July 2016
October 09
1
North West Law
Birmingham Bombings Inquests
Jonathan Wall of Burton Copeland outlines the background
to the Birmingham Bombings and the reasoning behind the
re-opening of the inquests...
In the early evening of
21st November 1974, two
devices exploded, within
a few minutes of each
other at the Tavern in the
Town and Mulberry Bush
public houses. Fourteen
men and seven women
were killed and approximately
200 injured in
what was, at that time, the
worst terrorist attack in
England.
The original inquest was
opened a few days after the
attacks but was adjourned
due to the ongoing criminal
investigations in what is still
to this day probably the
biggest murder investigation
ever conducted by
West Midlands Police.
Six men, later dubbed the
"Birmingham six", Paddy
Hill, Gerry Hunter, Johnny
Walker, Hugh Callaghan,
Richard McIlkenny and Billy
Power were later charged
and convicted of 21 offences
of murder on 15th
August 1985 and sentenced
to life imprisonment. From
their prison cells they embarked
on a relentless campaign
for justice which took
them to the Court of Appeal
three times and 16 years before
eventually achieving
success and release from
prison.
It’s not often that I refer to
myself as young nowadays,
but I am too young to recall
where I was when the Birmingham
bombs took place.
However I do have vivid
memories of seeing the images
of the Birmingham six
outside the Old Bailey when
their second appeal hearing
was concluded on the 14th
March 1991 and resulted in
their convictions being
quashed. I had recently
started work with defence
lawyers Burton Copeland
and clearly remember that
the case was the talk of the
legal profession for months
and was being described as
the biggest injustice of the
twentieth century. I remember
the feeling of disbelief
that that sort of this could
happen in Britain and it is a
story has stuck with me
throughout my career.
Despite the quashing of the
convictions the inquests have
never reopened and the families
of the deceased have also
campaigned for justice for years...
Despite the quashing of the
convictions the inquests
have never reopened and
the families of the deceased
have also campaigned for
justice for years. They met
with the Home Secretary
Theresa May in March 2015
and lodged an application
to resume the inquest with
the Attorney General which
culminated in preliminary
hearings before Senior
Coroner for Birmingham,
Louise Hunt earlier this year
when submissions were
heard from lawyers of Properly
Interested Persons.
Despite objections from
those representing West
Midlands Police that that
she had no power, on 1st
June 2016 the Coroner
ruled that the inquests
should resume. She determined
that although it was
not mandatory, she did
have such power and the
question she had to consider
was whether there
was “sufficient reason to resume?”
Her conclusion was
that there was and it is anticipated
that a resumed inquest
is likely to start next
year.
It is likely that the determination
in this inquest will be
that the deceased were undoubtedly
unlawfully killed.
But, in addition to the main
function of an inquest in establishing
who, where and
how the deceased came by
his or her death, the coroner
also has a duty to issue a
prevent future deaths (PFD)
report where there is a concern
that there may be a risk
that other deaths would
occur. The Human Rights
Act of 1998 also impacts on
the scope of an inquest, as
although the inquest is not
required to investigate
other non-causative matters,
the scope of the investigation
must cover
non-causative system failures
to enable the coroner
to make the PFD report.
In deciding that an inquest
would be resumed it is clear
that this was in her mind as
it is understood that two
district matters were outlined
in her judgement.
Firstly the fact that there
was evidence that required
further investigation that
the state did have advance
warnings of the attacks and
may not have taken all reasonable
steps in response,
and, secondly that there
was a need to investigate
whether any of the victims
might have been saved by
quicker treatment.
It is also interesting that the
judgement by the Coroner
came only days after M15
increased the threat level of
an attack on the UK mainland
from moderate to substantial,
meaning that an
attack relating to Northern
Ireland terrorism is a strong
possibility.
In terms of the volume material
which has been accumulated
from the various
organisations involved over
the past forty years, coupled
with problems with disclosure,
issues of national security,
disputed forensic
findings, missing exhibits,
alleged evidence of corruption
and perjury against
WMP officers and the fact
that many witnesses are no
longer with us, it is obvious
that the Birmingham Inquests
are likely to be considerably
complex in nature
and will go on for some
time.
Jonathan Wall
But, we must remember
that they will be the first
time since 1974 that the
families will be entitled to
participate in questioning
witnesses as to the circumstances
surrounding the
deaths of their loved ones
and whether they might
have been prevented. It is
clearly the beginning of the
end for them and I will be
watching with keen interest.
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Contents 3
North West Law
July 2016
Manchester Law Society
64 Bridge Street
Manchester M3 3BN
Tel: 0161 831 7337
Fax: 0161 839 2631
www.manchesterlawsociety.org.uk
Editor: Fran Eccles-Bech
News from the President
page 5
In this edition...
NEWS
Hall Brown Family Law strengthens team
with three expert appointments
Mark Farrell appointed as Managing
Director at Hilary Meredith Solicitors
Maurice Watkins treble success
6
8
10
Editorial Committee
Raana Afsarpour, JMW Solicitors LLP
Such Amin, Aequitas Legal
David Anderson, St Johns Buildings
Julia Baskerville, Baskerville Publications Ltd
Fran Eccles-Bech, Manchester Law Society
Danielle Best, Weightmans LLP
Adam Entwistle, JMW Solicitors LLP
Mark Fitzgibbon, Hill Dickinson
Jemma Goldstone, JMW Solicitors LLP
Michael Hardacre, Slater & Gordon
Helen Kanczes, Clyde & Co
Steve Kuncewicz, Bermans LLP
Adrian Kwintner, Mills & Reeve
Jeff Lewis, Brabners LLP
Louise Straw, Burton Copeland
Matthew Taylor, Eversheds LLP
Pannone Corporate advises Stockportbased
Abney Garsden on Simpson Millar
acquisition
12
Published by
Mark Farrell
page 8
FEATURES
City Profile
In this edition Sandie Gaines of
The University of Law in Manchester talks
to the Messenger
9
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Nigel Day
page 14
In conversation with Nigel Day on his
retirement as a Law Society Council
Member
REGULARS
News from the President
14
5
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Regulation Update
page 7
Regulation Update
Monthly Competition
Win a meal for four with a complimentary bottle of house
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18
29
The views and opinions expressed in the Manchester
Messenger are those of the individual contributors and
not of the Manchester Law Society
Printed by
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4 Manchester Law Society News
News from Bridge Street
!
Manchester Law Society’s
Professionals’ Dinner Club
Monday 18 July 2016
Throughout the month of May, the jewel of Spinningfields, Neighbourhood briefly
closed its doors to undertake a major £1m refurbishment and we are delighted that
this will be the next venue of our Manchester Professionals Dinner Club.
The new look all-day eatery and bar has interiors designed by Edwin Pickett, the aficionado
behind famed local restaurants ‘Australasia’ and ‘Tattu’, and of course, Neighbourhood’s
original design.
Neighbourhood melds a brasserie atmosphere with European and new American
cuisine, offering accessible, refined all-day dining for local residents, shoppers, businesses
and tourists alike.
Under the careful stewardship of their Operations Director, Ciaran Hogg, formally
General Manager of Manchester House, Neighbourhood will continue its legendary
status, ensuring it has something for everybody.
TIME: 6.00pm for 6.30pm
COST: £48.00 including VAT (Includes a welcome drink, 3 course meal and a half
bottle of Wine)
This is an informal inter professional social networking event and we hope that this
will be an opportunity for:
• You to mix and network for both business and social purposes
• Provide a social platform to build professional networks
• Get to know other business practitioners facing the same issues in practice
and discuss matters relevant to your business with likeminded people
• Meet people from other professions and practices, which may result in
cross referral of work
• Enjoy a superb menu and have a fantastic evening with old and new
friends
MENU
Arrival drink
Glass of bubbles!
STARTERS
Tempura Prawns, Wasabi Mayonnaise
Wild Mushrooms on Toast, Creamed Wild Mushrooms, Toasted Brioche
Salmon Tartare, Soy Dressing, Spring Onion, Orange, Crispy Lotus Root
Lil’ Burgers, Wagyu, Truffled Mac Sauce, Cheddar, Brioche
MAIN COURSE
USDA Strip Steak, Rosemary Salt, Caramelised Shallot Butter, Herb Chips
Roast Cod, Mixed Beans, Chorizo, Padron Peppers
NBHD Burger, Mac Sauce, Toasted Pretzel Roll, Mature Cheddar, Streaky Bacon, Fries
Seasonal Risotto, Parmesan, Truffle Oil
DESSERTS
Baked New York Cheesecake, Served Whole
Chocolate Éclair
Box of Donuts
What people are saying about the Professionals Dinner Club;
“The Dinner Clubs are always a great opportunity for networking with other legal professionals
and perhaps more importantly, across the business spectrum, with the added
bonus of trying out some of Manchester’s finest restaurants into the bargain”
Michael Hardacre, Slater and Gordon Lawyers
“It has always been a pleasure to attend the Professionals’ Dinner Club spanning a number
of years for me. It is always great to meet new people on your table. The enjoyment
comes from the atmosphere, the people, the food - well everything! It is such a delight
that we come back time after time. The feedback from all our guests is always positive.
Everyone has expressed that they had so much fun and that the food and venues have
always been superb. One of the best, if not the best, networking event for professionals in
Manchester.”
Gary Cook, Partner & Head of Legal Sector at Booth Ainsworth LLP
If you would like to attend please contact Hollie Hurst
HollieHirst@manchesterlawsociety.org.uk
!
Forthcoming Events
Internet and Social Media Law Conference
Wednesday 21st September 2016
Hilton Hotel, Deansgate, Manchester M3 4LQ
CPD: 5 hours
Social media and the internet provide fantastic opportunities in communicating
with clients and potential clients, as well as friends and family. But what happens
when you, or your employees, share too much? What are the legal implications?
What data needs to be protected and how do you keep it safe?
09:00 Registration, refreshments and networking
09:30 Welcome and introduction
Steve Kuncewicz, Head of IP & Media, Bermans and Council Member of Manchester
Law Society & Law Society of England & Wales
09:40 Employment and social media
Paul Chamberlain, Head of Employment, Brabners
10:10 Advertising, marketing and social media
Steve Kuncewicz, Head of IP & Media, Bermans and Council Member of Manchester
Law Society & Law Society of England & Wales
10:40 Refreshments and networking
11:10 Panel session: Criminal Law and social media
Nick Cassidy, Donald Race Newton
Amanda Coleman, Greater Manchester Police
TBC, Crown Prosecution Service
Tim Storrie, Lincoln House Chambers
11:40 "Right To Be Forgotten" Update
Christina Michalos , 5RB
12:10 Networking lunch
13:10 Defamation, Data Protection and alternative causes of action
Richard Munden, 5RB
13:40 Key case update: Morrisons
Nick McAleenan, JMW Solicitors LLP
14:10 Refreshments and networking
14:40 Data Protection and Cyber Security – New Kids On The Block?
TBC, ICO
15:10 Panel session: Managing Reputation in the Digital Age
Richard Munden, 5RB
TBC, ICO
Nick McAleenan, JMW Solicitors LLP
Jason Searle, St Johns Buildings
Dan Nolan, The E Word
Anna Wilson, Tangerine PR
16:10 Chair’s closing remarks
16:30 Close of conference
Cost to attend:
MLS Members £110.00 + VAT (£132.00) Non-members £150.00 + VAT (£180.00)
What’s all the noise about Noise Induced Hearing Loss?
Tuesday 14th June 2016
Venue: Manchester United Football Club, Sir Matt Busby Way, Old Trafford, Manchester,
M16 0RA
This is a fully comprehensive conference on NIHL covering;
· The changing market and how to run cases successfully
· The perils and pitfalls of dealing with NIHL and how to avoid them
· The future of NIHL; emerging legal and causation arguments
Conference Programme
09:00am
Registration;
09:30am
Chairman`s Welcome
09:45am
NIHL: Turning up the volume: The changing market and how to success
fully run claims
Karen Jackson, CEO, Roberts Jackson
10:30am
Coffee Break
10.50am
The perils and pitfalls in running a NIHL book – how to avoid them
Zoe Holland, Founder & Managing Director, Zebra LC
11.30am
Panel debate: The current market and the Future of NIHL;
Karen Jackson, Roberts Jackson,
Zoe Holland, Zebra LC,
Professor Mark Lutman,
Dominic Weir Slater & Gordon
12:45pm
Lunch;
1.45pm
Quantification of Noise Induced Hearing Loss
Professor Mark Lutman
2.30pm
Panel debate: Legal issues in NIHL including causation, limitation and
breach of duty .
Professor Mark Lutman
Dominic Weir, Slater & Gordon
David Wynn, Clyde & Co
Judge Allan Gore QC
3.30pm
Chairman’s summing up and closing remarks
MLS Members £130.00 + VAT (£156.00) Non Members £170.00 + VAT (£204.00)
Price includes light refreshments, lunch and course materials.
To book a place on any of the above events, please email
victoriaridge@manchesterlawsociety.org.uk or
CarlaJones@manchesterlawsociety.org.uk
President’s Column
5
5
From the President
I have spoken this month
with Mark Fitzgibbon,
Head of Commercial and
IP at Hill Dickinson, in
Manchester. As a preface
to my conversation, I
should say that I was most
interested to find out
what practitioners in noncontentious
practice
areas are getting on, especially
in the corporate
and commercial arenas.
Mark’s been a partner at Hill
Dickinson for 6 years, specialising
in non-contentious
commercial and public procurement
work with a focus
on working with clients in
the public sector, including
healthcare, local government
and education
providers. He heads up a
team of 8 fee earners and
has been in post as head of
the team for 2 years. A large
part of the focus of their
winning new work involves
having to tender directly or
to be on frameworks of
legal services providers for
commercial work for large
public sector bodies such as
NHS England, Health Education
England, Local Authorities
(via the North West
Legal Consortium), health
commissioners and
providers (including large
acute, mental health and
community NHS Trusts). It
is, not unsurprisingly, an extremely
competitive sector,
especially since the downturn.
As public sector resources
have been
squeezed, so has the pressure
on legal spend. The
North West Legal Consortium,
for example is a
grouping of public authorities
collaborating in the
procurement and provision
of their legal services to the
respective authorities. Of
course the commercial rationale
for an organisation
like NWLC is to maximise efficiency,
increase the effectiveness
of their external
legal support and avoid
multiple procurements having
to be undertaken - you
can’t argue with that in
principle. Mark’s firm are
partners on the NWLC
framework which is, in effect,
a legal provider panel;
that then gives the firm the
opportunity to compete for
mini tenders for pieces of
work as and when they
come up for all participating
members. The effect in
practice is constantly having
to think on your feet
and be as lean and responsive
as possible, particularly
when complex opportunities
often arise at very short
notice.
Inevitably, if the piece of
work seeks a fixed or
capped fee it means that
Mark, with his broad experience
of competitive tendering,
is required to be able to
price individual pieces or a
book of work but it does
mean that he needs to be
acutely aware of how to resource
individual pieces of
work, often requiring specialist
input, in order for it to
stack up financially.
The theme, as ever, is that it
is tough out there and very
competitive, such as it always
has been, but in order
to be able to compete (and
remain profitable at the
same time), firms servicing
public sector clients in particular,
have had to rethink
their provision and pricing
models quite dramatically –
relying, where feasible, on
paralegal provision.
This speaks of course, to another
underlying theme,
across the profession, that
is, in blunt terms, that of
deskilling. I don’t wish to
undermine the qualities of
paralegals in any way. They
play a vital role in most
legal services businesses
now and contribute enormously
to these organisations.
What I do have some difficulty
with is that the proliferation
of undergraduate
courses in the last 10-15
years in further education
institutions has led to a glut
of law graduates. On top of
that are the dozens of different
post graduate legal
services providers, who the
undergraduates feed into,
resulting in increasing debt
at a time when the chance
of qualifying as a solicitor at
the end of it has become
ever more remote.
The first cohort of graduates
under the increased
£9,000 a year tuition fees
have come through the system
and with them now
taking on CPE and LPC debt
to then try and qualify as a
solicitor in a market place,
more competitive than it
has ever been, is a very difficult
proposition.
