allow us to significantly increase the
project’s reach; doing more
archaeology and helping more soldiers
and veterans. At such a significant
juncture we are glad to be in the very
capable hands of Brabners.”
http://www.waterloouncovered.com/

Willis Limited, Registered number: 181116 England and Wales.
Registered address: 51 Lime Street, London, EC3M 7DQ.
A Lloyd’s Broker. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for its general insurance mediation
activities only.
62501/05/15

14 CONFERENCES
Personal Injury Conference 2015
-
-
Many thanks to Liverpool Law Society for
putting on the 2015 Personal Injury
Conference on Wednesday 15 July 2015
at the Crowne Plaza. I understand that
such fantastic take up led to a late
change of venue. So well done to CP for
hosting proceedings at such short notice!!
Firstly, on behalf of the Liverpool Law
Society and all those who attended I wish
to express sincere thanks to His Honour
Judge Gregory who chaired the event
with the mixture of gravitas and good
humour we have all come to expect from
him. Many thanks indeed.
Substantively, the morning began with an
insightful run through of the law relating
to Infant Approvals from the perspective
of deducting success fees and insurance
premiums from damages from William
Thorpe of Counsel. Important stuff for all
present. William was then followed - for a
double session on Liability Developments
and then Costs and Funding - by the ever
engaging Professor Dominic Regan.
The first half of the day was then topped
off by an engaging discussion of WiP
profiling and its place in attracting
funding for personal injury litigation. Of
no direct application to me and my
fellow Defendant lawyers I suspect, but a
sharp insight for all present nevertheless of
how WiP evaluation is key to sound fiscal
health in any modern law firm.
Post the usual delightful CP lunch(!) we
heard from that champion of the rights of
the injured and the Claimant fraternity
more generally Craig Budsworth, who
took the delegation through where we
are up to with Med Co right now and
Trial & Error?
In response to feedback received, we
are currently mid-trial of providing
‘electronic notes only’ to our seminar
delegates and although it only
commenced in June, things so far seem
to be going swimmingly!
Delegates were made aware this
change was going to be happening by
a notice in our June edition of Liverpool
Law, the news section of our website and
via our social media. We also included
notice on the marketing of events, at the
point of booking on the website and
within confirmation details of booking.
We hoped that with this ‘belt & braces’
approach, none of our delegates would
be unware and arrive for a seminar
without having, or there being, any
supporting materials available.
So far, we have not yet seen any red
faces – be they angry or embarrassed,
as all our delegates have come
prepared!
what the future might hold. Watch this
space! Next up, and squeezed a little
by Craig’s enthusiasm, was Matthew
Casson of evolution costs to take us
through maximising costs and avoiding
the pitfalls that can costs a firm money.
His excellent slides gave the audience a
useful aid to take away.
Mid afternoon, coffee was sandwiched
between two short but hugely
interesting slots from Ben Fletcher of the
Insurance Fraud Bureau and Andrew
Miller of Thatchams, talking about the
good work the IFB does to root out
fraud from ‘claims’ for the greater good
of all, and how one day driverless
vehicles could do away with
negligence based accidents from our
roads once and for all. Complete
autonomy, we were told, could well be
beyond our lifetimes!
The event finished with slots from David
Pilling on Protocols, Portals and Problems
and from Norman Kenvyn of VFS Legal
Funding with the most interestingly titled
talk of the day ‘Turnover is vanity, profit
is sanity but cashflow is king’. And a fine
slot on solid practice management it
was too.
Overall, a packed and varied schedule
and a great conference overall.
Liverpool Law Society would like to
thank principal sponsor VFS Legal
Funding and the event’s other sponsor,
evolutioncosts.
Glyn Thompson
Associate, Weightmans LLP
Although we aren’t counting our
chickens too early, I think that with only
2 negative responses so far, from almost
80 delegates, the surge of positive
feedback, including: ‘great idea’, ‘very
sensible’ etc. supports our thoughts on
this being the way we should operate in
the future, which allows delegates to:
receive materials ahead of the event,
access them on a device, wherever,
whenever also store and share them
more easily and print to their own
preference.
On behalf of Liverpool Law Society, I
would just like to thank you in supporting
us with this technological step forward
and look forward to reporting back to
you when the trial ceases in the autumn.
Jo Downey,
Director of Education & Training
If you have any thoughts or ideas at all
regarding training matters, I would be
happy to receive them at:
jo@liverpoollawsociety.org.uk

FREE Sample
Collections
at our Walk-in Centres for
DNA, Drug & Alcohol Testing.
No appointment necessary.
Our Walk-in Centres
Manchester
Tuesday and Thursday
9.30am to 4.30pm
11 St John Street,
Manchester M3 4DW
Liverpool
Monday and Wednesday
9.30am to 4.30pm
Trident House, 31 – 33
Dale Street, Liverpool
L2 2HF
Preston
Tuesday and Friday
9.30am to 4.30pm, Unit 5,
Albert Edward House, The
Pavillions, Ashton-on-
Ribble, Preston PR2 2YB
Send your clients to any of the above locations on the specified day to provide a sample.
Warrington
Monday and Thursday
9.30am to 4.30pm
AlphaBiolabs, 14 Webste
Court, Carina Park,
Warrington WA5 8WD
0800 170 1200
AlphaBiolabs
14 Webster Court, Carina Park, Warrington, WA5 8WD
t: 0800 170 1200 | e: info@alphabiolabs.co.uk | w: www.alphabiolabs.co.uk

W HY NOT OFFER YOUR CLIENTS F R E E
EMPLOYMENT LAW/HR ADVICE?
Peninsula is the UK’s Leading Specialist Employment Law, HR and Health & Safety Service.
For more information contact George Bedford on
07966 112 113 or george.bedford@peninsula-uk.com
peninsula-uk.com
It was 30 Years Ago Today…..
Musings by a Probate Lawyer, Naomi Pinder
It’s amazing to realise that it is
thirty years since I graduated
in law from Sheffield
University. It sounds like such a
long time ago and the world
has changed in many
different ways. They were the
days of Mrs Thatcher and the
miners’ strike had only just
finished, leaving bitter scars
and deep rifts in the proud
mining communities of South
Yorkshire.
Sheffield was the Socialist
Republic of South Yorkshire,
led by the amazing David
Blunkett who was often to be
seen walking at speed round
Fargate with his trusty guide
dog Ted. One of the most
significant benefits were the
cheap bus fares, it was
wonderful to be able to
escape the city to Castleton
for 6p each way – I seem to
recall that this was the
maximum fare. I’m a great
believer in good public
transport which keeps traffic
off the roads thereby
reducing pollution and
accidents. It mixes the social
classes, ages and races in an
entirely natural and unforced
way. I like social interaction,
it’s part of the human
condition to talk to each
other, it makes life more
interesting and more vital. Of
course, privatisation of buses
followed very soon after and
fares went only one way – up
– and the service followed in
the other direction.
OK, so what was in the
charts? The usual 80s mix of
Duran Duran (Say a Prayer),
Eurythmics (There must be an
Angel) and Wham
(omnipresent!). Those were
the days when Frankie Goes
to Hollywood’s Relax was
banned – so this week’s
Number 1 is… silence! I’m not
too sure that I quite
understood all the double
entendres before it was all
identified by our moral
guardians at Radio 1. All the
fuss boosted sales and
certainly propelled the Two
Tribes follow-up to hit that
magic spot at the top of the
Hit Parade!
I recall that there was a
degree of social unrest. It was
the year of the Broadwater
Farm riots when Community
bobby PC Keith Blakelock
was murdered by a mob in a
truly appalling manner. The
Reminder: Free affiliate membership of
Liverpool & Sefton Chambers of Commerce
for members of Liverpool Law Society
As we announced in the May edition of “Liverpool Law”, the
Society is delighted to confirm it has, once again, secured a
free 12-month affiliate membership (worth £150) of the
Liverpool & Sefton Chambers of Commerce for member firms
and organisations of the Society as a benefit of annual LLS
membership.
Affiliate Membership of the Liverpool & Sefton Chambers of
Commerce entitles you to attend the Chambers’ free events
and other paid events at the reduced member rate. Affiliate
membership does not include all member benefits as some
are reserved for full members only. For further information on
the Liverpool & Sefton Chambers see
www.liverpoolchamber.org.uk/
Managing Partners of member firms were emailed in June and
July with the information and to request an application form,
please email contactus@liverpoollawsociety.org.uk with your
details.
mob mentality can be
devastating and terrifying. I
daresay that as individuals
the people are ok but acting
in one amorphous mass, evil
and harmful deeds assume a
destructive and irresistible
force – negative vibes
creating a whirling vortex
down to the amoral nadir of
the human condition.
In my own life, the autumn of
1985 took me Christleton Law
College in Chester for the
infamous Solicitors’ Finals. The
first day was like being back
at school, classes of about
fifty sitting in rows at long
desks and the teacher simply
said “Look at the person next
to you, one of you will pass
and one will fail!” No pressure
– and a year of the most
intense study of my life then
followed and I’ve only just
about recovered from the
back-to-back week of that
final exam week. The exam
results were published in the
Times, a matter of dashing to
the local newsagents and
searching for one’s name –
needless to say this was long
before the days of the
internet and mobile devices.
You will know that I passed,
otherwise I wouldn’t have
been practising for all these
years. I am ever thankful to
be able to practise the law,
one of the many advantages
of the passing of time is the
gaining of life experience
which transforms information
into knowledge which I then
am honoured to use to serve
my clients and our
community.
I now ponder on what the
next 30 years may bring….
Naomi Pinder
Merseyside Christian
Lawyers
We extend a warm invitation to all, to join us for our
informal meetings at the Liverpool Law Society, Cotton
Exchange between 1 & 2pm on:
Thursday, 10th September 2015
Thursday, 22nd October 2015
Thursday, 5th November 2015
Thursday, 10th December 2015

