Liverpool Law Feb 2016

Liverpool Law 

The Magazine for lawyers in Merseyside and the North West 

February 2016 

IN THIS ISSUE 

Meet the new Vice President 

of Liverpool Law Society 

PAGE 8 

Criminal Law Update 

by Nick Cockrell 

PAGE 12 

Charity & CSR Update 

from Matt Smith 

PAGES 20 & 21

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Welcome 

Welcome to the February Edition of Liverpool Law 

From the Editor 

3 

This month we have a real mixture of the good and the not so good. We are barely into the New Year and members 

are having to deal with yet more jumbled messages coming from the government. 

The Liverpool Law Society has offered to assist with investigations into the arguments put forward by the 

government to support its proposed changes to the law of Tort - removing the right to compensation for minor soft 

tissue injuries. As well as a rise in the small claims limit. Please assist us with this by responding (or ensuring the 

appropriate person in your firm responds) to the email the society will be sending round to all members. 

In this edition we have also put out an appeal for members to forward to us brief details of any issues they may have 

come across when dealing with proceedings which involve the assistance of a paid McKenzie Friend. I have to 

confess I had always assumed that a McKenzie Friend was a "good hearted" true friend of a litigant in need of 

support. But I was wrong, it seems that there is a whole industry of paid, unqualified and unregulated people 

performing this role. Therefore we would like to get our members’ views on how affective or otherwise they are in 

providing the help needed in potentially traumatic court proceedings. 

Nick Cockrell provides us with an update on the latest position of the Ministry of Justice's proposals for two tier 

contracting as well as the current practice of the Crown Court. 

We also have plenty of articles and photographs from our members with details of their news and successes and 

social events. 

We also have information with regard to the fringe events you may want to attend at the upcoming International 

Festival for Business which is back again in Liverpool in 2016. 

I do hope you enjoy the read and can take the time to assist the society in the current projects. Please also keep 

details of your news, successes and events coming to us. 

SYLVIA SHEPHERD 

EDITOR 

Editor@liverpoollawsociety.org.uk 

Sylvia Shepherd 

Editor 

editor@liverpoollawsociety.org.uk 


Needs YOU! 

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Follow us on Twitter 

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Diary Dates 

Wed 16th March Public Child Law Conference 

Thu 31st March Joint Merseyside JLD & LLS 

Quiz 

Wed 11th May Inaugural Cyber Crime 

Conference 

Thu 19th May Liverpool Professionals’ 

Dinner 

Wed 8th June Regulatory Conference 

13th June - 1st July International Festival for 

Business 

Tue 4th October Liverpool Legal Walk 

Thu 6th October Conkerton Memorial Lecture 

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. 

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Deadlines 2016 

15TH FEB FOR MARCH 

14TH MARCH FOR APRIL 

12TH APRIL FOR MAY 

16TH MAY FOR JUNE 

13TH JUNE FOR JULY 

18TH JULY FOR AUG 

15TH AUG FOR SEP 

19TH SEP FOR OCT 

17TH OCT FOR NOV 

14TH NOV FOR DEC 

Editorial Committee 

Dates 2016 

07/03/2016 AT 13:00 









05/12/2016 AT 13:00

4 From the President 

Sponsored by 

President’s Mentions 

I’m sure this has been said by 

many of my predecessors – but 

that was a very quick first 

month and the need to write 

these pieces does come round a 

bit sooner than expected! 

January was not just very quick, 

but also a bit of a strange 

month. Most of what I have 

done so far seems to be on the 

campaigning and consultation 

front. Where are all these 

glamorous dinners that I get to 

wear the jewel to? I’ve hardly 

seen that lovely item …. 

Actually, I do exaggerate slightly, 

as I have had the honour this 

month of representing the Society 

at the Annual dinner of the 

Liverpool Insurance Institute. It 

was a lovely evening at our old 

friend the Adelphi and interesting 

to see the place as a pure guest for 

a change. It gets a lot of bad press 

but the team there certainly know 

how to do a formal dinner! 

A big item on the agenda for us all 

at the moment is the proposed 

reforms to whiplash claims, and 

increase in the Personal Injury 

small claims limit, as set out in the 

Autumn Statement. At the time 

of writing there are no details yet 

available with regard to the 

proposed consultation on this 

issue, but personal injury 

organisations such as APIL and 

MASS are already planning their 

approach to this matter, and we 

have been in discussions to play a 

major part in this campaign too. 

It is always difficult, as a local 

Law Society, to know whether it 

is appropriate for us to play a 

role, given that we represent so 

many Solicitors with diverse 

interests. However our 

preliminary discussions have led 

me to believe that our members 

all stand united on this one, 

whether they represent claimants 

or defendants, and it is therefore 

appropriate for us to get involved. 

(If you think differently I am sure 

you will let me know). Look out 

for more information on what we 

are doing from Kirsty McKno, 

Chair of our Civil Litigation Subcommittee, 

both in this magazine 

and also by email and on the 

Society’s website. 

I have also been involved in 

several discussion groups and 

forums on tackling poverty and 

improving the local economy, 

something that might seem to 

many to be a bit removed from 

what we do as a day job, but 

ultimately, we all need a strong 

economy to bring clients to us, 

whether businesses or individuals, 

so it’s in all of our interests to 

help our City grow and thrive. I 

was encouraged to see one 

workshop which I attended very 

well supported by the City’s 

business leaders, who clearly see 

the benefits of being involved in 

such discussions. 

I am also a member of the 

steering group for “The Edge” – 

the official fringe for the 

International Festival for 

Business 2016, and have been 

liaising with The Law Society 

over that, as well as looking at 

what we can do locally. You can 

read my article which sets out 

more detail of the plans later in 

this edition of Liverpool Law – 

but the important thing to note is 

that I need input and views from 

you all as soon as possible to 

ensure that we can play our part 

and there is something at the IFB 

ALISON LOBB 

PRESIDENT 

that we can all benefit from. 

On the social side, plans have 

moved ahead with the 

arrangements for a Liverpool 

Professionals’ Dinner which will 

take place on 19th May at the 

Crowne Plaza. We are arranging 

Continued on opposite page 

CHARITY SPOTLIGHT 

Let’s Transform Cancer Care 

2016 is a pivotal year for The 

Clatterbridge Cancer Charity, as we take 

the first steps on an exciting journey to 

transform cancer care in Merseyside and 

Cheshire. 

The Clatterbridge Cancer Charity is the 

only dedicated charity for patients and 

research at The Clatterbridge Cancer 

Centre, one of the largest networked 

cancer centres in the UK. From ten 

operating sites across Merseyside and 

Cheshire, we offer pioneering 

chemotherapy, radiotherapy and proton 

therapy treatments to more than 30,000 

individual patients. This equates to 

around 220,000 episodes of care every 

year. 

You may have read that Clatterbridge has 

plans to build a new cancer hospital - 

Liverpool’s first – in the heart of the city. 

This once-in-a-generation opportunity, 

which includes investing in our existing 

site, will put us at the forefront of cancer 

treatment in the UK and mean a huge 

leap forward for cancer research in our 

region. 

To ensure we can build the best possible 

hospital, equipped with leading edge 

facilities, this year will see the launch of 

our £15m New Cancer Hospital Appeal. 

In the last year, partnerships with law 

firms have raised a whopping £20,000 for 

our cancer patients. Alison Lobb, 

Managing Partner at Morecrofts, tells us 

why they are getting behind the appeal: 

“As a long-standing independent business 

ourselves, nothing gives us greater 

pleasure than to see local businesses 

engage their communities with new and 

innovative ideas. 

“We are delighted to be able to raise a 

great amount of money for Clatterbridge. 

This charity is close to my heart and I 

know a lot of people feel the same. 

“As a firm we are proud to be supporting 

Clatterbridge. Their team of fundraisers 

are fantastic to work with and I look 

forward to more events where we will 

have the chance to raise cash.” 

You too can be part of this unique 

opportunity to transform cancer care in 

our region which will have a lasting 

impact on future generations. 

If you’d like to hear more about our 

ambitious plans and how you can be part 

of it then we would love to hear from 

you. Please call our team on 0151 482 

7948 or email 

fundraising@clatterbridgecc.org.uk. 

Alternatively visit clatterbridgecc.org.uk 

where you can view our brand new film 

featuring six of our patients and their 

families, who explain why the new 

hospital means so much to them. 

THE 

NEW 

CANCER 

HOSPITAL 

APPEAL

Local News 

5 

President’s Mentions 

continued... 

this in conjunction with 

Professional Liverpool as an 

event for professionals working in 

all fields to come together and 

network and develop business. It 

is a new venture and we are 

delighted to have most of the 

other local professional 

organisations on board with their 

support, and some sponsorship 

talks well advanced. I am really 

pleased to be able to tell you that 

Lord Falconer has agreed to be 

our keynote speaker; and we have 

Save the Date! 

also signed up to support Roy 

Castle Lung Cancer Foundation as 

our Charity for the event. So 

please do put that date in your 

diaries and start thinking about 

who you want to bring along on 

the night. 

As always, if you want to know 

more about what I, and the Society 

are doing, or want to contribute to 

the many discussions and 

campaigns, do email the Society’s 

office, or contact me direct on 

president@liverpoollawsociety.org.uk 

Alison Lobb 

President 

Liverpool Law Society is pleased to advise that the next 

Conkerton Memorial Lecture will be given by Lord Dyson 

Master of the Rolls on Thursday, 6 October 2016 at 5.30pm 

for 6.00pm at the Liverpool Town Hall followed by Opening 

of the New Legal Year Reception. 

Please save the date. Further details will follow. 

"The Emlyn Williams Trophy of 

Knowledge"- who will win in 2016? 

Liverpool City Apprenticeship 

to be launched 

September 2015 saw the 

Department for Business, 

Innovation and Skills (BIS) 

publish new assessment plans 

and standards for legal 

apprenticeships following earlier 

ministerial approval. Intended 

to pave the way to qualification 

as a chartered legal executive, 

solicitor or paralegal, and part 

of the Trailblazers 

Apprenticeship in Law, the new 

legal apprenticeship standards 

will shape this route into the 

profession. 

Soon after this announcement, and 

as part of the Autumn Statement, 

the Government confirmed its 

intention to charge an 

apprenticeship levy of 0.5% on 

company payrolls to ensure that 

medium and large businesses 

shoulder the cost of training 

workers. 

Whatever your views on these 

schemes, it is clear the world of 

legal education is changing, and 

legal services is expected to 

follow other professional sectors 

by increasing the proportion of 

non-graduate entrants to its ranks. 

