Birmingham Bulletin Feb 2016

Greater Birmingham
Bulletin
The monthly publication of the Birmingham Law Society
February 2016
Legal Awards 2016
The Shortlist
Jonathan Watkins Director
of the IKON Gallery talks to
the Bulletin about art and
the city
Ministry of Justice abandons
plans for two-tier duty contracts
Why managing by committee
is holding law firms back…

BLS Inaugural Football Tournament
19 February 2016
Date: Friday 19 February 2016
Time: 4.00pm - 6.00pm: 5-a-side football tournament for law students
Venue: Aston University's 3G ASV pitch
Birmingham, B4 7ET
Fees: Free
Birmingham Law Society are excited to announce the very first BLS
Football Tournament, kindly sponsored by St Philip’s Chambers, and in
support of the “Tiny Babies, Big Appeal” at Birmingham Women’s
Hospital.
The 5-a-side football tournament is open to all Birmingham-based law
faculties on a first-come-first-served basis. Players must be current law
students, and each team must include at least one female. Only one team can
be entered per organisation / university.
The winning team will pass through to the Final Round on the evening of
Monday 22 February, when it will compete against Birmingham-based law
firms and barristers’ chambers to win the prestigious BLS Football Cup 2016.
The team will also be invited to attend the Awards ceremony and networking
event, which will be held immediately after the Final Round.
There are limited team places so register your interest by emailing the name of
your university and the names of your proposed football team players to
events@birminghamlawsociety.co.uk.
Each team has the option of including up to a maximum of two substitutes.
Date: 22 February 2016
Time: 6.00pm - 8.00pm: 5-a-side football tournament for law firms and chambers
8.00pm onwards: Awards ceremony and networking event
Venue: Aston University's 3G ASV pitch and Conference Centre
Birmingham, B4 7ET
Fees: £5 per team player for the football
The 5-a-side football tournament is open to all Birmingham-based law firms
and barristers’ chambers on a first-come-first-served basis. Each team must include at
least one female, and the entry fee is £5 per team player, which will be payable on the day.
There are limited team places so register your interest by emailing the name of your
organisation and the names of your proposed football team players to
events@birminghamlawsociety.co.uk as soon as possible.
Each team has the option of including up to a maximum of two substitutes. All teams are
strongly encouraged to attend the Awards ceremony and networking event that immediately
follows the football.
Alternatively, if you would prefer not to play but would like to support your colleagues by
attending the football and/or the Awards ceremony and networking event, please register your
interest by emailing your name and organisation to events@birminghamlawsociety.co.uk as
soon as possible.

Greater Birmingham
Bulletin
4. News from the President
6. MoJ abandons plans for two-tier duty contracts
Birmingham Law Society
Suite 101
Cheltenham House
14-16 Temple Street
Birmingham
B2 5BG
DX 13100 Birmingham 1
0121 227 8700
Published by
8. Why managing by committee is holding law firms
back
9. Legal Awards 2016: The Shortlist
12. Practice Advice from Stephen Gold
14. City Insight: Jonathan Watkins, Director of
the Ikon Gallery talks to the Bulletin
22. Regulation Report from Jayne Willetts
24. BLS Learning and Development
26. Charity and CSR
Baskerville Publications
25 Southworth Way
Thornton Cleveleys
Lancashire FY5 2WW
Editorial Enquiries and
Advertising Sales
Julia Baskerville
01253 829431
editorial@birminghamlawsociety.co.uk
j.baskerville@jbaskerville.co.uk
www.locallawsocietypublications.co.uk
The views and opinions
expressed in The Bulletin are
those of the individual
contributors and not those of
the Birmingham Law
Society.
On the Cover....
This month’s front cover features the Ikon Gallery in
Brindleyplace Birmingham
The Ikon Gallery is housed in the Grade II listed, neo-gothic
former Oozells Street Board School.
Designed in 1877 by local architects Martin & Chamberlain,
the school opened on 28 January 1878 to serve 807
primary children.
In 1976 the tower was demolished on safety grounds. It
was rebuilt around 1997 with a steel girder frame. The
building was then converted into a college and then a
furniture store for Birmingham City Council before being
condemned for demolition.
However in 1998 it had a last-minute reprieve and was
given a new lease of life as the Ikon Gallery.
If any member of Birmingham Law Society
would like to submit a photograph for future
front covers of the Bulletin, please email
editorial@birminghamlawsociety.co.uk
The Bulletin 3

From the President
News from the President
Devolution, Revolution…..
Devolution, Revolution: or more of the same? Mmmm…. That was the topic of discussion for the
Great Regional Debate held on 28th January 2016. It was co-organised by The Landscape Institute,
RIBA, RICS, ICE and the RTPI. Now in its ninth year the event has become a key event for the
Midlands’ Construction Professionals. Clearly there was much interest in this topic as it was a sold
out event.
I was one of four panellists at the debate chaired by Stacey Barfield - the chairman of Downtown
in Business Birmingham. My co-panellists were Dr Matt Cole, fellow at the University of Birmingham
and a political commentator for BBC Radio WM for over ten years, John Poole Regional Chairman
of the Federation of Small Businesses of the West Midlands and Staffordshire and Cllr Bob
Sleigh Leader of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and Chairman of the Shadow Board of the
West Midlands Combined Authority.
Mushtaq Khan
President
The backdrop to this debate was Chancellor George Osborne’s signing of a landmark deal that will
see Westminster devolve powers to the West Midlands Combined Authority. Although devolution
has been a prospect that politicians across the region have been getting very excited about for a
while now, most folks including the legal fraternity it would seem, have been a little bit nonplussed.
Ministers proudly hail the decision as the first step towards the region becoming the engine
of the British economy, driving jobs, prosperity and economic growth. Council leaders have
described the move as ‘a once in a lifetime opportunity’ that will benefit the region as a whole.
I was pleasantly surprised at the consensus amongst the panellists on most matters, for example
it was agreed that the "old model" of running everything from London is "broken" which has unbalanced
the economy and resulted in this country being the most centralised country of its size
in the developed world.
There was much reference to studies/findings by academics and think-tanks that supported decentralisation/devolution
as it would boost economic growth; better reflect differences in local
identities and preferences; allow more local variation and innovation in public services; and boost
local democracy through accountability.
As someone born in this City and from this region, I know that this region would be greatly
strengthened by the devolution of powers. It would help create a greater regional identity and
develop those structures that would support the growth of business suited to this region and not
that of Westminster/London. We need all the parts that make up this region to work together and
to let go of the toxicity of tribal politics.
Inequality….
Last week Prime Minister David Cameron, in an article in The Sunday Times, noted that in Britain
today there are more young black men in prison than at the top universities; that there are no
black generals in Britain’s armed forces; and that only 4% of FTSE 100 CEOs are from ethnic minorities.
He announced that he’d asked Labour MP David Lammy to find out why black defendants
are more likely to be jailed than white ones. Political commentators have said that this is
part of a new brand of progressive conservatism. He’s already introduced a living wage, now he
seeks to address ‘ingrained’ racism. He launches this campaign soon after being criticised for referring
to refugees in Calais as “a bunch of migrants”.
It is clear to many that the state education system still isn’t up to scratch. The Prime Minister
needs to be congratulated for raising this issue but as we all know it’s easy to talk about racism,
far harder to create an education system or a society that enables all children to achieve their potential.
But until that happens, “there won’t be many clever poor children, white or black, getting
into the top universities, or becoming generals, or running large companies”.
Tank Chasing Lawyers……
In the last few weeks, the government has been getting louder on its promise to crack down on
an “industry trying to profit from spurious claims” against UK military personnel. The defence secretary
Michael Fallon has been reported as saying that he is so enraged by “ambulance-chasing
lawyers” that he wants to stop human rights law covering troops in action.
The impression given by government and certain sections of the press is that British troops have
been the victims of a scam run by greedy lawyers on an industrial scale and that justice should be
set aside.
4 The Bulletin