I have heard it said that one
of the reasons there are so
many law graduates these
days is that in very simple
terms putting on a law degree
course is considered to
Michael Hardacre
be a cheap option by universities
which I think is a
sad indictment of our further
education system. Supply
and demand hasn’t
worked. There are too many
young graduates coming
out of the universities and
Continued on page 6
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6 Movers & Shakers
Pannone Corporate appoints Tim
Hamilton as Corporate Partner
Law firm Pannone Corporate
has appointed one of
the region’s most experienced
private equity and
M&A lawyers as a partner
to its corporate team.
Tim Hamilton has joined
Pannone Corporate from
gunnercooke where he was
also a partner. His previous
roles include five years as
Managing Partner at Andersen
Legal before spending
12 years at Addleshaw Goddard
where he was a corporate
partner and then head
of Clients and Markets.
Tim has a wealth of private
equity and M&A experience
having spent more than 25
years in the Manchester
market advising private equity
houses and some of the
region’s top public and private
companies on major
transactions.
Tim said: “After many years
in the industry, I know that
I’m at my best working with
and alongside entrepreneurs.
Pannone Corporate is
an entrepreneurial law firm
with a clear vision and an
obvious choice for dynamic
and fast-growing clients
with ambitious aspirations. I
am looking forward to helping
these clients achieve
their goals through securing
external investment and
mergers and acquisitions.”
Pannone Corporate Managing
Partner Paul Jonson
said: “Tim is highly respected
in the dealmaking
community and enjoys excellent
relationships with
the region’s private equity
houses. We will benefit
greatly from his relationships,
knowledge and expertise.”
Promotions follow strong year for Hill Dickinson’s
Employment and Pensions team
International law firm Hill
Dickinson has bolstered
its Employment and Pensions
team after reporting
a strong year-end across
the group.
Paula Warnock and Michael
Wright have both been promoted
to Partner. Paula has
been with the firm for over 3
years and specialises in Pensions.
Paula’s technical ability
has assisted clients with
historical drafting problems
and preparing complex rule
amendments. In addition,
Paula has recently been instructed
by a number of
schemes to implement closure
and winding up projects.
Michael Wright has also
been with the firm for three
years, and is a national expert
in issues concerning
the training of medical professionals.
He recently successfully
represented a
client in a significant case
concerning the application
of whistleblowing protection
to all junior doctors in
training.
The Pensions team, led by
Barry Gibb in Manchester,
now stands five strong and
services a raft of clients
across the North West and
nationally. The team has
grown rapidly overly the
last 3 years and aims to
achieve a turnover of £2m
by 2018.
Barry Gibb, head of Pensions
at Hill Dickinson said:
“Hill Dickinson is committed
to investing in quality talent
to support its growth and
Paula is a prime example of
this. The team has grown
significantly over the past
couple of years and Paula
has played an integral role.
I’m delighted to announce
her promotion.”
Andrew Gibson heads up
the Manchester arm of the
12- strong specialist NHS
Employment team.
Andrew said: “Michael’s promotion
to partner in the
NHS Employment team is
testament to the continued
importance the firm places
on its expertise in this area,
and Michael’s extraordinary
success. The team can be
confident of continued
growth and exceptional
client quality led by
Michael’s example.”
Paula Warnock
Michael Wright
Hall Brown Family Law strengthens team
with three expert appointments
Hall Brown Family Law has
boosted its growing team
with the appointments of
a Senior Associate, Associate
and Solicitor only six
weeks after opening its
doors in King Street, Manchester.
Eleanor Aguirre joins as Senior
Associate, with Laura
Guillon as Associate, and
Alice Couriel, Solicitor. All
three were part of the family
team assembled by Hall
Brown founders, Sam Hall
and James Brown, when at
JMW Solicitors and instrumental
in raising the family
department from a Tier 4 to
the top Tier 1 ranking.
With more than five years’
experience in all areas of
family law, Eleanor Aguirre,
who is also fluent in Japanese,
has particular expertise
in complex contact disputes,
international relocation,
drug and alcohol
concerns, and allegations of
harm toward children.
Eleanor adds: “Like Sam and
James, I believe it’s more important
to invest time with
clients, and offer empathy
and a quality service, rather
than have a high volume of
cases. It’s exciting to be invited
to join a firm with such
respected individuals, a
strong shared ethos and be
involved in its development.”
Joining as an Associate,
Laura Guillon, is experienced
in working with high
profile individuals, cases involving
complex trust assets,
property abroad and
pre-marriage issues. Half-
French, bilingual Laura says:
“Having previously worked
with Sam and James for two
years, I am delighted to be
reunited and join Hall
Brown Family Law. I am a
huge fan of straight-talking
and cutting through corporate
legal jargon, and
strongly believe clients appreciate
honest answers
from professional and empathetic
advisors – that’s
why they recommend
lawyers they trust.”
Solicitor, Alice Couriel,
trained under Sam and
James at JMW and has been
Back, L to R: Ele Aguirre, Laura Guillon and Alice Couriel.
Front: Sam Hall and James Brown.
involved in a range of family
law disputes, including
complex high value financial
settlements and private
children law proceedings.
The 25-year-old said: “It is
particularly exciting to be
involved with a new firm so
early on in its evolution.
And to know, trust and admire
your colleagues creates
such a positive,
mutually respectful and optimistic
atmosphere. The future
looks bright.”
Hall Brown co-founders,
Sam Hall and James Brown,
added: “We are delighted to
get the old team back together.
Ele, Laura and Alice
are excellent lawyers and
are committed to delivering
the service that our clients
deserve and expect. We
could not have asked for a
better start for the firm. As
well as the clients who followed
us, we have had a
record number of new
clients in the first few weeks
of trading and, as a result,
require several other members
of staff which is very
exciting.”
President’s Column
continued...
not enough jobs as solicitors for them at the end of the process. I reiterate that paralegals
have an important role to play, but there is no question that many school leavers commence
law undergraduate courses blissfully unaware that the chance of them qualifying
as a solicitor several years down the line is increasingly remote.
I’ll come back to this in later columns as the recent consultation on the introduction of a
Solicitors Qualifying Examination closed in April 2016 following much debate and discussion.
I will be discussing that in more detail with Julie Brannan, the SRA’s director of Education
and Training and will report back, so watch this space.
Michael Hardacre
President
The deadline for the August
edition of the Messenger
is 14th July 2016
Email
j.baskerville@jbaskerville.co.uk
Regulatory Affairs Committee Update
On 8 and 9 June, I had the
great pleasure of chairing
the Liverpool and Manchester
Law Societies’ annual
regulatory
conferences. We had excellent
speakers on a wide
variety of subjects so, for
those of you who were unable
to attend, I will use
this opportunity to update
you on some of the
key messages from the
conferences.
SRA
The SRA’s focus was on the
new consultation “Looking
to the Future”, released only
a week prior to the conferences
so it was very new to
everyone. This is probably
the most significant consultation
issued by the SRA
since the proposed introduction
of OFR in 2010. You
will have heard of the SRA’s
plans to reduce the size of
the Handbook and we now
have the detailed proposals
as to how the SRA plans to
do this. The intention is to
reduce the number of Principles
from 10 down to 6
and to then have 2 Codes of
Conduct, one for individual
solicitors and the other for
firms. The Codes have been
reduced in size and content
too with the solicitor code
stretching to only 7 pages
and the firm code being 6
pages long. The intention is
to provide guidance and
toolkits in the form of case
studies/decision trees etc to
help firms and individuals
understand what is expected
of them. Those delegates
in Manchester had an
opportunity to look at some
of the case studies the SRA
has annexed to the consultation
and I think it is fair to
say that they were unimpressed
with them as tools
that would assist. Take a
look for yourself and let me
know what you think! The
other part of the consultation
relates to access to justice
and the proposal to
allow solicitors to deliver
services to the public as solicitors
in unregulated businesses.
This is just as
important a proposal and
requires a great deal of consideration
so I urge you all
to read the consultation,
watch the SRA’s webinars,
engage in the debate and
feed back either direct to
the SRA, or through your
local law society contacts.
The consultation is open
until 21 September.
Accounts Rules
Continuing with the theme
of consultations, Manchester
delegates also heard
from Andrew Baker of RSM
accountants on the different
approach now being
adopted by reporting accountants
following revisions
made in November
2015 with the focus now
being on the risks to client
money and providing qualified
reports only were there
have been material
breaches and/or significant
weaknesses in the firm’s systems
and controls. He also
discussed the proposed
changes to the Accounts
Rules (the consultation on
this is running in parallel to
the consultation on the revisions
to the handbook I
mentioned above) involving,
again, a slimmed down
version with a redefining of
client money. Again, have a
read of the consultation and
feedback your views.
Legal Ombudsman
Kathryn Stone, chief Legal
Ombudsman, was very well
received and spoke about
the importance of signposting
clients to the LeO in the
final decision letter. She expressed
“disappointment
and dismay” at the number
of firms who fail to signpost
and even where the firm
does signpost, many provide
the wrong details!
Check your complaints policy
and procedures to ensure
you don’t end up
having to pay a case fee for
something that can so easily
be rectified. She also confirmed
that the LeO will be
looking in more detail at the
issue of third party complaints
and the case fee debate
so watch this space for
further developments.
The Information Commissioner
also spoke at the Liverpool
conference about
the GDPRs and the importance
of reviewing your
data protection procedures
now so that you are geared
up for the changes ahead.
Fraud
Mickaela Fox of Weightmans
gave a detailed review
of fraud issues affecting law
firms including mortgage
fraud and money laundering,
personal injury/EL and
PL claims and cyber crime
and provided a number of
very useful tips for avoiding
falling victim to such scams.
Reviews of your policies and
procedures, the need for
training of your staff and
audit/testing were recommended
as essential steps
all firms need to be taking.
Sara Hutton of RBS Bank
also provided a useful insight
into cyber attacks
from the bank’s perspective
at the Manchester conference.
AML
Continuing the fraud
theme, Jonathan Fisher QC
gave a thoroughly engaging
and interesting update
on recent AML case law at
the Liverpool conference
whilst Bill Jones, CEO of
Riliance Training Ltd, focussed
in Manchester on
the specific obligation of
LLPs and Limited Companies
to now keep a PSC Register,
emphasising that it is a
criminal offence not to do
so.
PII Insurance and Risk
Colin Taylor of Willis entertained
the Liverpool delegates
with stories of how to
manage client expectations
and the importance of risk
management from an insurer’s
perspective whilst
Richard Gledhill of MFL in
Manchester reminded
everyone of the impact of
the new Insurance Act.
My thanks go to all the
speakers for giving up their
time and for helping create
such a stimulating and
thought provoking day. I
promised an information
packed day and we certainly
got it! My thanks also
to all delegates for your
contributions and feedback.
If you didn’t come, you
missed a treat – next year
perhaps?!
In the meantime, check out
the consultations!
Michelle Garlick
Chair
Manchester Law Society
Regulatory Affairs
Committee
Weightmans LLP
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• Taking place at different restaurants in and around Manchester
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Forthcoming Events
8 Movers & Shakers
Davis Blank Furniss announces new partner,
promotions & NQ appointment
Davis Blank Furniss - the
Manchester & Glossop
based law firm – has promoted
Anita Shepherd to
partner in its Family team.
Anita joined the firm in
2012 and works out of the
Manchester and Glossop offices.
She handles all aspects
of family law and is
also a Resolution Advanced
Accredited Specialist with a
focus on domestic abuse
and advanced financial provision.
Before qualifying,
Anita studied Applied Social
Studies at Sheffield Hallam
University and she then
completed her Legal Practice
Course at Manchester
Metropolitan University.
Kate Oldfield – managing
partner – said: “Since arriving
at Davis Blank Furniss,
Anita has made a huge impact;
her drive, enthusiasm,
rapport and knowledge of
the law have all helped to
grow the team so her promotion
is much deserved
and is a clear reflection of
her talent.”
Anita added: “The last four
years have been a period of
growth for me as Kate and
the partnership have allowed
me to grow my work
in my own way. That level of
autonomy has really inspired
me. Becoming a partner
is - of course - a milestone
in my career, but my
focus is now on adding
more value to the business
and our clients.”
The firm has also promoted
Jennifer Smith to associate
in the Property team and
Kirsty Morbey to associate
in the Family team. Whilst
Edward Moss has been appointed
as a clinical negligence
and professional
negligence solicitor following
the successful completion
of his training contract.
Clyde & Co enhances infrastructure offering
with new partner hire in Manchester
Global law firm Clyde & Co
has announced the arrival
of Steve Cannon as a Partner
in its Global Projects
and Construction Group.
Steve's arrival further expands
the firm's growing infrastructure
offering. He
joins the Manchester office
bringing a wealth of expertise
and experience in construction
and engineering
dispute resolution. He joins
the firm from Eversheds.
Cannon is a recognised
leader in construction and
engineering disputes with
over 15 years' experience.
He has expertise and experience
in national and international
markets including
Manchester and the North
West, the Middle East and
Singapore. Steve specialises
in complex international arbitration
and cross border
dispute resolution.
John Morris, Global Head
the Projects and Construction
Group said: "Steve is a
valuable addition to our
growing infrastructure offering
and will significantly
enhance our construction
and engineering capabilities
in the UK. With many of
our contractor, developer
and international investor
clients increasingly looking
at projects in the North
West, Steve's appointment
will further enhance our offering
in the region.
Steve Cannon said: "I am delighted
to be joining Clyde
& Co and its market leading
global construction practice.
Locally, the North West
continues to see significant
construction opportunities
and with ongoing infrastructure
investment interest
and the government's
devolution agenda, Manchester
will continue to be
an exciting place to practice."
The firm's infrastructure
group has seen significant
growth in the past 12
months in the UK and globally.
In June 2015, Clyde &
Co's infrastructure practice
was joined by market leaders
Liam Buckley and Stelios
Coutsavlis who strengthened
the firm's real estate,
projects and energy sector
offerings and developed a
new commercial real estate
practice in Manchester.
Edward Moss, Anita Shepherd, Kirsty Morbey & Jennifer Smith.
Mark Farrell appointed as Managing Director
at Hilary Meredith Solicitors
Wilmslow-based Hilary
Meredith Solicitors Ltd
has appointed Mark Farrell
as Managing Director.
Mark, who joined the firm
last year as Operations Director,
has extensive experience
in the legal, claims
management and financial
services sectors. Previous
roles include CEO at Beresfords
Solicitors and Managing
Director at Capita. He
also has extensive experience
in the insurance sector,
having worked at Aon and
Royal & Sun Alliance.
Said Hilary Meredith:“Since
joining as Operations Director
at the beginning of
2015, Mark has been instrumental
in increasing the
strategic focus of the business.
As a member of our
main board he has an important
role to play in the
ongoing development of
the firm. We are delighted to
appoint him as Managing
Director.”
Mark Farrell
Said Mark Farrell:“In a fast changing legal services market,
we are continuing to build the business by delivering an
outstanding service to our clients.”
Leading Manchester Business Dispute Resolution
Team expands with new recruit
Dispute resolution lawyer,
Leighton Baldwin, is the
latest recruit as Slater and
Gordon expand its business
services practice in
Manchester.
Leighton specialises in dispute
resolution and covers
many areas including landlord
and tenant, rent and
service charge disputes and
property litigation.
He said: “I am thrilled to be
joining Slater and Gordon’s
business services team. I
aim to satisfy my clients’
personal and commercial
aims whilst resolving their
business disputes.”
Leighton has further experience
in breach of
covenants, forfeiture and
Commercial property law
specialist, HRC Law, has
advised Afrapoco Limited
trading as Jazooli on its
recent acquisition of
larger warehouse premises
to support their continued
business growth.
The e-commerce retailer,
based in South Manchester
and specialising in electronic
gadgets, has seen
substantial growth since inception
in 2008. In 2012, the
business relocated to a
2,500 square foot warehouse
which the operation
has now outgrown and this
recent acquisition sees the
business take another leap
forward in terms of size, taking
on 36,000 square feet of
space.
Jazooli operates nationally
termination and lease renewals.
He said: “Even the best-run
businesses can have disputes.
