MM September 2016

September 2016
October 09
1
North West Law
Proposal for “Ebay’ style court
This months ‘Talking
Heads’ focuses on the
issue of the introduction
of the Online Court. At the
end of July Lord Justice
Briggs published his final
report into the structure
of the civil courts: The Civil
Courts Structure Review.
The reviews was commissioned
by the Lord Chief
Justice and the Master of
the Rolls in July 2015 to coincide
with a programme
for reforming courts and
looking at civil court structures
and judicial processes.
The review makes a number
of recommendations on different
aspects of the civil
justice system, such as enforcement
of court rulings,
the structure of the courts
and deployment of judges.
The Manchester Law Society
Employment Law
Committee responded to
the government’s recent
call for evidence on the
use of non-compete
clauses, following a discussion
about the implications
of the proposals.
In the call for evidence, the
government have raised the
possibility of making noncompete
clauses in employment
contracts
unenforceable. However
the call made clear that the
government did not have
much evidence about how
such clauses were used in
practice, which is one reason
why the Employment
Law Committee felt it appropriate
and important to
respond.
The Online Court is designed
to be used by people
with minimum assistance
from lawyers, with its own
set of user-friendly rules. It is
anticipated that it will eventually
become the compulsory
forum for resolving
cases within its jurisdiction,
and on inception should be
dealing with straightforward
money claims valued
at up to £25,000. Recommendations
are made on
helping people who need
assistance with online systems.
Complex and important
cases to be transferred
upwards to higher courts.
Open justice and transparency
issues to be addressed.
Law Society President
Jonathan Smithers commented:
‘As we said in our
response to the first stage of
the review, making changes
to one part of the justice
In responding, the committee
were able to feedback
on the use of such provisions
in the experience of
the members. In referring to
non-compete clauses, the
government in fact were
talking about all types of
employee restrictive
covenants, not just traditional
non-compete clauses.
The committee felt that
some broader guidance
being made available was
something which could be
helpful for businesses and
individuals, albeit the complexity
of such provisions
and the unique nature of
each set of circumstances
where they may apply or be
enforced, meant that professional
advice was often
required.
system may have unintended
consequences for
another part and for the
people who rely on it. In
particular, we have grave
concerns that the proposed
online court may exclude
people's ability to access
legal advice for cases up to
£25,000 in value.
‘This is a very large sum of
money. People seeking to
recover monies due and
owing to them will still need
legal advice on their claim
as well as, in many cases, assistance
with navigating
through the process,
whether online or otherwise.
‘While the online court may
not require advocacy, there
will still be a need for legal
advice to ensure that everyone,
including the vulnerable,
can access justice. We
The general view of the
committee was that the current
common law balance
around the use and enforceability
of such restrictions
was relatively successful.
The fact that, as a group, we
had extensive experience of
writing letters and corresponding
about the issues
when disputes arose, but
were aware that this only
rarely resulted in actual litigation,
was felt to illustrate
that this area of the law was
working effectively.
The committee believe that
the current flexibility of the
law appeared to be at the
right level.
will strongly oppose any approach
that reduces access
to justice and results in justice
in England and Wales
only being available to
those who can afford it.’
One of the principal author’s
of the report was Professor
Richard Susskind,
who is the President of the
Society for Computers and
Law. He said that the UK was
falling behind other countries
that have begun to incorporate
online elements
into their judicial systems.
His recommendations include
“automated negotiation”
where differences may
be resolved “without the intervention
of human experts”
by relying on blind
bidding processes.
He said “ODR is not science
fiction,” it states. “Each year
on eBay around 60 million
It was felt useful and appropriate
to respond to the
consultation, not least to
avoid the government receiving
only the views of focused
interest-groups
rather than an overview of
the application of the law as
a whole.
The committee also highlighted
the fact that such restrictions
are often used in
the context of corporate
transactions and in documentation
which goes well
beyond the employment relationship.
It was not immediately
obvious from the
government’s paper that
the broader use of such restrictions
had been taken
disagreements amongst traders are resolved through ODR.
This is a well established way of resolving disputes, appropriate
for the internet age.”
See our Online Court “Talking
Heads” on page 15
Employment law committee responds to call for evidence
into account. Problems
were identified with both
the wholescale abolition of
post-employment restrictions
from all contracts, and
an approach restricted to
just employment contracts.
The response provided resulted
from an interesting
debate within the committee,
and demonstrates the
importance of MLS having a
group with an employment
law focus. If anyone does
wish to be a part of the employment
law committee
please do contact MLS. The
next date in the diary is on
26 September when there
will be an update on immigration
issues for employment
lawyers to be hosted
at Weightmans LLP
Phil Allen
Partner Weightmans LLP
and member of
MLS Employment Law
Committee
Phil Allen
The Monthly Publication of the Manchester Law Society
In association with
Manchester Legal Awards 2016 principal sponsors

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Contents 3
North West Law September 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
Calling all NQ’S
DON’T MISS OUT ON OUR NEWLY QUALIFIED
SOLICITOR CIVIC CEREMONY
North West Law Firm expands with opening
Of Preston office
Legal quartet take law firm forward
4
6
8
Editorial Committee
Raana Afsarpour, JMW Solicitors LLP
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
Sarah Evans, Kuits
Mark Fitzgibbon, Hill Dickinson
Jemma Goldstone, JMW Solicitors LLP
Michael Hardacre, Slater & Gordon
Helen Kanczes, Clyde & Co
Steve Kuncewicz, Bermans LLP
Adrian Kwintner, Clyde & Co
Jeff Lewis, Brabners LLP
Louise Straw, Burton Copeland
Matthew Taylor, Eversheds LLP
Published by
Ian Liddle of Farleys
page 6
Landmark ruling changes future of Asbestosis
Compensation Claims
Law Society Excellence Awards
FEATURES
Talking Heads
“What do you think will be the implications of the
Online Courts?”
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Advertising enquiries
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without written permission from the Publisher and
Manchester Law Society is not permitted.
Regulation Update
page 7
REGULARS
News from the President
Regulation Update
Monthly Competition
5
7
29
Photographic material and manuscripts are supplied at
owners risk, neither the company not its agents accept
any liability for loss or damage.