From the President
It should not be forgotten that it was not a greedy lawyer or
bleeding-heart judge, but government itself who set up an
official inquiry into allegations of “historic abuse” of mistreatment
of over 1,500 Iraqis, including 280 who died. The MoD
not known as a soft touch has reportedly paid out £20m in
326 cases without admitting liability.
In a battle between the state and lawyers who try to hold it to
account, the state has the advantage. It can destroy its opponents’
supply lines and restrict their ability and the ability of
future victims of British troops to go to law as a result we the
British public are the poorer for it as are our armed forces.
Work/event highlights since last report:
1. BQ magazine interview with editor Steve Dyson – published
in the Winter 2015 edition. A copy will be in the next
Bulletin publication.
2. Walsall Law Society Annual Dinner – Walsall FC, Banks Stadium
– 27th November 2015 – attended a wonderful evening
amongst our colleagues from the Walsall area.
3. High Sheriff Nomination Panel meeting – 30th November
2015. An honour to be part of a select group to consider
nominations for High Sheriff.
4. Birmingham Logo Society Logo Competition – Sub-Committee
Meeting – 30th November 2015. Selecting winning
submission.
5. In-house Lawyers Conference - jointly hosted by Birmingham
Law Society and The Law Society - Austin Court – 2nd
December 2015. Presented and Chaired a panel of speakers.
A well attended event which has resulted in-house lawyers
joining BLS.
6. Birmingham Law Society -Thank you/Networking Lunch
Event for Sponsors – Austin Court – 16th December 2015.
Well attended event by key sponsors both established and
new. A very relaxed buffet lunch, which allowed all to network
and also an opportunity for the Society to thank the
sponsors for their support throughout the year.
7. Chris Sims, Chief Constable of West Midlands Police – a retirement/farewell/thank
you dinner – 16th December 2015 -
attended by current and past Presidents and the Chair of the
Board. Chris Sims has been an excellent Chief Constable and a
very good friend of the Society. It was only fit and proper that
we should hold such an event in his honour.
8. Article published by BDLN – For Professionals, By Professionals
– national – 6th January 2016 – title – “Why Managing
By Committees Is Holding Law Firms Back…” - copy reproduced
in this Bulletin publication.
9. Chris Sims, Chief Constable of West Midlands Retirement
party – Tally Ho Conference and Banqueting Centre – 8th January
2015 – a wonderful evening well attended by Birmingham
Law Society current, past Presidents and the Chair of the
Criminal Law Sub-Committee. Our attendance was very well
appreciated by both the retiring Chief Constable Chris Sims
and the new Chief Constable – Dave Thompson.
10. Business Growth Hub – Greater Birmingham & Solihull
Local Enterprise Partnership – Meeting – 12th January 2016 –
finalising partnership working between the Growth Hub and
Birmingham Law Society.
11. Ikon Gallery – Programme Launch Event – 13th January
2016. Attended and discussed with Jonathan Watkins – Director
of the Ikon Gallery opportunities of co-hosting an event
and got this agreement to be interviewed for the current Bulletin
publication.
12. BPP University Launch Event for the BPTC – Birmingham –
14th January 2016 – A wonderful opportunity to meet the
students, the lecturers and the Dean. A wonderful evening.
13. Birmingham Law Society Logo Competition Winner Meeting
– Solihull College – 15th January 2016. It was wonderful
to meet Daniel Pickering the student who won the Logo
Competition and his Lecturer Ziggy (yes Ziggy!) – it was clear
within 5 minutes of meeting Dan and Ziggy that an enormous
amount of research and creative time had been spent
on Dan’s submission. Dan is a worthy winner.
14. Lord Willy Bach presenting on the Labour party’s consultation
on the legal aid reforms – 28th January 2016 – Birmingham
Law Society co-hosted with Labour Lawyers –
Birmingham Law Society does not have a political party bias.
The Society will seek to engage with the main political parties
to help influence and shape policy.
15. Great Regional Debate 2016 – Devolution, revolution or
more of the same? 28th January 2016 - Co-organised by The
Landscape Institute, RIBA, RICS, Institution of Chartered Engineers
and the Royal Town Planning Institute. Panel members:
I was a panellist. Further information above.
16.The Joint V meeting - (the 5 largest local law societies
(B’ham, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool & Manchester) - 3rd February
2016 - hosted by us. I chaired the meeting consisting of the
Presidents, officers and CEOs of the societies. We had a
packed agenda. I am pleased to report the event was a real
success. The Joint V is a forum to share ideas, learn from each
other – membership of this group strengthens BLS’ voice at a
national level because as a collective we are stronger.
Tiny Babies, Big Appeal - Charity Update
•At the date of writing this report we have raised just over
£35,000! Our target was £13,987.80 to purchase the Panda
Resusitaire ventilation machine, which is a life saving machine
for new-borns. The Panda Resusitaire ventilation machine
has been ordered and the hospital have confirmed that
the machine will be delivered to the hospital on 9th March
2016.
• We have a number of fund-raising events in the coming
months for the Tiny Babies, Big Appeal charity, including a 5
aside football competition and the Awards Dinner. The focus
of the fundraising will now be on acquiring an Information
Centre – it will provide in-depth analysis and detail of babies
conditions (eg. heart rate, blood saturation and blood pressure)
whilst enhancing safety levels. The system will link up
with the neonatal equipment’s such as ventilators and monitors
and incorporate them into one central station.
As per my promise, every penny raised will not be wasted and
will go to intended cause. I have received confirmation from
the hospital that the cost of purchase of the Information Centre
machine is £31,036.20. We shall use all sums collected towards
the payment of this machine.
Finally....
Thank you for your time and continued invaluable support.
Mushtaq Khan
President
Birmingham Law Society.
The Bulletin 5

Criminal Law
Ministry of Justice abandons plans for
two-tier duty contracts
The recent abandonment of the dual contracting system for publicly funded
criminal litigation services has been welcomed by criminal lawyers and the Law
Society. James Turner, Chair of the Birmingham Law Society Criminal Law
Committee comments on the announcement.
The recent abandonment of the dual contracting system
for publicly funded criminal litigation services has been
welcomed Equally welcome is the announcement that
the Ministry of Justice will reverse one of two recent cuts
to funding, imposed in 2015. The cut of 8.75% of the
fees paid to Solicitors specialising in the criminal justice
system will be removed from April 2016 and reviewed a
year later.
Birmingham Law Society joined a broad campaign opposing
the dual contracting system and the cuts. It is welcome that
the Government has at last listened to the warnings issued
by practitioners about the unfair impact of those proposals.
The Law Society to identify the wasted costs of the tendering
exercise.
While many practitioners in this area of the law will see the
recent announcement as a reprieve, all will have an eye to
the likelihood of future cuts and the shape of the next Government
proposal to review public funding. We await the
findings of Lord Bach’s commission tasked with reviewing
public funding. In his address to Birmingham and West Midlands
Labour Lawyers last week Lord Bach explained the
remit of that commission and confirmed the individuals who
would be taking part. It is reassuring to see the names of
many well respected legal aid lawyers among their ranks.
However, it is extremely frustrating that these concessions
come so late in the day and with many cases pending judicial
review of the Government’s decisions. There has been a
massive waste of time and money involved in the whole
process, not just at Government level but of course for practitioners
involved in the tendering exercise. Lord Falconer
has this week referred the process to the National Audit Office
notwithstanding the Government’s rebuttal of calls from
Law Society welcomes U-turn
The Law Society has welcomed the Ministry of Justice's
(MoJ) decision to abandon plans for the two-tier criminal
legal aid contracting regime.
The MoJ, under the previous lord chancellor, had planned a
radical reduction in the number of contracts for duty solicitors
attending magistrates' courts and providing 24-hour
cover at police stations. The plans also included fee reductions
of 17.5 per cent in two stages.
Responding to the announcement, Law Society President
Jonathan Smithers said:
'The Law Society is pleased that the lord chancellor has listened
and recognised that the current situation is untenable.
It is clear that a competitive approach to the provision of
criminal legal aid services is not appropriate. Criminal legal
aid solicitors provide 24-hour cover so that anyone accused
of wrongdoing, including some of the most vulnerable in society,
have access to expert legal advice. The assurance that
there will be no competitive tendering in the future gives
practitioners greater certainty for the future. “
James Turner
Chair – Criminal Law Committee
Birmingham Law Society
Lord Falconer calls on NAO to
investigate cost of proposed criminal
legal aid reforms
Lord Falconer, the shadow Lord Chancellor has written to
the National Audit Office to investigate how much the
abandoned plans to reform legal aid have cost the tax
payer.
Lord Falconer said:” This is a significant change in policy and
one that has taken place very late in the day. Not only will
many criminal law firms will have already taken decisions either
to expand or to cut staff based on their success in the
bidding process but much time and expenditure is likely to
have already been spent by the MoJ and the LAA. In addition,
the Government has so far ignored calls – by the Law
Society and the Labour party – for an independent review of
the procurement process.
For the reasons set out above, I hope you will agree that the
NAO has an important role to play in ensuring that the interests
of the taxpayers have been properly safeguarded in this
case.”
It has also been revealed that some law firms who have
spent thousands of pounds preparing for the new contracts
are considering seeking compensation from the MoJ.
A copy of the full text can be found
http://jackofkent.com/2016/02/falconer-refers-the-mojscriminal-legal-aid-fiasco-to-the-national-audit-office/
6 The Bulletin

Society News and Diary Dates
Birmingham Law Society welcome new
sponsors Advanced Legal
Birmingham Law Society are pleased to announce that Advanced
Legal have become the Society’s Gold Patron. Nick
Ozga, Commercial Director of Advanced Legal commented
“Advanced Legal are delighted to be the Gold Patron
of the Birmingham Law Society. We see the Birmingham Law
Society as critical to the continued success of law firms in
Birmingham and the surrounding area and look forward to
working with the Society, to support the legal community
during 2016 and beyond."
Chris Owen, BLS Chairman added “I have known Nick Ozga
the Commercial Director of Advanced Legal, for many
years.They are just the sort of company, well connected to
the legal profession, who Birmingham Law Society is pleased
and proud to be associated with as one of our patron
Sponsors. We look forward to many years of association with
them.”
President congratulates
logo designer Daniel
Dates for your Diary
19th February 2016
BLS Inaugural Football Tournament for law
students
Aston University
22nd February 2016
BLS Inaugural Football Tournament for members
Aston University
24th February 2016
Launch of Words Unspoken by pianist and
composer Reis Taylor Dixon
Symphony Hall
7pm
21st April 2016
Legal Awards 2016
ICC Birmingham
7pm - 1am
26th April 2016
5pm - 7pm
AGM & Networking
St Philips Chambers, Birmingham
Please see website for further details and to book:
www.birminghamlawsociety.co.uk or email:
events@birminghamlawsociety.co.uk
Deadlines for submissions to the Bulletin
25th Feb
24th Mar
14th April
26th May
23rd June
21st July
25th Aug
29th Sep
24th Oct
24th Nov
editorial@birminghamlawsociety.co.uk
President of Birmingham Law Society, Mushtaq Khan
visited Solihull College to congratulate Daniel Pickerill,
the winner of the logo competition. Daniel received £150
and two complementary tickets to the Legal Awards
Dinner where he will be presented with a certificate of
recognition for winning the competition.
Competition Winner
The winner of last
month’s Shen Yun
competition was
Dr Diana Wardley,
partner at
Forresters.
Experience a Divine Culture
“5,000 years of Chinese music and
dance in one night.”
- The New York Times
All-new show with live orchestra
5-6 MARCH 2016
ICC BIRMINGHAM
ShenYun.com/uk
0208 133 7986 | 0121 780 3333
Birmingham Law Society are proud to
work in partnership with our sponsors
The Bulletin 7