I take great pride and
enjoyment in helping to resolve
disputes by devising
the best possible strategy
and giving clear and practical
advice.”
Craig McAdam, who heads
up the dispute resolution
team for Slater and Gordon,
said: “Over the last year we
have seen an increased demand
for our business services
and I’m delighted that
the dispute resolution team
is expanding.
“However you decide to resolve
your business dispute,
be it through negotiation,
and internationally and
their extensive new warehouse
will help them to
continue to supply the evergrowing
demand for their
products.
Sam Wilson, Director, of Jazooli
said: “Our fast-growth
means we’ve had to quickly
develop our infrastructure
to support this. The team at
HRC were considered
throughout the transaction,
prioritising the protection
of our interests and business.
We had peace of mind
throughout the transaction.”
Helen Marsh, commercial
property solicitor and partner
at HRC Law, added: “Location
can be everything for
a business – especially
when a business depends
Leighton Berwin
mediation or litigation, having
experienced lawyers on
your side is invaluable.
“We are very happy that
someone with such wideranging
expertise as
Leighton is joining the
team.”
HRC Law advises on Jazooli’s North West expansion
Helen Marsh
on its logistics and supply
chain as much as Jazooli
does. We all knew that it
was imperative to secure
this new warehouse in order
for the company to continue
on their upward curve.
We are pleased that we
were able to complete the
acquisition within the short
timescale required.”
Feature 9
City Profile
In this edition Sandie Gaines, Centre Director and Associate Professor at the
University of Law in Manchester talks to the Messenger
Sandie Gaines was appointed as the Centre Director,
Manchester at The University of Law (ULaw) in Manchester
in February, she is also an Associate Professor at
the uUniversity. She joined ULaw seven years ago as a
tutor, becoming an Operations Manager, then an Academic
Manager.
Originally from the North East, Sandie started her legal career
with training contract at a small but diverse law firm in
Kent. Sandie says that the caseload at was very varied and
included litigation, landlord and tenant, family, personal injury
and crime and Sandie also developed a niche area of
practice in immigration work.
Once qualified Sandie specialised in criminal law and moved
to Whyte & Co Solicitors. Sandie was a duty solicitor and advocate,
taking cases to trial level and client and caseload
management. However Sandie decided that she wanted to
become an employment lawyer, and moved to ASB Law,
where she managed a substantial caseload of employment
work, acting mainly for company clients. She then moved to
the firm’s Brighton office to establish an employment department.
Sandie also spent a few years with DMH Stallards in Crawley
where she was again an employment specialist, working for
the agricultural, independent schools and charities sectors.
Sandie re-located to Manchester in 2007 to join Hammonds
LLP (now Squire, Patton, Boggs LLP), where she advised on
TUPE, collective redundancies and corporate support work.
It was whilst in Manchester that she saw an advertisement
for tutors at The College of Law. Sandie says “I had designed
and delivered employment law training for corporate clients
and considered myself to have a varied set of skills and I
thought it would be interesting to expand my horizons.”
Sandie’s role now encompasses a broad range of activities,
including the financial management of the Centre, overseeing
course management as well as developing the student
experience, including the promotion of excellence in teaching
and learning.
Sandie says that the training of students and young lawyers
has changed for the better since she did her training contract.
She says “A good solicitors needs to be client focused
and they also need to have entrepreneurial skills. Perhaps
the biggest difference now is the expectations of the clients.
They are much more aware of what to expect and they are
looking for efficiency and value. There have also been
changes to the way in which clients are invoiced and now
we see more fixed costs rather than hourly rates.”
Sandie says that prospects for students from The University
of Law are very good and they have a very high employability
rates currently backed up by an Employment Promise..
She adds “Students leave the university with excellent legal
and analytical skills as well as being commercially aware. A
large number find training contracts and others secure positions
as paralegals, which often leads to a training contract
at a later stage. Wherever they go they have the necessary
skills to be succeed.”
Sandie says that her personal mission as Centre Director is
to keep developing good links between ULaw in Manchester
and the local legal profession and wider business community.
Anyone who may be interested should email
Sandie.Gaines@law.ac.uk.
Away from the university, Sandie enjoys walking and running,
and spending time with her husband and Henry the
cat.
For more information about ULaw visit www.law.ac.uk
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10 News
Trio of new partners for Slater Heelis LLP
Three new partners have
been appointed at Manchester
and Cheshirebased
law firm Slater
Heelis LLP.
cured lending and all landlord
and tenant matters.
Phillip is a Resolution-accredited
family lawyer and
mediator. He specialises in
complex issues that arise
following the breakdown of
a relationship, divorce and
civil partnership dissolution.
Georgina is a private client
team lawyer specialising in
areas involving mental capacity
and Court of Protection
work.
Chris Bishop, managing
partner of Slater Heelis, said:
“I’m delighted Hannah,
Georgina and Phillip have
all accepted the offer of
partnership here at the firm.
We’re committed to rewarding
talented lawyers and
this shows that we’re a firm
keen to invest in the future
of the practice in multiple
disciplines.”
Hannah Al-Shaghana, Phillip Rhodes and Georgina Bradshaw
Alan Lumley of DLA Piper
Alan Lumley, a promising
finance associate at DLA
Piper, tragically passed
away in April while competing
in the Wilmslow
half marathon. It was his
birthday and he had just
turned 31.
Due to his achievements
during his career and his
“proactive and dedicated
approach” on transactions,
Alan was shortlisted in the
lawyer of the year categories
at both the Pro.Manchester
Made in Manchester
Awards and the Insider NW
Young Professionals Awards
(2016), with client testimonials
describing Alan as
“demonstrating a lot more
skill and composure than is
expected of a lawyer of his
level of qualification”. However,
it is the many warm
tributes to Alan that have
been received by his family
and his firm that show the
impact that Alan has had on
the Manchester professional
community and how
deeply saddened they are
to have lost a bright and talented
lawyer. He was described
by his team as a role
model for the junior lawyers
and always led by example.
Feedback from clients was
consistently high, praising
in particular his composure
and logical approach to
problem-solving. A JustGiving
page has been set up to
collect charitable donations:
https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/alan-lumley
"Alan joined DLA Piper in
2009 as a trainee solicitor
and qualified into the finance
team in 2011. He recently
secured a
well-deserved promotion to
Senior Associate. From early
in his career it was clear Alan
would excel and he did. The
Partners in Manchester
were delighted to nominate
Alan for both the Pro.Manchester
Made in Manchester
Awards and the Insider NW
Young Professionals Awards
as he was not only achieving
great results at work, impressing
clients and peers,
he was also a role model in
how to be really successful
while maintaining the
lovely guy personality that
we all enjoyed. Alan had so
much to look forward to at
work and in life. He is greatly
missed by all those that had
the real pleasure of knowing
him." Liam Cowell, Office
Managing Partner,
Manchester, DLA Piper
Mills & Reeve’s scores a hat-trick with top
private wealth team award
Law firm Mills & Reeve’s
private wealth team has
won the Regional Law
Firm of the Year accolade
for the third consecutive
year at the Citywealth
Magic Circle Awards.
The firm, which has an office
in Manchester, beat off stiff
competition to secure the
award which was voted for
by more than 12,000 members
of the public and
judged by ten industry experts.
Now in their 11th year, the
awards are run by Citywealth,
the magazine for
North West law firm Farleys
has announced the
promotion of Inquests
lawyer Kelly Darlington to
Associate Partner and
Head of Inquests.
Darlington, who is based in
Farleys’ Manchester office,
joined the firm as a paralegal
in 2009 and qualified as
a solicitor in 2012. She has a
national client base, specialising
in Inquests and Actions
against Detaining
Authorities and represents
bereaved families and interested
persons, with a particular
emphasis on deaths in
prison, police custody, hospitals
and local authority
care.
global wealth management
experts dealing with
£20million+ high net worth
clients.
Mills & Reeve’s national private
wealth team, made up
of more than 100 lawyers
and a private client base estimated
to be worth more
than £4billion, advises high
net worth individuals, entrepreneurs
and professionals
on estate planning, including
wills, trusts, family investment
companies and
family charters.
Deborah Clark, partner in
the private wealth team in
Commenting on the promotion
Jonathan Bridge,
Partner at Farleys said “Kelly
is an exceptional solicitor
and is well respected by her
clients. Kelly has been instrumental
to the growth of
our Inquest department
and her promotion recognises
her hard work and
contribution to the growth
of both the department and
the firm.”
Kelly said: “I am thrilled to
be promoted to Associate
Partner and Head of Inquests
here at Farleys and
I’m excited to continue supporting
the progression of
the firm and develop the Inquest
department.”
Hannah Al-Shaghana,
Georgina Bradshaw and
Phillip Rhodes have all been
promoted to partner level.
Hannah is a commercial
property lawyer whose expertise
encompasses all aspects
of commercial
property work including acquisitions
and disposals, sethe
Manchester office of
Mills & Reeve, said: “It is a
fantastic achievement to
win the award three years in
a row and is a testament to
the private wealth team’s
market leading position and
our highly skilled lawyers
who are dedicated to providing
a top quality of service
to clients.”
The winners were announced
at an awards ceremony
at The Grange Tower
Bridge Hotel in London attended
by more than 300
people.
Leading Inquest Lawyer promoted to
Head of Team
It has been a treble winning
start to summer for
international sports
lawyer Maurice Watkins.
The senior partner and head
of sport at Brabners , based
in Manchester has had two
successful trips to Wembley
as chairman of Barnsley FC
and presented the medals
at the 2016 Euro Aquatic
Championships at the
Olympic Pool in Stratford as
chairman of British Swimming.
Maurice , CBE , former Man
Utd director said ; " It feels as
if I have been living out of a
suitcase for weeks now , - all
very hectic but hugely enjoyable
and rewarding to
witness so much sports success.
" It was a great honour for
me to present gold medals
to both Tom Daley in the 10
metre diving competition
and to swimming star Adam
Peaty in the 100 metres
breast stroke at the European
Aquatic Championships.
We are now in
good shape for the Olympic
Games this summer.
"In football ,the 3-1 win
against Millwall at Wembley
in the League One plays offs
was the icing on the cake
and returns Barnsley to the
Championship. When you
think that Barnsley were
bottom of League One last
November and lost the
manager in February, this
Kelly Darlington
Maurice Watkins treble success
Maurice Watkins with Gold Medal winning diver Tom
Daley at Euro Aquatic Championships
success is nothing short of
extraordinary.
" Any trip to Wembley is a
great experience , but to go
twice in a season and
emerge as winners on both
occasions is a marvellous
achievement for the club. "
Earlier in the season Barnsley
beat Oxford Utd 3-2 to
win the Johnstone's Paint
Trophy at Wembley.
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12 Movers & Shakers
Pannone Corporate advises Stockport-based
Abney Garsden on Simpson Millar acquisition
Leading Manchester
The corporate team at
Pannone Corporate has
advised one of the UK’s
leading law firms dedicated
to advising victims
of abuse, Abney Garsden,
on its acquisition by personal
injury specialist
Simpson Millar.
The deal also includes
Stockport-based Abney
Garsden’s family and wills
departments.
Simpson Millar is owned by
stock market listed Fairpoint
plc. Adlington-based Fairpoint
acquired Simpson Millar,
which has offices across
the UK, in 2014 marking its
entry into the legal services
market.
Abney Garsden was established
in 1985 by Peter Garsden
and has become a
pioneer of securing justice
for survivors of abuse.
The Pannone Corporate
team was led by partner
Mark Winthorpe and included
solicitor Craig Geraghty.
Peter said: “This is a very exciting
time for us and with
the support of Simpson Millar
we can add even more
value to our clients and
have even further added security
for the important
work we do, especially
abuse cases.
“I cannot praise the corporate
team at Pannone Corporate
highly enough for
the outstanding advice and
support they gave me
throughout one of the most
important transactions of
my professional life. They
were understanding, industrious,
supportive, and
legally astute and I am extremely
grateful.”
Mark added: “Abney Garsden
has built an outstanding
reputation in the market
and the acquisition by
Clough & Willis Makes Property
Appointment at Bolton Office
Law firm Clough & Willis
has appointed Susan
Trudgeon to the Property
team at its Bolton office.
She has joined the firm as
a licensed conveyancer
and will handle a portfolio
of residential property
work.
Simpson Millar will enable it
to significantly expand and
maintain its leading position
in a consolidating market.”
Peter Watson from Simpson
Millar said: “We knew instantly
that Abney Garsden
was the right type of firm to
join Simpson Millar because
of their strong values and
social conscience.
“The extended offering we
now have in our portfolio
means we can give better
and wider services to all our
clients. Peter has built a
strong firm with a positive
future and by joining Simpson
Millar we can offer a
more flexible and secure
place to compete effectively
in the market place.”
Simspon Millar was advised
by Lizzy Tindall and Alistair
Cree from Eversheds.
6 Partner Promotions for JMW
based law firm JMW Solicitors
LLP has announced
that they have made 6 at
promotions Partner level
with a further 21 promotions
also made within the
firm effective form 1 May
2016.
Commercial Property Partners
Claire Hamilton and
Warren Martin who joined
the firm in 2013 and 2015
respectively have been
made Fixed Equity Partners.
Claire Hamilton is the key
Partner working for a major
property developer and investor
in the North West,
while Warren Martin names
amongst his property finance
clients Lowry Capital
and Aldermore.
Meanwhile Derek Millard-
Smith an expert in Consumer
Regulatory work
brought his expertise to
JMW in 2015 and acts for
ParkingEye and the British
Parking Association membership.
Michael Purvis
joined JMW as an Associate
in 2012 and has progressed
to Fixed Equity Partners
holding the relationships
with introducers such as
Precise Mortgages, JLL, SPF
and Move with Us.
There have then been 6 promotions
from Senior Associate
to Partner for Mark
Heppell and Vicky Protano
from Corporate, Tasnim
Khalid and Jodi Lund from
Private Client, Nick
McAleenan in Media Law
and Lee McGovern who occupies
a New Business role
in the firm.
Elsewhere in the firm there
have been 8 promotions to
Senior Associate for Ben
Miller, Louise Wakely and
Richard Glover from the
Commercial Litigation
team, Paul Gotch and Daniel
Harrison from the Private
Client team, Jennifer Smith
in Employment, Holly Tootill
in Family Law and Faris Humadi
in IT.
A further 9 promotions from
Solicitor to Associate see
promoted Danielle Gibson,
Linda Medhurst and
Michael Walker (Personal Injury),
Holleh Cyples, Gaynor
Dent and Breda Fallon (Private
Client), Sara Bluston
(Corporate), Stephanie Adjepong
(Commercial Property)
and Mike Bloor (New
Business).
Prior to these promotions,
staff numbers have also increased
at JMW from 280 to
320 including 7 new Partners
joining the firm in the
past 12 months.
Commenting on the wealth
of promotions at JMW, Senior
Partner Joy Kingsley said:
“All these promotions are
well deserved and reflect
our continuing policy of
promoting from within as
well as making effective lateral
hires. 2015/16 has seen
us promote 6 internal candidates
to Partnership while
hiring 7 Partners from outside
of the firm. As we continue
to enhance our
reputation in the North
West it is increasingly important
that we retain our
talented lawyers who need
to see our commitment to
their future.”
JMW recently announced
an annual increase in Revenue
of 16% in the year
2015/16, which has grown
to £22 million from £10 million
in 2010/11. Profit also
increased by 13%.
Susan has worked in the
legal sector for 12 years and
has been a qualified conveyancer
for the past seven.
She has previously worked
at Russell and Russell, Fieldings
Porter and Countrywide
Conveyancing
Services.
The firm’s Bolton office
opened in January this year
and offers a range of services
including Commercial &
Residential Property, Employment,
Personal Injury
and Family Law as well as
Wills, Trusts and Probate.
Shefali Talukdar – managing
partner of Clough & Willis –
Shefali Talukdar, Susan Trudgeon & Lee Martson
(partner at Clough & Willis).
commented: “We are delighted
to welcome Susan
to the practice. She has
some great experience and
is a valuable addition to our
existing Property team
which is based at our Bury
head office.”