Over 90% of Practical Law
customers renew their
90 subscription every ery year.
We asked them to
tell us why.
Keeps eps me up to date
“Updates are read religiously in our department,
they are rather like our weekly newspaper er that
reliably delivers ers significant legal developments elopments
and market knowledge.” RUSSELL JACOBS, PARTNER,
MILBANK TWEED HADLEY & MCCLOY LLP
Saves me valuable time
“ Subscribing to Practical al Law saves s me an awful lot of
time – it’s like having another lawyer in the room doing
all the work you don’t have time to do.”
VICKI STEVENS, LEGAL SERVICES MANAGER,
FORD RETAIL
Register er for your FREE
two week ek trial
of Practical Law at
www.legal-solutions.co.uk/freetrial

18 LAW SOCIETY NEWS
Council Member’s Report
It strikes me as very strange,
and insulting, that we have
a new Lord Chancellor, Mr
Gove, who suggests that
Lawyers should do pro
bono work to make up the
shortfall where there is a
lack of access to justice. Of
course, the lack of access
to justice is due to the
Government.
Now the Government
wants Lawyers to work for
free. Clearly, Gove knows
nothing about what pro
bono work has been done
by the profession over very
many years. Perhaps all
lawyers who have become
MPs (with their recent pay
rises in mind ) should do ,
say, 150 pro bono hours a
year.
Of course, many years ago
MPs attended Parliament
without pay. Perhaps they
should now do the same. I
do not see any great rush
from MPs, or the
Government, to set the
example.
I attended a Council
Meeting on 8 and 9 July.
This was Andrew Caplen’s
last Council Meeting.
Having met Gove, he
believes that there is some
cause for hope, not least
because Gove has said he
is concerned that there is
likely to be two forms of
justice, one form of justice
for those that can afford it
and the other form of
justice for those that cannot
afford it. No Chancellor has
conceded this previously.
Issues discussed at the
council meeting included the
progress of Veyo, fixed costs
in medical negligence cases,
the appetite for reform of the
Legal Services Act, and the
Law Society Strategy Review.
I have circulated to the
President and Sarah Poblete
various documents which can
be obtained from them in
relation to these subjects.
There was a general
consensus expressed to try
and regain the high ground
from the SRA with regard to
education. Indeed, the SRA
seemed to be backing off.
There was massive concern
expressed in relation to LEO.
Claims being made by clients
and reports to LEO at the
conclusion of transactions,
usually when bills are
submitted, often result in
colleagues having to do a
substantial amount of
investigatory for what turn out
to be specious claims.
Of course, the simple way
would be to make an offer to
the complainant. This makes
financial sense for a firm, as in
some incidences, firms have
had to invest substantial hours
in investigation, all to no avail
and all really, a complete
waste of time. (one example
is 59 hours).
I attended the AGM of the
Law Society of England and
Wales on the 9 July. At this
event Andrew Caplen
handed over to the new
President, Jonathan Smithers,
and Robert Bourns was
elected Vice President. Joe
Egan, Senior Partner of Joe
Egan & Co in Bolton and a
longstanding member of the
Liverpool Law Society was
elected DVP. He will be
President of the Law Society
in 2017.
I attach the official summary
of the council meeting on 8
and 9 July which is circulated
by Chancery Lane. If anyone
has any queries or wants to
discuss further the Law
Society’s developing
strategy, which it is hoped will
be in some form of final state
by September, please do not
hesitate to get in touch.
Finally, I am very pleased to
be able to say that I had the
honour of being invited by
the President of the Law
Society of Ireland, Kevin
O’Higgins, a great friend of
the Liverpool Law Society
and a former President of the
Dublin Solicitors and Bar
Association, to his annual
dinner on 10 July, at which
the guest speaker was the
Taioseach. I felt very proud
to be able to represent the
Liverpool Law Society at this
event, and it was an honour
to be present when the
Taioseach was speaking.
Speeches by Kevin and the
Taisoeach made it clear that
there are very many similar
issues faced by our
colleagues in Ireland as
there are here. We are not
alone!
As ever, if anyone has any
queries, please do not
hesitate to make contact.
Charlie Jones,
Weightmans LLP,
Council Member for
Merseyside and District
0151 242 7919
PI Procedure Update with Nicky
Carter
-
-
-
-
-