Feature
Why managing by committee is
holding law firms back…
A new outward-looking approach and an acceptance of
the traditional partner model’s limitations are needed for
law firms to thrive today, says Mushtaq Khan…
Change and the legal sector are not the best of friends.
Lawyers are a conservative bunch on the whole, and
what’s more, the way we usually structure our firms almost
guarantees that innovation is the exception rather
than the rule.
Yet I would argue that the law firms that can’t – or won’t –
embrace genuine change will face serious challenges. And
that’s because client expectations have fundamentally
shifted over the past decade and continue to evolve rapidly.
The traditional law firm is ill-equipped to deal with these
swirling winds of change because, simplistically speaking,
partnerships usually result in design by committee. There are
many partners and all their varied opinions must be taken
on board. The resulting decision, designed to please everyone,
inevitably lacks innovation, thrust and direction. Potential
visionary leaders get lost in a forest of debate and firms
remain trapped in the sticky weeds of conventional thinking.
The situation is exaggerated further because organisations
tend to recruit people they feel most comfortable with. More
often than not these recruits share a similar background, education
and interests. This limits the gene pool and leads to
even more one-tone thinking.
To escape this trap, law firms must take a fresh approach.
Capitalise on people’s passions
Currently, at the traditional law firm’s heart is an expectation
that employees and partners are jacks-of-all-trades. Naturally
there is pressure to earn fees, but as people develop they are
also asked to take on managerial and leadership duties. On
top of that, business development and marketing are expected,
too.
The professional services industry is unique in asking its individuals
to be masters in all these areas. Take the pharmaceutical
industry for example: are chemists expected to market
the drugs they create?
The reality is that many brilliant technical lawyers have no interest
in marketing. Similarly, rain-making business development
professionals often have no passion or aptitude for
technical work.
So the legal sector must ask itself: is there a need for greater
segmentation? We must embrace the truth that individuals
have certain skill sets and passions, and these cannot be
replicated by ‘up-skilling’ courses.
Rather than asking people to spread themselves thinly
across the three fundamental areas of fee-earning, management
and business development, they should be allowed to
flourish in the area they want to focus on. That will ultimately
have more benefit to the business.
What is more, equal weight and status should be given to
each of the three fundamental areas. Fee-earners’ contribution
to the firm is the most easily recognisable and valued in
many law firms, but equal value should be placed on the
rain-makers with the skill to get out there and regularly win
new clients, and on the managers who brilliantly marshal
their troops. Business development professionals and people
managers must not be seen as ‘overheads’.
Time to encourage diversity
Recruitment is another area where a fresh approach is
needed.
Clearly it’s important to attract the best talent. But it’s also
critical to tap into a diverse pool of talent.
I’m not talking about diversity for the sake of it, or because
there is a moral obligation – although that is a good reason –
I’m talking about diversity because it makes business sense.
Recruiting people from varied backgrounds brings new skills
and insights into organisations. Those who’ve had to struggle
harder – perhaps they’ve had to work while studying or
risen up from a tough background – often show impressive
hunger. If you can harness that, support and nourish it, it can
be very advantageous for the business.
Let’s face outwards and embrace change
Overall we need to stop looking inwards, be more open to
learning from other professions and sectors, and embrace
genuine change. We must be more self-aware and recognise
that the traditional partner model can smother innovation
unless visionary leaders are empowered and design by committee
is curtailed. We need to segment more and allow people
to thrive by working in roles aligned to their passions,
not dilute their effectiveness by asking them to take on tasks
that sap their energy.
This article first appeared on the Business Development
Leaders’ Network website – an online magazine and network
8 The Bulletin

Legal Awards 2016
THE SHORTLIST
We would like to thank all of those who have taken part in this year's nomination
process. The judges were very impressed with the calibre of nominees and the
quality of work being done in Birmingham.
ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE SOLICITOR OF THE YEAR
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR (UP TO 4 PARTNERS)
Tina Chander
Kate Leavesley
Katie Oliver
Laura Ralfe
Elizabeth Rhodes
BARRISTER OF THE YEAR
Sydney Mitchell LLP
Squire Patton Boggs (UK) LLP
Gateley Plc
Irwin Mitchell Solicitors
DWF LLP
Addison Aaron Solicitors
Neil Davies & Partners
Pearson Rowe
Price Mistry Ltd
Gordon Jones Solicitors
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR (5-15 PARTNERS)
Mark Anderson QC
Simon Davis
Michael Duck QC
Jason Hadden
Vinesh Mandalia
No5 Chambers
St Philips Chambers
No5 Chambers
St Ives Chambers
No5 Chambers
CHARTERED LEGAL EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
Andrew Davies
Caty Jones
Sam Kent
Matthew Roach
Andrew Verlander
mfg Solicitors LLP
FBC Manby Bowdler LLP
QualitySolicitors Davisons
Anthony Collins Solicitors B
FBC Manby Bowdler LLP
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY / PRO BONO
LAWYER OF THE YEAR
Harriet Kitchenham
Greg Lowson
Laura Ralfe
Linden Thomas
CORPORATE TEAM OF THE YEAR
DLA Piper UK LLP
Eversheds LLP
Gateley Plc
Mills & Reeve LLP
Sydney Mitchell LLP
IN-HOUSE TEAM OF THE YEAR
City of Wolverhampton Council
Compass Group Ltd
Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Trowers & Hamlins LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP
Irwin Mitchell Solicitors
University of Birmingham
Jonas Roy Bloom
Quality Solicitors Davisons
Sydney Mitchell LLP
Thursfields
LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR (16+ PARTNERS)
Browne Jacobson
Gateley Plc
Mills & Reeve
Pinsent Masons
Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co
PARALEGAL OF THE YEAR
Will Allen
Jaspreet Atwal
Gemma Rhodes
Melinda Rice
Hannah Short
PARTNER OF THE YEAR
Inez Brown
Martino Giaquinto
Amardeep Singh
Iain Morrison
Clive Read
TRAINEE SOLICITOR OF THE YEAR
Charmandip Atwal
Liz Cooper
Natalie Marsden
Julie McGuigan
Natalie Moustache
Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
Trident Social Investment Group
Shakespeare Martineau
Shoosmiths LLP
Harrison Clark Rickerbys Solicitors
Mills & Reeve LLP
Gill Trowers & Hamlins LLP
mfg Solicitors LLP
Veale Wasbrough Vizards LLP
Trowers & Hamlins LLP
DWF LLP
Higgs & Sons Solicitors
Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
The Bulletin 9

Practice Advice
It's Not Just The Clients Who
Need Wise Counsel
by Stephen Gold
Practicing law is a hard business and rarely do the
biggest challenges lie in the technicalities. In-house
lawyers strive to be central to the organisation, not a
specialist niche, or worse, the business prevention department.
In private practice, success is often defined as
much by commercial as legal skills. Expertise is a ticket to
the game, but no guarantee of winning. For that you
need to be able to strategise, lead, manage, sell, navigate
office politics, work absurd hours and (almost forgot)
find time for a private life.
Of course, there is another side to the coin: intellectual stimulation,
the satisfaction of making a difference, colleagues
(did I say they were a plus?) income and status. But none of it
comes easily. It is no surprise that so many surveys of lawyers
reveal high levels of stress and unhappiness. Typically, we
tend to be reserved, analytical, risk-averse and terrified of
personal failure. These qualities make us great advisers, but
they do not equip us well for coping with the boulders and
bear traps which lie on the path to success.
I went through every emotion during 35 years in practice,
and am proud of what the firm achieved. There were plenty
of good times, but there was more than one night when I
could cheerfully have doused the place in petrol, lit a match
and driven home without a backward glance. I am far from
unique.
The best antidote to these stresses is support and collaboration.
Like motherhood, apple pie and Adele, everyone is in
favour, but gaps between aspiration and reality are everywhere.
There is so much focus on individual performance
and specialised practice areas working in their own discrete
territory. This is the opposite of what is needed - a culture
which rewards teamwork, encourages mentoring, and allows
people the freedom in a safe, confidential space to admit to
problems or vulnerability. Actually loving all our neighbours
may be a stretch, but supporting them and having them
support us is not just morally right, it is good business. Firms
with mentoring schemes in place typically deliver superior
client service and have an edge when it comes to attracting
the best talent.
The term "mentor" comes from The Odyssey. Odysseus asked
his friend Mentor to help watch over his son Telemachus
while Odysseus was away at the Trojan War. Feel free to wow
friends at parties with this. "Mentoring" and "coaching" are
often used interchangeably, but there are important differences.
Coaching is task-based and directed at improving
specific skills. Generally, it is short term. Mentoring on the
other hand seeks to help people develop so that they are not
only able to do their current job better, but equipped to
progress their careers and live fulfilling lives. It is based not
on tasks, but on relationships, and is always long term. Most
importantly, it focuses not just on work, but on the whole
person. It recognises that along with their technical skills,
people bring the personal history which has forged their
outlook, prejudices, fears and ambitions, all of which affect
profoundly their ability to perform.
Mentors should never have direct managerial authority over
their subjects. The essence of the relationship is that one is
mentored by an independent, interested person, who can be
trusted to respect confidentiality and give skilled, insightful
guidance. Notice that this is a serviceable description of a solicitor/client
relationship, so it is a little ironic that while we
extol these benefits, we can be slow to take advantage of
them ourselves.
The key to successful mentoring to have it embedded in the
structures and spirit of the firm. It should not be like a bottle
of pills, reached for when there is a problem, or the Christmas
turkey, served up only on special occasions, but a normal
part of everyone's development. It has value wherever
one is on the ladder, no more so than at the top, which at
times can be a difficult and lonely place. There is nothing
touchy-freely about it, and mentoring which is not underpinned
by clear, mutually agreed objectives is pointless.
It often occurred to me as the firm grew that there would be
nothing better than access to independent, confidential wisdom.
Now that I consult with a wide variety of firms, I find a
constant demand for it, and it is no coincidence that the
highest demand comes from the most successful people.
Without doubt, it is some of the most satisfying work I do,
but mentoring need not be provided externally and there
are many examples of excellent schemes resourced entirely
in-house.
12 The Bulletin