Susan added: “I’m really excited
to be joining Clough &
Willis. It’s an exciting time
for the firm following the recent
opening of the Bolton
office. I’m now looking forward
to helping grow both
our presence and reputation
in the town.”
Why join Manchester Law Society?
Here are some of the benefits of membership
• The Messenger Magazine & weekly e-newsletter
o Free to members The Messenger is packed with topical articles,
details of what is happening with the Society, information on “movers
and shakers”, deals, news on charity and CSR work that member firms
have done plus a lifestyle section at the back
o
o
Members can place items in The Messenger free of charge
For past copies of The Messenger visit
www.manchesterlawsociety.org.uk/the-messenger-north-west-law
Building Blocks acquired by Dutch digital agency
Manchester-based digital
agency Building Blocks
has been acquired by
Dept UK Holding Limited.
Building Blocks is a top 100
digital agency, which specialises
in helping global
companies solve complex
problems using digital technologies.
Based on Portland Street in
Manchester and with additional
offices in the US and
Spain, the privately-owned
agency was founded in
2007 by Andrew Iddon and
Jonathan Whiteside. The
two founding partners
along with third partner
Jasper van de Luijtgaarden
will retain an interest in
Dept UK Holding Limited as
part of the deal.
Hill Dickinson acted on behalf
of the acquirer, a wholly
owned subsidiary of Dutch
digital agency Dept, with a
team led by corporate partner
David Mkhitarian and
assisted by James Down
and Sean Lightfoot (corporate)
and Tom Slinger (employment).
Partner Richard
Capper provided banking
advice to the acquirer.
Part of an international network
of leading digital
agencies, Dept, which is
backed by Waterland Private
Equity, is a full service
digital company employing
350 creatives, developers
and data scientists that provide
integrated digital solutions
to clients.
Frank Schmid, Managing Director
of Dept, said “In order
to build a truly international
digital agency, rapid expansion
into the UK market was
our top priority. We believe
David Mkhitarian
Building Blocks is the perfect
first addition in the UK
to our network of agencies.”
Partner Darren Warburton
of Squire Patton Boggs advised
the sellers on the
transaction and was assisted
by Laura Green and
Mary Brock.
The SRA 13
CPD for a modern profession
Paul Philip, Chief Executive, Solicitors Regulation Authority
As I said when meeting
with the Manchester Law
Society Council in early
May, we are continuing to
reform how we work,
looking at areas where we
can get rid of outdated
regulatory burdens and
improve public protection.
As part of that reform, I
wanted to look at the traditional
16 hours of CPD per
year requirement. This approach
had not been substantively
updated for more
than 25 years and had,
frankly, become a tick-box
exercise. That was not good
for the profession or the
public.
So we are now moving to a
more flexible, modern approach.
From November
this year, solicitors in England
and Wales will no
longer count CPD hours. Instead,
the new approach
means they will reflect on
their work and choose training
that is right for them
and their firm. It is about
making sure solicitors are at
the top of their game: competent,
ethical and ready to
deliver high-quality services
to their clients.
We recognise that every solicitor
and firm is different,
and that means that they
need to take their own approach
to learning and development.
Removing the
blanket ‘16 hours a year’ requirement
encourages
practitioners to undertake
meaningful continuing professional
development activities,
and helps to reduce
the cost of regulation.
Positive feedback
We want to make sure that
switching to the new approach
is straightforward.
The feedback we have had
so far has been positive. We
undertook a survey on the
changes recently, and I was
pleased to see that almost
half of the law firms and solicitors
who responded have
already moved to the new
approach. Of these, nearly
two thirds percent said they
did this at no extra cost to
their business and three
quarters of those who had
already changed approach
said that the transition took
just three months or less.
Meanwhile, feedback suggest
that firms are already
seeing the benefits.
For example, Stuart Snape,
Managing Partner at Manchester-based
Graham Coffey
& Co Solicitors has told
us: "This change of approach
gave us the opportunity
to stop seeing CPD as
something 'only for solicitors'
or a 'box to be ticked'
and to better understand
how it benefits our business.
We know that it is in
our firm’s interest to welcome
a more personalised
and flexible approach to
continued training as it
helps maximise our staffs’
potential. This means we
will continue to deliver a
high quality, professional
service to the public.
“Our answer to adopting
the new approach was to introduce
an online training
software with courses specific
to our needs. This allows
us to improve skills in
key areas and focus any additional
training where further
clarity is needed. As
Managing Partner, I found
that by helping to create the
training materials needed
for this, it has also helped
focus my mind on the direction
the firm is taking and
how I can take my staff with
me.”
Help with making the
change
We want to support you
through this change, so to
help you get started we
have created a toolkit on
our website. It has a wealth
of information and resources
including:
• advice on planning, evaluating
and recording learning
• downloadable templates
• real-life examples of how
other solicitors or firms have
adopted and are using the
approach
• an on-demand webinar
that talks you through how
to move to the new approach
Our Handbook says solicitors
must provide a proper
standard of service. A key
part of that is living up to
our Competence Statement.
So we have not
changed our expectation
that all solicitors will make
an annual declaration about
their continuing competence.
A move away from a onesize-fits-all
approach to a
greater focus on training
that matters to you has to
be the right way for a modern
profession in a fast moving
market to stay up to
date. I am sure you will see
the benefits for you and
your firms.
For more information on
the SRA toolkit and the
new approach please visit
www.sra.org.uk/toolkit
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14 Feature
In conversation with Nigel Day
Tributes to Nigel
Nigel Day of Hague Lambert is standing down from the Law Society Council
after sixteen years. He talks to Julia Baskerville about his career and
involvement with Manchester Law Society and the national Law Society...
There can be very few solicitors
who have devoted
so much time, effort and
dedication into representing
the views of the profession
than Nigel Day.
Nigel is standing down as
one of the Manchester
representatives on the
Law Society Council after
a tenure of sixteen years.
Nigel qualified as a solicitor
in 1979 after training with a
sole practitioner Neville
Brooks in Wythenshawe.
Nigel says the firm was essentially
“law in the raw” - a
typical legal aid practice
and as a trainee and newly
qualified solicitor worked
on a broad range of cases
from family, crime and litigation,
although says that
litigation in those days covered
a ‘multitude of sins.”
After two years as a qualified
solicitor Nigel saw an
advert in “The Messenger”,
although adds that this was
the old version of the Messenger
that was xeroxed by
the team in the office. Nigel
applied to the firm, Lambert
Storey, was successful and
joined as an assistant solicitor,
becoming a partner in
1986.
Nigel was the firm’s litigator,
running the litigation department
with various assistants.
Several years down
the line and again Nigel
saw an advert in the Messenger,
this time from a firm
who were interested in
merging. Nigel responded
to the advertisement and in
January 1996 Lambert
Storey merged Hagues to
become known as Hague
Lambert.
Nigel is now the COLP and
senior partner. He says that
life as a solicitor is now very
different with the emphasis
on specialisation and risk
management. He welcomes
this but wonders sometime
whether the profession
loses sight of the need to
give advice as opposed to
explaining to people what
they can do He says that
during his career I have seen
the expectations of clients
change quite dramatically,
adding “when I first started
my legal career clients came
to see a solicitor with little
or no legal knowledge, now
the internet has changed
this and it is important that
the solicitor can add value
to this by giving advice and
helping clients to make decisions
and choices.”
When Nigel moved to Manchester
he made the decision
to take more interest in
the professional locally and
attended events and
courses organised by Manchester
Young Solicitors
Group He became Chair of
the YSG in 1988. The following
year Nigel was approached
by the then
President of Manchester
Law Society Philip Hodson
who invited him to join the
Council of the Society. Nigel
held a number of roles before
being elected President
of Manchester Law Society
in 1998.
Nigel says that it was during
this time that he became
more aware of the national
Law Society, attending a
number of conferences and
events. In 2000 Philp Hodson
who was now one of
the two Council Members
for Manchester, Stockport,
Trafford Tameside and Altrincham
stood down and
Nigel was elected to replace
him. Nigel says “I joined the
Council of the Law Society
during a state of crisis. The
presidencies of Martin
Mears and Robert Sayer had
provoked much controversy
and huge rifts were appearing
within the profession.
There was also a £450 million
deficit in the Solicitors
Indemnity Fund and The
Law Society was perceived
as failing to properly handle
complaints against solicitors.
In addition the Vice
President of the Law Society,
Kamlesh Bahl was
forced to resign amid allegations
that she was bullying
staff. She then took the
Law Society to an employment
tribunal claiming race
and sex discrimination. The
Law Society was in a complete
maelstrom”
In 2000 the Law Society
made the decision to create
the role of Chief Executive
and appointed Janet
Paraskeva, who had been
the Director of the National
Lottery Charities Board.
Nigel says “Some within the
Law Society and the Council
thought that Janet
Paraskeva was not the right
person perhaps because of
political bias, but I thought
that many failed to appreciate
that a the role of Chief
Executive was new and unprecedented
for the Law Society
and demanded
someone with an independent
mind. However I
think she viewed the Council
as having little relevance
and not representative of
the membership and therefore
did not seem to be anxious
to establish an effective
working relationship. Council
as a result began to lose
focus, something which has
continued and increased
ever since.”
At that time the Law Society
was both the representative
body for the legal profession
and also the regulator.
Complaints were dealt with
by the Office for the Supervision
of Solicitors based in
Leamington Spa, but as
complaints handling and
claims against solicitors spiraled.
Nigel says that much
of what subsequently occurred
may not have happened,
or would have
developed in a very different
way, had the profession
at large together with Law
Society got to grips with
complaints handling. As it
was the profession was now
very much in the radar of
government which led to
the appointment of in 2003
of Sir David Clementi to
carry out an independent
review of the regulatory
framework for legal services
in England and Wales.
The Clementi Review led to
the Legal Services Act in
2007. Many think that the
Act led to the formation of
the Solicitors Regulation
Authority but, in fact, this
had already been created
by the Law Society in 2005.
This followed much debate
in Council during which
Nigel argued for lay involvement
and independent appointment
rather than
elected body which many
advocated. It was clear that
this would not find favour
with the outside world
which demanded transparency
and independence.
Nigel says that perhaps if
anyone is to blame for the
SRA, it is him!
The Act allowed new kinds
of legal practices to be developed
in which solicitors
could join with non-lawyers
to form practices (legal disciplinary
practices, or LDPs)
and then ABSs. Nigel says “I
remember quite clearly the
debate on the Legal Services
Act and how it would
change the legal market. I
am not sure that this was
fully appreciated. There was
no discussion about what
Regulation is and what it
should look like. The Government
grudgingly, it
seemed, agreed that an independent
legal profession
should be one of the core
principles of the Act but it
did not seem to be a driving
force. Nor does it now and
this government seems to
be more intent upon denying
representation and access
to justice. Sometimes I
fear that there will not be a
legal profession in ten years
time, or will be so drastically
changed as to be ineffectual.
The profession has
changed, is going to have to
continue to change, but I
take comfort from the fact
that contrary to what many
people think solicitors are
highly adaptable and innovative.
Time and time again,
the profession has been
forced down routes we
don’t want to go, but time
and time again we have
changed and evolved and
thrived and we can- we
must- keep doing this.”
Nigel concludes “I found
that joining the committees
or boards of the Law Society
was the most interesting aspect
of the role and where I
felt I could help to achieve
tangible results. The Council
of the Law Society, in its
present form, lacks real purpose
and is not functioning
in the way that solicitors
might assume or expect if it
is the sovereign body. The
Council now needs new
blood and a new approach
and I await with interest the
outcome of the Governance
Review. I have long felt that
one of The Law Society’s
biggest failings is occasionally
promising to deliver
what it cannot. I hope that
it does not do so on this occasion.
”
Nigel says he has no plans at
the moment, other than to
run the firm, spend more
time with his family, particularly
granddaughters Serena
and Alexa, try and
reduce his golf handicap
and of course continue his
support of the cause known
as Manchester United.
It falls to me as incumbent President, with heavy heart to say a
few words about our National Law Society Member Nigel Day
who will retire from the role from July 2016. Nigel has been a
member of the national Law Society Council for 16 years and
has performed that role tirelessly. Leaving aside the debate
about the recent Governance Review, Nigel has been a long
term advocate of reform of the way in which our representative
body is structured.
It is apparent to me immediately from my time as President of
Manchester Law Society as well that Nigel is hugely and widely
respected amongst his fellow council members for his insight
into the relevant issues of the day and to cut to the chase.
Not only that, but Nigel has been, as a past president of Manchester
Law Society as well, a keen advocate of maintaining
links between local law societies such as our own and the national
council, through thick and thin, it is fair to say that that
view wasn’t always popular at Chancery Lane but I am very
pleased that now, at the end of Nigel’s time on Council, links
between local Law Societies and the national Society are closer
than they have been for many years. That is in no small part
due to Nigel’s persistence in putting forward what must, at
times, have been an unpopular view.
His regular attendance at the Manchester Law Society Council
meetings has kept us abreast of developments in Chancery
Lane and given us an opportunity to have a sounding board
and sometimes a target to take aim at; both of which roles he
has taken on manfully. He has taken the joking and sometimes
frustration at the proliferation of pink paper in the National
Law Society meeting notes which prevent him from divulging
confidential information, in good stead. I do still think though
that not being able to tell us what Council members had for
lunch at the last meeting should, for example, be in the public
domain.
I wish Nigel all the best for the future as senior partner of Hague
Lambert and having more time to spend with his family.
Michael Hardacre
President
Nigel has been associated with Manchester Law Society Council
since I started here 28 years ago and is part of the fabric of
the Society. He was President in 1998-1999 and became one of
our national Law Society Council members in 2000.
I really don’t think people understand the hard work, loyalty,
commitment and dedication (which has gone WAY above and
beyond the call of duty!) that Nigel has put into the profession.
He really cares about the profession and has given up so much
time to try and help make a difference on a local and national
level.
His wise counsel, knowledge of all things Law Society, our Manchester
United chats, stories about his grandchildren are just a
few of the things I will miss. I hope he will still say Grace at the
Past Officers Dinner – a job I always ask him to do!
I guess that using your talents and leaving a legacy is something
we all desire to do and Nigel has definitely succeeded in
doing this. And yet he has never sought recognition for his
achievements.
The legal profession is a better place to be because of Nigel’s efforts.
Let’s hope we can all say that when our time comes. Nigel
I will miss you so very much!
Fran Eccles-Bech
Chief Executive
"I've sat on the Manchester Law Society Council with Nigel for
some years and always admired his dedication to the profession,
however I never really appreciated just how hard he fights
for the interest of his peers until I joined Council. Nigel made me
feel very welcome and taught me everything I know (considerably
less than everything HE knows) about the workings of
Chancery Lane, and has mentored me (whether he realises it or
not) to my ongoing benefit. His contributions to Council will be
sorely missed, and I'll miss seeing him at meetings even more."
Steve Kuncewicz
Bermans LLP
Law Society Council Member
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16 Talking Heads
Talking Heads
As summer approaches we asked "If you were a holiday
destination, where would you be and why?"
Kimberley Kirby
Partner
Express Solicitors
I would be Hoi An in Vietnam.
A diverse cosmopolitan
melting pot, Hoi An has
successfully preserved evidence
of its own history but
also has signs of change
and development due to
sympathetic influence from
foreign elements. Hoi An is
a unique tourist destination
that opens its arms to all
from across the continents;
it is a preserved South-East
Asian trading port with a
legacy of temples and ancient
tea warehouses. It has
niches where traditional life
has changed very little. This
is juxtaposed with the more
modern influence, a mix of
Chinese, Japanese and European
styles.
This warm hearted place is
traditional at heart but not
out of touch with the outside
world, new opportunities
and happily attracts
visitors to it to share in its
experience.
Steve Kuncewicz
Head of IP and Media
Bermans LLP
Law Society Council
Member
Having just been to Florida,
I'd usually say there. It's
loud, over the top, bad for
you and free of irony. In a
perfect world, however, I'd
prefer to see myself as the
Maldives: remote, in danger
of disappearing but surrounded
by natural beauty.
Oh, and reassuringly expensive
but worth every penny.
I can only hope that my
clients won't ever read this.