LAW SOCIETY NEWS 19
Law Society Council Summary
8 and 9 July 2015
This was the last Council meeting chaired by Andrew Caplen
during his term as President of the Law Society. A day and a
half of Council business was followed by the Annual General
Meeting of the Law Society, at the conclusion of which
Jonathan Smithers took office as President for 2015-16, Robert
Bourns became Vice President, and Joe Ean joined the office
holder team as Deputy Vice President. Formal notification was
given of all those elected and re-elected to Council this year.
The AGM also formally accepted last year's report and
accounts which may be found at:
http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/about-us/annual-report/.
The Law Society strategy
Council members had the opportunity to hear about ongoing
progress on developing the Law Society's strategy. The strategy
is intended to set the Society's corporate direction for the next
three years and beyond, explaining our purpose, role and aims
simply and in a jargon-free and engaging way, and
demonstrating how we are putting our members at the heart
of what we do. The strategy has a diverse range of audiences,
including - besides our members - the general public, senior
external stakeholders, and teams and staff within the Law
Society. The content of the strategy will emphasise our role in
protecting justice for everyone - raising awareness of the
benefits of using a solicitor at home and abroad - and in
supporting, promoting and representing the profession. The
strategy will also focus on our role in influencing government
and other key stakeholders to support the justice system for the
benefit of our members and the general public. It will include
sections on the contribution of the legal profession to the UK
economy and internationally, and on future changes within the
profession and the external environment that will generate
challenges to our members. It will also be important that the
finished strategy documents indicate the extensive range of
consultation and research on which they are based.
Net Funding Requirement and Practising Fee
Council agreed the Net Funding Requirement (NFR - the
amount to be raised from the practising fees) for the Law
Society Group, for 2016. This needs to be done in order to set
the level of the fees for next year, which will remain unchanged
for individuals at £320. The total to be raised from entity fees
from firms also remains unchanged, although levels paid by
individual firms may change dependent on turnover.
President's update
Andrew Caplen took the opportunity to update the Council on
key activities in the second half of his presidential term of
office. As well as ongoing engagement with the profession
across England and Wales, the President's activities continued
to support the three key themes set out in his presidential plan.
• Access to Justice - a number of activities to promote
the Law Society's manifesto for justice in the lead-up to the
General Election in May, and with new solicitor MPs following
the election; influencing work on criminal legal aid and court
fees, including meetings with shadow spokesperson and the All
Party Group on Legal Aid; and activities related to pro bono
and domestic violence, including a collaboration with Oxfam's
initiative of lawyers against poverty which led to a legal
breakfast in June.
• Rule of Law - including full participation in a number of
events marking the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta,
presenting a paper at the Commonwealth Law Conference in
April entitled 'Protecting the Protectors: the role and
responsibility of the legal profession in supporting the rule of
law', hosting the Graham Turnbull essay prize giving for students
who had written essays addressing the impact of how
proposals to repeal the Human Rights Act could impact on the
protection of human rights in Britain and round the world; and
chairing a debate on 'Human Rights and the Theatre of War'.
• Diversity and Inclusion - including events targeted at
introducing those interested in a legal career to the diverse
routes of entry into the profession, opening a half-day seminar
at the Law Society to mark International Women's Day, and
attending an event in relation to Irwin Mitchell's mentoring
scheme for ethnic minority staff.
Representing, promoting and serving the profession
Significant work reported to Council included:
• The first formal meeting between the President, Vice
President, Chief Executive, and the newly appointed Lord
Chancellor, Michael Gove, at which we discussed the key
themes in our Manifesto for Justice, including access to justice,
the importance of the legal sector to the UK economy, and our
concerns that recent court fee increases and legal aid cuts
were damaging access to justice as well as the reputation of
our legal jurisdiction abroad;
• Ongoing representations to the Ministry of Justice as to
the adverse effect of the civil and criminal legal aid changes,
and support to our members in responding to them;
• Taking forward initiatives from the Professional
Indemnity Insurance stakeholder seminar chaired by Linda Lee
with the SRA and representatives of brokers and insurers;
• The annual Presidents' and Secretaries' conference in
May, which appears to have been successful in dealing with a
number of live issues for those involved with local law societies;
• The focus on improvements to the Law Society's
Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system which offer
real potential to improve how we engage with our members in
a targeted and relevant way.
With over 60 members Atlantic Chambers is able to offer a wide
range of expertise within our specialist practice groups.
Civil Litigation including Clinical Negligence,
Family, Chancery & Commercial, Crime,
Employment, Proceeds of Crime & Public Law
4-6 Cook Street, Liverpool L2 9QU
T 0151 236 4421 F 0151 236 1559
DX: 14176 Liverpool 1.
E-mail: info@atlanticchambers.co.uk
Chancery Guidance
Some guidance produced by Mr Justice Norris with
regard to recent changes in the CPR relating to
Chancery cases was kindly forwarded by Manchester
Law Society.
It can be found on Liverpool Law Society’s website here
http://www.liverpoollawsociety.org.uk/about-thesociety/committees/specialist-sub-committees

Liverpool 0151 236 7191
Preston 01772 254 764
www.orielchambers.co.uk
Media
Round-Up
New for 2015, Liverpool Law hopes
to include information where the
Society and/or members have
been featured in the press,
broadcast and social media, and
some of our favourite tweets...
4th August 2015
LLS Vice President Alison Lobb talked on
the radio to Roger Philips on 4th August
about Legacy Liverpool. It is a
campaign to get people to leave money
to charities in their wills which was started
by Councillor Erica Kemp when she was
Lord Mayor last year. Several firms,
including Morecrofts, and a number of
high profile charities, supported the
launch.
On Twitter
LiverpoolLawSociety
Congratulations to Emma celebrating her
21st this weekend...have a good one!!!
Liverpool Law Society
Sub-Committee Q & A
Committee name:
Family Law Sub-Committee
Chair:
Adele Schofield, Berkson Globe
Number of members:
Around 10 – 15 members at any one
time of which each meeting attracts
between 5 and 8 attendees on
average
Function:
We support Jo Downey in the
development of courses and
conferences. We also feedback
relevant information for the various
committees associated with the
Family court and local Resolution and
seem to discuss endlessly LIPs.
We also have information form the
National Law Society family
Committee as Elaine Richardson is a
member of the same.
The committee is a useful way for
local family solicitors across private
law finance and public law children
to share developments locally and
nationally that impact on our
practice, this also includes
collaborative law and mediation.
Top 10
membership
benefits
Liverpool Law Society offers its
members many services and
benefits. Here are our Top 10:
1.Have your interests represented at
the highest level – both locally &
nationally
2. Raise your profile in the local legal
and business community and make
a difference
3. Take advantage of links with other
professional associations and the
region’s economic bodies
4. Meet your peers, gain knowledge
and expertise, discuss topical issues
and make your voice heard by
joining the Society’s specialist
committees
5. Interact with senior members of
the judiciary, and civic and business
leaders from the Liverpool City
Region
6. Take up free associate
membership of the Liverpool and
Sefton Chambers of Commerce
Bristol Law Society
Joint V meeting underway!
@ManLawSoc @BhamLawSociety
@LeedsLawSociety @LpoolLawSociety
Have you been mentioned in the
media, if so please send brief
details to
editor@liverpoollawsociety.org.uk
Did you know networking
opportunities are available
at our Local Chambers of
Commerce?
For more information on membership
and events visit;
www.wirralchamber.co.uk
www.liverpoolchamber.co.uk
www.liverpoolchamber.org.uk/home/
sefton-chamber
www.sthelenschamber.com
7. Receive referrals from members of
the public searching for legal
advice who contact the Society’s
office or visit the website
8. Enjoy reduced prices on training,
business networking and social
events
9. Free subscription and the
opportunity to contribute to
‘Liverpool Law’, the monthly
members’ magazine
10. Free access to the University of
Liverpool Law Library
To apply online for membership, visit
www.liverpoollawsociety.org.uk

2015 Family Finance Conferenc
nference
-
Chair
~ Godfrey Freeman
£5m in costs
and 1,000 pairs of
shoes ~ Timothy Scott
QC
Practical Problems with Pensions: Avoiding the Pitfa
lls
Not looking for Mrs Wright ~ Kevi
n Reade
Cohabitation ~ John Wilson QC
~ George Mathieson
R
e view of matrimonial finance
for the past 12
mon
ths ~ Sally Harrison QC
This conference
e is
FR REEE
to
2015
5/ /16
Traininging Season
Tic
icke
et Holders
To see the
full
conference
e
program
ramme, please
visit: www
w.liverpoolla
rpoollawsociety.org.uk
Cost:
Members:
£155 + V
AT
Non-M embers:
£205 +
VAT
Delegate quotes from the 2014
Family Finance Conference:
P Widdison, Quality Soli
citors Jackson & Canter
K Gore,
Haygarth Jones
VFS LEGAL FUNDING
RELEASING CASH FLOW
Do you want to improve
your Cashflow?
VFS provides quick, simple and cost effective funding
solutions that release YOUR funds locked up in YOUR profit
costs and disbursements.
The funds can be used by you for any purpose. Including, for
example, Tax and VAT payments, removing the need to rely on
costly, fixed term repayment loans from secondary funders.
Disbursement funding (‘DCF’)
VFS funds the ongoing disbursements incurred on PI, Clinical
Negligence and Litigation cases until their natural conclusion.
Costs advance facility (‘CAF’)
VFS can provide immediate funding against most bills that
have been served – releasing cash back into the practice.
For a no obligation discussion please call 020 3747 9333
or email enquiries@vfslegal.com or visit vfslegal.com