Practice Advice
Formal training for mentors
helps, but is not essential. What
matters is to have empathy, a
good set of ground rules and
long-term commitment. Mentors
are mostly senior people, but not
always. The digital revolution has
caused such consternation in the
grey community that "reverse
mentoring" Is now fashionable,
where younger, cooler colleagues
strain every tattooed sinew to
drag them into the 21st century.
Practicing law is a team sport. We
crave autonomy, but the highest
achievers know that our ideal
state is neither independence,
nor dependence, but interdependence.
Leaders who demand
high performance, but are
equally demanding that their
people are cared for and supported,
may or may not get get
their reward in heaven, but they
will definitely get it at the bank.
Meet Stephen Gold
Before discovering the law, Stephen
Gold's first job was in management at the
leading retailer Marks & Spencer plc. It
gave him experience of working in the
real world, a passion for customer service
and a tie collection which might
charitably be described as “brave”.
In 1981, aged 32, having just recovered
from cancer, with his wife Ruth he
founded Golds Solicitors, Glasgow, in a
converted suburban shop. By 2007, it had
grown to 450 people, and gained a reputation
as one of the UK’s most innovative
law firms. Golds were pioneers in using
new process and technology, specialising
in work for banks, insurers, and national
organisations. Alongside the Glasgow office,
a successful English practice was
built from a base in Manchester, to make
the firm one of the few Scottish firms to
offer full UK coverage.
Stephen was senior partner and Golds’
best-known rainmaker, until the firm
merged with UK giant Irwin Mitchell in
2007, where he stayed for just under 3
years, first as a partner and then as a
consultant, responsible for developing
business in the firm’s financial services,
corporate and commercial practice areas.
Today, he runs a successful law firm
management consultancy, Stephen Gold
Consulting, through which he is retained
as a non-exec, trusted adviser and
mentor to well-known firms throughout
the UK, and internationally. Stephen
writes regularly on law firm strategy and
management, and is a frequent speaker
in professional forums.
Contact:
e:stephen@stephengold.co.uk
t: 0044 7968 484232
w: www.stephengold.co.uk
twitter: @thewordofgold
Experienced Conveyancers
Would you like unlimited career and development
opportunities - working for the market leader in conveyancing?
As the leading provider of conveyancing services in the UK, My Home Move is seeking
Experienced Conveyancers to join its multi award-winning company with offices based in
Manchester and Leicester. Working for the market leader means unlimited opportunities
and exceptional benefits such as:
Competitive salary, bonus scheme, pension, private medical insurance, 25 days holiday, and
many other benefits including flexible working options.
Now is a great to time join My Home Move. If you are an Experienced Conveyancer
and want to accelerate your career, please send your CV to
recruitment@myhomemove.com or call 0116 240 5511 or 07825 855 910.
Innovative Technology | Unrivalled Expertise | Exceptional Customer Care
www.myhomemove.com
The Bulletin 13

Interview
City Insight
In this edition, Jonathan Watkins, Director of
the Ikon Gallery in Birmingham talks to the
Bulletin about his role...
What is your role at the Ikon Gallery?
I’m the Director of Ikon with a job description which includes responsibility
for the artistic programme, audience engagement and development.
Fundraising is on my mind all the time, and so I encourage all your artloving
readers to become Ikon patrons!
When was the Ikon Gallery established and what is its aim?
Ikon was established in 1965 by a group of local artists determined to
make the best of contemporary art accessible to as many people as possible.
Fifty years later art has changed a lot – e.g. so much video nowadays
– but our aim is exactly the same.
Is there a 'typical' visitor to the Ikon?
Jonathan Watkins
Director of the IKON Gallery
Although every visitor to Ikon is different – in terms of age, background,
interests etc – they tend to share a curious streak, and an idea that things
taken for granted might be done differently. Ikon is a very accommodating
place, a place for freedom of speech and the celebration of diversity.
Who is your favourite artist and why?
My favourite artist these days is Dinh Q Le. Vietnamese, he happens to be
in Birmingham right now making an exhibition at Ikon with amazing
videos (yes, videos!) of Peru. His work is visually compelling, beautiful in
fact, and at the same time it conveys a wealth of meaning.
Do you have a favourite work of art?
My favourite work of art is a painting of flowers by my son, on the landing
near my bedroom.
What is your favourite building in Birmingham?
Ikon’s building is as beautiful as it is useful. An old Victorian school, built
in 1877, it is the product of good old fashioned Birmingham craftsmanship.
Not too big, not too small – just right! – it provides lots of space not
only for exhibitions but also for people getting together, for art workshops
and talks, meals in our café and browsing in our shop.
And finally, if you were stranded on a desert island, what couldn't
you live without?
My glasses (and maybe a spare pair)...
14 The Bulletin

BAR | CICCHETTI | RISTORANTE
Coming to Ikon
Dan Flavin
It is what it is and it ain’t nothing else
13 April – 26 June 2016
Ikon presents a major exhibition of fluorescent light works by Dan Flavin
(1933-1996), one of the most important post-war American artists. Taking
his dictum “It is what is and it ain’t nothing else” as a departure point, Ikon’s
exhibition explores Flavin’s straightforward rejection of illusionism whilst
asserting the importance of the context of artistic experience over art for
art’s sake. The exhibition capitalises on the variety of interiors that Ikon
Gallery has to offer, and is informed by Flavin’s refreshing “situational” approach
to making and thinking about art.
Flavin’s resistance to symbolism and a denial of spirituality in art is telling given
his Catholic upbringing in New York, and the fact that he studied for the priesthood
before enrolling at Columbia University in the late 1950s. Subsequently
Flavin became acquainted with other American artists emerging around that
time whose work was in contrast to Abstract Expressionism, the prevailing style,
including Sol LeWitt, Robert Ryman, Frank Stella, Barnett Newman and Donald
Judd. He was especially close to the latter - both sharing an interest in artworks
that refer to nothing but their factual presence, with an emphasis on industrial
materials and intense colour - and this is signified by his dedication of a number
of works to Judd.
Ikon Gallery, 1 Oozells Square, Brindleyplace, Birmingham B1 2HS
0121 248 0708 www.ikon-gallery.org
Open Tuesday-Sunday, 11am-5pm / free entry
Ikon Gallery
untitled (in honor of Harold Joachim) 3,
1977, pink, yellow, blue, and green
fluorescent light. 8 ft. (244 . © 2016 Stephen
Flavin/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New
York; courtesy of David Zwirner, New
York/London
“SAN CARLO HAS THE
INGREDIENTS OTHERS
CAN ONLY DREAM OF”
The Observer
Aldo Zilli now part of
the San Carlo team
1 Waterloo Street, Birmingham B2 5PG
E: fumo@sancarlo.co.uk
T: 0121 643 8979
www.sancarlofumo.co.uk
WINNER OF THIRTY TWO PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS
4 Temple St, Birmingham B2 5BN
E: birmingham@sancarlo.co.uk
T: 0121 633 0251
www.sancarlo.co.uk
The Bulletin 15

Movers & Shakers
Trowers & Hamlins further expands Real
Estate team in Birmingham
National and international law firm Trowers & Hamlins is
pleased to announce the further expansion of its Real Estate
team in Birmingham, following the lateral hire of
commercial property partner Amanda Hanmore just two
months ago.
Senior associate Simon Robinson joins Trowers & Hamlins
from Wragge Lawrence Graham & Co where he was most recently
a real estate principal associate. Simon specialises in
residential and commercial development, and advises clients
on managing their estates effectively and on complex and
large-scale disposals and developments. His clients range
from private sector developers to public sector organisations.
Simon's arrival follows that of partner Amanda Hanmore
who has added significant commercial property expertise to
Trowers & Hamlins' overall Real Estate capabilities in Birmingham.
The well-established practice boasts market-leading
specialisms in investment and real estate finance,
commercial, leisure and retail, residential, private rented sector,
regeneration, student accommodation, affordable housing,
and residential care and senior living.
Simon Robinson
Philip Peters, national head of Commercial Property at Trowers
& Hamlins, commented: "Real Estate is a key focus for our
business. We have a broad practice with an enviable track
record and an in-depth understanding of all the different
skills required to deliver large and complex real estate deals.
We are constantly on the lookout for talent to help us further
build our national practice, and we are delighted to welcome
Simon on board."
Paul Bleasdale QC to step down as No5 Head of Chambers
One of the country’s leading sets of barristers is to have a
new Head of Chambers.
Paul Bleasdale QC has held the post since 2010 and his term
of office expires at the end of the month. He is to be replaced
by Chancery silk Mark Anderson QC who has been one of the
deputy heads of chambers since 2014. Mr Anderson is a
leading specialist in commercial dispute resolution and professional
liability as well as being authorised to sit as a
Deputy High Court Judge.
Mr Anderson said: “It is a great honour to be asked to take
over as head of such a progressive and successful set and I
look forward to the challenge, but Paul Bleasdale will be a
hard act to follow.
“Paul has enjoyed conspicuous success in the role, providing
a rock of support to barristers and staff alike, working selflessly,
tirelessly and uncomplainingly in all our interests with
a sure touch and unfailing judgment. He has been outstanding.
New Head of No5 Chambers Mark Anderson
QC with Paul Bleasdale QC
“I am humbled to be taking over an organisation that has
such an enviable reputation nationwide, a reputation due in
no small part to Paul’s leadership. I thank him and congratulate
him on behalf of all the members of chambers and staff.
He is one of the top QC’s in his field of personal injury compensation
and clinical negligence and of course his nationwide
practice from No5 Chambers will continue.
“For my part I look forward to working closely with our excellent
team here at No5 in order to build on the outstanding
results achieved during Paul’s tenure.”
16 The Bulletin