In line with this trend, a new 

initiative is being developed by 

Liverpool Law Society in 

conjunction with BPP University 

Law School called the “Liverpool 

City Apprenticeship”. The scheme 

is due to be launched in 

September 2016 and a key aim of 

the scheme is to train, but also to 

retain talented youngsters within 

the city region. 

To help to do this, the scheme 

will encourage its apprentices to 

attend a series of “City Talks” 

talks delivered by business 

leaders from key economic 

sectors within the region. Each 

talk will focus on a specific sector 

and apprentices will quickly 

begin to form their own 

professional networks which, in 

turn, will assist them in their 

fledgling careers. 

Further progress will be reported 

in future editions of the magazine 

and online at 

www.liverpoollawsociety.org.uk 

For enquiries, please email 

cpdevents@liverpoollawsociety.org.uk 

With over 60 members Atlantic Chambers is able to offer a wide 

range of expertise within our specialist practice groups. 

Annual Liverpool Law Society v MJLD Quiz will take 

place on 31 March 2016 

Now with a trophy for the winning team! Following the Liverpool Law 

Society’s victory last year, the MJLD have challenged them to a 

rematch. Start brushing up on your general knowledge for what will 

surely be a fun-filled and competitive night! 

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

6 Obituaries 

Obituaries 

The President, Officers, Committee members, past 

presidents and staff were sorry to learn in January 

2016 of the following deaths: 

Mr Peter Howell Williams, President of Liverpool Law Society 

1980-81. He was the author of “A Gentleman’s Calling – the 

Liverpool Attorney-at-Law” published in 1980. An obituary will 

appear in a later edition. 

Mr Bernard Higgins, retired Partner of Michael W Halsall 

Solicitors. Up to his death in January 2016 he was sitting as a 

Deputy District Judge. An obituary will appear in a later edition. 

Mrs Audrey Brown, the 16th Librarian of Liverpool Law Society 

who worked at the Society from 1941 till her retirement in 1988 

(having taken over from her father who had been the librarian 

previously!). Audrey sadly died in January 2014 however the 

Society was only made aware of this in January this year. A former 

president, Keith Tamlin, said this on hearing the news: 

“I was so sorry to learn from you that Audrey Brown had passed away 

some two years ago & feel not only sadness but regret that I did not 

have the opportunity at the time to pay my respects. 

From my days as an articled clerk to my Presidential year I came to 

regard Audrey as The Liverpool Law Society, linked of course, with 

“Mr Hughes”. She (they) were particularly kind & patient to articled 

clerks, including a contemporary of mine (no names) ,who had been 

sent to the Library to find the address of the registered office of The 

Dogger Bank---an old one I know, which I gathered Audrey & Mr 

Hughes handled with great diplomacy and a smile. I recall too, Audrey 

baked a cake for me to celebrate Everton FC winning the FA Cup, it 

had all the appropriate trimmings & was eaten entirely at the council 

meeting, which followed the presentation to me, even by the “Red” 

supporters present. Audrey’s father was, I believe, at one time a director 

of Liverpool F.C 

And from Steve Cornforth, Senior Partner at EAD Solicitors and 

President of Liverpool Law Society 2011-2012: 

“I remember her well. When I was employed by the Society at the 

Vauxhall Law Centre I used to go and see her on Thursdays to get my 

wages! She was always pleasant, friendly and helpful. She also knew 

the library like the back of her hand. In the days before Google she was 

an essential resource for young lawyers looking for important 

information. Very sad news.” 

Mr Andy Duxbury, CEO of Aaron & Partners who died suddenly 

at the age of 56. 

Andy had been Aaron & Partners' Chief Executive since 2006, one of a 

select band of non-lawyers at the helm of a commercial law firm. Prior 

to joining Aaron and Partners, Andy’s career spanned a variety of 

marketing and business development roles for other law firms and other 

industry sectors including the RAC, before becoming Marketing 

Director for Bevan Ashford and Business Development Director for 

Cobbetts. A graduate of Leeds University, he attended Queen 

Elizabeth’s Grammar School, Blackburn. 

He was educated in Blackburn and at Leeds University. Before joining 

Aaron & Partners, Duxbury worked in marketing and business 

development roles for other law firms and busineses including the 

RAC, Bevan Ashford and Cobbetts. 

Other tributes came from West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of 

Commerce, which described him as a "huge supporter of local 

business", while law firm marketeer Scott Hadden said he was a 

"genuinely lovely man and a great mentor." 

To Audrey Brown a great representative of The Liverpool Law Society, 

which she served well with loyalty & affection for many years, my 

sincere thanks; she will be remembered by many of us with reciprocal 

affections.” 

Keith Tamlin 

President of Liverpool Law Society 1983-84. 

Burns 

& Scars with Dr Andre Brittain-Dissont on Friday 

11th March 9.30am - 10.30 

am CPD 1 

 

 

 

 

Varieties and nomenclature of bones and scars 

Long-term impact and what should be recommended in a medical report 

Venue: 

Liverpool Law Society, 2 

nd Floor Cotton Exchange, Bixteth Street, Liverpool, L3 9LQ. 

To see more information on or to book, visit: www. 

liverpoollawsociety.org.uk

PI 

7 

Proposed Personal Injury Reform 

Please contribute to the discussion 

Personal Injury Lawyer members have expressed 

their concerns to us about the announcement in the 

Autumn Statement of the Government's intention to 

remove the right to compensation for minor soft 

tissue injuries and to raise the small claims limit to 

£5000. The data relied upon to justify this decision 

suggests savings will be made of £40 - £50 per year for 

every driver and £1 Billion to the Insurance industry. 

Liverpool Law Society have offered to help with the 

investigations into these arguments and to feed in their 

information to an economist who has been instructed to 

find out if those figures make sense. 

Every member of Liverpool Law Society will be sent an 

email asking for their assistance. 

you do not do personal injury work you might still be 

able to help, even if just by passing the request on to 

colleagues. Whatever your views on this issue, and 

whether you act for Claimants or Defendant, your 

business is likely to be affected, and this is your 

opportunity to contribute. 

Please send your views to 

MS KIRSTY MCKNO 

Chair of the Civil Litigation Committee 

kirsty.mckno@slatergordonsolutions.co.uk 

You might have already received this email and dealt 

with it, but if not, please open it and respond. To better 

understand the data we need EVERYONE involved. If 

Buy To Lets For Conveyancers with Richard 

Snape 

on Tuesday 

1st March 1.30pm - 4.45pm 

CPD 3 

The buy to let market is amongst the growth 

areas in 

conveyancinn 

g today. The course looks at s 

ome of the 

i ssues both i n relation to the client and the m ortgage 

company. 

Covering: 

 

Reporting to 

the lender 

 

Buy to Let in 

the light of the SRA Handbook 

 

Houses in m 

ultiple occupation 

 

 

 

 

 

Planning iss 

ues and change of use 

 

Obtaining do 

cumentation 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

to ban Buy 

to 

Lets 

with a low energy 

rating 

 

Gas Safe Reg 

ulations which have major implications 

for the 

buy to let market 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Venue: 

Liverpool 

Law Society, 2nd Floor Cotton Exchange, 

Bixteth 

For more info or 

This event is 

Street, Liverpool, 

L3 9LQ. 

to book, 

visit: 

www.liverpoollaws 

ociety.org.uk 

FREE 

to 2015/15 Training Season Ticket Holders

8 Interview 

In Conversation with the Vice President 

John Ballam, the newly elected Vice 

President of Liverpool Law Society 

talks to Julia Baskerville... 

John Ballam, the Society’s newly elected Vice President grew up in 

Aigburth Liverpool and attended Quarry Bank High School with 

Peter Goldsmith, the Attorney General (from 2001 until 2007) and 

the footballer and manager Joe Royle. Other illustrious alumni of 

Quarry Bank include John Lennon and the actor Derek Nimmo. 

John left school in 1968 and joined Arthur Russell Solicitors at 49 

Hamilton Square, Birkenhead as the office junior and eventually 

secured a clerkship with the firm. John says he took “the long route” to 

qualification and his training included lectures from John and Mary 

Conkerton. John qualified in 1978 and went into partnership with 

Arthur Russell, which was essentially a general high street practice and 

John undertook a broad spectrum of work, including wills & probate, 

conveyancing, civil lit, family and some crime work. In 1983 John 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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moved around Hamilton Square to set up his own crime practice @ No 

56 and then onto DP Roberts Hughes & Denye a large general practice. 

Eventually John set up a niche criminal law firm BALLAMS from no 

58 and also gained Higher Rights of Audience. He has also been on the 

Committee of the national Criminal Law Solicitors Association. 

John is now a Consultant Solicitor - Advocate with FPH Law Solicitors 

@ No 11 Hamilton Square he says “I now work part-time - 5 days 

instead of 6!” 

As a criminal practitioner for almost 40 years, John has witnessed many 

changes. He says “Since the 1980s, criminal practice has changed 

considerably. There have been changes in procedure, new statutes and 

the introduction of PACE in 1986. I was one of the first solicitors to be 

involved with the voluntary Duty Solicitors Scheme, which was 

eventually taken over by the Legal Aid Board. Then in 1994/95 came 

the introduction of Legal Aid Franchising which was the start of the 

decimation of crime work. Now we have the digitalization of the courts 

and the closure of many court centre’s, as the government attempt to 

reduce costs. However, despite all the changes I still enjoy the work and 

I have had to adapt and adopt different ways of working.” 

John joined the General Committee of Liverpool Law Society in 1998 

and took over as Chair of the Criminal Practice Committee from James 

Benson in 2001 John says “I feel honoured to be the Vice President of 

Liverpool Law Society and I am looking forwarded to supporting the 

President Alison Lobb. Alison has many exciting plans for the Society 

and I hope to be able to learn from her over the coming months.” 

John has three children and one grandchild and enjoys spending time 

with his family, gardening and more unusually, is a bee-keeper. Bees 

are crucial to sustaining the balance of the eco-system and John says 

that he enjoys “saving the bees” He also likes to travel with his wife 

and “this keeps me sane!”

News 

9 

Meet the Directors of Liverpool Law Society 

Nina Ferris was elected a 

Director of Liverpool Law 

Society and Joint Honorary 

Secretary at the AGM in 

December 2015. 

Originally from Oldham, Nina 

moved to Liverpool to attend 

Liverpool University and after 

attending the College of Law 

returned to Liverpool to take up a 

Training Contract with Cuff 

Roberts. Following various 

mergers, Nina is now a Legal 

Director at Hill Dickinson where 

she has worked since 2010. 

Nina specialises in commercial 

litigation and has a particular 

interest in contentious trusts and 

probate work and is an associate 

member of STEP. She has acted in 

many partnership disputes as well 

as advising shareholders and 

directors who are in conflict with 

each other or their company. 