-
-

I travelled to Newport on 25th June to attend the Local Law Societies
Conference hosted by Monmouthshire Incorporated Law Society the
following day at the Celtic Manor. This conference type has been an
annual event since 2008 (Liverpool hosted in 2010) where officers and staff
from local Law Societies throughout England & Wales have a chance to
come together to hear presentations relevant to running membership
organisations for the legal profession. There were 32 societies from across
England & Wales represented out of a total of about 70. The size of local
Law Societies varies from small to large (both in terms of members with
some at 60 to those with 5000+ members, and some with and some without
a staff).
CONFERENCE REPORT 23
From ‘Monmouthshire Nibbles’ to ‘Inspiring
Leaders’ and everything in between
The conference programme was relevant and gave practical information
and tips on how to engage with, and represent, your members. The First
Minister of Wales, Rt Hon Carwyn Jones AM, spoke about devolution and
about challenges Wales faces including the legal aid cuts, we then moved
on to a session from Viv Williams who outlined the changes in the legal
landscape and the need to be a representative society for the modern
law firm.
We heard from a couple of the larger Law Societies. One particularly
interesting case study was Bristol Law Society which has been through
challenging times but is now happily in a much stronger position following
their decision to offer corporate membership (something that Liverpool Law
Society has offered for some time now) as opposed to individual
membership. That decision has boosted Bristol’s membership numbers
considerably. This led on to an interesting discussion on whether the
societies present were just for solicitors or whether they had opened up
their membership to include others such as barristers, CILEx and paralegals.
A straw poll was conducted and the majority of those in the room had
opened up membership to non-solicitors.
There were also talks by the local MP and a print & digital journalist on how
to get your members’ voice heard, a session on how to build lasting
relationships with sponsors and talks by LawCare, the Solicitors’ Benevolent
Association and the Solicitors’ Assistance Scheme all of whom have help
and support to offer the legal profession and anyone connected with the
Law.
Clive Thomas, President of Monmouthshire Law
Society and President of The Law Society
Jonathan Smithers
Delegates at the Celtic Manor
The day concluded with an engaging presentation from Ed Fletcher of
Fletchers Solicitors entitled ‘Inspiring Leadership’ about his chosen career
and his firm’s ethics. His passion shone through and meant the formal
programme concluded on a very positive note.
As with many events, it is the people you meet and the conversations you
have during the coffee breaks, lunches and dinners that provide additional
nuggets to what was already a highly useful conference focused on how
to best serve your members.
The hosts, Clive Thomas, President of Monmouthshire Law Society, and
Treasurer Sarah Williams-Martin, put on a wonderfully warm welcome the
evening before the conference. Part of the title of this article refers to the
treat in store for those 40 or so people who attended the Thursday
evening’s welcome reception. There was a last-minute change of venue
(due to a power cut) which meant what had been billed as ‘drinks &
nibbles’ turned into a fabulous sit-down 3 course meal! The venue outdid
themselves.
Mike Gupwell and Helen Read from Bristol
Law Society
Throughout the conference and black-tie dinner there were plenty of
surprises to keep everyone on their toes and engaged, from quizzes to a
presentation by a local choir, singing waiters whilst raising over £3000 for
Tenovus Cancer Care. What a show Monmouthshire Law Society put on!
In what is fast becoming a tradition, there were two bids to host next year’s
conference from different local Law Societies. After two Dragons’ Den-like
pitches, the votes were counted, and it was declared a tie. Following
much murmured excitement, a re-count was conducted and still it was a
tie. Next year’s host was eventually decided on the flip of a coin. And so
we look forward to reconvening in 2016 when Birmingham Law Society will
host next year’s Local Law Societies Conference.
Sarah Poblete
CEO
Liverpool Law Society
Charity singers serenade the delegates

24 NEWS
Society director attends
school’s careers fair
David Tournafond represented the Society at the recently-held
careers fair in his capacity of chair of the Education & Charities
Committee.
David reports: “I attended Notre Dame Catholic College on 8
July to represent Liverpool Law Society at their Careers Fair. A
very diverse group of pupils attended from aged 11 to 17. It is
open to question how much many of the younger pupils got
out of the event but some of the older pupils expressed a
genuine interest in the Law as a career and they were
particularly keen to learn about the possibilities involving
apprenticeship.
There was also an opportunity to enlighten some of the careers
staff about the opportunities for a legal career. The value of
the holding a further event organised by LLS about the various
choices open to young people in the law was very apparent
to me."
The Society’s Education & Charities Committee was set up to
administer grants for university students with local training
contracts and solicitors and/or their families undergoing
financial hardship. The committee also considers and
comments on developments in legal education both pre and
post admission. The prestigious Conkerton Memorial Lectures
are organised by this committee as is the Merseyside Schools
Public Speaking Competition, and new in 2015 a law-specific
careers conference aimed at 17–year-olds which all schools in
Merseyside are invited to attend. The inaugural event was a
resounding success, over 100 pupils and teachers from 15
schools attended the event held in Liverpool’s Town Hall in
February this year.
The Society is pleased to say the event will be repeated in
February 2016. For enyone wishing to register their interest
please email: social events@liverpoollawsociety.org.uk
President presents at
Carmel College
On 18 June, as part of his aim of reaching out to local schools
colleges and communities Emlyn Williams spoke at a Careers
day at Carmel College, St Helens.
Below two of the students who attended the session, Daniel
Kerr-Dando and Andrew Dixon, give us their take of what the
President had to say….
After attending a very informative talk hosted
by the Liverpool Law Society in February, our
Law teacher invited Emyln Williams, the
President of the Liverpool Law Society and a
partner at Weightmans to give a talk at
Carmel College as part of a careers day. He
gave a clear and amusing presentation that
was relaxed yet highly informative. It was
good to have an honest account of what was
difficult about practicing law but also what
was good about it, and be given real questions
to think about when considering embarking
on a legal career. Furthermore, it was nice to
hear a down to earth and realistic view of
having a career in law and to be told of a more
approachable route into the profession that
could be applied to all individuals, whatever
their background. It was certainly inspiring
and it was great to have a leading member of
the legal profession take the time to speak to
us and offer us an insight into this esteemed of
professions!
Andrew and Daniel
Problems
With Co-Ownership with P
aul Butt
-
Emlyn would like to thank the students who attended the
session and Nicola Newton Law Tutor & Head of High Achievers
who invited him in to speak after attending our Pathways to
the Profession event on 3 February at the Town Hall.
In connected news the Society has decided to run another
‘Pathways…’event next year. Further details to come in a
future edition.’
Emlyn Williams
President

n 16
o th
(w
treasure
The
nominated chari
To enter all you
encouraged
are
toget
shipmates
e
th
Do
an
fees
entry
all
well,
the winning team
ity of
4 p
need is a team of
an
generous
be
to
d
w
us know and
ther let
u
join
and
thing
right
e
ma
donations
any
nd
m
w
so the competition
Minimum dona
people.
yo
If
more!
donate
nd
w
in
will throw you
we
our Charity Trea
us on
will
night)
the
on
ade
will be fierce.
ation £20+VAT per tea
tea
a
get
cannot
you
motley crew of
a
with
reasure Hunt
the
to
go
ill
you
am but
four
of
am
solo
other
f
You will be welc
Tavern to s
Hunt T
intervals
at
out
waters
perilous
will be announce
availab
be
will
encouraged, how
lcomed with a drink at
the evening a
off
start
for clues. All
search
to
will
Mersey
the
of
rs
ed! We are reliably info
additio
at
sadly
ble,
wever, and free of cha
Trea
the Weightmans
nd then teams will be
survive
All teams that
se
a
at
reconvene
ill
tles of
bott
formed that
ho
ho
Yo
cost.
ional
arge.
asure
sent
the
ive
ecret
f rum
o- g
in
This should be a
c
your
of
cause
pirate stronghold
rai
whilst
out
a fun night
win!).
you
(if
choosing
sp
your sail,
lds so set
me
shiver
,
k,
ck
uck
Good lu
raising money for a wo
delibera
have
We
!).
splice your mainbrace,
he
th
y th
ay
and may
,
s,
rs
rs
er
ber
mb
mb
im
im
ti
e ti
orthy
rately
your entries in
and get
n!
in
in
wi
eam wi
te
te
e best
in!
-
-
-