To further its client-led international expansion leading
UK legal business DWF acquired German international
commercial law firm BridgehouseLaw on 1st January
2016 to create DWF Germany. Driven by client demand,
the strategic 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.
Movers & Shakers
DWF builds international capability as it
merges with Germany’s BridgehouseLaw
BridgehouseLaw built a strong reputation advising foreign,
especially US and Israel-based companies expanding into
Germany and German companies expanding abroad, especially
into the US, and advising them on the full range of
commercial issues with particular expertise in
corporate/M&A, distribution and franchise law, employment,
IT/IP and dispute resolution matters. BridgehouseLaw's
strong focus on the energy, real estate, retail, food & hospitality
and tech industry sectors complements and strengthens
DWF’s own sector focus, bringing DWF new clients
including Carbo, Deutsche Telecom, Media Broadcast, MEP
and Univa.
The merger 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 established its Dubai office in March 2015 following
demand from clients across the construction, energy,
insurance and transport sectors in the Middle East and North
Africa (MENA) region to support the construction boom in
large infrastructure, housing, tourism, and air and port facilities
across the Middle East.
DWF has been advising clients in Germany and the USA, as
well as Canada, China, Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent
States and India, both on UK and international
matters for over 20 years. In December 2015 the firm opened
DWF’s Managing Partner and CEO
Andrew Leaitherland
an office in Brussels to provide greater competition and regulatory
support to its major UK and international clients.
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.
!"#$%&'$$%(%)"$*%
)+,-.'$',%/"01,-'*%(%2,1$*310",*%%
tel. 2'34% 0121 5676%789%:;5:% 236 5705
www.johnvenn.co.uk
31,%3'G13-*10-"$%L%0,1$*310-"$4%%%
!
"#$%&'(#)*+!(,!$)*!*%-'.!/0 $) !1*,$2-.3!!4*52'%$*+!&.!$)*!6%#$*-!78!$)*!9%12'$(*#3!
The Bulletin 17

Deals
BPE Solicitors’ Corporate Team supports NetDespatch
in its sale to Royal Mail
The corporate team at Cheltenham based BPE Solicitors
LLP recently represented NetDespatch, ensuring due diligence
was effectively completed for the sale of the
cloud-based labelling and tracking company to Royal
Mail.
commercial input to the negotiation process for a Share Purchase
Agreement. The Agreement was required to provide
incentives and protection for those NetDespatch shareholders
accepting ‘deferred consideration’ under the terms of the
acquisition.
The move by Royal Mail to acquire NetDespatch underlines
the importance of ecommerce to businesses as a result of
the rise in popularity of internet shopping. Already a major
client of NetDespatch, Royal Mail’s offer of interest in the sale
was the most attractive received.
Kelvin F Harrison, speaking on behalf of NetDespatch, said:
“NetDespatch Ltd provides cloud-based labelling and tracking
software to parcel delivery companies whose ecommerce
business has been expanding rapidly. Founder-owned
and managed, one of the founders was seeking to retire,
whilst the other, together with the rest of the senior team,
wished to continue to develop the business. We decided to
run a formal sales process and offers of interest were received
from numerous companies around the world.”
The sales process was supported by the corporate team at
BPE who managed an electronic data-room which ensured a
smooth due diligence process, and also provided a strong
Kelvin said: “The legal details were handled efficiently, allowing
the sellers to concentrate on a small number of key issues.
A small company selling to a much larger one faces
challenges, but Tim Ward, the BPE partner leading the transaction,
managed the project very effectively, focussing on
the priorities and achieving a timely completion. I would
have no hesitation in recommending BPE as corporate
lawyers, particularly in the technology sector.”
The corporate team at BPE always pride themselves on being
more than just lawyers, acting also as trusted business advisers
for their clients. Through their ethos of supporting businesses
throughout their development, the law firm aims to
help structure businesses to achieve sustained growth.
Whether the growth objective is organic, through joint ventures,
buying and selling or floating on the stock market, BPE
will help those plans become a reality by nurturing longterm
business relationships, as they did for the team at Net-
Despatch.
Mills & Reeve proves real deal by muscling in to top 10 of
leading UK corporate legal advisers
Major national law firm Mills & Reeve has been named as
one of the top 10 firms in the UK by deal volume in the
Experian review of UK mergers and acquisitions for 2015.
According to Experian’s research there was a 27% increase in
the number of transactions year on year. The main industry
involved in 2015 M&A deals was manufacturing, accounting
for 30% of all transactions.
Recent Mills & Reeve deal highlights have included advising
the shareholders of 99p Stores on its £55 million sale to
Poundland, Europe's leading single price general merchandise
retailer. Mills & Reeve guided 99p Stores through the extreme
rigours of a full CMA investigation and provided
advice on the corporate, real estate, tax, employment, banking
and pensions aspects of the transaction.
Just last month the team advised FTSE 250 company Pay-
Point on the £14 million sale of its online payment business.
PayPoint is an international leader in payment technologies,
providing payment solutions for everyone from consumer
and financial services companies to retailers, utilities, media
and government clients.
Other deal highlights have included advising:
- Center Parcs UK in connection with its acquisition by USbased
Brookfield Property Partners.
18 The Bulletin
- Partnerships In Care, one of the largest independent
providers of mental health specialist care, on 11 acquisitions
during 2015.
- The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills, on
the sale of Constructionline, one of the UK's largest online
procurement and supply chain management services, to
Capita Business Services LTD, for £35 million.
The firm’s international profile also continues to rise with
recognition as a top 20 European M&A advisor in Experian’s
international M&A research. International highlights included
advising:
- US-based Tenet Healthcare on its £144 million acquisition
of UK private hospital operator Aspen Healthcare.
- UK sensor technology business Sentec on its sale to a subsidiary
of US-owned infrastructure company Sensus.
The VC team has also advised on over 90 investment transactions
raising in excess of £250 million in aggregate. The team
this year earned recognition by being shortlisted as Service
Provider of the Year at the Investor Allstars Awards 2015.
Kevin Lowe, the Birmingham-based head of corporate, said:
“The team has already been steaming ahead with a number
of high profile and exciting deals in January so our deal flow
looks set to continue. We are delighted to have risen through
the rankings over the last 12 months and are keen to continue
our upward trajectory.”

Movers & Shakers
National law firm Mills & Reeve has appointed David
Varnham to head up its new Birmingham banking team
David Varnham joins as principal associate
from the London office of
Allen & Overy, where he spent more
than ten years in the firm’s banking
department. David has a wealth of
experience in the banking sector, including
expertise in acting for borrowers,
lenders and governments on
domestic and international financings
across a wide range of sectors.
David joins Mills & Reeve’s strong national
banking team, which has expertise
in all aspects of banking and finance
work including corporate lending, real
estate finance, project finance, acquisition
finance, asset based lending and
restructuring.
The banking team acts for a wide range
of public and private sector clients including
some of the UKs leading banking
institutions, corporates and public
sector bodies.
Will Roles, partner and head of the banking
team at Mills & Reeve, said: ”We’re
delighted to welcome David to our team
and he’s perfectly placed to help us grow
the service we can offer our clients. With
growing activity it is an exciting time for
Birmingham’s banking sector and with
David’s appointment, we’re confident we
can offer all our clients, new and existing,
the best possible advice and service.”
David added: “I am thrilled to be joining
Mills & Reeve and I am looking forward
to supporting the firm’s clients in the
Midlands. With growth in the city outstripping
other large UK cities and expansion
in the local financial services
sector it is an extremely exciting time for
me to be making the move from London
to Birmingham."
David Varnham
alb
The complete practice solution
ALB - the fastest growing PCMS in the market - is a single,
fully integrated, system that delivers everything your legal
practice needs to improve productivity and grow in today’s
competitive market.
Improve client engagement
Unify matter management and legal accounting
Ensure firm-wide compliance and risk management
Drive business efficiency with automated processes
www.pcms.legal 0844 815 5575
20 The Bulletin