Nina joined the General 

Committee of Liverpool Law 

Society in 2008, and has been the 

Society’s PR officer, Social 

Secretary and Honorary Secretary, 

taking a short break from the 

Nina Ferris 

Joint Honorary Secretary 

Committee whilst on maternity 

leave. 

Nina and her husband Derek, also 

a solicitor, have two daughters 

Antonia, 3, and baby Francesca 

who is one. Nina says that as a 

working mum she has little time 

for any activities outside of work, 

apart from still managing to play 

netball for a couple of hours on a 

Sunday morning. 

Widnes born and bred, John 

Weate left school at 16 and 

started work at Widnes 

Magistrates’ Court as the office 

junior. John gradually rose 

through the ranks, becoming a 

Court Assistant and then the 

Court Clerk. 

Whilst working, John studied for 

the Magistrates’ Clerk Diploma, 

qualifying in the mid 1970s and 

then decided to train as a solicitor. 

He qualified in 1985 and joined 

the County Prosecution 

Department before moving to 

Maxwell Cooke & Co. In 1988 he 

joined his present firm RMNJ 

Solicitors in Birkenhead, 

becoming a partner in 1989. 

John is a Higher Court Advocate 

and has numerous accolades. He 

was the runner up in the Legal 

Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards in 

2008 and 2010 and winner of the 

Criminal Law Award at the 

Liverpool Law Society Legal 

Awards in 2011. 

John joined the Criminal Practice 

Committee of Liverpool Law 

John Weate 

Chair of the Criminal 

Practice Committee 

Society in 2001 and is now the 

Chair and is a member of the 

Court Users Committee. 

John has been married for 40 

years and has three children and 

four grandchildren, with ages 

ranging from one to 13. 

John enjoys the cinema, theatre 

and walking.

10 Local News 

 

The Edge 

How you can join in IFB 2016 

The International Festival for Business returns to Liverpool this 

year from 13th June to 1st July. Many lessons have been learnt 

from 2014, and this year’s festival, as well as being shorter, aims to 

be more focussed, in a single venue with less events, but those 

events being of higher quality and bringing in a larger audience. 

On behalf of Liverpool Law Society I am a member of the steering 

group for the official fringe “the Edge” which was launched in 

November 2015. Whilst the IFB is aimed at business people from all 

over the world, “The Edge” is the opportunity for local businesses to 

also maximise benefit from the festival, by accessing a range of events, 

with the aim of at least 30 of these taking place over the three weeks. 

Whilst the IFB events are mainly restricted to the exhibition centre, 

“The Edge” aims to also showcase some iconic venues within the city 

region. 

The proposal is for the events to fall into 6 categories: 

“Conversations with…” featuring business leaders and others who 

might be visiting Liverpool for the festival or may have spoken at 

IFB events that day. 

“How To…” again featuring business leaders explaining practical 

ways in which their businesses have succeeded or achieved, in order 

that other can learn from them 

“Provocations” - events covering issues that the more formal IFB 

programme might shy away from 

“Opening and Closing” – self explanatory –to open and close the 

fringe programme 

Third Party events – which might be coming to Liverpool during 

that period but are not necessarily part of the IFB itself 

And….”The Club – Edgy” - late night events which I am assured 

will involve beer, football and perhaps comedy. 

So, all in all there should be something for everyone! 

My colleagues on the steering group include representatives from the 

LEP, Institute of Directors, Federation of Small Businesses, the 

Universities, Liverpool BID Company, Merseytravel, Liverpool Airport, 

the CBI, Downtown Liverpool in Business, Professional Liverpool, the 

School of Tropical Medicine, and all our local Chambers of Commerce. 

So what does this mean to you? Well, we are now at the stage where 

The Edge is looking for events. The Edge itself has little funding 

(although might be able to access some partnership or match funding) 

and so is looking for people to arrange events, provide or source 

speakers, provide venues etc. to make this all happen. Liverpool Law 

Society is being asked what we, or our members can provide as part of 

this, and I would welcome ideas from representatives of member firms 

who might wish to host events, who think they could provide venues or 

speakers, or who just have ideas of what they would like to see and the 

type of events they would like to attend, whether organised by 

Liverpool Law Society for all of you, or by others. 

Some firms might already have an involvement in the IFB itself, but 

The Edge is a separate event aimed both at visitors to the IFB, and also 

to local businesses; giving unlimited opportunities for networking and 

showcasing yourself, your firm, and the profession as a whole. Unlike 

in 2014, all events must be co-ordinated centrally through the steering 

group. 

I look forward to hearing from as many of you as possible with your 

views and ideas. You can email me on 

president@liverpoollawsociety.org.uk and if you would like to meet for 

a chat and more information, please do let me know. One word of 

warning, we do have to be quick about this, as the plan is to have as 

many events as possible scheduled on the calendar by the time Easter 

comes around! All ideas are welcome, even if it is just what type of 

events you would like to see and participate in. 

Alison Lobb 

President 

Convert more 

conveyancing 

enquiries 

into clients 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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davidopie@etsos.co.uk 

 

2 month 

FREE 

TRIAL *

News 

11 

CRM - One version of the truth..... 

by Linda Coppell Integrated Marketing 

The close relationships you build with clients are the lifeblood of 

most law firms. They provide us with a deeper understanding of 

their business concerns and pressures, aid in delivering tailored 

services and importantly, identify opportunities for cross-selling. 

We also gain valuable insight into their communication preferences, 

helping lawyers and their marketing teams tailor content, be more 

responsive to their needs and aid the added value proposition clients look 

for. 

The larger the firm, the more important it becomes to have some sort of 

central system that keeps track of clients, prospects and initiatives. Most 

will know of examples of multiple invitations and newsletters being sent 

to the same (or wrong) contact, even occasions where partners from 

different offices within the same firm have pitched for the same piece of 

work - not the best way to create the right impression. 

There exists a great deal of frustration in many firms with their 

marketing database capability. The seemingly endless checking of client 

lists, uncertainty if changes have been applied and too few people with 

access. It’s no surprise then to find partners keeping their own private 

contact lists! 

Large firms have a strong case to argue that technology will help in coordinating 

client information, BD and marketing campaigns as well as 

key account management programmes (KAM). 

Smaller firms may believe such systems are not needed. The reality is 

that more often partners and teams are busy concentrating on their own 

client commitments and don’t have time to step back and look at the 

firm’s client base as a whole. 

Firms may have existing technology already. A marketing module 

attached to the practice management system perhaps (usually an 

inefficient add-on with basic ancillary contact management capability), 

or you’re coping with disparate Excel spreadsheets, or perhaps you’ve 

invested in a client relationship management (CRM) platform, but are 

seeing little improvement. 

Whatever the firm’s size most will benefit from some form of efficient 

CRM platform. Ideally, one which will deliver a single record for each 

client, contact and prospect, rich with relationship and KAM data, 

marketing and business development activity and other firm-wide 

interactions. Providing “one version of the truth” across the firm – 

possibly for the first time. 

That’s the ideal scenario, but it’s a mistake to think that CRM technology 

alone will guarantee success. It’s the adoption throughout a firm that is 

most important and there will inevitably be issues to address to ensure it 

is used properly and fully. Management boards must lead on this, 

integrating CRM with overall business objectives, so it is trusted and 

there is buy-in across the firm. 

One reason it won’t get used is because of poor quality information and 

not enough user support. There is little point in transferring or adding 

old/inaccurate data into a new CRM system. Rubbish in = rubbish out. 

This is important and time is needed to get it right. 

It’s also important that CRM is not perceived to be just a tool for the 

marketing and business developing teams and the senior partners. If 

implemented as a firm-wide initiative, everyone will have an investment 

in the accuracy and visibility of the data. The ability to add a quick 

update such as a new telephone number or meeting date quickly and 

immediately enriches data so that everyone reaps the benefits. (Security 

levels can be applied to protect sensitive data and reports). 

Some thoughts and tips if you’re considering CRM in 2016: 

• Align and integrate your CRM strategy to the firm’s overall objectives. 

• Research. There are plenty of CRM platforms out there, from the 

simple “Fisher Price” to the full “bells and whistles”. Find the best fit for 

you. 

• Integrate with your KAM programmes. 

• Strong leadership, management and user buy-in is key. 

• Assemble an enthusiastic, passionate project team. 

• Involve IT from the very beginning. 

• Allocate adequate resources – people and budget. 

• Discover/uncover the extent of data held in the firm. 

• Define the roles around CRM deployment. 

• Understand that CRM is never finished – it evolves. 

If you do it right, there are many benefits: 

• Accessible and complete picture of client/prospect interaction. 

• Accurate and sophisticated segmentation and targeting of campaigns. 

• Automation of email campaigns, with statistics. 

• No more Excel spreadsheets to check. 

• Time efficient - eradicates duplication of effort. 

• Integrated practice wide business and client development pipelines. 

• Identifies cross-selling and business development opportunities. 

• Provides MI to support ROI. 

• Integration with KAM programmes. 

• Potential to link into appraisal system. 

• Further integration potential with Windows office systems. 

• Everyone has faith in the system and uses it. 

• One version of the truth. 

Remember building a CRM database into your firm’s strategy is only a 

small part of CRM. With board, management and user buy in it works – 

without and it fails. 

8$9%*:*0-(*'+*(0%&;'$+0 

0 0 

12 Criminal Law 

Criminal Law Update 

by Nick Cockrell 

Linskills Solicitors 

At the time of writing, social media is awash with speculation that 

the Ministry of Justice will abandon the proposals for two-tier 

contracting which was due to commence on 1st April. The reports 

are suggesting that the MoJ will make an announcement 

imminently to confirm that they no longer intend to defend either 

the Judicial Review proceedings or the challenge to the much 

maligned procurement process. 

By the time this article is published, it may have transpired whether or 

not the social media speculation was accurate or premature. If the 

reports were correct, some may celebrate a victory (of sorts) and most 

will welcome the abandonment of two-tier which, in turn, should enable 

firms to begin planning for the new Crime Contract. To others, it will 

feel more like to a stay of execution with much depending on what 

further plans the MoJ has in store for the future. 

I suspect that few of us will be foolish enough to think that this will be 

the end of the attack on criminal legal aid and sadly it may well be that 

the feeling of uncertainty that has dominated the past few years will 

continue well in to 2016. 