24 GLASTONBURY 2015
LIONEL 3* - KANYE 0
*Times a Lady
Well, who would have
predicted this result before
the weekend began?
Choosing Dolly as the Sunday
afternoon headliner last year
was a virtual no-brainer. A
performer who was well
known for not taking herself
too seriously and who had a
huge back catalogue of singalong
classics which were so
naff they were good.
Heading into this year’s
festival most people were
clear that Lionel Richie was
pretty naff – but few would
have predicted that he would
also be so good.
Lionel’s Sunday afternoon
appearance was all the more
surprising given that he
followed a rip-roaring set from
Patti Smith which included a
visit from the Dalai Lama on
his 80th birthday. How
could you possibly top
that with a rendition of
“Dancing on the
Ceiling”? Somehow
Lionel managed to
achieve it!
It is a good job Lionel
was as wonderful and
unexpected, or we
would still all be talking
about Kanye West’s
slightly more
“challenging” set on the
Saturday night. There
was greater controversy
over the choice of Mr
West even than when Jay Z
headlined a few years ago.
Unlike Jay Z, however, Kanye
has not been blessed with a
self deprecating sense of
humour. What we got on the
Saturday night was Kanye’s
arena show, transplanted to
the Glastonbury Pyramid
Stage. In short, something
was definitely “lost in
translation” as by the end of
his set Kanye was playing to
a half empty field and his
innovative move at the end
of his show to sing “Touch the
Sky” from a cherry picker
high above the Glastonbury
stage was delivered in such a
deadpan humourless way
that the crowd started to
boo before he reappeared.
The whole experience tested
the patience of the crowd
who probably just wanted
him to “shut up and play the
hits”. Sadly, he really ended
up doing neither.
Elsewhere, the line up this
year was fairly tame but
excellent sets from the up
and coming Leon Bridges
and the (very different) The
Districts (both seen courtesy
of tip-offs from our very own
Julia Baskerville) were
highlights in the John Peel
Tent on Saturday afternoon
(accompanied in the latter
case by the traditional
Glastonbury pouring rain)
and Hot Chip (Friday night)
and The Chemical Brothers (a
rousing Sunday night finale
on The Other Stage) brought
a club-type sensibility
(assuming that the clubbers
are middle aged lawyers, of
course!) to the
beautiful
surroundings of
Pilton.
I went on
enough in last
year’s
magazine
about my litter picking duties
and I saw from the national
press coverage after the
festival this year that the
amount of litter and waste
again managed to ensure
that the festival hit the
headlines for the wrong
reasons. I have to say that
from my perspective there
was less litter about this year
Lonely Kanye
We LOVE Lionel
than previously and that
which was left around did, at
least, seem to have made its
way closer to the bins than in
previous years. Perhaps the
environmental message is
getting out slowly but surely.
In the meantime, I will be
heading back next year in
the hope, but not the
expectation, that someone
can top super Lionel, who
literally managed to make
the sun come out on Sunday
afternoon.
Emlyn Williams
President
Counting the hours til I
can pick this all up !
Django Django @
Williams Green
Alt J
– with Lionel in the crowd
The Tower and Other, Pyramid
stages in the background

Some readers may remember the Bickershaw Festival in 1972. It
rained a lot, but the best part was that the Grateful Dead – in
the writer’s view the best live rock’n’roll and jamming band
ever – played there.
Forty three years on, 2 keyboard players and one lead guitarist
later, they played their last of a Fare The Well set of 3 gigs at
Soldier Field, Chicago, on July 3,4,and 5, 2015, each gig
played before a 70,000 audience. The last concert was
replayed, in Liverpool, in its entirety on film at FACT on 6 July. I
went along, and those attending were treated to 3.5 hours of
incredible live jamming rock’n’roll, and many wild memories.
FACT REVIEW 27
From Bickershaw to FACT to……Glastonbury ?
Grateful Dead, Soldier Field , Chicago, July 5, 2015
The core four surviving members of the band ( Bob Weir, Phil
Lesh, Bill Kreutzman and Micky Hart ), were joined by Bruce
Hornsby, Jeff Chimento, and Trey Anastasio. The band’s last
live performance had been at Soldier Field twenty years
previously, Jerry Garcia’ s last performance.
Like good wine, the Dead appear to have got better and
better. Their performance was mesmeric, and total, the only
shame being, it had to end. Lots of sentimental songs, and
nostalgic references. Jerry would have been proud of his
mates. The evening ended with Micky Hart saying : ‘ I’ll leave
you with this- Be Kind ‘. Fine words to end an era with.
For The record: Set 1 comprised China Cat, I Know You Rider,
Estimated Prophet, Built To Last, Samson and Delilah ,
Mountains of The Moon, Throwing Stones. Set 2 started with
Truckin’, then Cassidy, Althea, Terrapin, Drums, Space,
Unbroken Chain, Days Between , Not fade Away, First encore
was Touch of Grey, second encore Attics of My Life. WOW !!
Sadly, as a dedicated follower of this great phenomena that is
the Dead (although never a Deadhead), I suspect it will be
their last gig…..in the USA at least ( although I hope not ).
However, I believe Glasto is looking for a real blockbuster
headline act for 2016….imagine a performance from this lot. I
assure you, it would be phenomenal. The Stones did it……so
could The Dead be that headline act? You would not be
disappointed !
Just like Bickershaw !.....and FACT is a mighty fine place to go
and see a show.
Fare Thee Well !
Charlie Jones
Weightmans LLP
It’s reassuring to have the UK’s largest broker* on your
side with over 35 years’ Professional Indemnity (PI)
experience. But what you may not realise is just how
much additional support we can offer firms like yours.
Not only do we use all our bargaining power to help
secure Professional Indemnity cover, we also offer a
range of services through our Lexcel trained consultants
to help you manage your firm’s approach to risk.
We are here to help your business every step of
the way and provide expert support should
you need to make a claim. Contact us now
to arrange your PI insurance quote.
*Ranked by brokerage, Insurance Times, August 2014
‘THE MOST FREQUENTLY USED
PI COVER BROKER’
(Law Society Survey, April 2015)
Call 0370 218 7915
Email solicitors@aon.co.uk
Visit aon.co.uk/solicitors
Aon UK Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Aon UK Limited, The Aon Centre, The Leadenhall Building,
122 Leadenhall Street, London EC3V 4AN. Telephone calls are charged at a local rate and may be recorded and monitored. FP.PSG.888.LM.A