The Society welcomes articles and letters from members
on any topic and items should be sent to the above
address
The views and opinions expressed in the Manchester
Messenger are those of the individual contributors and
not of the Manchester Law Society
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4 Manchester Law Society News
News from Bridge Street
Calling all NQ’S
DON’T MISS OUT ON OUR NEWLY QUALIFIED
SOLICITOR CIVIC CEREMONY
Manchester Law Society and the City of Manchester want to
congratulate all newly qualified solicitors and welcome them
to the profession with a Newly Qualified Solicitor Civic Ceremony
at Manchester Town Hall.
Manchester Law Society, along with the Lord Mayor of Manchester
extend an invitation to all Newly Qualified Solicitors,
from the past 12 months, to mark this milestone in their legal
career by attending the Civic ceremony in the Manchester
Town Hall at 3pm on Wednesday 19th October 2016.
Certificates will be presented by the Lord Mayor of Manchester and President of Manchester
Law Society and the ceremony will be followed by a reception with prosecco and
canapes.
Order of Events
15:00 – tea and coffee upon arrival
15:30 – Ceremony begins
16:15 – Canapés served with Prosecco and opportunity for photographs with
the Lord Mayor of Manchester and President of Manchester Law
Society
The ceremony is a unique opportunity for NQ's to celebrate their success as well as acknowledge
the friends and family who have supported them on the way.
Each newly qualified solicitor will be able to bring at least 2 guests with the option of further
guests should numbers permit. Tickets cost £20 per person for NQ’s and guests alike.
Please note that places are booked on a first come, first served basis.
The dress code for the NQ’s will be business attire (no expensive gown hire necessary!) and
a high quality photography service will be available for all those attending the ceremony
to commemorate the occasion either with a professional portrait, a photo of the presentation
on stage during the ceremony or a photo with your family or friends.
To book your tickets please email
CarlaJones@manchesterlawsociety.org.uk
PROBATE REGISTRY USER GROUP MEETING -
all welcome!
The Probate Registry are holding a User Group meeting on
the 28th September and all practitioners are welcome.
The aim of the meeting is for there to be an exchange of information
between the Registry and its Users and to ensure that
both sides are aware of the requirements of the other. In order
for you to get the most out of the user group meeting please
inform us of any specific areas of Probate you would like us
to cover at the event in your booking e-mail, and where possible,
we will try to include them on the day.
The meeting will also include a more in-depth look at the workings of the Registry including
the processes that are undertaken from receiving the application to issuing the grant
and included in this will be the opportunity to actually see how things work as they happen.
It is also hoped to include a session with the registrar where you will get the opportunity to
raise questions relating to queries they may have (but not on individual cases).
If you would like to attend please reply to :
manchesterdprsolicitorseenquiries@hmcts.gsi.gov.uk
with your name and firm and any topics that you would like including on the agenda.
The event will take place at Manchester District Probate Registry 1 Bridge Street West Manchester
M60 1WJ ( if using sat nav to locate the building please use M60 9DJ ).
The exact timings are yet to be confirmed and will be circulated as soon as possible. In the
meantime please could you respond with an expression of interest to the e-mail address
above.
If you know of any other solicitors who may be interested in attending please pass on the
details of the event.
We look forward to welcoming you on the 28th September. If you have any other questions
or enquiries please contact the registry by e-mail or on the number below.
Richard Hemsworth and Craig Millward
Manchester District Probate Registry
Civil Justice Centre, Ground Floor , 1 Bridge Street West, Manchester M60 1WJ
0161 240 5701/5702
Forthcoming Events
Excel Training Course – Intermediate
15th September 2016, Registration 09:30, Course 10:00 to 16:30
Manchester Law Society, 64 Bridge Street
Are you looking for success with spreadsheets? Become fantastic with formulae? Join us
for a practical Excel training course with RV Group.
In this one day course an expert trainer will get you up to speed on conditional formatting,
working effectively with large worksheets, and working efficiently on your databases.
Numbers on this course are strictly limited to ensure you receive bespoke and personal
tuition from our trainer.
Cost to attend:
MLS Members £125.00 + VAT (£150.00) Non-members £175.00 + VAT (£210.00)
Price includes light refreshments and course materials, please note lunch is not provided.
For more information please email CarlaJones@manchesterlawsociety.org.uk
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?
This event is kindly sponsored by
Cost to attend:
MLS Members £110.00 + VAT (£132.00) Non-members £150.00 + VAT (£180.00)
Price includes light refreshments and course materials and lunch.
For more information please email CarlaJones@manchesterlawsociety.org.uk
In conjunction with “Management Matters”
Management Conference
27 September 2016
Hilton Hotel, Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4LQ
CPD: 6 hours
This annual event is a conference by leaders, for leaders and speakers will explore innovation,
new approaches that are in actual use in law firms. Delegates will have an opportunity
to learn from and engage with panellists who have led the way in the legal sector
innovation.It is a must attend conference for understanding and adapting to the challenges
that are here, now.
Programme
08.30 – 09.30 Registration, networking and exhibition
09.30 – 09.45 Chair’s Opening Statement
Fiona McKay, Seminars & Solutions
09.45 – 10.30 Achievements in a medium sized law firm
James Sheridan, Turner Parkinson
The law firm as a business
10.30 – 11.00 Business strategy and business management
Chris Moat, Fairpoint Group PLC
Partner involvement, accountabilities, measurement and review
11.10 – 11.30 Networking and exhibition
11.30 – 12.15 Achievements in a large firm
Rob Elvin, Squire Patton Boggs
Strategy, management, people, business development, working capital
12.15 – 13:00 Finance
Why Central Banks Worry
John Young, Bank of England
Dynamic financial management
13:00 – 13:45 Lunch, networking and exhibition
13:45 – 14:30 Business Development (new, existing retention and development)
David Gilroy, Conscious Solutions
Andrew Welch, Stephensons
14:30 – 15:15 Achievements in a smaller law firm
Simon Whitehead, HRC Law
Strategy, management, people, business development, working capital
15:15 – 15:30 Coffee & Refreshments
15:30 – 16:15 People Management
Rachel Dobson, Hugh Jones Solicitors
· Is it true that 30% of high achieving lawyers are sociopaths?
· Is managing people really about frameworks, structures and
competence matrixes?