One thing that is not uncertain is the commitment of the Crown Court to 

embrace BCM and DCS. The commitment is certainly shared by the 

new Senior Presiding Judge, Lord Justice Fulford (who succeeded LJ 

Gross on 1st January 2016). Figures released by Liverpool Crown 

Court for the period of 23rd November 2015 to 8th January 2016 

showed that 26% of the 367 PTPHs that took place concluded at that 

hearing. 45% of cases resulted in guilty pleas, 44% were listed for trial 

and only 7% were listed for a second PTPH. A small number of cases 

were concluded in other ways. Of the 161 cases listed for trial, only 

seven were listed for a Further Case Management Hearing. 

The numbers can be crunched and interpreted in different ways and it 

may only be when cases start coming to trial that the effect of BCM and 

DCS can be fully assessed. In the meantime, I suspect that despite the 

various teething problems, the Court will be fairly satisfied with the first 

few months of operation. BCM was implemented nationally on 5th 

January 2016 so I am sure that there will be further developments to 

come as different courts get to grips with the new system. 

I anticipate that as the system develops, there will be even greater 

pressure on solicitors and advocates in the magistrates’ court to identify 

and address the issues in the case – while at the same time dealing with 

cases quicker than ever. In my experience, the practical problems that I 

I anticipate that as the system develops, there will 

be even greater pressure on solicitors and 

advocates in the magistrates’ court to identify and 

address the issues in the case – while at the same 

time dealing with cases quicker than ever. In my 

experience, the practical problems that I have 

identified before with this (clients, legal aid, 

funding, papers etc) show no real signs of 

improving. 

have identified before with this (clients, legal aid, funding, papers etc) 

show no real signs of improving. 

Whilst on the subject of the magistrates’ court, the magistrates continue 

to be encouraged to be far more robust in their decisions to accept 

jurisdiction in either way cases. The current “Interim Guidance” on 

allocation and committal for sentence will continue in operation until 

1st March when the Sentencing Council’s new Allocation Guideline 

comes into force. 

The new guidelines are undoubtedly aimed at reducing the number of 

either way cases that are committed each year for trial. In 2014 there 

were approximately 1.5million cases brought before the magistrates’ 

court, of which 304,000 were either way offences. 23% of these cases – 

approximately 70,000 - resulted in committals for trial to the Crown 

Court. One concerning feature of the guidelines is the encouragement 

to accept jurisdiction in cases for trial, even if it is likely that the 

magistrates will commit for sentence upon conviction. The concerns 

about this that were raised by solicitors at consultation stage appear to 

have been ignored. 

Continuing with changes to guidelines, the new Theft Offence 

Definitive Guidelines are operational as of 1st February. The 

guidelines apply to all offenders over the age of 18 regardless of the 

date of offence. Almost 100,000 offenders are sentenced for offences 

of this type each year by the courts so I expect that the comprehensive 

guidelines will be in regular operation. It seems that the main aim of 

the guidelines is to provide a greater focus on the impact of theft 

 

 

 

 

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Criminal Law 

13 

offences - beyond that of pure financial loss – and there is detailed 

guidance for the courts as to how to assess the full nature of potential 

harm to victims. 

Finally in respect of guidelines, there is a current consultation in respect 

of the Sentencing Council’s proposal to issue a new definitive guideline 

for the imposition of community and custodial sentences. These will 

eventually replace the “New Sentences - Criminal Justice Act 2003” 

definitive guideline. If you would like to air any views, the consultation 

closes on 25 February. 

In terms of new offences, section 76 of the Serious Crime Act 2015 

came into force on 29th December 2015. It creates an either way 

offence of controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate or family 

relationship which carries a maximum sentence of five years’ 

imprisonment. The 24 page statutory guidance is a good place to start 

in terms of understanding the offence, which has the potential to apply 

to a wide range of behaviour that would not previously have been 

categorised as criminal. I expect that we will see a large number of 

these cases filtering through the magistrates’ courts this year. 

As for recent authorities, the case of R v Brown [2015] EWCA Crim 

1791 was an interesting Court of Appeal judgment dealing with 

inconsistent verdicts. In allowing an appeal against the conviction of a 

30 year old married man of good character, the Court had to consider 

his defence that he had inadvertently accessed indecent images of 

children and downloaded them by accident. The Appellant (who 

worked in an IT department at a solicitors’ firm) was assisted by expert 

evidence which contradicted the prosecution view that he had 

intentionally searched for, and downloaded, the images - a defence that 

is often raised by defendants in such cases but rarely succeeds. 

appeal that centred on the actions of Michael Wolkind QC when 

defending the Appellant in his murder trial at the Old Bailey in 

December 2013. Despite dismissing the appeal, the Court was critical 

of many aspects of Mr Wolkind’s conduct – not least his closing speech 

which was described as “ill-judged, patronising and containing 

inappropriate attempts at humour”. The Court was also less than 

impressed with the content and tone of his personal website, not to 

mention his personal attacks on opposing counsel during the course of 

his closing address to the jury. 

The case wasn’t the only recent example of the Court of Appeal 

dealing with criticism of legal representation. Some of you will have 

read the scathing criticism of two solicitors by the Court of Appeal in 

the case of R v Shabani [2015] EWCA Crim 1924. In that case, the 

Appellant had his conviction quashed despite his plea of guilty at the 

Crown Court. He had initially been represented by a duty solicitor, and 

thereafter a solicitor-advocate at the Crown Court. The Judges were 

unhesitating in their criticism of the advice that had been given and 

both solicitors were referred to the SRA. 

The latter case serves as a timely reminder from the Court of Appeal 

that notwithstanding any cuts to funding and/or pressure from the 

courts to do things quickly, solicitors must never compromise their core 

professional responsibility to know the law and to advise clients 

properly. The appeal Judges were quick to point out the impact of such 

incompetence on the efficient administration of justice. 

Nick Cockrell 

Linskills Solicitors 

Another interesting judgment was the Court of Appeal case of R v 

Ekaireb [2015] EWCA Crim 1936 in which the Court considered an 

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14 Local News 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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NORTH WEST AMBITIONS; 

BRABNERS: Report into key areas 

of economic potential. 

To mark Brabners 200 years in legal 

practice the firm has produced a report 

looking at the key areas of economic 

potential for the Northern Powerhouse. 

Brabners have explored some of the 

opportunities to be kept front of mind as the 

region plans ahead for growth. The report 

focusses on three macro subjects which they 

feel will be fundamental to reaching the 

region's economic potential; infrastructure, the 

digital economy and the environment. 

The article includes an interview with Mark 

Whitworth CEO of Peel Ports regarding the 

importance of the Port of Liverpool's new 

International law firm Hill Dickinson has 

announced the re-appointment of David 

Wareing as senior partner for a second term 

after an uncontested vote. The new term will 

commence in May 2016. 

The re-appointment coincides with David’s 

40th year at the firm, where he has previously 

held a number of senior positions including 

Managing Partner 1998-2005 and head of the 

firm’s Manchester office from 2006-2010 

before being appointed as Senior Partner in 

2011. 

During that time the firm has enjoyed 

considerable growth both within the UK 

particularly in its operations in Manchester and 

London and also overseas with the opening of 

offices in Monaco, Piraeus, Singapore and 

Hong Kong. As a result, Hill Dickinson is now 

a full legal service provider to the business 

community in the UK and overseas with a 

particularly strong position in its key sectors of 

Marine, Health and Insurance. 

Commenting on his re-election, David said: “I 

am honoured to be invited by my partners to 

continue in the role of Senior Partner of Hill 

Dickinson and delighted to have the 

opportunity to continue to contribute to the 

firm’s strategy for growth. This strategy was 

launched last year and is already delivering 

positive outcomes. The years immediately 

following the economic downturn have been 

extremely challenging within the legal services 

sector but at the same time have presented 

opportunities from which we are already 

beginning to benefit. We are investing heavily 

in key strategic appointments across our main 

sectors and there are a number of exciting 

developments already in the pipeline for 

2016.” 

£300m deep water container terminal and 

raises the question as to whether or not this has 

the potential to create major change in the 

United Kingdom's distribution activity. 

Attracting manufacturers and logistic 

businesses to be based in the region and as 

such is possibly a bigger opportunity for the 

regionthan HS2. 

The report is introduced by Mark Brandwood, 

Managing Partner of Brabners and is available 

on Brabners website. 

For any member with an interest in the concept 

of the Northern Powerhouse and regions role in 

it is well worth a read. 

Hill Dickinson re-elects senior 

partner for second term 

David Wareing 

Hill Dickinson has 1,250 employees across 

eight offices in the UK and overseas. 

Complementing his leadership role at Hill 

Dickinson and his commitment to the local 

community, David has recently been appointed 

as a Trustee for the Community Foundation for 

Lancashire and Merseyside. He also leads Hill 

Dickinson’s successful partnership with the 

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Last 

year, David and a team of colleagues launched 

a firm-wide fundraising initiative to support 

and raise funds for health and wellbeing 

projects in the communities local to each of the 

firm’s eight offices. The initiative raised over 

£70,000 for those projects.

Movers & Shakers 

15 

New national role for 

Liverpool solicitor 

Tracy Thompson, Operations 

Director at Paul Crowley & Co. 

solicitors, has been appointed to 

design and develop two new 

training courses on Lexcel for 

the Law Society. 

Tracy will take on this role 

alongside her duties as Operations 

Director at Paul Crowley & Co. 

solicitors, in Liverpool. 

Lexcel is The Law Society's legal 

practice management quality mark 

and aims to bolster practice 

management standards and client 

care across the country. 

The recognised accreditation 

scheme, which serves both law 

firms and in-house legal 

departments, gives assurance that 

a practice meets a high level of 

client care and practice 

management standards. 

To gain this highly respected 

Lexcel accreditation practices are 

required to undergo a rigorous 

application and assessment 

process. As part of this process an 

on-site visit from a trained Lexcel 

assessor is conducted, alongside 

an in depth background check of 

the practice. 

Tracy will deliver two new 

training courses, which will 

involve the training and 

development of new Lexcel’s 

assessors and consultants across 

the country and those seeking the 

'Lexcel Trained' status. 

Bryn Hughes, lead product 

manager (Accreditation Schemes) 

at the Law Society, says: "I am 

delighted to be working with 

Tracy to design and deliver two 

new training courses for Lexcel - 

our legal practice quality mark. 

These form part of our ongoing 

work to ensure consistency in 

assessments and promote greater 

understanding about the Standard 

in the market. 

"Alongside being a member of our 

Lexcel technical panel, Tracy has 

led its implementation and 

management at her firm. Her 

wealth of experience will make 

Tracy Thompson 

the training practical and handson 

for delegates." 

Tracy Thompson says: “Having 

first been appointed to the Lexcel 

technical panel in 2013, I am 

delighted to continue working 

closely with the society and to be 

directly involved in developing 

two new training courses for the 

scheme. 