Paul Jonson
Managing Partner
Pannone Corporate LLP
I would be Rome; warm, cultured,
sophisticated and not
too much of an effort.
Fran Eccles-Bech
Chief Executive
Manchester Law Society
What city in the world could
be more perfect for a holiday
than the Catalan capital
– Barcelona - home of my
gorgeous husband, Pedro
Not only do I get my very
own interpreter/translator
24/7 but with its cosmopolitan
feel, relaxed pace of life,
breath-taking architecture,
fantastic cuisine, unparalleled
art, culture, golden
beaches and unbeatable climate,
it really is the city that
has everything.
The beachside city’s
bustling art scene and bohemian
vibe make it the offbeat
counterpart to the
more classic Madrid (which
Pedro will NEVER visit anyway!)
We visit Barcelona for its
gorgeous beaches and
eclectic nightlife, plus it has
some of the best seafood in
all of Europe. The streets of
Barcelona are lined with
breath-taking works of architecture,
from Gothic
churches to Antoni Gaudí's
surreal buildings, as well as
modern sites like Maremagnum
Mall. It’s also home to
the one of the world's most
beloved soccer teams,
Barcelona FC – go Barca!
Nigel Poole QC
Kings Chambers
Venice: cultured, romantic
and slowly sinking.
Aiden Carr
Consultant
M & A Solicitors
It would have to be Hong
Kong - rugby mad - and
rugby paradise during the
HK 7s week in late March
every year. A week long
party !!
It likes to get the job done
and is frenetic in parts - Central
and Wan Chai, but able
to spectacularly relax in others
- on Lamma Island or
Deepwater Bay Beach - provided
you check that the
shark nets are still intact !,
It has a great sense of history
and tradition - the
headstones in the cemetery
in Happy Valley guard the
graves of Royal Navy personnel
who succumbed to
outbreaks of cholera and typhoid
in the nineteenth
century.
The corridors of the Hong
Kong Football Club are lined
with photographs of visiting
armed forces rugby
teams and other tourists as
far back as 1886 when the
club was formed.
Needless to say The Hong
Kong Club preserves a style
and elegance of bygone
days and serves a superb
G&T - just like me !!
Hong Kong blends East and
West and the old romantic
with the ultra modern - after
more than 100 years in service
the Star Ferry still brings
commuters to some of the
newest, tallest (and narrowest)
skyscrapers in the world
and of course Hong Kong is
one of the most important
financial and trade centres
in the world.
Like me Hong Kong loves its
food - even the occasional
dish of sweet and sour
snake served with chilled Tsingtao
beer - and does thing
with style - hence The Mandarin
Oriental and Peninsula
Hotels.
So for sport, work, history,
tradition, food and that allimportant
sense of wellbeing
the answer is
definitely Kong Kong.
Niall Innes
Partner & Head of
Manchester office
Mills & Reeve LLP
I hope that I would be
somewhere quiet and relaxing,
ideally with a fairly poor
mobile signal so that visitors
need to talk to each other
rather than to play on
phones or get troubled by
the real world. I used to
spend quite a lot of time in
an old cottage like that near
Barnard Castle in County
Durham and it was great to
have that peace. I would
therefore be that cottage
because, in my head, that is
how I am like to be around.
I fear however that if you ask
my wife and children they
would think I was some
busy coastal tourist resort
with music blaring till the
early hours because, they
would say, I take days and
days to switch off and calm
down. Even when I do relax,
like that cottage, I would
hope that the cottage is allinclusive
and with a fully
stocked bar
Michael Hardacre
Principal Lawyer
Slater & Gordon LLP
President of Manchester
Law Society
I am struggling on this one.
What I want to do is put
what would be my favourite
holiday destination but I
don’t think that’s the point
of the exercise, is it? So, in
the spirit of things, what
kind of holiday destination
am I? Somewhere chilled, I
think (you might have to ask
others about that). Warm
and sunny, like my personality.
At this time of year it
could be any number of
places. Somewhere happy
and sociable, so it has to be
a beach, fringed by palm
trees of an early evening,
looking out to sea. A warm
breeze, beer in hand, kids
splashing around in the sea.
Donkeys, eeyoreing in the
distance. Of course, it has to
be Blackpool.
Raana Afsarpour
Solicitor
JMW Solicitors LLP
I would be Ibiza (my infamous
favourite holiday destination),
because I have a
sunny disposition and a
positive and energetic per-
sonality. I also enjoy traditional
activities and relaxation
when I’m not out and
about and Ibiza surprisingly
has a lot of opportunities for
this too. People are often
sceptical until they’ve been
- a bit like the general public’s
perception of lawyers
until they need one!
Kate Oldfield
Managing Partner
David Blank Furniss
I’d probably say Vietnam as I
like to think that I’m just the
right mixture of chaos, culture
and serenity.... In my
head anyway!
Louise Straw
Partner
Burton Copeland
The question "If I was a holiday
destination where
would I be and why" gave
me food for thought. Would
I be somewhere that was
perhaps a reflection of my
character - someone in the
office on considering this
suggested Siberia ( I really
don't know why!) Would I
be somewhere with hot
sunny beaches or rocky
mountains? I think I could
fit with either of those scenarios.
It definitely would
not be anywhere which required
tents and sleeping
bags; five stars are a must. I
think I would chose to be
Thailand. The country is
beautiful, the people delightful
and the food fantastic
- what more could one
ask for!
Local News 17
Kings Chambers launches unique arbitration service
Barristers at Kings Chambers
have launched a
unique and innovative
service to make it simpler,
faster and more cost effective
for businesses to resolve
litigation disputes.
Sir Maurice Kay, His Honour
David Gilliland QC, Paul
Chaisty QC, Lesley Anderson
QC and David Casement
QC are amongst the
former Judges, silks and
barristers - all of whom are
arbitrators - who have
teamed up from Kings
Chambers to launch Kings
Arbitration Service (KAS).
KAS provides solicitors and
lay clients with an alternative
method of resolving
disputes to the traditional
courts but retains the opportunity
of having cases
tried.
Fixed fees are a key feature
of the service which includes
options of a paper,
one day or two day arbitration
starting at £3,000 for
Three recent digital headlines – and how to react
May saw several announcements
in digital
that may change the way
you operate. We've
rounded up the key
points, and what they
mean for you.
More space for tweets
What happened?
Twitter announced changes
to what counts towards its
character limit. In the coming
months, @usernames,
links, image attachments,
video and polls will no
longer count. Meanwhile
@mentions will be visible to
all followers rather than just
the recipient.
What does it mean?
You can say more in 140
characters. That's especially
important bearing in mind
tweets with media attract
far more engagement. Of
course, everyone else will
be enjoying the same freedom,
so there's more pressure
to stand out as feeds
will be looking increasingly
busy.
disputes over sums up to
£1m.
Kings Chambers says its arbitration
service will be ‘fast,
simple, private and economical’
for companies who
are increasingly shying
away from pursuing costly
litigation in the courts.
Currently arbitration is invariably
only used when a
contract carries an arbitration
clause. Arbitration,
however, can be used for
any dispute with the consent
of the parties.
Kings will host arbitrations
at its chambers in Manchester,
Leeds and Birmingham
or at a venue of the parties’
choice. Kings is ranked as
one of the leading sets in
both Chambers UK and
Legal 500 legal directories
and was founded in Manchester
in 1946.
Colin Griffin, Chief Clerk at
Kings Chambers, said: “At a
time of spiralling costs,
PPC goes mobile first
What happened?
Google announced its Ad-
Words PPC platform is being
'reimagined for a mobile
first world'. Key points include
changes to device targeting,
responsive display
ads, as well as more space
for ad copy and headlines in
search ads.
What does it mean?
Although the changes kick
in later this year, marketers
will need a plan of action for
bid changes and ad copy revision
to ensure they're
being capitalised on.
Google's tests showed increases
of up to 20% in click
through rates for ads using
the new longer copy, so this
is one to watch out for –
more space to promote
your business in search results
should never be overlooked.
...but mobile going adfree?
What happened?
Three announced they will
clients are increasingly looking
at cost effective ways to
resolve their disputes whilst
having access to the best tribunal.
From our research
with law firms across the
UK, it’s clear that the expense
of court litigation is a
barrier to clients pursuing
their action in the manner
they wish.
“With the recent further increase
in ‘issue fees’ much of
the cost is payable before
entering a court. To commence
a claim in court
which is worth £200,000 or
more will require a payment
of £10,000 with strong rumours
that this will double
again in the foreseeable future.
There are also fees to
be paid to the Court Service
each time an application is
made and again when the
case is set down for trial.
“The culture adopted by the
courts has the effect of increasing
costs at every juncture.
Requiring mediation to
be undertaken even if the
test a blanket ad block on
their network for one day in
June, claiming 'the browsing
experience is degraded'
by ads. In the same month,
PageFair reported that mobile
ad blocking rose by
90% globally in the last year
– with 1.3 million Brits now
using ad blockers.
What does it mean?
Mobile display ads face an
uncertain future; although
it's unlikely this will massively
affect a sector like law,
which probably isn't best
suited to pop-ups or interstitials.
User-friendly, nonintrusive
ads may be the
way forward; but crucially,
this means it's wise to adopt
a multi-channel approach
that doesn't leave you open
to changes in any one area.
parties consider there is little
point to avoid being penalised
in costs is a perfect
example.
“We feel we’re approaching
the process of litigation in
an entirely new way. We
want to see litigants accessing
justice in a cost-managed
and efficient way
allowing them to pursue
claims without the hindrance
of large potential
costs or lengthy compliance
procedures.
“A reduction in costs, bureaucracy
and other factors
is clearly in the interests of
both claimants and defendants.”
Colin Griffin of Kings Chambers
highlights the seven
top benefits of arbitration:
1) Cost: the cost of arbitration
is usually much less
than going to court to resolve
a dispute.
2) Speed: typically a dispute
can be resolved within
a 90-day timescale from the
date of instruction if the
parties so request.
3) Privacy: Court hearings
are open to the public and
the press which can be
damaging for the business
interests and reputations of
the parties. By contrast the
Bolton Law Society Annual Dinner
A hundred or so members
of Bolton Law Society and
their guests gathered on
the edge of the moors at
the Last Drop Hotel for the
society’s annual dinner.
arbitration process and
hearings are private and
confidential.
4) Simplicity: The lengthy
and burdensome process of
guiding a case through the
court system is eradicated
as is costs budgeting (unless
the parties agree to it)
and the frustrations of communicating
with the Court
as well as waiting for a response.
By using KAS directions
are invariably issued at
the outset shortly after the
Letter of Appointment is
signed. Most disagreements
are resolved easily with the
Arbitrator able to convene
telephone (or oral) hearings
at short notice and without
application fees.
5) Specialists: All our Arbitrators
are specialists in their
chosen field and have extensive
knowledge of both
litigation and arbitration.
Utilising Kings Arbitration
gives the parties a choice of
who will decide your case
rather than hoping that
your case will be listed before
the “right Judge”.
6) Certainty: fixed costs
and a clear timetables mean
clients will know when a decision
will be made on their
case. This has the benefit of
providing the parties with
greater certainty and reducing
the costs exposure.
Darin Millar, President of Bolton Law Society and
Vice President of the Law Society, Joe Egan
President Darin Millar of
CMA Solicitors welcomed
District Judge Shaw and the
heads of local organisations
as his guests on the top
table. During dinner presentations
were made by former
President Alan Walsh,
who sponsors the awards,
to Claire Higham of KBL Solicitors
and Thomas Egan of
Joe Egan Solicitors who
were first and second in the
Trainee of the Year Competition.
Darin presented prizes
to the top student from
each year of the law course
at Bolton University which
the Society sponsor every
year.
Following dinner another
former President, David Arkwright,
gave a potted history
of the Society in
proposing the toast to the
Society to which his former
7) Binding: An award from
KAS is enforceable by the
Courts in the same manner
as a Judgement from the
Court, with the leave of the
Court. If the losing party refuses
to comply with the arbitrator’s
award the winning
party can simply apply to
enforce the award at Court
and obtain Judgement.
partner Darin responded.
Guests were then entertained
to hilarious tales of
life at the Criminal Bar by
barrister Jaime Hamilton
from 9, St Johns St.
Many of the members and
guests stayed the night at
the hotel and it is rumoured
that discussions of serious
legal issues of the day continued
in the residents bar
until 4 in the morning.
Joe Egan
Sir Maurice Kay
Colin Griffin
18 Management Issues
Management Matters
This column is now into its eighth year and feedback is still good. We would still like to receive observations and ideas for
future issues. Please mail Bill Kirby at billkirby@professionalchoiceconsultancy.com or the publisher Julia Baskerville at
j.baskerville@jbaskerville.co.uk
Critical - Delusional
Can I suggest ever so strongly that you make reference to the
column from August 2015 where I wrote about the working
capital issues facing many firms and included a whole list of actions
that can be taken simply but could make all the difference.
(You can get the piece on the MLS website or I will happily e-
mail it to you).
Management, accountability and targets are key for fee earners
and heads of departments.
Time certainly flies but even in the last few weeks I have seen
evidence that even with the blessing of external accountants
(who should but obviously don’t always know better) some
firms are still making monthly WIP adjustments that flatter revenue
figures, enhance gross profit and consequently net profit
when there is no substance. When the foundations are built on
sand.
A real working capital error if it cannot be turned into cash.
With available technology – your PMS system or reporting tools
there is no reason why a fee earner cannot, every month, review
all matters and declare what is the recoverable WIP going to be
and very importantly when. Department heads then have a realistic
assessment of performance and the forecasted future and
the finance team are in a much better position to forecast cash
flow.
It’s not just the running out of money scenario but there is also
a major impact on discretionary spend looking forward.
I learned all of this within legal 20 years ago when I congratulated
the FD of a London firm on their achievement of £12m
turnover. Shaking his head he said it would have been so much
better if we hadn’t written off £1.5m of non recoverable WIP at
the year end. In those days the banks of course would just up
the overdraft as you were lawyers.
As I quoted then “Imagine being a firm with £2.5million of lock
up. Outstanding bills of £500k and a bank putting you under
pressure on a £200k overdraft. Crazy stuff as it can so easily be
fixed with realism.”
A Critical Measure
In passing we have spoken about what I consider to be a key
performance measure. Again within law firms I first became
aware of it when in a partners meeting one stalwart said compared
to the others his billing performance was by far and away
the best and so his opinion should count for more. It was only
later when I checked things out that I discovered that he had a
team of four working directly for him – secretary and three others
so that when we took account of his drawings and the direct
cost of the others his contribution to the practice was effectively
zero.
Gross Profit is a critical performance measure for the firm and
comparing performance by heads of department. Still unfortunately
not uniformly applied but so important. It is missing
from some PMS systems even now but it is critical that this is applied.
GP is a simple calculation that takes the billing by department
and deducts the direct costs of doing the work, partner drawings,
costs of employment of departmental staff (partners,
lawyers, para-legals, secretaries and referral fees if there are
any). There is no point in trying to allocate other overheads or
discretionary spend as that is what they are as well as being a
diversion.
There are still firms that do not take into account partners drawings
# in # # real # performance # # stats # # (again # # sometimes # # aided # # and ' abetted
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#
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firms
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# #
they
#
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#
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#
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# # #
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# # # #
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client or family team not achieving say 65 – 70% gross
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
profit. # Some # volume # # # work # may # # be as # low # as # say 50% but if systems
#
are being used correctly certainly no less
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
Just look # at # the # potential # # dynamics # # # and the benefits accrued by
focusing # on upping Gross Profit by just a little.
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
It is a key measure in the nasty commercial world too – if by
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Local News
His Final Bow
In June 2014, we reported in the Messenger that Bill Jones had stepped down as Managing Partner as JMW. In
April this year Bill retired from private practice after spending more than 40 years in the law. Bill’s retirement
prompted a multitude of good wishes. Here are just a few tributes that Bill received, confirmation that he
truly is a Manchester Legal Legend...