· Why spending time in the post room achieves more than spending it
in the boardroom
16:15 – 17:00 Change Management
Duncan Forbes, Jaguar Land Rover
17:00 Close of conference
Cost to attend:
MLS Members £120.00 + VAT (£144.00) Non Members £160.00 + VAT (£192.00)
Price includes light refreshments, lunch and course materials.
To book your place please email CarlaJones@manchesterlawsociety.org.uk

5
President’s Column
5
From the President
So, by the time you read
this, the Olympics will have
been and gone. As I write,
we’re still in the latter stages
of the swimming and Wiggo
is going for gold tonight.
Hopefully, we are into the
swing of winning lots of
medals in the “sitting down
sports”, as the Australians
like to call them. It’s good,
old fashioned envy, of
course - my confident prediction
is we will be looking
down at them in the medal
table when all’s said and
done.
I’m constantly in awe of the
commitment and ability of
athletes who dedicate so
much of their lives to the
Olympic dream and particularly
someone like Katherine
Grainger, who has just won
her 5th medal, over five
Olympic Games since Sydney
in 2000 to become the
most successful British female
Olympian ever. And
she’s a law graduate with a
PhD. So not fair.
Meanwhile, best quote so
far I’ve seen has been from
Bill Murray, who suggested
that every event at the
Olympics should have one
average person competing
in them, so we can tell how
good the Olympians really
are. I’ll volunteer for following
the Brownlee brothers
around in the triathlon, taking
double their time.
However, all of that is
brought into sharp perspective
by recent events
around the world – after all,
sport is not, thankfully, a
matter of life and death.
Two events in particular
brought home to me how
lucky we are as lawyers in
England to practice our profession
without fear or
favour.
Firstly, the failed coup in
Turkey, in the aftermath of
which nearly 3,000 judges
and prosecutors were dismissed
by President Erdogan.
Leaving aside the
rights and wrongs of the
failed coup attempt, clearly
this has significant potential
implications for the development
of the rule of law in
Turkey. We forget all too
easily the rule of law, what
we take for granted here,
that a strong independent
judiciary and legal profession
underpin society and
yet are often first in the firing
line, literally and
metaphorically and an easy
target for politicians.
Secondly, the recent attack
at Quetta, resulting in the
death of 55 lawyers who
were at the hospital mourning
the murder of one of
their colleagues.
Balochistan is a place that
desperately needs lawyers,
but is the home of a
decades old separatist insurgency.
The bomb attack
was claimed by a Taliban
offshoot, but the result is
that a generation of lawyers
has been wiped out in
Quetta and it will leave
Balochistan, in more ways
than one, lawless and it will
be years until its legal community
recovers.
You may not have heard the
story – it barely registered
on international news coverage,
but it is a timely reminder
of the dangers faced
by lawyers in countries
where just being the person
who helps in their small way
to uphold the rule of law
and keep the fabric of society
stitched together puts
you in danger of your life.
Meanwhile, at home, we are
still embroiled in the ongoing
saga of the Tory plans
to replace the Human
Rights Act with a new British
Bill of Rights. Lawyers play a
vital role upholding human
rights, so governments
must ensure that they can
perform their duties without
harassment, fear of arrest,
detention or
intimidation so that they
can publicly protect people
facing violations of their
human rights.
This had been one of
Theresa May’s pet projects,
shared with enthusiasm by
Michael Gove. It has been
reported that the new
Prime Minister has asked
the new Justice Secretary,
Liz Truss, to have another
think at the plans drawn up
by Gove that were expected
to have been announced
following the referendum.
The Conservative General
Election Manifesto in 2015
pledged to scrap the 1998
Human Rights Act and introduce
a British Bill of
Rights to quote “restore
common sense in the application
of human rights in
the UK”.
I understand that the Bill
has been prepared, but it is
not a priority for Mrs May.
The Ministry of Justice has
been threatening to set out
the proposal for the Bill of
Rights for months, if not
years now, and the intention
remains the official line
to consult fully on these
Michael Hardacre
proposals.
But, as with the as yet not
started Brexit negotiations,
political rhetoric rarely
matches the reality of the
situation in practice. I hope
that these proposals finally
get kicked into the long
grass where they belong.
Some historical perspective
is always welcome and we
Continued on page 7
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6 Movers & Shakers
New Catastrophic Injury Practice for JMW
Full service law firm JMW
Solicitors LLP has announced
that they have
purchased the catastrophic
injury practice of
Liverpool based law firm
Cassell Moore.
Paul Breen, who was Head
of the Catastrophic Injury
Team at Cassell Moore joins
JMW as Head of Catastrophic
Injury in the Personal
Injury team along
with Solicitor Natalie Clarke.
Many of the clients of Paul
and Natalie have transferred
to JMW.
Paul has over 30 years’ experience
in dealing with large
and complex personal injury
cases, has extensive expertise
in fatal accident
claims and is a leading expert
in motorcycle accident
claims.
Paul brings with him to
JMW two major referrers of
work. Principal Insurance is
one of the UK’s fastest growing
specialist motor insurance
brokers. The business
specialises in motor bike,
van and specialist car insurance,
and is based in Sale.
Paul also receives work referrals
from The Brain Charity
based in Liverpool. They
offer emotional support,
practical help and social activities
to anyone with a
neurological condition and
their friends, families and
carers. This includes working
with people who have
experienced head and brain
injuries. Paul, Natalie and
Natalie Clarke and Paul Breen
the personal injury team at
JMW will work closely with
both Principal Insurance
and The Brain Charity going
forward.
Principal’s CEO, Dave Bowcock,
commented: “We have
known Paul for many years
are confident that our
clients are in the hands of
one of the most knowledgeable
and experienced practitioners
in the country. We
look forward to a long relationship
with him at JMW.”
Paul previously worked with
JMW’s Senior Partner Joy
Kingsley at Pannone and
commenting on Paul’s
move to JMW Joy said:
“We are delighted to welcome
Paul Breen and Natalie
Clarke to the Personal
Injury team at JMW. Having
worked with Paul at Pannone
I know that he brings
with him a wealth of experi-
Slater Heelis expands Private Client team
with two new starters
Two new starters join the
Private Client team at
Manchester and Cheshire
based law firm Slater
Heelis LLP.
Caroline Pinney and Alex
Sealy both join Slater Heelis
from Mills & Reeve LLP.