“Lexcel is a mark of quality client 

care and a high standard of 

practice management conduct 

across the legal profession, and 

this is something which I am 

highly passionate about. It is so 

important for people to be able to 

trust in their solicitors, and be 

assured that they will be receiving 

the best possible service.” 

Paul Crowley, Senior Partner at 

Paul Crowley & Co., says: 

“Having seen the benefits which 

the Lexcel accreditation can bring 

to a firm it is great news that 

Tracy will be working to develop 

two training courses for the 

scheme, ensuring the best 

possible legal practice 

management standards are 

maintained across the country. 

“Tracy’s appointment comes at an 

exciting time as we celebrate 25 

years at Paul Crowley & Co. and 

continue to cement the high 

standards of practice within our 

firm.” 

New Head of Commercial for EAD 

EAD is pleased to welcome new Head of Commercial and 

Commercial Property, Jon Gorman. 

Jon qualified as a solicitor in 2011 and during that time has become 

established as one of the leading young commercial and property 

lawyers in the Liverpool. EAD’s Senior Partner, Steve Cornforth said – 

‘EAD has a long history of providing quality legal assistance to 

businesses and individuals across Merseyside. Jon is major addition to 

our commercial team and will play a major role as we seek to further 

develop our work with the local business community.’ 

Steve Cornforth, Jon Gorman and Mike Sexton 

DWF builds international capability 

as it merges with Germany’s 

BridgehouseLaw 

DWF acquired German international commercial law firm 

BridgehouseLaw on 1st January 2016. 

The acquisition helps to build the firm’s international capability, 

particularly in Germany and strengthens DWF’s capability in its chosen 

industry sectors, specifically energy, real estate, retail, food & 

hospitality and technology. 

The merger brings DWF new clients including Carbo, Deutsche 

Telecom, Media Broadcast, MEP and Univa and gives DWF two new 

offices in Cologne and Munich and enhances DWF’s international 

offering, giving the firm access into the German market and enhancing 

DWF’s existing MENA offering, which is led through DWF’s office in 

Dubai. 

DWF’s Managing Partner & CEO, Andrew Leaitherland, continues to 

lead the overall business and Michael Falter leads operations in 

Germany as Managing Partner of DWF Germany. 

The merged firm has a turnover of £194million and employs 

approximately 2,360 people across 16 locations. BridgehouseLaw’s 

four equity partners - Oliver Bolthausen, Klaus Brisch, Michael Falter 

and Dr Mathias Reif - have become equity partners of DWF LLP. 

Need an expert in medical or 

dental negligence? 

Refer to us. City : Allerton : Garston 

0151 733 3353 

www.gadllp.co.uk

16 Council Report 

Council Member’s Report 

A very happy New Year to all 

readers and I hope that 2016 

brings health, happiness, 

success, prosperity, and a bit of 

fun to you and all yours. 

There have been no Council 

Meetings since my last report, but 

much goes on at Chancery Lane. 

You may know, as reported in the 

Gazette and Solicitors Journal 

that the Society has issued a plea 

for clarity on criminal legal aid 

contracting amid speculation that 

the government is on the brink of 

abandoning the ‘troubled tender 

process’. President Smithers has 

written to Justice Minster 

Shallesh Vara calling for a public 

statement ‘as a matter of 

urgency’ stressing that the 

uncertainty is affecting the ability 

of Solicitors to plan for the 

future. My views on the ability of 

any Government and politicians 

to plan anything (other than 

chaos) are well documented, and 

the word ‘plan‘ is hardly a word 

practised in Whitehall, but the 

situation is getting farcical. My 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

sympathies to all those colleagues 

involved. The stress on you, your 

families and businesses and 

employees must be immense, and 

I really do feel for you. 

Press Releases and the letter to 

the Minster can be found at: 

http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/new 

s/stories/legal-aid-duty-contractlaw-society-calls-for-clarity-as-amatter-of-utmost-urgency/ 

Catherine Dixon has also been 

interviewed by Legal Futures on 

the subject of SRA Independence 

as the debate on future regulation 

hots up. Catherine is quoted as 

saying that it was not entirely 

clear what the government has in 

mind, (quelle surprise!), but 

confirmed that The law Society 

continued to support 

‘independent enforcement of 

regulation and an independent 

complaints system’, as a way too 

maintain public confidence in 

solicitors. 

The issue of the proposed reforms 

of the small claims procedure will 

Conveyancing Law Update with Richard Snape 

on Tuesday 1st March 9.30am - 12.45pm CPD: 

3 

Conveyancing continues 

to undergo major changes 

and the course 

w ill aim to look 

at the most important changes and their 

effect on the 

co nveyancer. C overing: 

Recent cases o 

n identity fraud 

Mortgage req 

uirements and the lender exchange 

Law Society co 

nveyancing portal and the implementation of Veyo 

Third party liab 

ility 

in the light of E-surv v Goldsm 

ith Williams 

Land Registry issues 

including chancel repairs and manorial rights 

Registration of 

septic tanks as of January 2015 in England 

Recent case law on which searches to make and limiting the 

retainer 

Changes 

to the 

CML Handbook in November 2015 

Case Law on Ar 

chitects Certificates 

Nuisance claim 

s in the light of Coventry v Lawrence 

Any other curr 

ent topics for late 2015 and 2016 

To see more information or to book, 

visit: 


V enue: Liverpool Law Society, 

2nd Floor Cotton Exchange, Bixteth Street, Liverpool, 

L3 9LQ 

concern many. Catherine has been 

vociferous on this also. ‘Proposed 

reforms of the small claims 

system would be a devastating 

blow to justice’. I know that 

Liverpool Law Society is doing 

some work on this via the Civil 

Litigation Group. If you have 

views, please let me know, or 

better still, contact Kirsty McKno 

(Chair of the Committee) via 

LLS. 

What do you feel about the SRAs 

intention to reform education and 

training, and entry , into the 

profession? I think they are 

dismantling what exists at the 

present, and the profession , and 

therefore the public, will be much 

worse off unless the SRA 

radically rethinks and reviews its 

proposals. 

Good to hear the Judiciary 

supporting our concerns regarding 

the impact of LASPO. In a letter 

to The Times on 21 January, 

President Smithers said: ‘In his 

report to Parliament, the Lord 

Chief Justice, Lord Thomas of 

Cwmgiedd, pointed out that our 

system of justice has become 

unaffordable to most people. This 

is a further proof that the Legal 

Aid, Sentencing and Punishment 

of Offenders Act is affecting the 

ability of ordinary people to 

access justice. Early legal advice 

in family cases can stop family 

breakdown and the social 

consequences that flow from it. 

There is a moral imperative to 

restore some aspects of legal aid, 

as well as an economic 

argument’. Dear Government , 

please listen. This is the Lord 

Chief Justice. He knows a 

bit…..that is why you appointed 

him. 

And of course this stretches to the 

suggestion that there might be no 

legal advice for those who suffer 

whiplash. It is an injury and is 

caused by another. Lawyers take 

several years to learn the law. The 

public will be expected, in a short 

time, to master the law of tort, 

injury valuations, court procedure 

and advocacy, or, will they be 

helped by the judiciary. If the 

latter, expect (yet more) delays in 

the court process. 

There is to be a Veyo review. OC 

and C have been engaged to 

conduct a targeted review. The 

purpose is to establish the root 

CHARLIE JONES 

COUNCIL MEMBER 

Charlie.jones@weightmans.com 

causes of the problems that arose, 

and secondly to identify what 

lessons should be learned and 

applied to any future commercial 

ideas in the future. If you have a 

view that you would like 

expressed, please contact me. 

Enough for now. These are my 

views. Let me know yours. There 

is a Council meeting 10 February 

2016, and I can take your views 

and state them on these subjects 

and any other. 

Charlie Jones. Partner 

Weightmans LLP. Co Council 

Member for Merseyside and 

District 

01512427919. 

Charlie.jones@weightmans.com

Local News 

17 

Employment Judges’ Forum 

We were delighted to welcome the Regional 

Employment Judge for the North West 

Region, Stuart Robertson, together with his 

Liverpool-based colleagues Employment 

Judges Robinson, Shotter and Ryan, to the 

Employment Judges’ Forum on 20 January 

at the LLS. 

The Judges faced questions on a variety of 

legal topics submitted by the members of the 

Employment Committee, including judicial 

mediation, tribunal fees, the whistleblowing 

public interest test, holiday pay and recent 

developments in Europe regarding indirect 

discrimination. The latter prompted a detailed 

and engaging response from Employment 

Judge Ryan regarding the intricacies of utility 

supply in Bulgaria, his recent trip to a 

conference in Bulgaria and the spirited 

Bulgarian Judge he met there. 

The evening also included questions on topics 

with a more personal and light-hearted tone 

such as which famous person the Judges would 

most like to appear before them, their favourite 

Jurgen Klopp quote (there were plenty of 

entertaining quotes to choose from …), and 

what advice they wished they had received at 

McKenzie Friends 

the start of their legal career. It was reassuring 

to also hear that all of the Judges would 

encourage budding lawyers to pursue careers in 

employment law despite the present challenges. 

This was Judge Robertson’s first visit to the 

LLS and as a Yorkshireman he was not daunted 

by the, at times, irreverent questions from the 

mostly Lancastrian floor, even seeking views 

from the floor on delegates’ own experiences. 

On the whole the evening provided a good 

opportunity to not only experience the human 

side of the employment judiciary, but also (and 

perhaps more importantly) to understand legal 

concepts and developments from the judiciary’s 

perspective. 

The questions focused on legal developments 

proved particularly popular, so as we hope that 

this event will take place again early next year, 

it’s time to get your thinking caps on and 

submit those burning questions you have for 

the Judges. 

Nicky Benson 

Chair - Employment Law Committee 

Summit with Councillors – 21 January 

Our Society’s lobbying in 2016 got underway 

with two meetings in January. The Access to 

Advice Forum on 14 January was followed 

by the twice-yearly meeting with Councillors 

on 21 January. 

Whilst there was some overlap, the meeting 

with the Councillors – this time being Halton 

and St Helens representatives – was in the 

context of the wider political setting. 

Councillors in each Local Authority covered by 

LLS are invited, so even as non-attenders are 

well aware of the activity of LLS and its 

members in assisting and highlighting the 

challenges facing disadvantaged people. 

The developing Liverpool City Council Fair 

City Mark was discussed as was the 

Government’s proposal on legislating to end 

Whiplash claims. Two areas were discussed 

which will help Councillors whose constituents 

raise litigation-related issues. First, the role of 

McKenzie Friends. The lack of qualification 

and regulation was covered. 