The last 15½ years have been an absolute pleasure and I feel
so very privileged to have worked not just for you but alongside
you and learnt so very much. You have inspired me
throughout my career and have been a phenomenal role
model. I now find myself in a great position here at the firm
surrounded by fantastic people and this is down to you and I
simply cannot thank you enough. Not only have you been
my boss but also a true great friend and together we have
shared so many laughs and happy times be it on the football
pitch, golf course, ski holiday’s and of course our obligatory
weekly pints in the Grapes. These times will be etched in my
memory forever.
People often refer to certain key figures as ‘Legends’ and most
of the time it is not used in the right context but I think it is
right for you! The true legend of JMW.
Dan Clark
I have never working with a more charming and inspirational
bloke. Good bosses lead but great boss inspire and you inspired
me. Maybe too much!
I hope we’ll catch up in the not too distant future and wish
you all the best with your new venture. As always, it sounds
very exciting.
All the very best and thanks for the memories.
Sam Hall
There is no way of saying this without sounding like a complete
suck up but having the chance to watch you work has
been genuinely special.
What Sam and I are striving to create is a firm with an atmosphere
and ethos like the one you created. You genuinely are
an inspiration for us. I know due to your modesty you may
not accept what I am writing which is why I am emailing as
opposed to saying it to you when you would cut me off.
It would be an honour if you would on occasion spare us
some time as a mentor to share your wisdom and guidance...
Thank you for the chance to work with you. I know that the
next chapter for you will be just as amazing as the last.
James Brown
Thank you so much for being so kind and welcoming in the
short time that I have known you.
You are truly an inspiration and from the bottom of my heart
I wish you all the best.
Look forward to seeing you soon.
With kind regards
Tasnim Khalid
On a personal note I would like to take this opportunity to say
many sincere thanks for what you have done for me and my
family – in particular our Ben.
All those many years ago I’ll bet you never envisaged creating
such a fantastic family business and for it to have grown so
much.
In many ways a business reflects the image and personality
of its head.
Much like a football team mirroring the manager’s image in
the way they play.
For sure Bill you created JMW in the way you are as a person.
Obviously the foundations you have put into place will mean
that JMW will remain in ‘The Champions League’ for many,
many years.
You can rest assured that we are in extremely safe hands.
All the very best for the future with your new challenge although
I don’t think you need luck – you will for sure succeed
and bring your own special brand and personality to the role.
And always remember…………..
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but
by the moments which take our breath away.”
Cheers Bill
Alan Warner
Return of a Traveller
Long-standing Manchester Law Society member Aidan Carr has returned to practice in
Manchester after spending nearly two years commuting to Dublin to develop a new
office for BLM and then taking a six month sabbatical, travelling in California.
Aidan, former Senior Partner at Rowlands moved to
BLM in March 2010 to specialise in healthcare regulatory
work, defending doctors and dentists under investigation
by the General Medical Council and
General Dental Council and providing representation
in related inquests and prosecutions.
Before the move Aidan successfully defended in many
high profile cases including the first gross negligence
manslaughter prosecution at the Old Bailey arising from
the inspection of fairground rides and secured a stay of
proceedings on the grounds of abuse of process in a prosecution
brought by the Environment Agency – Greater
Manchester`s Fridge Mountains Case. He provided representation
in The Shipman Inquiry.
Aidan commented “I enjoyed my 5 years at BLM immensely.
I had grown up professionally with many of the
partners there so it was a pleasure to work alongside
them. Initially I also undertook work for the SHE team but
then focussed on GMC and GDC Fitness to Practise Hearings
and related cases in the coronial and criminal courts”.
When BLM opened their new Dublin office in October
2012 Aidan was appointed Head of Office with responsibility
for business development. The appointment was a
success – the office grew three-fold in less than 2 years.
Aidan explained “I had kept in touch with all the contacts I
had made in Dublin during my time as business development
partner at Rowlands, when the Irish economy was
buoyant and the Irish were investing heavily in property in
the UK and so I had a flying start as Head of Office in Dublin.
It was a very busy time in my career because whilst developing
the Dublin office I also continued to undertake client
work in the UK, flying back for conferences and hearings in
Edinburgh, Manchester and London.
This did however mean that in less than two years I made
just under 300 flights between the UK and Ireland, so when
we had successfully established the Dublin office I decided
to have some down-time and went travelling in California
and Spain, before accepting a consultancy with niche practice,
Morrison and Associates – a position which has enabled
me to return to my wider scope of practice whilst continuing
to provide representation in the healthcare sector”.
Aidan can be contacted at –
Morrison and Associates Solicitors,
53 Fountain Street,
Manchester,
M2 2AN.
Email: ac@maasolicitors.co.uk
Mobile: 07736 466 078
Telephone: 0161 850 1090
Fax: 0161 247 8448
20 Charity & CSR
CILEX
LawWithoutWalls
LawWithoutWalls is about
developing a future generation
of lawyers that are
commercial, innovative,
digitally-savvy and global
thinkers.
This innovative programme
supports students in developing
the right skill set to
thrive in the new global
legal marketplace, learning
how to collaborate across
borders and time zones."
Bryan Hughes, Chief Executive
of Eversheds.
2016 marks the fourth year
of Eversheds’ involvement
with LawWithoutWalls, an
innovative legal and commercial
education project
developed by the University
of Miami School of Law with
whom Eversheds has partnered
since 2013.
The programme is part virtual,
part in-person and is
designed to engage future
leaders of the legal profession
to innovate, develop
commercial skills and improve
cross-border working
practices within the context
of real commercial projects.
LawWithoutWalls has built a
world-class reputation, taking
students from major law
and business schools
around the world and providing
them with a platform
to develop in ways which
are fully aligned to Eversheds’
brand mission of
‘thinking without boundaries’.
This year LawWithoutWalls
kicked off in Madrid in January.
50 students from across
the world including China,
Australia, South Africa, the
US, the UK, Spain and Germany
came together with
over 100 mentors from the
legal and business world.
These mentors included
university professors, general
counsels of multi-national
corporates,
entrepreneurs and practising
lawyers at international
law firms and from inhouse.
20 of these mentors
were either senior lawyers
or ‘rising stars’ from Eversheds
who were in turn
partnered with 20 client
mentors taken from a selection
of Eversheds’ largest
clients. These included
Unilever, Iron Mountain, The
Co-operative Bank, HSBC,
Volvo and many more.
Three lawyers from Eversheds’
Manchester office attended
– James Batham
(Global Head of Innovation),
Sarah Naylor (Principal Associate,
Financial Services
Dispute Resolution) and
Lizzy Tindall (Senior Associate,
Corporate).
The 2016 cohort spent a
weekend together in
Madrid where they were divided
into 10 teams consisting
of students, Eversheds’
mentors, Eversheds’ client
mentors, and other mentors
from legal practice, academia
and business. The
teams worked on teambuilding
exercises, received
personal development
training, heard the stories of
previous LawWithoutWalls’
participants and learnt how
to work effectively together.
Each team left Madrid with
a topic or problem from
legal education or practice,
with topics ranging from social
justice to systems design.
Teams were tasked
with exploring their topic,
fine-tuning their problem
for a discrete audience and,
finally, developing a solution
to the problem they
identified. The solution had
to consist of a business plan
and prototype such as an
app, a new model regulation,
a website or new software.
The next four months saw
weekly online meetings,
webinars and training sessions
delivered by worldleading
experts and
covering topics such as
project management, effective
storytelling, brand
awareness and gender
equality. In addition,
through weekly online collaboration,
the teams
worked together on business
plans and prototypes
with Eversheds and client
mentors leading the
process of guiding and supporting
their respective
teams through the research
of their topics and to the development
of an idea.
The LawWithoutWalls programme
culminated in the
‘ConPosium’ which saw the
teams gather together in
Miami in May for this interactive
event. The two day
event saw the teams showcase
their innovations to the
LawWithoutWalls cohort
and a panel of multidisciplinary
judges, including venture
capitalists, who
assessed the substance, viability,
and creativity of the
projects. After the conclusion
of the final team’s presentation,
the entire cohort
voted for their winner. The
2016 crown was won by
‘VIDE’, a mobile phone app
which aims to increase access
to justice by democratizing
the technology used
to produce social biographical
videos to humanise defendants
of non-violent
crimes in US court rooms.
Lizzy Tindall, a 2016 Eversheds’
mentor commented:
“The whole mentoring experience
was fantastic. It
was humbling to work with
so many talented young
people, together with an
impressive group of mentors.
I came away from the
LawWithoutWalls in Miami
programme with new ideas
about the way we can work
together in the global marketplace,
the way we can
present our ideas and the
way we can engage with
the leaders of tomorrow. It
has made me rethink the
role that both individual
lawyers and law firms can
take in the wider commercial
world.”
Deans Court Chambers Run the Manchester
10k for Cancer Research UK
On the 22nd May 2016, members and staff of Deans Court Chambers joined forces to
take part in the Great Manchester 10k Run.
Our ultimate goal was to raise money and awareness for an amazing charity in memory of
one of our criminal Barristers, Nicholas Courtney, who sadly passed away earlier this year.
In total we have raised £5254.85 for Cancer Research UK which is an amazing achievement,
and made the run worthwhile.
We would like to thank each and every one of you who took the time to donate to a well
worthy cause. We aren’t natural runners here at DCC so taking part in the 10k was a tough
challenge for all involved.
Some of the participants from DCC - We did not look like this once over the finish line!
Team Building in Madrid
Send your Charity and CSR events to
j.baskerville@jbaskerville.co.uk
On Sunday 22 May 2016,
various members of Irwin
Mitchell took to the
streets of Manchester
with thousands of other
runners to take part in this
year’s Great Manchester
Run.
The run is Europe’s biggest
10k running event , with
around 300,000 runners taking
to the streets. Our Manchester
team ran to raise
funds for the office charity
of the year, MedEquip4Kids
(http://www.medequip4kid
s.org.uk/).
MedEquip4Kids is a children’s
charity raising money
to provide paediatric medical
equipment and facilities
for hospitals and community
health teams. Their aim
is to help ensure babies,
children and teenagers receive
the best possible care
when sick or injured.
An amazing total of 16
members of the office ran
the race, including Medical
Law Firm tackles 35 mile run and
climb for charity
Jefferies Solicitors has
raised nearly £1,000 for
charity by running the
Manchester Marathon
and hiking up Snowdon.
The charitable team at the
Altrincham-based solicitors
firm has run and walked 35
miles altogether for their
chosen charity – The Children’s
Adventure Farm Trust.
Four keen runners took part
in the Manchester
marathon on 10th April led
by director Nina Ramsden,
and a 19-strong team took
part in the Snowdon climb
Negligence Partner, Frank
Patterson. Well done to the
team who ran: Samantha
Lewis, Graham Feeney, Mark
Goodfellow, Mealla Logue,
Frank Patterson, Alex Curran,
Amanda Goral, Emma
Bates, Hayley Crombleholme,
Alan Deveney, Paul
Kelly, Sara Wakefield, Victoria
Akroyd, Darren Hark, Ciaran
Wells, Jonathan Brett.
Some fantastic times were
achieved on the day, despite
the rain that managed
to creep in late morning.
After the race, the team
were invited to join the
charity’s after-party at Bourdon
and Black, just off Albert
Square in Manchester,
as the charity showed their
appreciation. It was a great
opportunity for our team to
meet other runners for the
charity.
Alexandra Barrie, Solicitor in
the medical negligence
team in Manchester office
and Head of the IMCF Manchester
committee, said: “It
on 23rd April.
CAFT is Jefferies Solicitors’
chosen charity and the
team has been committed
to fundraising on its behalf
for several years.
Nina Ramsden comments:
“Running and walking over
35 miles across both events
was certainly challenging
but it was a great opportunity
to raise money for a
charity that’s close to our
hearts.
“We have been involved
with CAFT for many years
Charity & CSR 21
Irwin Mitchell takes part in Manchester 10k for MedEquip4Kids
is great that so many members
of our office were able
to participate in the Great
Manchester Run. It’s a fantastic
event with a heartwarming
atmosphere as
members of the public line
the street to cheer on all the
runners. Thank you to all
those from our office who
took part – money is still
coming in from the event
and there’s still time to
sponsor the team!”
If you wish to sponsor the
team who ran please visit
the fundraising page:
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/IrwinMitchell10k
To date, the team have
raised over £500 from online
and offline donations
(including gift Aid).
and we’re proud to be helping
such an important charity
in the community.”
CAFT was established in
1985 by Founding Patron
Tim Grundy. It is based in
the grounds of a beautiful
17th Century Farmhouse in
Millington, Cheshire and offers
free adventure breaks
and activities to children
who are disadvantaged by
illness, disability and
poverty.
For more information on
CAFT, visit www.caft.co.uk
Legal eagles planning to fly high in
three peaks challenge
Members of leading Manchester law firm,
JMW Solicitors LLP and Manchester and
Leeds-based Barristers Kings Chambers,
are set to scale England, Scotland and
Wales’ highest mountains in 24 hours as
they tackle the three peaks challenge for
charity later this month.
The team, comprising 18 individuals from the
two professional services firms, will be raising
money for national charity, the Child Brain Injury
Trust. They aim to conquer the three
mountains in 24 hours, following in the footsteps
of other adrenaline junkies who have
taken on the challenge.
Setting off from Manchester city centre early
on the morning of Thursday June 23, the professionals
will reach the Glen Nevis Visitor
Centre, to commence climbing Ben Nevis,
Scotland’s highest mountain, at 5pm. They
will then travel on to Scafell Pike, England’s
highest mountain, and Wales’s highest mountain,
Snowdon. They hope to complete the
challenge by 5pm the following day, Friday 24
June.
Andrew Lilley, partner at JMW and part of the
team undertaking the three peaks challenge,
said: “We’ve had a close link with the Child
Brain Injury Trust for a number of years now,
and when the challenge was laid down to
scale the three peaks, we weren’t able to resist.
I’m really looking forward to seeing
months of training pay off and for our team to
complete the challenge in 24 hours.
“I’m also sure I speak for the rest of the team
when I say how grateful we are for the support
we’ve had from colleagues, family and
friends over the last few months. It feels like
a lot of people have really rallied round to
support our challenge attempt and we’re very
keen to do them all proud.”
The full list of individuals undertaking the
challenge are: Andrew Lilley, Charlotte King,
Andrew Lilley
Naomi O’Rourke, Heather Bennett, Charlotte
Boothroyd, Steve Brown, Liz Fletcher,
Kim Peet, Francesca Powell, Alison Chu,
Sam McElroy, Anna Ozarowska, Catherine
Anderson, Helen Mulholland, Rory Davis,
Steve Loxton, Charlotte Law and Rachel
Galloway.
You can sponsor the team by visiting their
JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/CBITthreepeaks
JMW is also the Child Brain Injury Trust’s
sole legal support services provider in the
North West, and ensures that any individual
or family who wishes to use the charity’s
services in the region, is able to access the
full suite of services offered by the firm, getting
the advice they need in the face of an
acquired brain injury.
22 News
CILEX
The Future of Conveyancing
Adam Bullion, General Manager of Marketing at InfoTrack
explores how we have embraced technology and how
technology needs to be employed to reduce the time
between instruction and completion.
Looking back, it’s probably
fair to say that the
processes associated with
conveyancing haven’t
changed dramatically,
other than the failed HIPS
scheme almost 10 years
ago. However, you’re
probably aware that the
Department for Business,
Innovation and Skills (BIS)
will soon issue its ‘Call for
Evidence’ as they look at
the future of conveyancing.
This is in response to
home buyer experiences
where there is an unknown
outlay of costs due
to delays within the
process.
Conveyancers themselves
would admit to sharing similar
frustrations with the
process. Presently, conveyancers
are visiting a
plethora of websites to
complete matters. That
means rekeying the same
information repeatedly into
unrelated systems that look
completely different. And
with each site requiring a
different log in and password,
it’s simply inefficient
when you compare it to the
aggregated technology in
our personal lives.
Consider how we manage
our day to day lives now
we’re living in a 24-hour society.
We all have a myriad
of useful ‘apps’ on our smart
phone or tablet which is
technology that we enjoy
using. It’s these experiences
that change our expectations
– to the point where
we now demand more. Having
been exposed to clever
and intuitive technology we
now have an elevated expectation
of instant results.
Unfortunately, the same
can’t be said of the conveyancing
process, a
process that some consider
as being suffocated by regulation.