Caroline specialises in wills,
trusts & probate and Court
of Protection issues and is a
registered Trust and Estate
Practitioner (STEP) as well as
a fully accredited Member
of Solicitors for the Elderly.
Alex’s areas of expertise are
lifetime tax planning and
wills and trusts. Alex is also a
registered Trust and Estate
Practitioner (STEP).
Chris Partington, Partner
ence in dealing with multitrack
and fatal accident personal
injury claims. They
and the work referral
sources they bring with
them, Principal Insurance
and The Brain Charity, are a
welcome addition to our excellent
Personal Injury department.”
Speaking about his appointment
at JMW, Paul
Breen commented: “I am
very pleased to be joining
JMW as Head of Catastrophic
Injury along with
Natalie. The Personal Injury
team at JMW have an excellent
reputation and this was
a huge attraction for me. In
the type of cases I deal with
it is important to work at a
firm that is compassionate
and caring, which can offer
the best possible service to
my clients at a difficult period
in their lives.”
and Head of Private Client at
Slater Heelis said:“The experience
and expertise Alex
and Caroline have gained
throughout their careers
have significantly enhance
the Private Client team.
We’re delighted to welcome
them on board and introduce
them to our clients.”
North West Law Firm expands with
opening Of Preston office
Law firm Farleys Solicitors
has announced plans to
open an office in Preston –
its sixth office in the North
West – as the latest stage
in its strategic plan to
drive further growth
across the business.
The firm has purchased
premises in Winckley
Square and plans to open in
the Autumn offering corporate
and commercial legal
services, in addition to family
law and fraud and business
crime.
Managing Partner Ian Liddle
commented: “As a firm we
have seen consistent
growth over many years
and the addition of another
office allows us to maintain
our growth strategy.
“It comes in response to increasing
demand for our
legal services and we look
forward to working with the
business community in Preston
and continuing our
growing presence in the region.
Ian Liddle
We’ll be expanding the team in the coming months and
adding the full range of legal services for individuals and
businesses over time. The Preston office will give us the perfect
platform to build our market share as we become more
integrated in the local market place.”
The deadline for the October
edition of the Messenger
is 15th September
Caroline Pinney, Chris Partington and Alex Sealy

Regulatory Affairs Committee Update
By the time you read this,
the Olympics will be over
and the football season
started again. I don’t know
about you but it feels to me
as though the summer
break from football gets
shorter every year? And if
the SRA has its way, we may
well be saying the same
thing about the Code of
Conduct! As the time for the
consultation responses
draws to a close (21st September
so there is still time!)
I ask myself whether the
profession would think that
the SRA deserves any gold
medals for their proposed
radical overhaul which they
say will help improve competition?
Here’s a round up of what’s
been happening:
Solicitors firms vs ABSs
In last month’s column, I discussed
removing barriers to
competition and Justice
Minister Lord Faulks’ comments
about ABSs. Well, the
Law Society has now
broadly agreed with proposals
for ‘minor’ reform of
ABS regulation because
they consider it to be in the
public interest for traditional
firms and ABSs to be
treated the same. Current
proposals include:
• removing the requirement
that an ABS practise from an
address in England and
Wales;
• allowing regulators to
make their own rules on
ownership of an ABS;
• changing the rules so compliance
officers report a ‘material’
failure rather than
‘any’ failure; and
• repealing the requirement
to meet the objective to improve
access to justice.
Catherine Dixon, Law Society
Chief Executive says “it is
critical that the regulatory
framework, including client
protection, is equal for ABS
and solicitors’ firms as this
will enable fair competition,
which benefits clients and is
in the public interest.”
The Law Society has recommended
that the ABS sector
is reviewed three years after
the proposals are implemented
as this will gauge
whether they have affected
diversity in the legal services
market.
There is no date for implementation
but watch this
space as the legal market
and services change.
Looking to the Future
As I mentioned above, the
consultation is ongoing and
both the Law Society and
the SRA are keen to hear
members’ views. The Law
Society has already spoken
out about its concerns that
the proposals could create a
“two tier profession” and
leave consumers unprotected
but the SRA do not
accept this nor that it will dilute
the solicitor brand. I
was interested to see that
the SRA has removed the
case studies from the consultation
document and
moved them to a different
part of its website entitled
“Your Questions”. Some of
the case studies have already
changed in light of
feedback given and they
make very “interesting” (and
in some examples, concerning)
reading. The Law Society
has issued a briefing
note as to its views on the
proposals and is travelling
round the country holding
members meetings to
gauge opinion. Please do
get involved in this consultation
– I cannot stress how
important it is and the impact
it could have on every
practising solicitor and all
firms of whatever size and
structure.
Risk Outlook
The SRA has also issued its
latest risk outlook looking at
key risk priorities, trends
and horizon scanning. The
President’s Column continued...
should remember that it
was a Conservative politician
and eminent lawyer, Sir
David Maxwell Fyfe, who as
deputy chief prosecutor at
the Nuremberg trials, was
responsible for one of the
most noted cross-examinations
in history when Hermann
Göring took the
stand. His exposure to the
evidence of Nazi atrocities
hardened his commitment
to human rights.
The European Convention
on Human Rights was overseen
by Maxwell Fyfe and
contained the fundamental
rights and freedoms that
underpin our society and
democracy: the right to life,
liberty, the freedom from
torture or inhumane treatment,
the right to a fair trial,
free and fair elections, the
main addition is a new risk
of “Lack of access to legal
services”. This is to tie in with
the regulatory reform mentioned
above. But many remain
familiar including
cybercrime, money laundering
and independence/integrity.
For those of you
involved in PI work, it confirms
that the SRA is “researching
concerns” raised
about PI work and refers to
the SRA’s warning notice issued
in March this year.
Question of Trust
The SRA has also recently released
its initial findings
from its Question of Trust
survey. You may remember
that the SRA put to both
consumers and the profession
various scenarios to
gauge the level of seriousness
of each and what
should happen when solicitors
got it wrong. The most
serious offences all related
to issues of misuse of client
money, criminal activities
and/or dishonesty, such as a
solicitor using client money
to pay gambling debts,
forging documents, or getting
an elderly client to alter
a will so the solicitor could
inherit some money.