26 REGULATION
Regulation Update
July marks the anniversary of
equal voting rights being
granted to women. The
momentous occasion took
place in 1928 and it seems
hard to believe that such an
important political shift is still
less than 100 years old. Why
do I raise this now? Because
I’m a raging feminist of
course! Only joking; it’s
because, for lawyers, July
2015 is a significant month in
that they have seen it
necessary to stand united
against the legal aid cuts in
a protest that is slowly but
surely escalating to such an
extent that even those who
do not conduct any criminal
defence work are starting to
sit up and pay attention. It is
certainly a tragic time for
both the profession and the
general public when access
to justice is measured by the
colour of money.
In the meantime the rest of
the news is as follows:
The budget – how might it
affect your firm?
The first majority conservative
budget in 19 years was
unveiled last month and
although welfare cuts will
dominate the headlines,
there are a plethora of other
changes which could impact
on law firms. Below I briefly
explain five changes:
• Insurance premium tax is
rising from 6% to 9.5% from 1
November 2015 – in a soft
insurance market, would it
be worth considering an 18-
or 24-month PII policy with
your broker?
• Review of regulation of
claims management
companies (CMCs) – any
changes will potentially
affect personal injury lawyers
who deal with CMCs
• Tax avoidance and
evasion – HMRC has been
allocated a further £800m
and it could be used to
investigate further the use of
LLPs and other structures
designed to minimise tax
liabilities.
• Corporation tax: restriction
of relief for goodwill
amortisation – this removes
a key benefit of acquiring
the assets of a business
instead of its shares and will
apply to acquisitions made
on or after 8 July 2015. This
may be relevant if you are
seeking to acquire a law
firm or another business.
• Inheritance tax changes –
an additional nil rate band
will be introduced from
2017, as well as changes
affecting property held by
foreign domiciled persons.
Ensure your private client
teams are familiar with the
changes and advise clients
accordingly!
All quiet on the referral fee
front?
Despite the panic that
accompanied the
introduction of the referral
fee ban, and a few harsh
words from the SRA, things
seem to have settled down
in the PI Claimant market.
Recently the SRA conceded
that as there was no such
thing as the “spirit of LASPO”
then it could not enforce
said spirit. So, business as
usual? Nothing to see here?
Well – possibly not that
simple. There are rumours
that the SRA and FCA are
looking at the ATE market
with a view to pursuing
potential mis-selling issues.
Do not press the panic
button. It is just a rumour at
present but it might make
sense for COLPs to revisit
their arrangements in
respect of ATE provision. Is
your ATE provider dictated
by your source of work? Do
you use more than one ATE
provider? If so, is there a
difference in premium? If
there is a difference in
premiums could you justify
one client paying more than
another if the SRA queried
it?
Consumer credit confusion
continues…..
Law firms specialising in debt
collection heaved a
collective sigh of relief back
in the spring when the new
Financial Services and
Markets Act 2000
(Miscellaneous Provisions)
Order 2015 (SI 2015/853)
came into force. The
amendments restored a bit
of common sense so that
firms carrying out pre-issue
work before litigating no
longer need to be FCAauthorised.
Then the SRA,
thank goodness, decided
not to spit its dummy out
after all and agreed that it
will continue to be a
designated professional
body for the purposes of the
Part 20 exemption which is
the “get out of jail free card”
for lawyers skirting around
the edges of FCA territory.
Now the SRA is consulting as
to how the Part 20
exemption is going to work
moving forward and what
is/is not going to be
covered. The consultation
stays open until the 7th
August 2014; please let me
know if you have any
comments which you wish to
submit via MLS.
New practice notes
The Law Society has
released the following new
practice notes:
• Meeting the need of
vulnerable clients sets out
best practice when dealing
with those who may lack
capacity, be subject to
duress/undue influence or
require enhanced support in
some other way.
• Information on letterheads,
emails and websites requires
no introduction from me as it
does exactly what it says.
• Outcomes focused
regulation: overview is an
update to the note first
released in 2011 and, given
that we are now on Version
14 of the Handbook, it
probably needed a refresh.
And finally………..
Despite the Legal Services
Board rejecting the SRA’s
proposal to slash the minimal
level of professional
indemnity cover, the SRA has
re-opened the debate by
launching a new
consultation. The
consultation will remain
open until 16th September
so it is unlikely that any
decisions taken as a result of
feedback will have an
impact on renewal this time
round. The focus on the
paper is to invite views on
the various options for
reforming professional
indemnity cover and the
compensation fund. As this is
something that will affect
each and every law firm
regardless of specialism I
encourage anyone who is
interested to get in contact
with me by email on
compli@weightmans.com so
that we can pull together a
joint response.
Right, I’m going to burn my
bra in the Manchester
sunshine now – see you next
month!
Michelle Garlick
Weightmans LLP

S Code
Date
Time
S3638
8th 9.
30 - 4. 30 R unning Care Ca
s es
September 2015
S3725
9th 2 - 3. 30 Unlocking the po
wer of Social Media
An introduction for Lawyers / Legal Professionals
S3593
10th 12. 30 - 3. 45 Winning Highwa
y Claims
S3656
11th 9.
30 - 12. 45
S3634
11th 1.
30 - 4. 45 The Billing Of
Crown Court Work (Litigators & Advocates)
S3541
15th 9.
30 - 12. 45 The Essential
COLP Update
S 3542
15th 1.
30 - 4. 45
The
Essential
COFA
Update
S3613
16th 9.
30 - 4. 45 Managing and
Motivating People Profitably
A Masterclass for small / medium sized law firms
S3645
17th 10 - 12. 45 Private Children
Law: 2015 Update
S3646
17th 1.
30 - 4. 15 Public Children L
aw: 2015 Update
S3516
18th 1.
30 - 4. 45 Insolvency Law Update
S3592
18th 12. 30 - 3. 45 PI Procedure Up
date 2015
Speaker
S afda Mahmood
Chris Roxbury
Nicky Carter
Colin Beaumont
Colin Beaumont
Jo Morris
Jo
Morris
Keith Harper
Safda Mahmood
Safda Mahmood
Chris Beanland
Nicky Carter
CPD
5. 5
1.5
3
3
3
3
3
6
2.5
2.5
3
3
S
3726
22n d
9.
30 - 12. 45
Social Media
&
Digitalital
Marketing
Strategies
for the
Legal
Profession
Chris
Roxb
ury
3
S3509
22nd
1.
30 - 4. 45 Problems With
Co-Ownership
Paul Butt
3
S3600
23rd 9.
30 - 4. 00 Family Finance
Conference 2015
S3594
24th 12. 30 - 3. 45 Advanced RTA
Update
S3650
25th 9.
30 - 12. 45 Criminal Law &
Costs Update
S3719
25th 1.
30 - 4. 45 A 2015 Legisla
tion Update: Protection of Freedoms
Act
2012, Crime and
Courts
Act 2013,
Anti-Social
Behaviour,
Crime and Policinging
S3543
29th 9.
30 - 4. 45 Solicitors Accoun
ts Rules
S3599
30th 9.
30 - 3. 50 Residential Property Conference 2015
S Code
Date
Time
S3622
2nd 1.
30 - 4. 45 New Cases In Wills
& Trusts
October 2015
S3643
2nd 10 - 12. 45 Financial Orders:
Law & Practice
S3644
2nd 1.
30 - 4. 15 Cohabitation: La
w & Practice
S3670
5th 10 - 1. 15 Mental Capacity
Act Update
S3635
6th 9.
30 - 4. 45 Advising The Sus
pect At
The Police Station tion - Advanced Techniques
S3723
7th 12. 30 - 2 How To Genera
te
S3595
8th 12. 30 - 3. 45 Psychological
Injuries
S3544
9th 9.
30 - 12. 45 Anti Money
Laun
dering
S3545
9th 1.
30 - 4. 45 Data Protection
Leads Through Online
S3648
12th 9.
30 - 12. 45 The Duty Solic
itor At The Police Station
S3655
12th 1.
30 - 4. 45 The Duty Solic
itor At The Magistrates Court
S3665
14th 9.
30 - 4. 45 The Employme
nt Law Conference
Marketing
Various
Nicky Carter
Colin Beaumont
Colin Beaumont
Jo Morris
Various
Martyn Frost
Speaker
Safda Mahmood
Safda Mahmood
Helen Clarke
Colin Beaumont
Phil Birss
Nicky Carter
Jo Morris
Jo Morris
Colin Beaumont
Colin Beaumont
Various
5
3
3
3
6
5
CPD
3
2.5
2.5
3
6
1.5
3
3
3
3
3
5.5
www.facebook.com/ m/LiverpoolLawSociety
www.linkedin.com/company/livny/liverpool-law-society
@LpoolLawSociety