Second, we discussed the ways in which 

individuals might access advice such as Legal 

Aid being possible in several areas, 

Conditional Fee Agreements, and legal 

expenses cover in Insurance policies and 

through Trade Union membership. 

LLS benefited from receiving a report prepared 

by Liverpool City Region Citizens Advice, 

always represented at each Summit, which 

highlighted the enormous extent of the need 

for free advice. For example, 55,125 people in 

the Region were assisted in the 2014-15 Year. 

It is realistic to mention that the attendance by 

Councillors has declined. LLS is seeking 

feedback from participants about the Summits 

and particularly the convenient time of day, as 

currently we meet at 8.30 am. 

LLS Members who would like to have issues 

raised, or who have ideas about how we might 

enhance the Meetings and issues which could 

be raised, are very welcome to contact the 

office with suggestions. 

Jeremy Myers 

LLS Parliamentary Liaison Officer 

The Liverpool Law Society would like to review any issues which may be 

affecting court proceedings owing to litigants in person being assisted by paid 

McKenzie Friends. To do this we need examples of any court proceedings where 

the use of a McKenzie Friend has adversely affected access to justice. If your 

firm has experience of this then please send brief details to the society at the 

following address committees@liverpoollawsociety.org.uk 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stand & Deliver! 

Conducting Effective 

Advocacy in Child 

Care Cases 

with Safda Mahmood 

on Wednesday 24th February 

9 .45am - 4.30pm CPD 5 

.5 

(lunch included) 

This course will be of assistance 

to 

those lawyers acting for 

parents, 

children, extended 

family members and local 

a uthorities. 

Including: 

Understand good advocacy 

skills 

Be 

come more confident, despite 

 

 

 

Effective preparation 

C 

alling Evidence 

Making good opening and 

closing speeches/submissions 

C 

arry out effective examination- 

n 

in-chief and cross-examinatio 

Emergency Protection Order 

Hearings 

Contested Interim Care 

Hearings 

C 

ase Management and Issues 

Resolution Hearings 

F 

act Finding Hearings 

Venue: 

Liverpool Law Society, 2 

nd 

Floor Cotton Exchange, Bixteth 

Street, Liverpool, L3 9LQ. 

For more info or to book, visit: 

www.liverpoollawsociety.co.ukco.uk 

This 

event is FREE to 2015/16 

Training 

Season Ticket Holders

2016 Management Conference 

Wednesdd ay 2nd March 9.30am - 4.00pm CPD 5 

Covering: 

M anagemee 

nt, professionalism and regula 

tion 

Professor Stephen Mayson 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edu 

cation & CPD - Jane Jarman 

Supporting Law Firms through the changing Legal 

La 

ndscape - Steve Arundale 

Transforming your business - Joanna Kingst 

on-Davies 

Leadership 

and performance management 

Andrew Otterburn 

Risk 2.0: 

Social Media Engagement For Lawyers 

Steve Kuncewicz 

To see more information or to book, visit: 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2016 Public Child Law Conference 

C overing: 

Wednesday 

16th March 9.30am - 4 .45pm CP 

D 5.5 

Hijrah to the 

Islamic State, radicalisation & child 

Protection 

- Karl Rowley QC 

Giving the 

Child a voice - Ginnette Fit 

zharris 

Engaging with 

families: How Early Intervention can 

divert families from proceedings 

Bernie Brown & Caroline Smith 

Legal Highs - Katy Black 

FGM - Harmful Practices Group 

International Public Child Law Upda 

te 

Hass 

assanan Khan & Michael Edwards 

Ge 

neral Update - Clive Baker 

Venue: 

Liverp 

ool Law Society, 2nd Floor Cotton Exchange, 

Bixteth Street, Liverpool, L3 9LQ. 

To see more information or to book, visit: 


Kin dly 

spo 

nsored by: 

Civil and Ancillary Orders in the Adult/Youth Court 

with Colin Beaumont 

on Friday 26th February 1.30pm - 4.45pm CPD 3 

Ancillary Orders seem to be an area of expansion and 

there are as many of these orders available now as 

there are sentences. This course will examine all of the 

Orders available and consider some topical points in 

relation to them. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prosecution costs 

Victim Surcharge 

Criminal Courts Charge 

Compensation 

 

Restraining Orders 

The new Sexual Harm Prevention Orders 

The new Sexual Risk Orders 

both Adults and Youths 

 

Venue: Liverpool Law Society, 2nd Floor Cotton Exchange, Bixteth Street, 

L3 9LQ To see more information or to book, visit: 


This event is FREE to 2015/16 Training Season Ticket Holders

Early Years 

from birth 

First School 

to Year 

4 

A winning 

formula. 

Middle School 

Year 5 to Year 8 

College 


Sixth Form 


• 94% pass rate in our latest GCSE results 

• New Science facilities open 2015 

• New Sixth Form opening September ember 2015 

• Rated Excellent in all areas by ISA 

Over the past few years, Scarisbrick 

Hall School has established itself 

as one of the leading independent 

schools not only in the North West, 

but in the UK. 

We are one of only a handful of 

schools rated as “Excellent” in every 

category by the Independent 

Schools Authority and have since 

won a National Award from ISA. 

With a multi-million pound 

investment scheme under way, as 

well as consistently high academic 

achievement, Scarisbrick Hall School 

is the school of choice in the region. 

• Traditional family values and a warm friendly atmosphere 

• High standards ds of education throughout school, 

from birth to eighteen 

• Opportunities for leadership activities and outdoor pursuits 

in our historic 50 acre grounds and lake 

• Innovative curriculum to challenge students to grow personally 

• Excellent GCSE results year on year 

• New build Science Faculty ready 2105 

• Sixth Form launch September 2015 

And there’s much more to come… 

Scarisbrick Hall School. Excellence in Everything. 

find out more: 

www.scarisbrickhallschool.co.uk co 

.uk | 01704 841151 

1

20 Charity & CSR 

Charity and CSR Matters 

Hello and happy 

February! 

This month I have 

continued to receive news 

of folk responding to the 

CSR opportunities 

published on these pages. 

Keep up the good work and 

if you would like to tell 

others about that good 

work, please send me an 

article. Equally, if you want 

to get other lawyers 

involved in offering probono 

advice, know of an 

opening for a charity 

Trustee or want us to 

feature a particular charity, 

then let me know too. You 

can e-mail me at 

matthew.smith@weightmans.com 

MATT SMITH 

Matthew.Smith@Weightmans.com 

Liverpool Law Society Charities 

With the announcement that the next Conkerton Memorial Lecture 

will be given on 6 October by Lord Dyson Master of the Rolls, we 

asked David Tournafond, Chair of the Society’s Education & 

Charities Sub Committee, to discuss the broad range of longstanding 

Charitable work of the Society. 

The Pritt Fund, The Educational Foundation and the Conkerton 

Memorial Fund are all administered by Liverpool Law Society. The 

Society’s Education & Charities Sub Committee was set up to 

administer grants for local university students and solicitors and/or their 

families undergoing financial hardship, amongst other duties. 

In addition we have supported extensively two recent initiatives being 

the Public Speaking Competition for school children educated in our 

area and the Pathways to a Legal Career. The latter is an afternoon 

conference for Sixth Formers to learn about different methods to pursue 

a legal career and has proved to be very popular. 

Conkerton Memorial Fund 

The Conkerton Memorial Fund was set up to recognise the devotion of 

John and Mary Conkerton to the furtherance of legal education in 

Liverpool and with the specific intention of bringing together the legal 

profession and students of law at the two Universities of the City. 

Conkerton Memorial Fund was established following the death of the 

Conkertons in 1979. Every few years since then the Conkerton 

Memorial Lecture has been organised by Liverpool Law Society. Past 

high profile lecturers include The Rt Hon Lord Justice Leveson, The Rt. 

Hon. Lady Hale DBE PC, and most recently in 2014 the Rt. Hon. The 

Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury. 

In addition, each year in July, the Conkerton Memorial Prize for best 

exam performance for a Year 2 LL.B. student is presented at the 

University of Liverpool. 

Educational Foundation 

This charity was established on 9 April 1979 to further legal education 

and training of persons in the area of the Liverpool Law Society who 

are either training to be solicitors or who have recently qualified. The 

policy of the charity is to award prizes and grants in accordance with 

certain trust funds which had been established separately and prior to 

the present charity, and also in accordance with long standing practice. 

The Pritt Fund 

The charity was established on 10 July 1919 to provide grants to 

solicitors in need practising within the area of the Liverpool Law 

Society and their necessitous dependants. 

Prizes at the Society’s AGM 

Up to six prizes are awarded at Liverpool Law Society’s AGM each 

year in November. The names of the original prizes are retained, even 

though they are no longer awarded according to the terms that were 

originally laid down. They are now funded by Liverpool Law Society 

through its charitable funds. 

Each prizewinner receives a copy of the renowned work, ‘A Century of 

Liverpool Lawyers’, recently published by the Society, together with a 

cheque. 

Get Involved 

If you would like to know more about the Society’s Education and 

Charities Sub-Committee, the Society’s Charities or how you can make 

a contribution to the Charities, please contact the CEO of Liverpool 

Law society at sarahpoblete@liverpoollawsociety.org.uk 

David Tournafond 

Trustee Opportunity 

Interested in being a trustee of a dynamic arts organisation? 

A successful Liverpool arts organisation is looking for new talent to join its board of trustees to assist it in 

implementing its impressive development plan. The board is also mindful of the need for its members to reflect 

properly the diversity of the city region. If you would be interested in putting your name forward please email 

philip.rooney@dlapiper.com in the first instance. An interest in the performing arts is important as well as a 

willingness to help lead the organisation through the next stage of its development.

Charity & CSR 

21 

Law For Life 

We asked Law for Life to tell us about their work on the Advicenow 

website, a great place to signpost those looking for free legal advice. 

Law for Life: The Foundation for Public Legal Education works to 

increase access to justice by providing everyone with an awareness 

of their legal rights together with the confidence and skills to assert 

them. It provides the independent, not-for-profit website which 

offers accurate user-friendly information on rights and the law, in 

order to help people manage their legal problems. 

With funding from the Legal Education Foundation Law for Life 

recently remodelled the Advicenow website. The new site went live in 

June this year. 

Going to court 

At the core of the relaunched website is a feature called Going to court 

– which is the central digital portal for the Litigants in Person Support 

Strategy, funded by the Ministry of Justice. 

The Going to court portal acts as a showcase for the best resources 

available to LIPs from the advice and pro bono sectors. It offers 

signposting to free legal advice, representation, practical and emotional 

support, together with user-friendly, plain English, step-by-step, 

detailed guides on going to court without a lawyer. 