Law News
Establishing Substantial Disadvantage
Life has just got a lot easier for
Claimants complaining of a failure to
make reasonable adjustments in respect
of ill health absences following
the Court of Appeal’s decision in Griffiths
v Secretary of State for Work and
Pensions [2015] EWCA Civ 1265 as to
the appropriate comparator for the
purposes of establishing substantial
disadvantage.
The Claimant had a number of disability
related absences which resulted in her receiving
a written improvement warning
under the Respondent’s Absence Management
Procedure. She raised a grievance
seeking (a) that the warning be
revoked, and (b) a modification to the
policy such that she was allowed a
greater number of absences before she
faced sanctions than was the case for
non-disabled employees. The grievance
was unsuccessful, and the Claimant
brought proceedings alleging a failure to
make reasonable adjustments.
The Claimant was unsuccessful both at
first instance and in the EAT. Both tribunals
found not only that the proposed
adjustments were not reasonable, but
further that the duty did not even arise.
Under section 20(3) Equality Act 2010, for
the duty to arise the employer must
apply a provision, criterion or practice
which places the employee at a substantial
disadvantage as compared with nondisabled
people. The Claimant was
unable to show substantial disadvantage
because, as Recorder Luba QC put it in
the EAT: “the cases show that the proper
comparator in Ms Griffiths’ case is a nondisabled
person absent for sickness reasons
for the same amount of time but not
for disability-related sickness”. This followed
the decision in Royal Bank of Scotland
v Ashton [2011] ICR 632 which
seemingly imported the Malcolm comparator
into reasonable adjustments
cases. The net effect was that Claimants
faced a formidable task to show they had
suffered a disadvantage compared with a
Malcolm-style comparator; the disadvantage
of being more likely to have sickness
absence than a non-disabled employee
was obliterated by the use of such a comparator.
On appeal by the Claimant to the Court
of Appeal, Elias LJ upheld the Claimant’s
appeal on the substantial disadvantage
point. He commented that the reasoning
of Langstaff P in Ashton, relied on heavily
by the EAT, was incorrect because it was
based on two assumptions:
a) That the appropriate PCP was the policy
itself. Elias LJ stated that “formulating
the PCP in that way fails to encapsulate
why a sickness absence policy may in certain
circumstances adversely affect disabled
workers” and that the appropriate
PCP to use is “the employee must maintain
a certain level of attendance at work
in order not to be subject to the risk of
disciplinary sanctions”. Going forward,
those representing Claimants in such
cases should ensure the Tribunal formulates
the PCP in accordance with this suggestion.
b) That the Malcolm comparator applies
to a claim for failure to make reasonable
adjustments. This was held to be incorrect
both because it would be inconsistent
with the purpose of the duty to
make reasonable adjustments, and because
it would be inconsistent with the
approach in Archibald v Fife Borough
Council [2004] IRLR 651, which makes
plain that the duty is not satisfied by
treating disabled and non-disabled
equally; rather it involves an element of
more favorable treatment. As Baroness
Hale put it, the statute “does not regard
the differences between disabled people
and others as irrelevant. It does not expect
each to be treated in the same
way…It necessarily entails an element of
more favourable treatment.” Accordingly,
the non-disabled comparator for the purposes
of substantial disadvantage should
not have an equivalent level of sickness
absence.
The Claimant therefore succeeded in es-
The Claimant therefore
succeeded in establishing
substantial disadvantage on
appeal. In the event, it did
not get her very far because
the Court of Appeal
dismissed her appeal on the
basis that the Employment
Tribunal had been entitled
to find that the proposed
adjustments were not
reasonable.
tablishing substantial disadvantage
on appeal. In the event, it did not
get her very far because the Court
of Appeal dismissed her appeal on
the basis that the Employment
Tribunal had been entitled to find
that the proposed adjustments
were not reasonable. Nonetheless
Elias LJ’s comments on substantial
disadvantage have made the test
for satisfying section 20(3) of the
Equality Act in an ill health absence
context significantly more Claimant
friendly.
Rosa Dickinson
St Philips Chambers
The Bulletin 21

Regulation
Regulation Report
Accounts Rules changes ahead
In a welcome move, the Law Society is one
step ahead of the SRA in publishing a discussion
paper on options for change to the
SRA Accounts Rules. The SRA consultation
paper is not due until spring 2016. The Society’s
objective is to understand the views
of its members and then develop a policy
in readiness for the SRA consultation.
The Society has formulated six options for
consideration. Only four of the six are included
here.
Option A - retain the existing rules. This proposal
has the benefit of familiarity as staff are
already trained in observance of the existing
rules. It is acknowledged, however, that some
practitioners find the rules extensive and
complex.
Option C – simplify and shorten the existing
Accounts Rules. 24 draft rules are set out on 4
pages in the discussion paper. This is in comparison
to the existing Accounts Rules which
run to 52 Rules and 4 Appendices over 33
pages. The Society’s draft is succinct and has
much to commend it but there would be less
clarity for practitioners in relation to what is
practically required to ensure compliance.
Option D – simplify and shorten the Accounts
Rules as in Option C and remove requirement
for a separate client account. This radical proposal
would enable client money to be held
in office account. The difficulty of identifying
client funds in a mixed fund and the simplicity
of borrowing client money to prop up an ailing
firm cannot be underestimated.
Option E – adopt a de minimis approach.
Firms that only use client accounts sparingly
would not be subject to certain rules. This option
would be consistent with the SRA’s decision
to exempt firms with an average client
balance of £10,000 or less from the obligation
to obtain accountant’s reports.
The primary objective of the Accounts Rules
is the protection of client money. In Weston v
Law Society (1998) Times 15 July, Lord Bingham
emphasised: “The solicitors’ accounts rules
exist to afford the public maximum protection
against the improper and unauthorised use of
their money and to assure them of that protection.
Solicitors are accordingly under a heavy
obligation, quite distinct from their duty to act
honestly, to ensure observance of the rules.”
Ensuring the safety of client money places a
heavy burden on principals in a practice. Rule
6 of the existing Rules (and replicated in the
Society’s redraft) imposes strict liability upon
principals to ensure compliance by themselves
and by everyone employed in the firm.
A senior partner is therefore strictly liable for
the mistakes of the most junior member of
the Finance Team. By contrast, strict liability
would not be imposed for the errors of an employee
undertaking legal work.
So, against this background of strict liability
for breaches of the Accounts Rules, is it advisable
to reduce the rules to the bare minimum?
Is it appropriate to drive the Accounts Rules
towards principles-based and less prescriptive
regulation similar to the existing SRA Handbook?
Accounting is not an art – it is more of a science.
Those employed in law firm finance
need clear and well defined rules. We cannot
impose an outcomes focussed approach each
time a junior accounts clerk needs to transfer
client money to office account. It is impossible
to supervise and places an intolerable disciplinary
risk upon the principals in the firm.
Keeping client money safe by the operation
of long established and authoritative Accounts
Rules permits the profession to assure
its clients that their hard earned funds are safe
in the hands of a solicitor. It is a selling point
for regulated legal services. It is a benefit to
the profession. Improvements could be made
to the Accounts Rules but a complete
makeover is inadvisable. Even worse, de-regulation
would lead to great uncertainty for the
profession and risks to client funds. The profession
needs to ensure that the justification
for the Accounts Rules is not forgotten in the
SRA’s headlong rush “to reduce unnecessary
regulation and allow more flexibility for firms”.
Jayne Willetts
Solicitor Advocate
Jayne Willetts & Co
Specialists in
professional regulation
Accounting is not
an art – it is more of
a science. Those
employed in law
firm finance need
clear and well
defined rules.
Jayne Willetts is also a director
of Infolegal - a law firm
compliance and risk
management consultancy -
www.infolegal.co.uk
22 The Bulletin

Committee News
Pro Bono
Noticeboard
University of Birmingham Law School
launches Employment Tribunal Street
Law Project
In November 2015 the University of Birmingham’s Law School launched a new Street Law
project at the Midlands (West) Employment Tribunal in Birmingham City Centre. Street Law
is a public legal education initiative which sees law students deliver presentations to
members of the public, community groups and organisations to order to raise awareness of
legal rights and responsibilities.
Birmingham Law School student volunteers are delivering weekly presentations at the Tribunal,
which are aimed at assisting parties who are representing themselves in Employment Tribunal
proceedings. The presentations alternate week-by-week; one week provides an overview of the
procedure; whilst the alternate week advises on what to expect at a Final Hearing.
If you have any clients, or are acting against individuals, who might find the service useful, please
do encourage them to attend. The sessions are held at 2pm on Wednesdays at the Tribunal.
There is no need to book in advance.
"The presentation was precise, but at the same time enough information for you to start thinking
about your case seriously... it really helped a lot."
(feedback from an Employment Tribunal user).
Birmingham Law Society Pro Bono Committee
Linden Thomas, Chair - University of Birmingham
Louise Foy, Secretary - Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Inez Brown, Vice Chair - Harrison Clark
Julia Jones - Bevan Brittan
Hannah Ayers
Michael Bates - Birmingham Law Centre
Lucy Burrows - BPP University
Laura Charles - Wragge Lawrence Graham
Laura Ralfe - Irwin Mitchell
Laura Oseland - Irwin Mitchell
Sophie Brambley - Thomson Reuters
Mark Taylor- Eversheds
Imogen Francis- Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Abigail Halcarz - Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Katherine King - Coventry Law Centre
Iqbal Mohammed - St Philips Chambers
Kelly Schofield - Wright Hassall
James Dixon - No 5 Chambers
Natalie Marsden - Higgs and Sons
Sam Burns - University of Law
Lorna Gavin - Wragge Lawrence Graham
Michael Young - Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Nicola Ellen - Shoosmiths
Syma Rushd
If you would like to know more about pro bono in Birmingham you can
contact the committee at: probono@birminghamlawsociety.co.uk
The Bulletin 23

CPD
Birmingham Law Society
Learning &
Development
ADVANCED LINKEDIN WORKSHOP FOR SOLICITORS,
PARTNERS AND TEAMS WITHIN LAW FIRMS
It’s time to make that BIG Breakthrough with
LinkedIn…
Date: Wednesday 24 February 2016
Time: 8:30 registration and light breakfast,
9:00 - 12:00
Venue: St Philips Chambers, 55 Temple Row,
Birmingham, B2 5LS
CPD: 3 Hours CPD Accredited by the SRA
Fees: Member: £50 + vat
Non-member: £70 + vat
Speaker: Mark Perry, TheBizLinks
Maybe you’ve already attended one of the
previous Birmingham Law Society LinkedIn
Workshops with Mark Perry or perhaps you’re
already an experienced / advanced LinkedIn user
but you’re still struggling to get much
further than the initial connection aspect of
LinkedIn…?
Invited back now for the 3rd consecutive year,
Mark will take you through this hands-on,
Advanced LinkedIn Workshop with particular
focus on:
• Brief review of your target sector /
profile positioning
• Live advanced search and
engagement refresher
• The engagement aspects of LinkedIn
• Using your own LinkedIn account
during the workshop to develop your
tailored targeting and engagement
process
24 The Bulletin
To attend this advanced workshop, and most
importantly get the benefit from it, you will need
at least 200 connections, ideally attended one of
Mark’s previous LinkedIn workshops or already
undertaken your own target sector research and
implemented your profile positioning. If you’re
either new to LinkedIn or only undertake very
limited activity on LinkedIn then please contact
Mark to discuss what activity will be required
prior to this workshop.
There is no silver bullet that will instantly
generate new business via LinkedIn (not withstanding
right time, right place scenarios) –
however, implementing a solid strategic process
combined with the right consistent, focussed
activity will lead to more conversations with the
people you really want to do business with.
This workshop will take you step-by-step through
that process in a hands-on format with you
working on your own LinkedIn account during
the session to reinforce the objectives.
LinkedIn is an incredibly powerful platform –
Mark will take you step-by-step through the
process that will help generate new clients.
Get LinkedIn working for your business – attend
this LinkedIn workshop with the Birmingham
Law Society.