30 MJLD
News from the MJLD
Introducing the New Committee for 2015/16
Richard Burrows – Chair
Rachael Fawcett – Publicity
Richard Burrows is a second year trainee at
Weightmans LLP. He studied his law degree at
University of Liverpool before completing his
LPC at the College (now University) of Law in
Manchester. Richard was a social
representative on the MJLD committee from
2014-15 and has now taken over from May
Lee as Chair for the 2015-16 committee year.
Emma Beckett – Vice Chair
Emma is a Solicitor at FPH Law. She studied
Law at the University of Liverpool and
completed her LPC at the College of Law,
Manchester. Emma says "This is my third
consecutive year on the MJLD Committee but
it will be my first year as Vice-Chair. I am
looking forward to working with the rest of the
new Committee who already have a lot of
fresh ideas. Our events are always a great
networking opportunity for our members and I
have no doubt that this will be another
successful year of exciting social and
educational events and fundraising for our
nominated charity".
Anthea Malley – Secretary
Anthea is a Trainee Solicitor at Irvings. Anthea
says “I joined the MJLD as I think it is a great
way to get to know like-minded lawyers in
Merseyside. Being a part of the committee will
also give me the opportunity to assist in
arranging social and networking events,
which I am really looking forward to”.
Hayley Purcell – Treasurer
Hayley completed her training contract at
Heaney Watson solicitors, which is a firm that
specialises in Family Law and Wills. Hayley
qualified as a solicitor in June 2015, and has
secured a solicitor role within the family
department at Heaney Watson.
This year, Hayley has been voted onto the
Committee as Treasurer following a previously
successful term as the Website Representative
(2014/2015). Hayley says "The MJLD is a great
support network for young lawyers in
Merseyside, and, I feel honoured to be
involved in this committee for a second year
running. I now aim to spread the word and
encourage junior lawyers to get involved in
the MJLD and participate in all that it has to
offer".
Lauren Cooke – Publicity
Lauren is a first year trainee at DLA Piper. She
studied Law with French Law at the University
of Hull before going on to complete her LPC
at the University of Law, Chester. Lauren says
“Having moved to Liverpool to start my
training contract, I found the MJLD a great
place to meet people working in the
Merseyside area who could relate to pursuing
a career in the legal profession. I’m looking
forward to hearing about all the fantastic
events being held over the next year and
making sure all the members know about
them and everything else the MJLD offers!”
Rachael qualified as a Solicitor at
Weightmans LLP in August 2015 having
worked there for over 5 years previously.
Rachael studied her LLB at the University of
Liverpool and completed her LPC at
Manchester University of Law. Rachael says "I
am looking forward to my second year as a
publicity representative and being able to
publicise the MJLD and our events again this
year”.
Amy Turton – Publicity
Amy is a Paralegal in the Clinical Negligence
Department at Your Legal Friend and is
entering her final year of her CILEx
qualification, after which she intends to
continue her career in Clinical Negligence.
Amy says “Following my own enjoyment of
previous MJLD events and feeling the
benefits of being involved in a supportive
network in today’s challenging climate, I am
keen to play an active role in ensuring other
junior lawyers know about and are able to
access the events and the support of the
Division”.
Ali Hough – Social
Ali has recently completed the LPC at BPP
University in Liverpool and is due to start his
Training Contract with DWF in September
2015. Ali studied for his LLB at the University of
Warwick and worked as a paralegal at DWF
for nearly 2 years.Ali says “This will be my first
year as part of the MJLD committee, and I
cannot wait to get started. As a Social
Representative, I want to help bring together
the network of vibrant young lawyers from
across Merseyside in a relaxed and social
environment. It is my aim to encourage even
more of the MJLD’s existing and new
members to attend our events, and to
organise an even greater variety of events
across the coming year. I look forward to
seeing everybody there!”
Helen Jamieson – Social
Helen is a first year Trainee at DWF having
previously studied Law at the University of
Liverpool and the LPC at the University of
Law, Chester. Helen says “I am excited to be
a part of the MJLD committee having
attended a number of their events over the
last year and look forward to putting my
organisational skills to good use to arrange
new and exciting events for the MJLDS
around Liverpool”
Rosie Spencer – Social
Rosie is a Trainee Solicitor at DWF. Rosie says
“I joined the MJLD because I enjoy
organising events and thought it would be a
good opportunity to explore all that Liverpool
has to offer.”

MJLD 31
Grainne Donnelly – Charity
Triin Ungert– Education
Grainne is a Paralegal at Weightmans.
Grainne says “I am very pleased to be
elected for Charity Represented and I am
looking forward to arranging fun filled events.
I studied Law and Politics in the University of
Ulster and I completed my LPC with the
College of Law London”.
Rachael McClean – Small & Medium Firms
Rachael says ‘I am a Trainee Solicitor at
Morecrofts Solicitors. I am due to qualify this
September. I am delighted to have been
voted onto the MJLD committee as the
Small/Medium Firm Representative.
I am excited to work alongside the rest of the
committee members to make this a
memorable, successful year for the MJLD.
Members from small-medium sized firms may
feel overshadowed and outnumbered by
members from the so-called larger firms in the
region. I am hoping to show current and
future members of MJLD that this is not the
case and that all young lawyers can benefit
from all that MJLD have to offer’.
Hayley Gore – Sponsorship
Hayley is currently a first year trainee at DLA
Piper in Liverpool. Originally from Southport,
Hayley studied Law at the University of
Leicester, the College of Law in Chester and
Mykolas Romeris University in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Hayley says “I am looking forward to getting
involved with and assisting the MJLD
committee this year by obtaining sponsorship
for the numerous exciting events we are
planning for the year ahead”.
Triin is due to start the LPC in September 2015
after graduating with a degree in Mathematics
from University of Liverpool and completing the
GDL at the University of Law, Chester, last year.
Triin says “As the Education Representative, I
look forward to raising awareness of the MJLD
within the student community and
encouraging students to take a more active
part in our events as well as organising
educational events to help our members with
their professional development”.
Jenny Nash – National
Jenny is a Trainee Solicitor at Sefton
Metropolitan Borough Council. Jenny says
“I’ve really enjoyed meeting other young
lawyers at MJLD events and wanted to get
more actively involved. In my role as national
representative I’ll be the MJLD’s link to the
national committee”.
Chris Lackner – Sports
Chris is due to start his Training Contract at
Hampson Hughes in August, having worked
there for 3 years after graduating the University
of Liverpool. Chris says “I joined the MJLD to
hopefully ensure more member participation
and to learn from each of its members”.
Residential ential Property Conference
2015
Wednesday 30th September 9.30am - 3.50pm 5 CPD
Liverpool Law Society,
2nd Floor Cotton Exchange,
Bixteth Street, L3 9LQ
C
hair
~ Edward Goldsmith
Land Registry: Local
Land Charges proposals
~ Jamie Winch
Overriding Interests. The effect
of the Land - Registratio
n Act 2002 ~ Alistair Guthrie
Regulatory Issues
for Conveyancers ~ Denis
Cameron
Planning and Building Regulations
: the Essential - Conve
yancers Guide ~ Richard Snape
Leasehold Flats: How to Safely Deal with
Management Issues and Please the Client ~ Richard Snape
This conference is FREE
to 2015/16
Training Season Ticket Holders
Kindly sponsored by:
C ost: Members: £205 +
V AT (£246) / Non-Membe
rs: £260 + VAT
(£312)
To see the full conference prog
ramme, please visit: w
ww.liverpoollawsociety.org.uk

News from the WLD
The WLD held a cocktail making event in Gusto on Friday 10th July 2015. Due to the success of last year’s cocktail
event it was agreed this night would be open to all. As expected, it was a great turnout and Gusto created a
welcoming atmoshere. Guests were greeted with a glass of fizz on arrival and there were delicious nibbles on offer
throughout the night . Everyone in attendance got to make and sample a number of cocktails and after the event
there was a discount in the restruant for those who wanted to sample the main menu. The WLD would like to thank
Gusto for their hospitality and also thank the sponsors of the event, Wesleyan Lawyers.
The next WLD event will be beauty inspired. The Committee are in the process of finalising the details of a ‘pamper
night’. Further details will follow... this is not one to be missed!
!