Skills and confidence 

The technology which underpins the new Advicenow site gives Law 

for Life the opportunity to use multimedia to address skills and 

confidence. Whilst you can use text to explain how to do something 

and the useful attitudes to adopt when doing so, for many people it is 

much better if you can show them. For example, the remodelled 

Advicenow features videos on how to represent yourself in the family 

court and how to fill in Form E. We also have e-learning modules on 

finding out about the law and avoiding and dealing with benefit 

sanctions. 

Mobile 

One of the simplest but most crucial things Law for Life achieved with 

the remodel was to make Advicenow work seamlessly on mobile 

phones and tablets. This is important because in recent years there has 

been a substantial increase in the use of mobile devices to go online. 

And in fact since the launch of the new site 59 per cent of sessions are 

from a mobile or tablet, with only 41 per cent via a desktop. 

You can view the Advicenow website here: 

http://www.advicenow.org.uk/ 

Access to Justice Forum 

The latest Joint Forum on Access to Advice Meeting took place 

at Liverpool Law Society on 14 January 2016. The meeting was 

attended by a wide range of those who are concerned with and 

involved in trying to provide free legal advice for those most in 

need of it across Merseyside, including representatives from 

agencies providing free legal advice, councillors, academics and 

lawyers from local law firms. The meeting was chaired by 

Chris Topping of Jackson Canter who is also a Director of the 

Liverpool Law Society and the current Chair of the Access to 

Justice Committee. 

The group heard an update from Jill Coule, one of the solicitors 

from Sefton MBC, on the exercise she is heading up to map the 

provision of free legal advice in all the local authority regions 

covered by the Society. The ultimate aim is to identify gaps in 

advice and to start a dialogue between the various organisations 

across the region with a view to filling those gaps. Good progress 

has been made but this is a huge task and further offers of support 

to complete the exercise were forthcoming from others within the 

group. It is hoped that the findings will be presented at the next 

meeting. 

James Organ, law lecturer from the University of Liverpool also 

gave a very interesting presentation regarding research done jointly 

with LJMU into the impact of legal aid funding cuts in the 

Liverpool City Region. Whilst there was little within it to provide 

cheer to those involved in this area, it no doubt strengthened the 

resolve of those within the room to do what they can to improve 

access to justice for those affected by the cuts. 

The group was pleased to hear from Peggy Kelly that the 

Merseyside Law Centre is now registered following a merger of 

Merseyside Employment Law and Merseyside Welfare Rights. 

They are looking to launch by the end of March, although this is 

somewhat dependent on Liverpool City Council’s budget which is 

to be announced in the next couple of weeks. 

Rebecca Wilkie also introduced the Advice Now website, amongst 

other initiatives to support litigants in person. You can read all 

about the Advice Now website in the article on this page. Please 

take a few minutes to visit it. 

The next meeting will take place at Liverpool Law Society on 

Thursday 26 May at 8.30am. If you would like to get involved 

with the forum, please contact Ann Murphy at 

ann@liverpoollawsociety.org.uk

Sam’s big 

solo started 

with an 

Indemnity 

Policy from 

Stewart Title. 

When the lender required cover to protect their funding, Matt feared his client would 

miss her deadline to complete – and that he would miss his son Sam’s starring role in 

the school concert that night. Fortunately, Matt turned to Stewart Title. Our policies 

are accepted by most major lenders, and our team was able to offer cover promptly. 

That meant Matt’s client could complete on time – and Matt could take his front row 

seat before the lights went down. 

Contact us today to see what we can do for you. Call 020 7010 7820 or visit 

stewarttitle.co.uk. 

© 2015 Stewart. All rights reserved.

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- 

 

 

-

24 News 

Media 

Round-Up 

On Twitter 

SRA @sra_solicitors Jan 14 

@LpoolLawSociety members are 

giving us their views. Take our 

#questionoftrust survey now & have 

your say too 

The Law Society NW 

@LawSocNorthWest Jan 12 

The Black Solicitors Network is being 

re-launched in the north. First meeting 

4 Feb 6pm Kenworthy’s Chambers Mcr 

http://bit.ly/1RdgVM1 

LiverpoolLawSociety 

Interested in becoming a trustee at 

the SBA? Find out more here 

http://jobs.lawgazette.co.uk/job/378806/tr 

ustee-opportunities/ 

Donna Scully @Donna_Scully Jan 13 

Delighted to be invited to speak at 

@LpoolLawSociety's PI Conference in 

June. Look forward to it. Always 

informative & interesting. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The 2016 C 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6 Costs Confere 

 

 

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osts Conference 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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conf 

This 

to 2015/16 

Tic 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

conference is FREE 

Season 

to 2015/16 Training 

Ticket Holders

“SAN CARLO HAS THE INGREDIENTS 

OTHERS CAN ONLY DREAM OF” 

The Observer 

Aldo Zilli now part of 

the San Carlo team 

WWW.SANCARLO.CO.UK 

41 Castle St, Liverpool, Merseyside, L2 9SH 

liverpool@sancarlo.co.uk | T: +44 (0)151 236 0073 

@SanCarlo_Group 

WINNER OF THIRTY TWO PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS

26 Regulation 

Regulation Update 

The latest regulation news from Michelle 

Garlick of Weightmans LLP 

I thought things had gone a bit 

quiet over the Christmas break at 

the SRA but this update will I’m 

sure show that is far from the 

case! There has been quite a lot of 

activity at the SDT recently which 

I will fill you in on with some 

very clear and thought provoking 

messages to take from the 

decisions. 

But first some other developments 

from the regulatory world: 

LeO 

I reported last month on the Leo’s 

announcement that complaints 

about law firms are projected to 

have fallen 22% in four years. 

Well, it has now announced it will 

reduce spending by a further 

£500,000 in the next financial 

year as the number of cases 

continues to fall. Legal 

expenditure is due to be set at 

£11.7m for the 2016/17 year, 

down from £12.2m in the current 

year. In a recent consultation on 

spending plans, it anticipates a 

caseload of around 6,500, down 

from 7 - 8,000(+) in previous 

years. Any mathematicians out 

there will work out that that 

equates to roughly £1,800 per 

case – still a lot of money. It also 

expects to handle 2,000 

complaints about CMCs in 

addition (although that spending 

is ringfenced from the cost to the 

legal profession). 

You will also recall from previous 

updates the confusion caused by 

the EU Regulations regarding 

ADR. LeO has now decided not 

to become a certified alternative 

dispute resolution (ADR) body, at 

least for the time being. 

Certification would have doubled 

LeO’s deadline for complaints 

from six to 12 months and of 

course, we would have all had to 

change our client care letters to 

reflect this. With this 

announcement, there is no need to 

change anything – now that 

makes a refreshing change in 

itself! 

Scams 

Scams and cyber continue to 

dominate the news including one 

targeting Law Society members 

who have received cold calls from 

someone purporting to be from 

the Law Society and advising the 

member that they are due a refund 

on annual subscriptions which 

needs to be processed urgently as 

the caller is going on leave. The 

caller is clearly after members' 

bank details and the Law Society 

has said that early indications are 

that calls coming to its attention 

about this are from individual 

practitioners and small firms. The 

SRA website reveals a total of 

185 reported scam alerts in 2015 

– how many of you regularly 

check the alerts to make sure your 

name is not being abused (or that 

your fee earners are not 

inadvertently dealing with an 

imposter)? 

Research 

A number of pieces of research 

have been announced in the last 

month or so. Criminal 

Practitioners will be interested to 

see that the SRA will be 

conducting a thematic review on 

how the legal service market 

serves asylum seekers. It follows 

a report commissioned by the 

SRA and written by Migration 

Work CIC, Refugee Action and 

Asylum Research Consulting 

which found some evidence of 

solicitors not fully understanding 

relevant laws, including 

immigration and nationality law, 

family law and child law. There 

was also evidence pointing 

towards solicitors relying on 

interpreters who spoke the wrong 

language, and some who 

overcharged or were not clear 

about the cost of their services. 

This ties in with a recent referral 

by the Lord Chief Justice (LCJ) to 

the Solicitors Regulation 

Authority of two solicitors for 

failing to show the required 

standard of competence in 

advising an Iranian refugee, Mr 

Shabani, of a defence available in 

the context of a charge of 

possessing false identity 

documents. Its very clear that the 

SRA is taking this issue seriously 

so those involved in criminal and 

immigration work should read the 

report and feedback to their fee 

earners to ensure you do not risk 

being investigated for some of the 

failures referred to in the report. 

The CMA has launched a market 

study into legal services to see if 

they are working well for 

consumers and small businesses. 

It is going to examine longstanding 

concerns about the 

affordability of legal services and 

standards of service in addition to 

the impact of regulation and the 

regulatory framework on 

competition for the supply of 

legal services. This is in addition 

of course to the government’s 

own consultation by spring 2016 

on removing barriers to entry for 

alternative business models in 

legal services, and on making 

legal service regulators 

independent from their 

representative bodies. If any 

members have views on any of 

these issues, please do get in 

touch. 

The SRA has announced their 

research programme too with the 

emphasis on protecting the public 

interest and further understanding 

the impact of regulation on the 

public and profession. The 

programme includes research on: 

• The personal injury market; 

•Criminal practice; 

•Vulnerable consumers; 

• Value of the training contract 

and work-based learning; and 

• Diversity and career progression 

It will also look at SRA 

Authorisation processes and risk 

management in firms; 

enforcement action and whether 

or not it is a credible deterrent; 

and reviews of prior regulatory 

changes. 

It will be a busy year! 

SDT/disciplinary 

There have been a number of 

reported cases recently, 3 of 

which involved longstanding 

members of the profession 

including: 

• strike off for a solicitor with 28 

years of unblemished practice for 

repeatedly misleading his client 

during 'a sustained and developing 

MICHELLE GARLICK 

WEIGHTMANS LLP 

deception' about the progress of a 

land dispute with a neighbour 

(Harling) 

• Criticism of the SRA by the 

SDT for prosecuting a 79 year old 

sole practitioner (Hemmings) 

• Strike off of a solicitor who 

qualified in 1967 (Roberts) who 

was found to have been dishonest 

in respect of a system he had 

implemented for handling client 

money. 

The facts are all very different but 

certainly in relation to the 2 struck 

off, the messages are clear – do 

not lie to your clients or take their 

money! 

Michelle Garlick 

Weightmans LLP

S Code 

Date 

Time 

February 2016 

Speaker 

CPD 

S3822 

12th 

1 

2.30 

- 2 P rofessional Ge 

n ealogists: who do you think we are? 