Although both the public
and profession see the misuse
of money as very serious,
interestingly the public
were more sympathetic
than solicitors if the money
is replaced. Other areas
where the results showed a
clear difference in views between
the public and solicitors
were on client
confidentiality and solicitor
competence with the public
viewing these as more serious
than the solicitors. The
survey results were not as
conclusive around issues
that related to behaviour
outside a solicitor's working
life - such as getting involved
in a drunken fight,
fare-dodging, being found
guilty of dangerous driving,
or using racist language on
right to receive an education,
to practise your religion
and express yourself
freely.
Does anyone seriously
question that these rights
need to be protected any
less passionately today,
than 70 years ago?
Michael Hardacre
President
a personal blog. There was
no clear consensus on how
seriously a regulator should
treat such matters.
How this survey will inform
the SRA’s approach to enforcement
remains to be
seen – its unfortunate that
the SRA is wanting feedback
on the changes to the
Handbook without providing
what is, I believe, to be
an important piece in the
jigsaw.
Reports from the SDT
Continuing the enforcement
theme, the SDT has
been busy recently. One of
note is a solicitor at Capsticks
who was struck off for
claiming £1,185 in false
business expenses. When
queries were raised about
receipts and meetings he
reassured his bosses that all
was legitimate. However,
once an internal investigation
commenced, he admitted
his previous assurances
were false and his expenses
claims actually related to
celebrations for his wife’s
50th birthday. In mitigation
Mr Brookes said he had
been trying to address a
number of issues in his personal
life. Nevertheless, the
tribunal found six allegations
proved, including dishonesty.
This case illustrates
the importance of having a
robust expenses policy with
appropriate approval and
review processes and not
simply taking them at face
value. How do yours stack
up?
Enterprise Insurance
You may also have seen that
the last unrated PII insurer
collapsed recently. Around
50 firms insured by Enterprise
now have the unenviable
task of finding an
alternative insurer after it
went into liquidation. If you
are affected by this in any
way, the Law Society and
the SRA has issued guidance
on their respective
websites.
That’s it from me for another
month. The next COLP and
COFA forum will be on 21st
September at Weightmans’
office at 3 Piccadilly Place,
Manchester from 8.30 til
10am. I look forward to seeing
you there.
Michelle Garlick
Chair
Manchester Law Society
Regulatory Affairs
Committee
Weightmans LLP
My client is a well established firm with a growing presence in
the Manchester market. The firm is successful and has an
entrepreneurial culture. Typical work is based around high
net worth individuals, complex financial issues and cases
involving children.
They now seek to make key appointments into their Family team.
Partner/Senior Associate/Team
They are looking for an individual to help set the strategic direction of the
business. The individual may be an existing Partner or a senior Associate
looking to make a career move. They will also consider a small team who
wish to move as a group. A client following is less important than an
understanding of market dynamics and strong networking skills.
Family Lawyer
Family Law
They are also seeking a two to three year qualified Family Lawyer to
assist with a growing caseload. You will have a broad experience in
Family matters allied with an ambitious and positive approach. Prospects
for development are very good.
In both cases salaries are negotiable and will reflect the higher end of
market rates.
All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Interested candidates should
contact Fred Howie of
Howie White Resourcing
Email fred@howiewhite.co.uk
Telephone 07968 086099

Forthcoming Events
8 Movers & Shakers
STEP in the right direction for Manchester
law firm
Following its win of the Society of Trust
and Estates Practitioners (STEP), Vulnerable
Client Advisor of the Year Award
2015/16, Manchester law firm Hugh Jones
Solicitors has again been shortlisted in the
same category for the 2016/17 Awards.
Commented Director and Head of Private
Client, Carol McBride, “We take our work on
behalf of vulnerable clients i.e. those who
have been disadvantaged through illness or
injury and require legal assistance to manage
their affairs, extremely seriously. We are delighted
to have been shortlisted for the STEP
Awards once again and see it is as a reflection
of the hard work and dedication the team
here at Hugh Jones puts in to help and advise
our clients.”
The STEP Awards take place in London on
September 8th this year.
Increased client demand leads to record turnover
and above average growth for Mills & Reeve
Leading national law firm
Mills & Reeve has announced
its 2015/16 results
with record turnover
of £87.2 million, an increase
of more than £5.5
million from last year.
The firm, which employs
more than 900 staff across
six UK offices, enjoyed a 6.8
per cent increase in
turnover, comfortably outperforming
the 5.4 per cent
average growth of the UK’s
top 100 firms.
As a result of the strong financial
performance the
firm also announced the
largest ever all staff bonus
pool of £1.28 million, equivalent
to 5.2 per cent of the
Three new Senior Associates
and one Associate
have been appointed by
Manchester law firm Hugh
Jones Solicitors. The firm
is a leading independent
specialising in Court of
Protection and Private
Client services.
Rebecca Brown and Jenny
firm’s salary bill.
Claire Clarke, Mills & Reeve
managing partner, commented:
“We are delighted
by this strong financial performance
which was
achieved through growing
demand for our services
over the last 12 months. It’s
also a great tick in the box in
terms of our 2020 firm strategy
with one of our key objectives
to grow faster than
the top 100 average.
“We are confident despite
the uncertainty created by
Brexit we can build on this
growth in the current financial
year. We are already having
some positive meetings
with clients and working
Roberts from the Court of
Protection team and Tania
McGrory from Private Client
are made Senior Associates.
Kate Forster from the Property
team is made an Associate.
Said Director Rachel Dobson,
“These appointments
are evidence of the progress
Carol McBride
with our relationship firms
across the world to discuss
the implications for their
clients in relation to their UK
based businesses, or overseas
investors seeing the
weakness of sterling as an
investment opportunity.”
“The current economic climate
makes it even more
important to pull together
as part of our collaborative
culture, to focus on core
markets and sectors, to
deepen our client relationships
and above all to make
sure we deliver commercial,
solution-focussed, pragmatic
advice which is tailored
to our clients’ needs.”
Legal quartet take law firm forward
both the individuals concerned
and the firm itself
have made since the office
opened in Manchester in
2013. We look forward to
Rebecca, Jenny, Tania and
Kate playing major roles in
the growth and development
of Hugh Jones Solicitors
in the years to come.”
Rebecca Brown, Tania McGrory, Kate Forster and Jenny Roberts
Brabners makes offers to its 2016
apprenticeship cohort
Commercial law firm Brabners
has made offers of
employment to all three
of its current cohort of apprentices.