“SAN CARLO HAS THE INGREDIENTS
OTHERS CAN ONLY DREAM OF”
The Observer
A l d o Z i l l i n o w p a r t o
the San Carlo tea
WWW.SANCARLO.CO.UK
41 Castle St, Liverpool, Merseyside, L2 9SH
liverpool@sancarlo.co.uk | T: +44 (0)151 236 0073
@SanCarlo_Grou
WINNER OF TWENTY TWO PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS

34 AND FINALLY...
Almost
Irrelevant
A humorous look at life in the law....
Criminal defences
With the government reducing the criminal legal aid budget
by some 17.5% over the past two years, some criminal law
practitioners feel that they have no choice but to take action
in an attempt to preserve the justice system. Liverpool criminal
lawyers were the first to work to rule, in what one publication
has scurrilously, and incorrectly, called the “home of English
militancy”, and have since been joined by lawyers in other
cities.
The government is hoping that the action will be short-lived.
The Lord Chancellor, Michael Gove, has so far refused to
engage with the striking lawyers, no doubt hoping that the
work to rule will come to an end of its own accord or that the
lawyers will cave in; or possibly that cheaper ways of providing
legal representation to defendants will be found…….
University of Liverpool. It concluded that legal professionals
should spend as much as 10% of their time doing unpaid legal
work on a pro bono basis. When asked why the rule should
not be extended to the professions, specifically medicine and
teaching, the report authors responded that it was because
lawyers have the opportunity to sell their services for “lots of
money”. Really? Do legal aid criminal practitioners agree? We
look forward to the day when university professors regularly go
into the lecture theatre on their days off to do a couple of pro
bono organisational behaviour lectures!
Student affairs
The importance of ensuring that the individual is able to
access legal advice when confronted by the excesses of the
state was demonstrated by the recent case of Liverpool John
Moores University law student, George Wilson from Wallasey,
when he was stopped by the Police after giving £1 to a
homeless person on the streets of Liverpool. George was
handcuffed by a police officer, who thought that he had
been buying drugs. When George explained that he was a
law student, the officer accused him of being drunk and
disorderly and said that he wouldn’t be a law student any
more once the officer had finished with him.
George recorded the entire conversation on his mobile phone
and pursued an action through his lawyer, Adam Quick of
James Murray Solicitors, against Merseyside Police for false
imprisonment and trespass to person. Merseyside Police
agreed to pay him £5,000 compensation.
Maybe this has proved too much of a close encounter with
the law for George, who has since given up the law and
joined the luxury car maker Bentley as an apprentice. Bentley
of course charges “lots of money” (starting from £123,000) for
its cars. Wonder how many cars the government expects
Bentley to give away pro bono……………
Pro Bono
……….maybe the government is hoping that other lawyers will
pick up the work which the striking lawyers are not doing and
do it for free?
A report published in July by Res Publica, a think-tank with
close connections to the Prime Minister, David Cameron,
looked at the links between three professions – law, medicine
and teaching – and the public good.
The Res Publica report was co-authored by Elena
Antonacopolou, professor of organisational behaviour at the
Please feel free to send me your comments, observations
or photographs to ai@liverpoollawsociety.org.uk

At Clayton Legal your talent matters...
At Clayton Legal your talent matters...
...so we go further to connect your legal talent to opportunities nationwide
Personal Injury Litigator – Liverpool – Salary up to £30,000 –
CMS020241’2002
Experienced Litigator is required, broad knowledge of Personal
Injury, managing caseload from inception to conclusion, experience
of all 3 stages of MOJ portal is essential.
Please contact Simon Scott ss@clayton-legal.co.uk
...so we go further to connect your legal talent to opportunities nationwide
Personal Injury Litigator – Crosby – Salary £25,000 - £30,000 –
Ref: CMS020407’2002
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Personal Injury Litigator to
handle a mixed caseload of EL/PL & RTA matters. You must have a
minimum of 2 years experience.
Please contact Lauren Connors lc@clayton-legal.co.uk
Law Costs Draftsman- Liverpool City Centre- salary negotiable-
CMS020278'2002
A specialist Liverpool City Centre Law Firm is looking to appoint a
specialist Costs Budgeting Law Costs Draftsman for their successful
in-house Costs team. The ideal candidate will carry demonstrable
extensive Costs negotiation experience with a proven track record of
both quality and successful work. Candidates that have
demonstrable managerial or supervisory and applicants will carry at
least 18 months Costs negotiating experience, as a very minimum.
Please contact Natasha Darr nd@clayton-legal.co.uk
Personal Injury Solicitor – Southport – Salary up to £35,000 –
Ref: CMS020673’2002
Our clients are a reputable law firm who are expanding and now
seeking an experienced solicitor to handle a litigated caseload of
EL/PL & RTA matters. You must have a minimum of 2 years
experience.
Please contact Lauren Connors lc@clayton-legal.co.uk
Public Law Solicitor – Liverpool – Salary Negotiable -
CMS020888’2002
a Liverpool Practice is looking for a Solicitor to Handle a Public Law
caseload of mixed complexity with a particular emphasis on actions
against the Police. You must be at least 3 years PQE to be
considered for this post.
Please contact Simon Scott ss@clayton-legal.co.uk
Commercial Property Solicitor- Merseyside- Salary Negotiable-
CMS019819’2002
A well established Merseyside law firm based outside of Liverpool
are looking to appoint a two year PQE Commercial property Solicitor.
Specifically the firm seeks a Solicitor who has experience of dealing
with commercial property leases and landlord & tenant matters.
The ideal applicant will have 2 Years PQE but more experienced
Solicitors also apply.
Please contact Lynn Sedgwick ls@clayton-legal.co.uk
Where talent matters
Where talent matters
Clinical Negligence Solicitor - Liverpool – Salary up to £32,000 –
CMS020309’2002
1-3 PQE Solicitor, handling caseload of Clinical Negligence matters
from inception to conclusion, ideally you will have excellent technical
knowledge and ability to work unsupervised.
Please contact Simon Scott ss@clayton-legal.co.uk
Conveyancer – Liverpool – Salary 25k-30k – Ref 15518
My client, a well established Law firm based in Ormskirk are looking
to recruit a Conveyancing Fee Earner. You will have the ability to
manage own case load and use the proclaim case management
system is essential. The position is an excellent opportunity for a
legal professional to gain experience and develop with a respected
Law Firm with excellent prospects. 4-5 years experience is required
in relation to dealing with Residential Conveyancing
Please Contact Steph Griffiths sg@clayton-legal.co.uk
Law Costs Draftsman- Merseyside- Salary Negotiable-
CMS020431'2002
This highly regarded Law Costs firm is looking to recruit an
experienced and proficient Costs Draftsman/Costs Lawyer to join
their busy Costs team. The successful Costs Candidates will have a
minimum of 4 years experience working within a busy Costs
Department and will have demonstrable experience running a
caseload of Civil Costs files to include Clinical Negligence, Personal
Injury and Industrial Disease, the ideal applicant will have experience
Drafting, Negotiating, budgets, replies and Detailed Assessments.
Please contact Natasha Darr nd@clayton-legal.co.uk
Commercial Litigation Solicitor- Liverpool- £negotiable-
CMS020663’2002
My client is a Legal 500 Commercial law firm and are now looking to
appoint a Commercial Litigation Solicitor. You will work in property
litigation handling property and chancery litigation cases including
lease disputes, dilapidations, service charges, lease renewals,
forfeiture, distress and consent to assign, leasehold management
matters and freehold issues, restrictive covenant disputes, easement
disputes, trespass, possessions claims, Land Tribunal cases,
boundary disputes and also professional negligence claims against
property professions.
Please contact Lynn Sedgwick ls@layton-legal.co.uk
NQ Serious Injury Solicitor – Central Liverpool – Salary up to
£32,000 – Ref: CMS020666’2002
For more on these and other A highly vacancies sought after please opportunity contact has arisen Clayton for a NQ - Legal 2 PQE
telephone:
on offer.
Please contact email: Lauren enquiries@clayton-legal.co.uk
Connors lc@clayton-legal.co.uk
visit our website: www.clayton-legal.co.uk
Solicitor with experience in Personal Injury, to move into Serious
Injury Litigation. Fantastic training and progression opportunities are
For more on these and other vacancies please contact Clayton Legal
telephone:
email: enquiries@clayton-legal.co.uk
visit our website: www.clayton-legal.co.uk

Immigration
Conveyancing
Litigation
Family Law
Manage all
Personal Injury
your matters
Business Law
Commercial Law
Wills & Probate
Criminal
LEGAL AID
COMPLIANT
NEW
Legal Aid Billing Mode:
We help the lawyers who help people.
0843 713 0135
sales@leap.co.uk
www.leap.co.uk