In a Nutshell
Hundreds celebrate life of
popular Black Country
lawyer
In a Nutshell
Nearly 800 people turned out at Worcester Cathedral to
say farewell to one of the West Midlands favourite
lawyers.
Family, friends, colleagues and a host of personalities from
the business community came together to celebrate the life
of Martyn Morgan, Head of QualitySolicitors Talbots, who
passed away suddenly before Christmas.
His five children – Abby, Charlie, Danielle, Hannah and Ben -
led heartfelt tributes, whilst his wife Mary Mocklow provided
a touching and humorous eulogy in the form of a seven
point agenda…a feature of every conversation Martyn ever
had.
Stories of his famous wit and practical jokes were also told,
not to mention his passion for travel, Aston Villa, charity and
spending time with his family.
Rachel Pardoe, Practice Director at QualitySolicitors Talbots,
commented:
“The celebration of Martyn’s life was both inspirational and
very moving, with so many people attending and filling
Worcester Cathedral… we were overwhelmed by the many
wonderful things people had to say about him.
“He always encouraged a sense of family at Talbots and, despite
our growth, I’m certain that we have achieved that.
“The last four weeks have underlined this and it is our job
now to maintain his legacy by making sure we continue to
grow in line with his vision of offering ‘value for money legal
advice with a personal touch’.”
Martyn was Stourbridge-born and a passionate advocate of
the Black Country, where he became known as one of the
area’s leading residential property specialists.
He took over at QualitySolicitors Talbots in 1991 when the
practice had just two offices and a handful of staff.
Today, the company boasts annual sales of over £8m, employs
more than 190 people, has seven offices across the region
and a reputation for being experts in business,
employment, estates, family and property law.
In the last six months, he also saw the company secure a
major ‘first’, making it into the prestigious top 20 conveyancing
firms in the UK.
Outside of work, Martyn was passionate about raising
money for charity and spent hours talking about his endurance
feats, including riding 100 miles to Aberdovey and
running marathons in London and New York.
Each month the Bulletin will be bringing
readers simple guides to various business.
government and european organisations...
The Greater Birmingham Chambers of
Commerce
The Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce
comprises Birmingham, Solihull, Chase, Lichfield &
Tamworth, Burton & District, The British American
Business Council, Asian Business Chamber of Commerce,
Chamber Executive Club and Future Faces.
The Business Venture Team assists individuals to set up in
business, providing advice and guidance to develop a
business plan. The Business Venture team operates in:
Birmingham & Solihull, The Black Country, Coventry & Warwickshire
and The Marches.
Other membership benefits include:
• Free legal advice helpline. 24/7 support on all
matters and available for all colleagues
• Member to member offers – Opportunity to
promote products and services to other members
via the website
• Free listing on Birmingham Chamber Group
website – Over 1 million visits per year
• Access to online business support package –
including HR, book-keeping, business planning
and health and safety templates
• Lobbying support – we will give your business a
voice from red tape to skills, transport and regula
tion
• Access to international trade advice, trade
missions and exhibitions
• Discounted rates for essential business support
including marketing, translations, recruitment
• Discounted rates on a comprehensive range of
training courses
To learn more about the Chamber please visit:
http://www.birmingham-chamber.com
The Bulletin 25

Charity & CSR
Another £15k is on the record for
Higgs & Sons fundraisers
Fundraisers at leading law firm Higgs & Sons were on the
case once again last year after raising an incredible £15,000
for its chosen charity, the Alzheimer’s Society.
The five figure sum matches the record breaking amount raised
by the Black Country based firm the previous year.
“This is an incredible amount of money which reflects the efforts
of staff across the entire firm who supported, organised
and participated in a whole host of activities throughout last
year,” comments Tim Jones a partner at Higgs & Sons who coordinates
the firm’s Corporate Social Responsibility programme,
Community Matters.
“Everyone at Higgs is involved in choosing the charity of the
year and it has been fantastic working alongside the
Alzheimer’s Society, learning more about the work they do
and organising the various activities that have contributed to
the total raised.”
Amongst the activities undertaken by Higgs fundraisers were;
a quiz night for over 300 guests, a football tournament attended
by more than 40 teams, a family fun day at Stourbridge
FC, an extreme 10k ‘Wolf run’, the Birmingham Legal
Walk and the city’s half marathon The year also saw the Higgs
& Sons’ choir crowned national Legal Harmony choral champions
as a result of their fundraising efforts.
“It has been wonderful working with Higgs & Sons during
the past 12 months. Everyone at the firm has been generous
with their time and efforts and what they have achieved is
remarkable,” explains Ray Nash, Senior Regional Corporate Fundraising
Executive at the Alzheimer’s Society.
“We rely heavily on the support of companies like Higgs & Sons to continue
our commitment to improving the lives of those affected by dementia.
£15,000 will make a huge difference to the lives of people living with dementia
today and fund research for a cure tomorrow. “
Nyree Applegarth (Higgs & Sons),
Ray Nash, (Alzheimer’s Society)
and Richard Griffiths (Higgs &
Sons)
Higgs & Sons’ extensive CSR programme supports a range of projects
throughout the region each year. As well as selecting a dedicated charity,
Higgs employees also provide hands on support to a many other organisations,
committing time and resources in support of the work they do
within the Black country and the wider West Midlands. In 2015 Higgs &
Sons’ employees supported The Haven project in Wolverhampton, Woodside
Community Primary School and Mary Stevens Hospice.
This year, Higgs’ employees will be supporting the Stroke Association as
its chosen charity of the year.
Tim Jones concludes: “The success of our Community Matters programme
is down to the hard work and dedication of everyone here at Higgs & Sons
who get involved in so many ways.
“The past two years have been record breaking years for our fundraising efforts
and we hope this year, working the Stroke Association will prove to
be just as successful.”
26 The Bulletin

Music
Self trained pianist and composer from the heart of Birmingham makes his mark in
the classical music industry as he announces the launch of his debut album
‘Words Unspoken’ at Symphony Hall 24/02/2016
Presenting ‘Words Unspoken’ -
The sensational debut album, by
self trained classical pianist and
composer, Reis Taylor Dixon.
Born May 1991, Reis began playing
the piano at the age of 16 while attending
Ninestiles Academy in
Birmingham. He went on to graduate
from Coventry University with
an Honours Degree in Music Performance.
Since graduating Reis
bravely redirected his attention,
focusing solely on composing
music. He had a vision, now came
the time to act.
‘Words Unspoken’
From Shadows Dancing behind Ignited
flames to Abandoned
Umbrellas lying unconscious in
the aftermath of a ferocious storm
to love that is eternally lost in time
and Dream Walks all inspired by
hope.
Wednesday 24th February 7pm @
Birmingham Symphony Hall Foyer.
Performance also includes a live
Q&A session with Reis Taylor
Dixon. CD’s available and digital
downloads available from
24/02/2016
For bookings please go to the
Birmingham Law Society website
www.birminghamlawsociety.co.uk
Words Unspoken is an album sparked by passion and
sorrow. Reis tragically lost his older brother Jason
when he was 17. Distraught and feeling torn apart, the
outcome was a drive and determination to pull off
what some may call a miracle.
Within two years of laying hands on a piano Reis
achieved his ABRSM Grade 6 piano and then went on
to university performing pieces of great magnitude
such as Chopin’s Tristesse and Fantasie Impromptu
and Rachmaninoff’s G Minor Prelude Op.23 no.5. Reis’
final recital ended with him performing Liszt’s La Campanella,
followed by Einaudi’s Oltremare - A bold statement
as if to say ‘I have not forgotten the roots. I
remember where it all started’.
‘Words Unspoken’ plays out on a spectrum of vast
emotion and colour. Drawing Inspiration from the
iconic sound of Ludovico Einaudi and influenced by
the greats such as Chopin, Debussy and Satie. Reis created
his own unique voice portraying thoughts and
feelings played over a grand scale of black and white
keys. The intent of the album is to share a story that
will captivate the listeners’ thoughts and mind. It’s
time to let the world know, Reis Taylor Dixon is ready
to share his story.
WINNER OF
RESTAURANT OF THE
YEAR 2015
Cicchetti (Pronunced chi-KET-tee) Small dishes,
typically served in Cicchetti bars in Venice. You
can make a meal of them by ordering several
plates which can be shared between friends.
1 WATERLOO STREET, BIRMINGHAM, B2 5PG
TEL: 0121 643 8979
www.sancarlofumo.co.uk
The Bulletin 27