Aimee Jones
and Hollie Millen have
been appointed archives
assistants, and Amy
Roberts a legal typist.
All apprentices gain experience
in legal administration,
front of house, knowledge
management and archives
departments, and across
the legal teams.
The three are the latest additions
to join the business
from Brabners successful
apprenticeship scheme,
which has been running
Tameside firm Bromleys is
celebrating a hat-trick of
endorsements from the
Law Society with its latest
success which acknowledges
the work of its conveyancing
team.
Bromleys has been accredited
under the Conveyancing
Quality Scheme for the
fifth consecutive year.The
scheme recognises firms
which pass a rigorous annual
assessment and provide
excellent service to
clients during the property
buying process.
The accolade follows on the
heels of two others from the
Law Society in recent
months.
Bromleys has again been
awarded the Lexcel quality
mark, which recognises its
commitment to excellence
in areas such as client care
and practice management.
The firm has held the accreditation
continuously
since 2005.
Meanwhile, partner
Nicholas Clough has again
since 2012. Previous alumni
include Lucie Osbourne,
who on completion of her
apprenticeship was offered
the post of Marketing Administrator.
In recognition
of her abilities, Lucie was
promoted a year later to
marketing executive, and
currently assists with Brabners’
busy events programme.
Colleague
Samantha Thompson accepted
a position as a legal
administrator in the Corporate/Commercial
department
on completion of her
apprenticeship, and is now
studying for her law degree
on a part-time basis at the
Open University with the
support and encouragement
of the firm.
L-R Samantha Thompson, Hollie Millen, Aimee Jones,
Amy Roberts and Lucie Osbourne
Director of Human Resources
Nicola Thomas said:
“As with any business we
are very proud of our people,
and enjoy being part of
their professional development.
It is particularly enjoyable
to watch our
apprentices grow into their
roles, and to be able to offer
them positions which are
the first steps in their individual
careers. The high retention
rate of our
apprentices is testament to
the hard work they put in to
being a part of the Brabners
team and the abilities they
display.”
Bromleys gains Law Society plaudits
been acknowledged under
the Law Society’s Family
Law Accreditation Scheme.
This demonstrates he has
achieved a high level of
knowledge, skills, experience
and practice in family
law. He has held this honour
for 10 years.
The conveyancing quality
mark follows a period of
strong growth for Bromleys’
team. The surge in instructions
has been helped by
the emergence of Ashtonunder-Lyne
as a property
hotspot, with demand fuelled
by the completion of
the Metrolink line, town
centre improvements and
the appeal of new canalside
apartments.
In addition, Bromleys has
strengthened its service to
clients by adopting new
technology and adding staff
to its conveyancing team.
It is currently on 24 lenders’
panels, with eight new appointments
over the past 12
months.
Senior partner Mark Hirst
said: “We are delighted to
Mark Hirst
receive recognition from
the Law Society across three
key areas of the practice.
“These accreditations are independent
recognition of
the significant lengths to
which we go to ensure our
clients receive the best possible
service.
“They also sit alongside
other accreditations we already
have, as well as our Investors
in People Gold
status.”

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10 CAB News
CAB - Practical Issues
A few months ago I wrote
in The Messenger about
the work I do volunteering
with Salford Citizens Advice
Bureau. Experience
working as a solicitor really
does give you a head
start in advising and helping
CAB clients. However,
it is a bit of a shock to the
system moving from a situation
where you know
the answer to most questions
a client may ask to a
situation where initially
you know very little about
most questions troubling
a CAB client.
There is plenty of help for
volunteers from their manager,
from their CB training
and from an online system
called Advisernet but nevertheless
you are in quite a
different situation.
So I thought I would write a
column for The Messenger
every few months which
covers some areas where
CAB clients have particular
needs. Areas such as benefits,
immigration and debt
to name only three. Sometimes
all these three will
come in one enquiry. And
the first subject I have is the
benefit known as Universal
Credit (UC).
Despite much coverage in
the media about the delays
to the government’s major
programme of reforming
the benefit system, much of
UC has already been rolled
out across Greater Manchester.
CAB are dealing
with hundreds of people
with enquires about the
new system.
The idea behind UC is that it
will eventually replace all
other means tested benefits
such as income based Jobseeker’s
Allowance and
Housing Benefit. Instead of
a client applying for several
means tested benefits one
claim for UC will cover all
their means tested needs.
And UC is supposed to be
flexible so that when a
client’s circumstances
change then the amount of
UC will change as well.
Here are some of the new
benefit’s main features:
Universal Credit tops up
your earnings
When a client starts work
the amount of Universal
Credit they get may gradually
reduce as they earn
more. But unlike Jobseeker’s
Allowance, their payment
won’t stop just because
they work more than 16
hours a week.
Work Allowance
In some cases, people may
be eligible for a work allowance.
A work allowance
is the amount that can be
earned before Universal
Credit payment is affected.
Once earnings are more
than the works allowance,
UC payments will be reduced
at a 65% taper.
Therefore for every pound
earned over the work allowance,
UC will be reduced
by 65 pence. Payments will
change as earnings change.
From April 2016, the range
of work allowances available
was simplified. People
will be eligible for a work allowance
if they (and/or their
partner) either:
• have responsibility for a
child and/or
• have limited capability for
work
The monthly work allowances
are set at:
£192 (per household)
If Universal Credit includes
housing support
£397 (per household)
If they do not receive housing
support
If people have earnings but
they (or their partner) are
not responsible for a child
or do not have limited capability
for work they will not
be eligible for a work allowance.
Total income
Total income will be their
earnings plus any new UC
payment. The more earned,
the higher total income will
be until no Universal Credit
is available.
A claim continues when
someone starts work. A
client can take temporary or
seasonal jobs without worrying
about making a brand
new claim or any gaps between
paydays as they
move in and out of work. A
claim will stay live for up to
six months, even if no UC is
awarded during such time.
Other support to help you
earn more
The government’s aim is to
support people on UC to increase
their earnings and ultimately
move off benefits
altogether. These changes
were brought in along with
a range of measures to help
clients earn more. These include:
• bringing in the National
Living Wage - which is set to
reach over £9 an hour by
2020
• increasing the personal tax
allowance to £11,000
• increasing and providing
support for eligible costs of
childcare in Universal Credit
to 85% and doubling the
free early years provision to
30 hours a week for working
parents of 3 and 4 year olds
Practical issues
The underlying force behind
the introduction of UC
is to encourage clients back
into work and also to encourage
clients to take responsibility
for their own
personal circumstances.