Conveyancers’ frustrations
are clear – too many
steps in the process to manage
risk. Too many forms to
complete. Too much rekeying
of data. And too much
time spent managing
clients who don’t understand
the conveyancing
procedure. Taking into account
all these frustrations,
we simply need functional,
enjoyable technology that
ensures the process is made
smoother, faster and easier.
The simplest answer is to
use technology that reduces
the time between instruction
and completion,
keeping both the conveyancer
and homebuyer
happy. Companies that
offer technology for the
conveyancing industry
need to focus on incorporating
all steps of the conveyancing
process,
including AP1 Transfer, SDLT
Submissions and even the
Contract Pack, in order to
make it easier to manage;
simple steps that reduce the
stress of a transaction for
both the conveyancer and
their client.
Providing the industry with
the ability to complete all
relevant searches, transfers,
form submissions and contracts
within a single website
means that
conveyancers will start saving
time from the moment
the quote is issued, and we
all know that time is money.
Utilising a single website
where all aspects of the
process link together eliminates
any rekeying of information
and accessing of
multiple sites simplifying
the various tasks.
The future of conveyancing
is very much a change of
technology rather than the
home buying process. And
that’s why it is now important
that conveyancers
adopt technological
change. In the crowded
market of suppliers, there
are technology innovators
but it’s up to the conveyancer
to take a step back
and look objectively at technology
solutions that deliver
against their needs.
InfoTrack already has a fantastic
heritage of delivering
superior information services
in Australia and has
brought that same vision to
the UK market, with a fast
growing base of happy
clients working with a more
efficient platform. InfoTrack
are applying forward thinking
technology that truly
challenges the traditional
methods of completing a
matter, ensuring all tasks –
from instruction to postcompletion
– can be completed
within a single
system.
Manchester Free Legal Help
The Manchester Free
Legal Help (MFLH) is a
support service located at
the Manchester Civil Justice
Centre.
Its aim is to assist people
who need legal advice and
support but are unable to
afford it, or are not entitled
to Legal Aid. The impact of
legal aid cuts, on both
clients and the legal profession
is great. MFLH is committed
to ensuring that
Litigants in Person receive
access to justice and it
should not be seen as a substitute
for Legal Aid funding.
MFLH was set up in September
2014 by The University
of Manchester School of
Law and is a clinic of and
supported by LawWorks.
The service offers pro bono
legal advice and support by
coordinating appointments
(face to face or telephone)
with a volunteer
solicitor/barrister. To assist
with and increase the number
of available appointments
MFLH uniquely
brings together a number
of volunteers with wide
ranging skills from law firms,
chambers and three academic
institutions (The
School of Law at The University
Of Manchester, The University
of Law and BPP).
Students are supervised by
solicitors and barristers, giving
them the opportunity to
connect with the local legal
profession, as well as gain
valuable skills by actively
engaging with clients who
are often well in to the litigation
process.
The Centre needs volunteer
solicitors and barristers to
assist in providing free legal
advice in different areas of
law such as civil litigation,
consumer rights, wills and
probate, immigration, family,
welfare and more. With
the help of volunteers the
Centre can assist some of
the most vulnerable members
of the community to
access much needed legal
advice and support, in the
fewest steps necessary, thus
saving resources and time.
For firms, involvement with
the Centre is a fantastic addition
to their corporate social
responsibility agenda,
which in turn bolsters its
reputation amongst potential
new clients and employees.
For trainees and junior
lawyers, the service offers a
unique opportunity to access
hands on experience
interacting with clients in
wide ranging areas of law.
The Centre offers volunteers
the ability to do pro bono
work, help Litigants in Person
and support the local
community. The Project Coordinator
will assess the
client needs, take a full referral
with all relevant information
of their case and link
them with the most appropriate
pro bono advisor or
support service thus making
it easier and less time
consuming for the volunteers.
For more information and
to get involved please call
0161 240 5034 or email
freelegalhelp@manchester.ac.uk
MFLH is a sister project of
The University of Manchester
School of Law Legal Advice
Centre (LAC) that has
been running for over 17
years. What started as an
opportunity for law students
to gain clinical education
and experience of ‘real
life’ clients has grown into a
vital community service, advising
the Manchester
conurbation on a variety of
legal issues, including family,
employment, housing,
and dementia law.
Due to the increase in the
number of mental health requests
the LAC worked hard
to create a sustainable advice
and support network
for these clients. The Dementia
Law Clinic, which
has been created in partnership
with the charity Making
Space, offers free legal
assistance for sufferers of
dementia and their families.
This Clinic has been hugely
successful, and the LAC was
recently awarded ‘Best New
Student Pro Bono Activity’
at the LawWorks & Attorney-General
Awards in London
in recognition of the
positive impact the work in
the Dementia Law arena
has had on the local community.
In addition, the
work done by the LAC was
recently awarded Highly
Commended in the ‘Inspiring
Communities’ category
at the University of Manchester
Social Responsibility
Awards.
The University of Manchester
is dedicated to alleviating
the detrimental effects
of the cuts to legal aid, and
through the LAC and MFLH
is working to increase access
to justice and support
the local community
through innovative but sustainable
free advice services.
MFLH contact details
Email: freelegalhelp@manchester.ac.uk
Tel: 0161 240 5034
Website: manchesterfreelegalhelp.org.uk
Twitter: @mancfreelegal
LAC contact details
Email: free.legal@manchester.ac.uk
Tel: 0161 275 7976
CILEX News
The Greater Manchester CILEx branch would like to
thank Christopher Boxall and Phillipa Hildyard of Park
Square Barristers
(http://www.parksquarebarristers.co.uk/) for providing
May’s training. Christopher and Philippa provided on
training on instructions to Counsel and what information
Counsel would require. The Training was extremely popular
and helpful for all who attended.
The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx)
scooped the award for 'Best Social mobility initiative by
a professional body' in the 2016 MemCom Membership
Awards held at the Royal College of Obstetricians and
Gynaecologists, London on 19 May.
The MemCom Awards recognise excellence in membership
organisation communications. The social mobility
initiative category was introduced this year to recognise
the changing work of professional bodies. The award
was judged by Nicholas Miller, Director, The Bridge
Group (an independent, not for profit, policy association
promoting social mobility) and Suzanne Maskrey,
Deputy Chief Executive, Brightside (a charity that helps
young people access the education and career pathways
they might not have believed were available to them).
The judging panel in its citation for the award said “CILEx
is the only route into the legal profession which is truly
open to all whatever their background. Going further in
this area, their new CILEx Tech Level 3 Diploma in Law
and Legal Skills launching this year is designed specifically
for 16–18 year olds, it will enable young people to
choose to study practical legal skills and knowledge and
gain valuable work experience that will allow them to
embark on a fulfilling career in law. The judges were impressed
with CILEx’s work in this area including publishing
member stats on background and diversity.”
On winning the award Mandie Lavin, CILEx chief executive
officer, said “It was a huge honour to be nominated
for this award and we are delighted to have won, particularly
given the strong competition. In accepting this
award, CILEx remains committed to actively promoting
social mobility and diversity within the law.” The
award was received by Martin Callan, CILEx vice-president
and Vicki Hurdley, CILEx director of sales and development.
If you are interested in joining the Manchester branch,
please email manchestercilex@outlook.com. The
branch regularly holds both CPD events and Social
events.
We are always looking for new ideas and events, if you
would like to get involved with the committee, please
get in touch.
The next CPD events will take place on 30 June 2016.
Please contact the branch for further information.
The branch will be holding its annual BBQ on 28 July
2016. Please contact the branch for further information.
Rachel Stevens
Chair
conveyancing
n
ci
ng
is moving on
Times
change – so why do systems and processes s seem to stay the same? You know there must be ways of saving yourself
hassle and making your work easier, it’s just that someone needs to make those things real. That’s where we come in.
InfoTrack is a service e provider that’s challenging the norm so that conveyancing can evolve. With us, you can carry out all
your key tasks – including Searches, SDLT
Submissions and AP1 Transfers – within a single website.
Times change –
and we’re driving those changes, for you.
Land Registry
Searches e
SDLT AP1
To move on with InfoTrack, visit infotrack.co.uk/movingon
or call 020
7922
5777
MLS ADVANTAGE
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Telecoms : Connectivity : Mobiles
Document Direct
Contact
Martyn Best: 0151 227 9150 or martyn.best@documentdirect.co.uk
Docutech Office Solutions
Contact
Jason Dixon: 0844 8932919 or jasondixon@docutechsolutions.co.uk
Contact
Aaron Naisbitt: 0845 872 4400 or aaron.naisbitt@convergets.co.uk
Managed IT Services
Compli by Weightmans
Contact
Michelle Garlick: 0161 233 7330 or michelle.garlick@weightmans.com
Viewpoint
Contact
Quentin Birchall: 0844 811 7660 or quentin.birchall@viewpoint-av.com
Contact
Joanna Swash: 0333 202 1005 or joanna.swash@moneypenny.co.uk
Switchboard Support
Contact
Sarah Green: 0800 856 7792 or sarah.green@xyonecybersecurity.co.uk
Xyone Cyber Security
AML Training
Contact
Bill Jones or Sarah Scott: 0161 828 1937 or bill.jones@elplearning.co.uk
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333 202 1005
: 0 w
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or j
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wash@moneypenny.
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Jason Dixon: 0
Managed IT
: 0844 8932919 or jasondixo
T Services
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01524 220001
vid Opie:
David Opie: 01524 220001
David Opie:
b
C
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01524 220001 vidopie@etsos.co
or da
or davidopie@etsos.co
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vidopie@etsos.co.uk
Contact
Xyone Cybe
Security
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Telecoms :
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Aaron Naisbi
Mobiles
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tt: 0845 872 4400 or aaron
n.naisbitt@convergets.co.uk
k
Contact
een:
Sarah Green:
0800 856 7792 or sarah.green@xy
onecybersecurity.co.uk
een@xyonecybersecurity.co
Contact
Ste Pritchard
.uk
: 08000 740 247 or ste@ma
.com
atrix247.
Compli by Weightmans
Compli provides regulatory and compliance advice and assistance to law firms
and others in the legal sector. Whether you are a partnership, limited company,
ABS or sole practitioner, our flexible, tailor-made service is designed to support
you in meeting the evolving regulatory, compliance and risk challenges you face.
This is underpinned by incisive commercial advice on business management and
structure, all delivered by specialist teams with outstanding experience in their
disciplines. Confidentiality, legal professional privilege and peace of mind is
assured.
Contact
Michelle Garlick: 0161 233 7330 or michelle.garlick@weightmans.com
weightmans.com
Document Direct
Our flexible, 24-hour, 365 day service allows you to outsource as much or as
little of your typing and document production as you wish. We are 100% UK
based with an extensive team of experienced legal secretaries. We are
ISO27001 accredited and the exclusive endorsed transcription partner of the
Law Society of England and Wales.The outcome in using us will be an
improvement in your turnaround times, consistent document quality and a
significant reduction in your typing overheads. Our aim is to help you become a
more efficient and profitable law firm.
Contact
Julie Williams: 0844 225 1447 or julie.williams@documentdirect.co.uk
www.documentdirect.co.uk
Moneypenny
Moneypenny provides firms with a fully-outsourced switchboard facility, support
for an in-house team or business continuity on an ad-hoc basis. Hundreds of
firms already rely on Moneypenny’s professional, 24-hour service that’s endorsed
by the Law Society and is dedicated to taking care of calls for the legal sector.
Fully briefed by you, your own Moneypenny Receptionist and small team will
look after calls just as if based in your office, knowing you, your key clients and
how you like to work.
Contact
Joanna Swash: 0333 202 1005 or joanna.swash@moneypenny.co.uk
moneypenny.co.uk/legal
Search Aggregator
ETSOS is about helping law firms to grow their conveyancing volumes, improve
their customer delivery, save time and money and ultimately build stronger,
more profitable businesses for the long-term. ETSOS provides a free-to-use
online portal, incorporating our ‘search supermarket’ ordering platform, delivers
the widest possible selection of searches and reportsto review, compare and
select – all the brands and multiple product lines together in one place, backed
up by value pricing, easy checkout and dedicated assistance.
Contact
David Opie: 01524 220001 or davidopie@etsos.co.uk
etsos.co.uk
Xyone Cyber Security
Xyone provide top level cyber security consultancy to law firms. Our services
are designed to identify and mitigate risk from both an internal and an external
perspective. Our penetration testing services ensure that your infrastructure is
protected from vulnerabilities that could be exploited during a real hack, and
our staff training and policy enforcement process ensures protection against
human risk.We are a certification body for the Government’s Cyber Essentials
scheme and we have highly qualified information security consultants and
Certified Ethical Hackers to deliver information security compliance required by
Lexcel v6 and ISO 27001.
Contact
Sarah Green: 0800 856 7792 or sarah.green@xyonecybersecurity.co.uk
xyonecybersecurity.co.uk
Viewpoint
Modern law firms are embracing technology - recognising the value that it can
deliver to the client experience, business processes and operational efficiency
too. At Viewpoint we provide a wide range of technology solutions for legal
environments where presentation, collaboration, training, learning and
communication take place. From sophisticated meeting room and presentation
technology to video-conferencing and digital signage systems, our specialist
knowledge allows us to integrate the very best audio-visual, multi-media and
collaboration solutions into legal working environments with ease. It’s because
we understand the relationship between people, space and technology that we
can deliver specialist design, installation and management services.
Contact
Quentin Birchall: 0844 811 7660 or quentin.birchall@viewpoint-av.com
viewpoint-av.com
Riliance Training provides comprehensive interactive and cost-effective e-learning
training for businesses working in regulated sectors. All of our courses are
brought to life using topical case scenarios, interactive video, images and text.
The unique training and management platform helps manage and organise all of
your training needs from one user friendly training platform including logged
CPD hours. Our on-line anti-money laundering training service has proved so
popular that additional compliance courses covering topics such as bribery, data
protection, equality and diversity are now available.
Contact:
Suzanne Allwright on 07483 177663 or suzanne.allwright@riliance.co.uk
Riliance
riliancetraining.com
Docutech Office Solutions
Docutech Office Solutions focus on providing the service and products that you
need at great prices. We specialise in document technology, cost and emissions
reduction, improving your efficiency with a service second to none. At
Docutech Office Solutions we make it our business to know your business
before we can offer the right combination of hardware, software and technical
services to suit your company’s specific needs. We provide full office solutions
including printers, consumables and service callouts - whatever your
requirement give us a call.
Contact
Jason Dixon: 0844 893291
MLS ADVANTAGE
MORE ADDED VALUE FOR
MEMBERS OF THE MANCHESTER LAW SOCIETY
and regularity. Compliance has a high priority along with low ongoing operating costs. Our portfolio
encompasses telephone systems, low-cost landline calls, mobile packages and implementing networks for
Contact
Ste Pritchard: 08000 740 247 or ste@matrix247.com
matrix247.com/law
Telecoms : Connectivity : Mobiles
basis.
ad-hoc
an
on
continuity
business
team or
in-house
an
for
upport
s
service that’s endorsed by the Law Society and dedicated to taking care
of calls for the legal sector. Fully briefed by you, your own Moneypenny
Receptionist and small team will look after calls just as if based in your
Contact
Joanna Swash: 08000 199 944 or joanna.swash@moneypenny.co.uk
Switchboard Support moneypenny.co.uk/legal
ADVANTAGE
Established in 2006, Converge Technology Specialists provide Hosted
3,000 staff relying on our services every day. Our services include
hosted desktop, co-location, hosted applications, managed IT support
and disaster recovery/business continuity from two UK datacentres.
We are familiar with many of the legal sector software vendors with
whom our team work on a daily basis for both our on-premise and
datacentre based clients. We are a Microsoft Gold Partner, Citrix Gold
Partner, IBM Business Partner and VMware Enterprise Solution Provider.
Managed IT Services
convergets.co.uk
Contact
Aaron Naisbitt: 0845 872 4400 or aaron.naisbitt@convergets.co.uk
improve their customer delivery, save time and money and ultimately
ETSOS provides a free-to-use online portal, incorporating our
‘search supermarket’ ordering platform, delivers the widest possible
selection of searches and reports to review, compare and select
– all the brands and multiple product lines together in one place,
backed up by value pricing, easy checkout and dedicated assistance.