eyancing
A sea change for the
conveyancing sector
This year we could see the most significant change in generations for
the conveyancing sector. Maud Rousseau, Group Marketing and
Communications Director at SearchFlow, explains.
With the advancement of agile technology and big data
analytics, search companies are seizing upon the opportunities
to drive through major changes. Data and technology
providers are working together to create a
one-stop-shop to not only streamline the process but
help improve risk management.
Data providers are becoming increasingly more sophisticated
in their mapping and identification of areas of risk, reducing
any likelihood that potential problems will be
overlooked. With data held in private cloud based systems,
search providers are now integrating data from multiple
sources to deliver a sophisticated risk profiling service to automatically
notify the user if there is a potential area of risk
which requires further attention.
At SearchFlow, we have already launched new products that
will enable efficiencies and are very excited about our schedule
to bring further more products to market this year. For
example, our recently launched Personal Search Report with
unique data insight and risk analysis will aid compliance and
save time spent on due diligence. With inbuilt quality assurance
checks it ensures the personal searches are the most
accurate and sets a new standard in local authority searching.
We have also been working with our group partner, Landmark
Information Group to launch the environmental report,
Risk View Residential. The report analyses four key environmental
factors in one document ensuring a thorough due
diligence is carried out from the outset. It also includes a
summary interpretation to cut conveyancers’ time spent reviewing
the information, a comprehensive risk assessment
and an innovative digital viewing platform for homebuyers.
In addition, the trend for transparency within the conveyancing
sector will continue to drive the emergence of new offerings
from the searches industry. Conveyancers will be
provided with more services and products that are tailored
for the homebuyers. These products will enable conveyancers
to provide their customers with an improved service
and enhanced communication and reduce their time
spent updating clients.
Looking at changes within the wider property market, the
emergence of online estate agents has been debated for
years. To what extent will they replace the high street estate
agents? Will we see a complete transition towards digitalisation
for the house buying process? With Purplebricks making
headlines last year when it was listed on the alternative investment
market with a valuation of around £240 million,
the impact of online estate agents is set to be a major topic
of debate this year. Will sellers finally get behind this industry?
There is a growing sense of anticipation that this is the
year for a seismic change. The industry needs to be prepared
to adapt quickly if online estate agents achieve their ambition
of being ‘highly disruptive in the world of estate agency.’
In addition, this year there are a number of planned consultations
that could have a very significant impact on the conveyancing
sector. The Government’s consultation on the
privatisation of the Land Registry will be closely monitored.
And in advance of the review of Legal Services Act, which is
scheduled to be reviewed during this parliament, the Government
has announced its consultation on alternative business
models entering into the legal sector. The Government
claims that it wants to ensure that innovative businesses are
able to enter the market, providing greater choice for consumers.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) is responding in
kind and has announced they will be reviewing their regulatory
model, whereby they plan to give legal firms greater
freedom to run their businesses as they need to. This follows
their decision to scrap formal CPD which will come into force
in November. They claim it will provide conveyancers with
greater flexibility, reflecting their ethos to focus on ‘competence
rather than compliance with an arbitrary requirement’.
Paul Philip, CEO of SRA, noted that the legal services market
is developing at an unprecedented rate and the expected review
of the Legal Services Act may bring further changes.
The industry certainly can’t afford to play catch up.
For years many commentators have called for the industry to
be overhauled and the introduction of electronic processes
to be integrated more widely. There is a sea change underway
and we are in the midst of this transition. Conveyancers
are a crucial part of the homebuying process and they will
have to adapt to the changing sector; to fully embrace the
digitalisation of the industry by utilising data and technology
to create efficiencies, improve risk protection and customer
satisfaction to enable them to compete.
28 The Bulletin

Take a fresh look
at SearchFlow
We’ve got property covered, from
searches and surveys, to identity checks
and insurance against risk and liabilities.
Call 0870 423 2922
or visit www.searchflow.co.uk
Property Intelligence

Business Matters
Greater Birmingham Business Briefing
A £20m fund to help businesses tap in to the UK’s growing
rail supply opportunities has been launched by Finance
Birmingham.
The National Rail Supply Growth Fund was announced
alongside the launch of Rail Supply Group Strategy by the
Departments for Transport and Business Innovation and
Skills.
The fund supports the aims of the RSGS by helping businesses
across England take advantage of the expansion and
modernisation of the UK’s rail network, including High Speed
Two (HS2).
It will aim to help both existing and new suppliers increase
and strengthen their capabilities, productivity and international
competiveness, leading to increased levels of employment
and investment.
The fund will offer loans of £0.5m to £2m to businesses, particularly
those needing funding towards capital, new capital
expenditure and product launches.
Organisers of this year’s Birmingham Young
Professional of the Year have officially unveiled the 2016
organising committee.
The awards, one of the highlights of the city’s business and
professional services’ calendar, were launched at a special
party last month held at Birmingham’s Hotel La Tour, one of
the event’s sponsors.
Following the launch, a team of hot shot young professionals
has been drafted in to form the 2016 organising committee.
Led by Santander’s Bina Ganatra, they will organise and
manage the 16th annual event, which takes place at the ICC
in Birmingham on Thursday May 12.
Insurance and risk law specialist, BLM, has created a
fraud centre of excellence in its Birmingham office.
The centre is manned by more than 35 fraud specialists and
it will handle thousands of fraud instructions every year, including
policyholder fraud, bogus claims, exaggerated injury,
staged accidents and complex large-scale fraud cases.
BLM has a substantial presence in Birmingham with more
30 The Bulletin
than 150 employees based at its office on Temple Row. It acts
for 13 of the top 15 UK insurers as well as holding relationships
with brokers, corporate insureds, public sector and
healthcare organisations across the region. Mike Dobson,
partner and head of BLM’s Birmingham office said: “Birmingham
has always been a key location for BLM and the creation
of this centre of excellence underlines the city’s credentials
in supporting our growth, and also our commitment to the
region.”
Business Activity in the Midlands is on the rise according
to Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking
The latest Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking West Midlands
PMI report showed that output growth accelerated at the
start of 2016.
Supporting the faster rise in activity was a marked increase
in new business.
The Lloyds Bank West Midlands Business Activity Index -
which measures the combined output of the region’s manufacturing
and service sectors - posted 58.7 in January. Up
markedly from 54.7 in December, the latest reading pointed
to the strongest rate of expansion in nine months.
Underpinning higher activity was a further increase in new
business at West Midlands private sector companies. The latest
rise in new orders was the thirty-ninth in consecutive
months and sharper than in December.
Mark Cadwallader, area director for SME banking in the Midlands
at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “The West
Midlands started 2016 with a bang, with output growth accelerating
to a nine-month high. Indeed, the region was the
best performer across the entire UK.
“Strong new business growth continued to support the expansion,
led by demand in the service sector. Meanwhile,
firms saw reduced pressure on their margins due to a decline
in the price of raw materials.”

At Clayton Legal your talent matters...
At Clayton Legal your talent matters...
...so we go further to connect your legal talent to opportunities nationwide
...so we go further to connect your legal talent to opportunities nationwide
Private Client Solicitor Birmingham
A long established Birmingham firm are looking to appoint
an experienced private client solicitor to handle a
caseload of wills, trusts and probate matters. They are
looking for a minimum of five years PQE.
Contact Ben Smith bs@clayton-legal.co.uk
Family Solicitor
Birmingham
A fast growing niche family firm based in central
Birmingham are looking to add to their team with
the appointment of family solicitor with good legal
aid experience.
Contact Ben Smith bs@clayton-legal.co.uk
Costs Draftsman
Birmingham
Well respected firm is seeking an experienced and
versatile Costs Draftsman with experience handling
multi-track Litigation Costs matters. Competitive salary
offered in return.
Contact Natasha Darr nd@clayton-legal.co.uk
Conveyancing Lawyer Birmingham
Niche Conveyancing firm based requires experienced
conveyancing lawyer who is able to hit the ground
running with existing caseload. Must have previous
experience handling residential matters.
Contact Ben Smith bs@clayton-legal.co.uk
Personal Injury Paralegal
A claimant personal injury firm are looking to add a
number of experienced personal injury paralegals as a
result of heavy growth.
Contact Ben Smith bs@clayton-legal.co.uk
Conveyancer
Birmingham
A large legal 500 firm are looking for an experienced
conveyancer who can handle an existing caseload of
residential transactions. Applications are welcome from
solicitors, legal executives or licensed conveyancers.
Contact Ben Smith bs@clayton-legal.co.uk
Immigration
Solicitors/Caseworkers Birmingham
A specialist immigration law firm are looking to recruit an
experienced immigration professional to handle a wide
ranging caseload of immigration matters. It is essential
that applicants have Level 2 LSC accreditation.
Contact Ben Smith bs@clayton-legal.co.uk
Legal Secretaries –
Conveyancing
Birmingham
Multiple Midlands firms are looking for legal secretaries
who have solid property experience. Firms range from
high street firms up to international law firms.
Contact Ben Smith bs@clayton-legal.co.uk
Commercial
Property Lawyers
West Midlands
A number of firms are seeking to add experienced
commercial property lawyers to their departments ranging
from NQ up until head of departments.
Contact Ben Smith bs@clayton-legal.co.uk
Where talent matters
Family Mediator
Birmingham
Experienced family mediator required to assist in the rapid
growth of mediation department at a highly regarded law
firm based in Central Birmingham. PPC is highly desirable
but not essential.
Contact Ben Smith bs@clayton-legal.co.uk
For For more more on these on these and and other other vacancies please contact Clayton Legal
telephone: 01772 259121
telephone: 01772 259121
email: enquiries@clayton-legal.co.uk
email: enquiries@clayton-legal.co.uk
visit our website: www.clayton-legal.co.uk
visit our website: www.clayton-legal.co.uk
The Bulletin 31

One database to run your
small law firm.
0843 713 0135 | info@leap.co.uk | www.leap.co.uk