There are therefore particular
areas where clients have
difficulties
• All claims for UC must be
made online. Quite a number
of clients have no access
to a computer and have no
skills is using one. This is
having to change.
• When awarded, UC is paid
monthly save for exceptional
circumstances. Many
current benefits are paid on
a weekly basis so clients
have to get used to a different
way of budgeting
• When a claim for UC includes
rent the payment of
UC is made in full to the
client who is then responsible
for paying the rent. In
the past Housing Benefit
has been paid direct to the
Landlord. Clients and their
landlords are therefore not
used to the new UC regime.
This leads to many situations
where the client has
not budgeted for the rent
and there are significant arrears.
Stephen Hindmarsh
• UC is currently being rolled
out in various areas of the
UK which include Greater
Manchester. Currently not
every category of new
claimant is required to claim
UC and clients on existing
means tested benefits stay
on those benefits. So CAB
will be advising on both UC
and the existing means
tested benefits for some
time to come.
That’s it for UC. I’ll have another
topic in a couple of
months time.
Stephen Hindmarsh
CAB Volunteer
Past President of
Manchester Law Society
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Kuits welcomes local students to
its Legal Taster Workshops
Manchester commerical
law firm Kuits welcomed a
group of aspiring solicitors
onto a three-day legal
taster workshop this
month, designed to offer
students an overview of
the legal profession and
what it takes to work at
the firm.
Students from across the
Greater Manchester region
joined both senior and junior
lawyers at Kuits’ brand
new offices at Blackfriars
House to consider and practise
some of the key skills
needed by solicitors, and
experience the culture at
the UK200-listed firm.
The undergraduates were
also invited to discuss what
a typical working day looks
like with the firm’s solicitors
and trainees, receiving
guidance on the different
entry routes to qualification.
Students listened to presentations
about commercial
property, corporate, intellectual
property, employment,
banking, litigation
and licensing before working
on a central case study
that looked at a hypothetical,
newly-formed company.
Alison Pearse, Head of HR at
Kuits, explains: “The practical
exercise, where we
looked at the setting up and
running of a business, fo-
cused upon some of the
core skills the undergraduates
will need as solicitors –
such as team working, planning
and communication.
“We took students through
the sorts of legal issues
businesses face when they
are at the beginning of their
journeys – lease agreements,
licences, shareholder
agreements – to what advice
they would need on
the day-to-day running,
such as reputation management,
brand protection,
complying with employment
law, by bringing in our
teams who are experts in
these fields.
“By using one example and
applying all of the different
sorts of law we practise at
Kuits, it gave students a
unique introduction not
only to the world of law, but
to Kuits as well. We were really
pleased at how this
brought what we do to life
and by the great feedback
we received from attendees.”
A student who attended the
Legal Workshop said: “The
workshop was incredibly informative
and developed
my knowledge of different
practice areas significantly.
It was very well organised
and enjoyable throughout,
helping me understand and
learn more about the law,
Local News 11
Landmark ruling changes future of Asbestosis
Compensation Claims
Victims pursuing asbestosis
compensation claims
could now be helped by a
landmark ruling by the
Court of Appeal.
On 29 July, 2016, the Court
of Appeal decided that employers
who had only been
responsible for a small proportion
of an employee’s asbestos
exposure had to pay
compensation, even if it
couldn’t be proved that the
additional exposure they
were responsible for had
made the symptoms worse.
The case in question involved
Albert Carder, now
86, a retired electrician who
was exposed to asbestos
whilst working at Exeter
University in the 1980s.
Most of his exposure to asbestos
dust took place earlier
in his career with other
employers before he
worked at the university.
At a High Court hearing in
July last year, it was reported
that his employment
at the university contributed
2.3 per cent of the
total asbestos dose. It
caused Mr Carder to suffer
no additional symptoms
and the extent that the disease
had been made worse
by this was not measurable.
Judges found in his favour
and lawyers for the university
took the case to the
Court of Appeal.
But passing judgement,
Master of the Rolls Lord
Dyson, at the Court of Appeal,
upheld the High
Court’s ruling. He said Mr
Carder’s exposure at the
university had increased the
severity of the disease by a
‘small, albeit not measurable’
extent.
Lord Dyson added: “It is conceded
that the increase was
material. In my view this
concession is critical.In
these circumstances, the
judge was right to hold that
Mr Carder was slightly
worse off as a result of the
2.3 per cent exposure for
which the appellant was responsible.”
What Does This Mean For
People Pursuing Asbestosis
Compensation Claims?
This means that employers
cannot avoid responsibility
to pay asbestosis compensation
because they were
only one of a large number
of employers, each of
whom contributed a small
part of the total dose, on the
grounds that “their bit”
taken on its own couldn’t be
shown to have been responsible
for the symptoms.
An example of the absurdity
of the employer’s argument
can be shown in the following
way:
An employee develops as-
but most importantly that
Kuits is a great place to
work.”
Kuits is planning to repeat
the workshops with different
groups of students
twice a year, with the next
cohort scheduled for December.
The firm is working closely
with local educational institutions
to ensure the workshops
draw students from a
diverse range of backgrounds
and circumstances.
Steve Eccleston, Managing
Partner for Kuits, said: “We
recognise that not everyone
with an interest in law follows
a set path into the discipline,
and we work very
hard to make sure our hiring
processes cater for people
with different backgrounds,
experiences and skill sets.
“While technical excellence
is important, today’s lawyer
also needs to be able to
think commercially, be a
team player and provide an
outstanding client experience
– these are the attributes
that we actively look
for in our people to ensure
we are not only the best at
what we do, but also retain
our culture and reputation
as a firm that people really
enjoy working for.”
bestosis and has a 30 per
cent respiratory disability
from the disease.
If he were exposed by only
one employer, that employer
would have to pay all
the compensation.
If he had 50 employers,
each responsible for two
per cent of the asbestos
dose, then he would recover
nothing for the same level
of disability, for each employer
would argue that
their “bit” on its own had not
made the symptoms worse.
The Court of Appeal has
stated that this approach is
wrong. If an employer has
contributed to the dose
which caused the disease,
they have to pay a proportion
of the compensation.