Search Aggregator
etsos.co.uk
Contact
David Opie: 01524 220001 or davidopie@etsos.co.uk
AML Training
ML Solutions provides cost effective anti-money laundering training
organise and manage their compulsory AML training obligations. All
CPD hours.
mlsolutions4u.co.uk
Contact
Bill Jones or Sarah Scott: 0161 828 1937 or info@mlsolutions.co.uk
weightmans.com
Compl-i by Weightmans
Compl-i provides regulatory and compliance advice and assistance to
is designed to support you in meeting the evolving regulatory, compliance
and risk challenges you face. This is underpinned by incisive commercial
advice on business management and structure, all delivered by specialist
legal professional privilege and peace of mind is assured.
Contact
Michelle Garlick: 0161 233 7330 or michelle.garlick@weightmans.com
docutechsolutions.co.uk
Docutech Office Solutions
that you need at great prices. We specialise in document technology, cost
your business before we can offer the right combination of hardware,
callouts - whatever your requirement give us a call.
Contact
Jason Dixon: 0844 8932919 or jasondixon@docutechsolutions.co.uk
documentdirect.co.uk
Document Direct
an outsourced typing and transcription service to your fee earners we
help improve the turnaround of your documents enabling you to react
more effectively to your clients. We are 100% UK based and offer a
supported by ISO27001 the Information Security Management system.
You will be impressed by how we can help you, so please call us for your
free trial.
Contact
Martyn Best: 0151 227 9150 or martyn.best@documentdirect.co.uk
viewpoint-av.com
Viewpoint
it can deliver to the client experience, business processes and operational
solutions for legal environments where presentation, collaboration,
training, learning and communication take place. From sophisticated
meeting room and presentation technology to video-conferencing and
digital signage systems, our specialist knowledge allows us to integrate
the very best audio-visual, multi-media and collaboration solutions into
legal working environments with ease. It’s because we understand the
relationship between people, space and technology that we can deliver
specialist design, installation and management services.
Contact
Quentin Birchall: 0844 811 7660 or quentin.birchall@viewpoint-av.com
and regularity. Compliance has a high priority along with low ongoing operating costs. Our portfolio
encompasses telephone systems, low-cost landline calls, mobile packages and implementing networks for
Contact
Ste Pritchard: 08000 740 247 or ste@matrix247.com
matrix247.com/law
Telecoms : Connectivity : Mobiles
basis.
ad-hoc
an
on
continuity
business
team or
in-house
an
for
upport
s
service that’s endorsed by the Law Society and dedicated to taking care
of calls for the legal sector. Fully briefed by you, your own Moneypenny
Receptionist and small team will look after calls just as if based in your
Contact
Joanna Swash: 08000 199 944 or joanna.swash@moneypenny.co.uk
Switchboard Support moneypenny.co.uk/legal
MLS
ADVANTAGE
Established in 2006, Converge Technology Specialists provide Hosted
3,000 staff relying on our services every day. Our services include
hosted desktop, co-location, hosted applications, managed IT support
and disaster recovery/business continuity from two UK datacentres.
We are familiar with many of the legal sector software vendors with
whom our team work on a daily basis for both our on-premise and
datacentre based clients. We are a Microsoft Gold Partner, Citrix Gold
Partner, IBM Business Partner and VMware Enterprise Solution Provider.
Managed IT Services
convergets.co.uk
Contact
Aaron Naisbitt: 0845 872 4400 or aaron.naisbitt@convergets.co.uk
improve their customer delivery, save time and money and ultimately
ETSOS provides a free-to-use online portal, incorporating our
‘search supermarket’ ordering platform, delivers the widest possible
selection of searches and reports to review, compare and select
– all the brands and multiple product lines together in one place,
backed up by value pricing, easy checkout and dedicated assistance.
Search Aggregator
etsos.co.uk
Contact
David Opie: 01524 220001 or davidopie@etsos.co.uk
AML Training
ML Solutions provides cost effective anti-money laundering training
organise and manage their compulsory AML training obligations. All
CPD hours.
mlsolutions4u.co.uk
Contact
Bill Jones or Sarah Scott: 0161 828 1937 or info@mlsolutions.co.uk
Michelle Garlick: 0161 233 7330 or michelle.garlick@weightmans.com
callouts - whatever your requirement give us a call.
Contact
Jason Dixon: 0844 8932919 or jasondixon@docutechsolutions.co.uk
A group of carefully selected partners who have had due diligence
undertaken to ensure we are only working with the most
professional, innovative and knowledgeable of companies.
Working with our partners will ensure that our members have improved
efficiency and value, and most importantly, reduced cost
helping your practice to develop and succeed.
Key services that our preferred partners expertise lies in are:
Regulatory and compliance advice and assistance to law firms and
others in the legal sector, whatever your structure. A flexibly, tailor
made service designed to support you in meeting the evolving regulatory,
compliance and risk challenges you face.
Outsourced typing and transcription, flexible, 24 hour, 365 day service
so as much or as little of your typing and document production
can be catered for
Fully outsourced switchboard facility, support for an in-house team
and business continuity on an ad-hoc basis.
Top level cyber security consultancy for law firms designed to identify
and mitigate risk from an internal and external perspective
On-line anti money laundering, bribery, data protection and equality
and diversity training
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PII & CYBER - What Might We Expect This
Renewal Season?
SRA Activity - all practices will be aware of the
impending reduction in the Code of Conduct to
10 pages and the intended shrinking of the SRA
Handbook to approximately 50 pages from the 600 or
more currently seen.
Insurers are awaiting sight of this before making any
formal comment but we are aware at this stage that
a close eye is being kept on the issue of third party
managed accounts in particular.
Obviously there is some hope that this will seek to
address much of the risk that currently goes with
holding and handling client money, especially so
given the SRA announcement of over £50m having
been stolen from solicitors’ practices over the last 18
months or so, though it is of course acknowledged
that there are potential downsides to yourselves as a
profession in terms of additional cost, loss of interest
and possible delays e.g. to conveyancing transactions.
In addition to the above, we have ongoing SRA
Consultations - one running until 14th of July,
proposing a change to Participating Insurers’
regulator and improve competition in the market
following an approach by The Society for Licensed
regulator, i.e. not ceasing practice entirely.
This consultation is not tied in with the more
substantive consultation on changes to the Minimum
Terms and Conditions (MTC) for PII in line with the
Insurance Act 2015.
So, turning now to The Insurance Act, due to come into
force from 12th August this year.
Many Insurers (with some exceptions) have not yet
fully set out their approach to this vis a vis what they
policy will respond.
Perhaps not as much of an issue for your own
profession as it will be for others in view of the extent
do have concerns about this.
We are ourselves in the process of writing to our
own clients setting out the impact of the Act as we
see it might have upon them, but for the purpose of
this article we set out below a few highlights for your
attention, starting with the positives:
• The Act adjusts the contract risk presently
between them and yourselves as Insureds
• Some mitigation of contractual terms favourable
to Insurers, such as terms that limit their liability
cannot now be relied upon if they are irrelevant to
the breach that caused the loss
• Greater contract certainty
BUT, you should also bear in mind:
• Directors, partners, senior managers etc. must
adjust to the legislation.
• You have a new duty to provide a fair presentation
Partners, senior managers etc.
• You have an obligation to undertake a reasonable
search for material information to disclose to
insurers.
• Proportionate remedies are available so where you
are in breach of the duty of fair presentation
(though Insurers retain the right in some cases to
avoid the policy and make no payment).
• Parties can ‘contract out’ from certain aspects of
the Act. It seems some Insurers will do so for larger
We at MFL are already a little concerned with what we
simply asking for information as limited as fee income
and fee split, before asking you to declare ‘any other
material facts’.
What will happen in these scenarios in the event of a
failure to declare something? Only time will tell.
In Summary – it is felt that the SRA Consultations will
not impact on PII until 2017. The Insurance Act will
we feel have limited impact in October but a much
greater change could be expected next year, in terms
of underwriting information.
It is fair to say we have a mixed bag just now. For
seen a continued softening of the market, with some
As ever, the possibility of more new entrants is there
once again though nothing concrete to report just
yet, whilst we see some of the established markets
re-trenching somewhat with mixed outcomes to date,
some tightening up, others looking to grow.
the Excess Layer markets, where we are aware of
some hardening, e.g. certain Insurers changing
increases or pulling out altogether.
Here at MFL it is fair to say the market is a little split
in terms of the make-up of a practice. For example,
Insurers in genuine specialist, niche, practices such
as Gaming, Sports Law, FI, Procurement, Transport,
Clinical Negligence, Employment, IP to name a few
examples.
Whilst not every Insurers’ cup of tea, those less keen
on such specialists still seem to favour the traditional,
there appears to be an improving picture; so for
example there are Insurers looking a little more kindly
on Conveyancing
and better client relationships.
with a focus on the lowest price are often the most
Ombudsman’s caseload being complaints about fee
level.
Turning now to Cyber Insurance. You will have seen
our own bulletins highlighting the need for this. With
many Third Party fund losses caused by cyber fraud
being picked up by the PI policy.
For instance, you may be interested to know of approx.
100 cyber fraud attacks dealt with by one Insurer alone
over the last year where the average costs for forensic
to dovetail properly with the PII.
In summary, MFL have new facilities for MLS members
to address both PII and Cyber Insurers. We’ll be
writing to members individually but in the meantime,
not hesitate to get in touch with us as below.
Risk Update
Welcome to the July edition of Risk Update.
This article does not present a complete or comprehensive statement
of the law, nor does it constitute legal advice. It is intended only to
highlight issues that may be of interest to MLS members and solicitors.
Specialist advice should always be sought in any particular case.
© MFL Professional 2016
MFL Professional is a division of McParland Finn Ltd. McParland Finn Ltd is
authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Richard Gledhill,
Director
E: richardg@m-f-l.co.uk
T: 0161 237 7725
M: 07984 879124
John Jones,
Development Executive
E: johnj@m-f-l.co.uk
T: 0161 237 7739
M: 07872 501955
Risk Update
Risk Update
Risk Update
Risk Update
PII & CYBER - What Might We Expect This
Renewal Season?
their PI insurance (PII) on or around 1st
PII & CYBER - What Might We Expect This
their PI insurance (PII) on or around 1st
do have concerns about this.
We are ourselves in the process of writing to our
own clients setting out the impact of the Act as we
see it might have upon them, but for the purpose of
do have concerns about this.
We are ourselves in the process of writing to our
own clients setting out the impact of the Act as we
see it might have upon them, but for the purpose of
We are ourselves in the process of writing to our
own clients setting out the impact of the Act as we
see it might have upon them, but for the purpose of
As ever, the possibility of more new entrants is there
once again though nothing concrete to report just
yet, whilst we see some of the established markets
re-trenching somewhat with mixed outcomes to date,
some tightening up, others looking to grow.
As ever, the possibility of more new entrants is there
once again though nothing concrete to report just
yet, whilst we see some of the established markets
re-trenching somewhat with mixed outcomes to date,
some tightening up, others looking to grow.
As ever, the possibility of more new entrants is there
once again though nothing concrete to report just
yet, whilst we see some of the established markets
re-trenching somewhat with mixed outcomes to date,
some tightening up, others looking to grow.
October, we take an early look at those
Manchester Law Society Regulatory
Conference.
SRA Activity - all practices will be aware of the
impending reduction in the Code of Conduct
10 pages and the intended shrinking of the SRA
October, we take an early look at those
Manchester Law Society Regulatory
all practices will be aware of the
Code of Conduct to
10 pages and the intended shrinking of the SRA
this article we set out below a few highlights for your
attention, starting with the positives:
•
•
this article we set out below a few highlights for your
attention, starting with the positives:
The Act adjusts the contract risk presently
between them and yourselves as Insureds
Some mitigation of contractual terms favourable
to Insurers, such as terms that limit their liability
cannot now be relied upon if they are irrelevant to
the breach that caused the loss
this article we set out below a few highlights for your
attention, starting with the positives:
The Act adjusts the contract risk presently
between them and yourselves as Insureds
Some mitigation of contractual terms favourable
to Insurers, such as terms that limit their liability
cannot now be relied upon if they are irrelevant to
the breach that caused the loss
the Excess Layer markets, where we are aware of
some hardening, e.g. certain Insurers changing
increases or pulling out altogether.
Here at MFL it is fair to say the market is a little split
in terms of the make-up of a practice. For example,
Insurers in genuine specialist, niche, practices such
as Gaming, Sports Law, FI, Procurement, Transport,
Clinical Negligence, Employment, IP to name a few
the Excess Layer markets, where we are aware of
some hardening, e.g. certain Insurers changing
increases or pulling out altogether.
Here at MFL it is fair to say the market is a little split
in terms of the make-up of a practice. For example,
Insurers in genuine specialist, niche, practices such
as Gaming, Sports Law, FI, Procurement, Transport,
Clinical Negligence, Employment, IP to name a few
examples.
the Excess Layer markets, where we are aware of
some hardening, e.g. certain Insurers changing
Here at MFL it is fair to say the market is a little split
in terms of the make-up of a practice. For example,
Insurers in genuine specialist, niche, practices such
as Gaming, Sports Law, FI, Procurement, Transport,
Clinical Negligence, Employment, IP to name a few
10 pages and the intended shrinking of the SRA
Handbook to approximately 50 pages from the 600 or
more currently seen.
Insurers are awaiting sight of this before making any
formal comment but we are aware at this stage that
a close eye is being kept on the issue of third party
managed accounts in particular.
Obviously there is some hope that this will seek to
address much of the risk that currently goes with
holding and handling client money, especially so
given the SRA announcement of over £50m having
10 pages and the intended shrinking of the SRA
Handbook to approximately 50 pages from the 600 or
Insurers are awaiting sight of this before making any
formal comment but we are aware at this stage that
a close eye is being kept on the issue of third party
managed accounts in particular.
Obviously there is some hope that this will seek to
address much of the risk that currently goes with
holding and handling client money, especially so
given the SRA announcement of over £50m having
•
BUT,
•
•
•
Greater contract certainty
BUT, you should also bear in mind:
Directors, partners, senior managers etc. must
adjust to the legislation.
You have a new duty to provide a fair presentation
Partners, senior managers etc.
You have an obligation to undertake a reasonable
search for material information to disclose to
you should also bear in mind:
Directors, partners, senior managers etc. must
You have a new duty to provide a fair presentation
Partners, senior managers etc.
You have an obligation to undertake a reasonable
search for material information to disclose to
examples.
Whilst not every Insurers’ cup of tea, those less keen
on such specialists still seem to favour the traditional,
there appears to be an improving picture; so for
example there are Insurers looking a little more kindly
on Conveyancing
and better client relationships.
examples.
Whilst not every Insurers’ cup of tea, those less keen
on such specialists still seem to favour the traditional,
there appears to be an improving picture; so for
example there are Insurers looking a little more kindly
Conveyancing
and better client relationships.
Whilst not every Insurers’ cup of tea, those less keen
on such specialists still seem to favour the traditional,
there appears to be an improving picture; so for
example there are Insurers looking a little more kindly
given the SRA announcement of over £50m having
been stolen from solicitors’ practices over the last 18
months or so, though it is of course acknowledged
that there are potential downsides to yourselves as a
profession in terms of additional cost, loss of interest
and possible delays e.g. to conveyancing transactions.
In addition to the above, we have ongoing
Consultations - one running until 14th of July,
proposing a change to Participating Insurers’
regulator and improve competition in the market
following an approach by The Society for Licensed
given the SRA announcement of over £50m having
been stolen from solicitors’ practices over the last 18
months or so, though it is of course acknowledged
that there are potential downsides to yourselves as a
profession in terms of additional cost, loss of interest
and possible delays e.g. to conveyancing transactions.
In addition to the above, we have ongoing SRA
- one running until 14th of July,
proposing a change to Participating Insurers’
regulator and improve competition in the market
following an approach by The Society for Licensed
•
•
We at MFL are already a little concerned with what we