Alex Avery & 

Dom Hendry 

1 .5 

S3781 

17th 

1 

.15 

- 1.45 

30 Useful Minut 

es with a Chancery Judge 

Judge David Hodge 

QC 

S3823 

23rd 

9 

.45 

- 4 Development 

s In Domestic 

Abuse Law & Pro 

cedure 

Safda Mahmood 

5 

S3814 

24th 

9 

.45 

- 4.30 

Stand & De 

liver! Conducting Effective Advoc 

acy in 

Child Care Casess 

Safda Mahmood 

5.5 

S3696 

25th 

1 

2.30 

- 3.45 

Loss Of Earning 

s - An Update For 2016 

Nicky Carter 

3 

S3783 

26th 

9 

.30 

- 10.30 

Lo w Velocity Imp 

act & Whiplash Injuries 

Dr Andre 

Brittain 

-Dissont 

1 

S3774 

26th 

9 

.30 

- 12.45 

10 Current Pro 

blem Areas 

for Criminal Practit 

ioners 

Colin Beaumont 

3 

S3805 

26th 

1 

.30 

- 4.45 

Civil and Anc 

illary Orders 

in the Adult/Youth uth Court 


3 

S Code 

Date 

Time 

March 2016 

Speaker 

CPD 

S3713 

1 st 9 

.30 

- 12.45 

Conveyancing 

Law Update 

Richard Snape 

3 

S3770 

1 st 1 

.30 

- 4.45 

Buy To Lets For 

Conveyancers 

Richard Snape 

3 

S38 

31 

2 nd 

9 

.3 0 - 4 .4 

5 

2016 Ma 

nagementnt 

Conference 

Various 

5.5 

S3775 

4 th 9 

.30 

- 12.45 

The Billing of C 

riminal Legal Aid Work for 

Experienced Practitioners 


3 

S3806 

4 th 1 

.30 

- 4.45 

75 Things Tha 

t Criminal Lawyers Need To Kno 

w In 

2016 


3 

S3679 

9 th 9 

.30 

- 4.45 

2016 Cost 

s Conference 

Various 

5.5 

S3784 

11th 

9 

.30 

- 10.30 

Burns & Scars 

Dr Andre 

Brittain 

-Dissont 

1 

S37 

03 

1 1 

th 

1 

.3 0 - 4 .4 

5 

Practical al Contra 

ct Law 

Chris Beanland 

3 

S3756 

15th 

9 

.30 

- 12.45 

*NEW* High Le 

vel Communication Skills 

Candy Bowman 

3 

S3680 

16th 

9 

.30 

- 4.45 

2016 Public 

Child Law Conference 

Various 

5.5 

S3732 

18th 

9 

.30 

- 12.45 

The Essential C 

OLP Update 

Jo Morris 

3 

S3733 

18th 

1 

.30 

- 4.45 

The Essential C 

OFA Update 

Jo Morris 

3 

S3829 

22nd 

9 

.30 

- 12.45 

Clinical Neglige 

n ce: Fundamentals and Case Law 

Update 

Da vid Pilling 

3 

S Code 

Date 

Time 

April 2016 

Speaker 

CPD 

S3709 

19th 

1 

.30 

- 4.45 

Flat 

Leases 

- R 

ights Of Owners 

Paul Butt 

3 

S3734 

20th 

9 

.30 

- 12.45 

Anti Money L 

aundering 

Jo Morris 

3 

S3735 

20th 

1 

.30 

- 4.45 

Data Protection 

& Information Security 

Jo Morris 

3 

S3697 

21st 

1 

2.30 

- 3.45 

Advanced Level 

EL/PL Portal Claims 

Nicky Carter 

3 

S37 

96 

2 5 

th 

1 

.3 0 - 4 .4 

5 

Criminal Law 

Update 

Anthony Edwards 

3 

S3820 

26th 

9 

.30 

- 4.45 

*NEW* Key Pro 

blems For Litigators 

Helen Swaffield 

6 

S3815 

27th 

10 - 12.45 

Private Child La 

w Update 

Safda Mahmood 

2.5 

S3616 

27th 

1 

.30 

- 4.15 

P ublic Child La 

w Update 

Sa fda Mahmood 

2.5 

www.facebook.com/ m/LiverpoolLawSociety 

www.linkedin.com/company/livny/liverpool-law-society 

@LpoolLawSociety

28 MJLD 

News from the MJLD 

Congratulations! 

Huge congratulations to Ben Fraser who has been elected to the JLD 

Executive Committee! Ben was the MJLD’s National Representative 

between 2013 and 2015. 

Coming up… 

We may only be a month into 2016 but we’re not letting that slow us 

down. We’ve already got lots of exciting plans for the year. Coming up 

soon are: 

Gin Tasting (3 March 2016) 

Do you know your Bombay Sapphire from your Tanqueray? There’s 

only one way to find out… After its great success last year, we’re 

delighted to tell you we’ll once again be holding a gin tasting night! 

Annual Liverpool Law Society v MJLD Quiz (31 March 2016) 

Now with a trophy for the winning team! Following the Liverpool Law 

Society’s victory last year, the MJLD have challenged them to a 

rematch. Start brushing up on your general knowledge for what will 

surely be a fun-filled and competitive night! More details to follow. 

Annual Charity Ball (23 April 2016) 

Perhaps the most highly-anticipated event of the year, our masqueradethemed 

charity ball will be held at the Titanic Hotel at Stanley Dock in 

aid of Zoe’s Place. Follow our social media for further updates! 

Northern Trainee Championships (May 2016) 

For the sporty and competitive out there, why not join the MJLD team 

at the Northern Trainee Championships. We will be competing against 

the Manchester Trainee Solicitors Group and Leeds JLD in football, 

netball and athletics. Contrary to the title, the event is open to all MJLD 

members (not just trainees!). So, if you think you have what it takes to 

represent the MJLD – keep an eye out for details on how to become part 

of the team! 

Newly Qualified Talk 

Starting to think about qualification? First year trainee just wondering 

what awaits you next year? Fear not. We will soon be holding a talk 

offering an insight into the qualification process. More details to follow 

soon! 

Come say hi 

10 February 2016: We will be manning a stand at the Liverpool Law 

Society’s Pathways to the Legal Profession this month at Liverpool 

Town Hall. 

What else does the MJLD do? 

This month we’re focussing on education. 

MJLD Committee Member, Triin Ungert, is responsible for arranging 

and delivering a wide range of educational resources to MJLD 

members; from a District Judge Shadowing Scheme to mentoring 

schemes in conjunction with LPC providers in the Merseyside area and 

beyond. 

The main activities operated by the Merseyside JLD are: 

• Bi-weekly District Judge Shadowing Scheme; 

• Weekly Magistrates Shadowing Scheme; 

• Crown Court Marshalling Scheme; 

• Mentoring schemes (BPP Law School); 

• Annual networking event with students at both BPP and 

College of Law, Chester; 

• CPD accredited seminars in conjunction with Liverpool Law 

Society; and 

• Training contract seminars at Merseyside LPC providers. 

Review of our District Judge Shadowing Scheme 

Charlotte Morton, Your Legal Friend; 

‘The District Judge Shadowing Scheme gave me an invaluable 

experience, as not only was I able to sit in on a trial but the advice 

received by District Judge Baker was extremely helpful to someone 

who is just starting out in her legal career. The trial I sat in on made me 

realise how important it is to properly prepare a witness if their case 

goes to trial and this opportunity also made me realise how excited I am 

for a career in law.’ 

If you’d like to receive further information in relation to MJLD 

educational activities, please contact Triin; Triin.Ungert88@law.ac.uk.

News from the WLD 

WLD 

29 

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The annual charity quiz returns this year on Friday 

11th March 2016 and will be held at New Capital 

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The venue has proven to be a great success in 

previous years and we hope you can all join us to 

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Further details will follow in due course. 

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30 Almost Irrelevant 

Almost Irrelevant 

A humorous look at life in the law.... 

Dodgy Partners 

It’s always interesting when partners in a law firm go the 

extra mile to be seen to be joining in the fun at staff parties 

and events. Who can forget the sight of Hill Dickinson’s 

senior partner, David Wareing, cruising down the catwalk 

balanced on a skateboard in the guise of American rapper 

Eminem, complete with the obligatory baseball cap worn 

sideways on, at the firm’s “Zero to Hero" charity event held in 

2012? 

Another of the more senior members of the local profession 

who joined in the fun last Christmas was Charlie Jones of 

Weightmans. Charlie is of course a former Liverpool Law 

Society President and is currently the national Law Society 

council member for Merseyside and District. He regularly 

contributes articles for Liverpool Law on the directives and 

politics coming out of the national Law Society machine and 

how they may impact upon lawyers working in the local 

region. 

But to show his lighter side (or rather his dark brown side) 

Charlie volunteered for a charity “all over” (we’ll take your 

word for it, Charlie) tan for the Weightmans’ Christmas party. 

As can be seen from the photograph, the contrast between the 

brown face and the silver hair is rather striking! 

Football fanatic 

Some football fans let their emotions get the better of them, 

sometimes with serious consequences for themselves and their 

careers. 

We reported a couple of months ago on fanatical Chelsea 

supporter Clive O’Connell, who was dismissed from his 

position as a partner in the London office of a US law firm for 

broadcasting derogatory statements about Liverpudlians 

following a thrashing by Liverpool of his beloved Chelsea team 

at Stamford Bridge. 

One football supporter who is unlikely to succumb to such a 

fate is Charles Millett, a partner in the Liverpool office of 

Morecrofts. Despite hailing from Lancaster, Charles is a 

supporter of Dagenham and Redbridge. Dagenham were drawn 

against local giants Everton in the third round of the FA Cup. 

Would Charles let his emotions run away with him? “I can only 

dream about us getting a draw”, opined Charles before the big 

match. Sadly for him, they did not even achieve that but we are 

sure that Charles enjoyed the day in any event. 

Untrustworthy lawyers 

Despite the profession’s best efforts at seeking to raise its 

reputation amongst the public, lawyers generally still rate badly 

in public surveys of trustworthiness. Lawyers generally rate on 

a level with the police and the civil service, well behind 

doctors and teachers, though still ahead of bankers and 

journalists, according to a survey recently carried out by 

independent pollsters Ipsos MORI. 

The strange thing is that, in contrast, trust in judges is at an all 

time high. Quite why a lawyer should be deemed suddenly to 

become more trustworthy when he or she is elevated to the 

ranks of the judiciary is unclear. Maybe it’s something to do 

with the wigs! 

Please feel free to send me your comments, observations or 

photographs to ai@liverpoollawsociety.org.uk

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