This is only fair.
Depending on the extent of
the damage done, the life
expectancy of a person suffering
asbestosis varies and
can get worse over time.
People with asbestosis have
a higher risk of developing
other asbestos-related diseases,
including mesothelioma
and lung cancer.
Asbestos fibres are nearly
700 times smaller than a
human hair. Asbestos dust is
odourless, tasteless and indestructible.
Asbestos dust
and fibres continue to kill
more than 100,000 workers
around the world every
year.
Law Society Excellence Awards
Two Manchester Law Society member firms
have been shortlisted in the annual Law Society
Excellence Awards.
Jackson and Canter have been shorlisted in three
categories: Excellence in Client Service, and Excellence
in Pro Bono and Chris Topping has been
shortlisted as Human Rights Lawyer of the Year. Andrew
Holroyd, Executive Chairman of Jackson &
Canter told the Messenger: “We are delighted to be
shortlisted in three categories in the Law Society
Excellence Awards. Our Excellence in Client Service
is recognised by our only being the second law
firm to achieve Customer Service Excellence accreditation
and our Foundation has made a difference
through its work. Chris Topping who never
seeks the limelight certainly deserves recognition
for his dedicated service of Police and Human
rights law.”
Roberts Jackson have also been shorlisted for Excellence
in Client Care. Executive Directors, Gladys
Swaim-Rutter said : “Over the last 12 months, the
team at Roberts Jackson continue to work tirelessly
to improve every aspect of the client journey. By
continuously seeking to be innovative, the team
have been able to drive initiatives which have resulted
in the team securing a 23% increase in settlements
on last year. The implementation of the
firm’s balanced scorecard and trial committee has
allowed the team to lower leakage whilst ensuring
high quality and quick progression through key
milestones for the client.”
Patrick Walsh
Tragically, people who are
diagnosed with life-threatening
asbestos-related diseases
such as asbestosis and
mesothelioma will have
been exposed to asbestos
decades before doctors
were able to make the diagnosis.
It is for this reason
that any workers who suspect
they may have been
exposed to asbestos should
register their concerns immediately.
Patrick Walsh
Principal Lawyer,
Serious Injury
Slater & Gordon
Andrew Holroyd
Gladys Swaim-Rutter

12 News
Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse: What needs to happen?
The resignation of Dame
Lowell Goddard as chair of
the Independent Inquiry
into Child Sexual Abuse is
hugely frustrating and
dispiriting for survivors.
What needs to happen
now?
The resignation of Dame
Lowell Goddard as chair of
the Independent Inquiry
into Child Sexual Abuse is
hugely frustrating and
dispiriting for survivors.
All day I have been fielding
calls from clients worried
that this hard won opportunity
to investigate and expose
the reality of
institutional abuse – and to
learn how to prevent it in future
- will be derailed.
My clients and many others
have waited so long to have
their voices heard. They
have invested great hope in
this inquiry. For the sake of
survivors, and for society as
a whole, it is essential that
the work of the inquiry continues.
What Needs to Happen
Now?
To ensure momentum is not
lost, the Home Secretary urgently
needs to appoint an
interim chair. This can be a
current panel member.
Alexis Jay, who led the inquiry
into child sexual exploitation
in Rotherham, is
an obvious candidate. An
interim chair can ensure
that the work of the inquiry
continues, pending a permanent
appointment.
What Qualities Are
Needed in The New Chair?
Four come to mind. Firstly, a
professional knowledge
and understanding of the issues
involved in child abuse
and child protection. Without
that background, in my
view a new chair would face
an impossibly steep learning
curve.
Secondly, experience in
public inquiries. This inquiry
is the largest, most ambitious
and most sensitive inquiry
undertaken in the UK.
We have already seen how
inquiries can rapidly become
unmanageable. The
Bloody Sunday Inquiry – an
investigation of events on a
single day in 1972 – lasted
16 years. A new chair needs
to know the bear traps and
how to avoid them.
Thirdly, strong leadership
skills. This inquiry has a vast
remit; some would say too
vast. But we know from the
experience of the McClellan
Royal Commission in Australia
that a national inquiry
into institutional child
abuse can succeed, provided
it has the benefit of
strong and determined
leadership. This will be critical.
Finally, the new inquiry
chair needs to be an effective
ambassador; someone
who can communicate the
purpose and workings of
the inquiry both to survivors
and to the wider public,
in a compelling fashion.
Dame Lowell Goddard
never quite managed this;
perhaps her overseas absences
made this harder.
The inquiry chair needs to
present a compelling narrative
to the public about
what the Inquiry hopes to
achieve, how it proposes to
go about its task, and
timescales. He or she needs
to win the public’s trust.
Clearly, it will not be easy to
find a permanent chair with
all of these personal qualities.
The Home Secretary
must do her best. Although
Goddard’s absences abroad
were a distraction, I wouldn’t
rule out looking overseas
provided the candidate is
unequivocally committed
to seeing the inquiry
through to its conclusion.
Does The New Chair Need
to be a Lawyer?
A legal background is not
strictly necessary; previous
public inquiries have been
chaired by non –lawyers.
But this is a statutory inquiry,
and the chair effectively
has judicial powers, so
one would normally expect
a lawyer for this role. The
scale of the Inquiry, the sensitivity
of the legal issues involved
– and the resistance
that will inevitably be encountered
from some of the
institutions and individuals
under scrutiny – inclines me
to think that a lawyer would
probably be necessary.
Whoever the new chair is, it
is essential that the Inquiry
remains on track. Survivors
have waited too long for
this opportunity, and it cannot
be snatched away now
Richard Scorer
National Manager of Serious
Injury and Specialist
Personal Injury
.
Richard Scorer
Richard Scorer is a specialist abuse lawyer at Slater and
Gordon, representing more than 50 victims giving evidence
to the Inquiry.
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Talking Heads 15
Talking Heads
This month we asked practitioners “What do you think will
be the implications of the Online Courts?”
John Dunn
Consultant Solicitor
As with every proposed IT project which is aimed at simplifying
a system, or processes, the success or otherwise of the
project will be dependent upon having a very specific concept
of the outcome which is required and a detailed specification
of the steps undertaken within the process which will
achieve that outcome. There is nothing of this nature within
the report
In fairness to him Briggs LJ was given a huge task and he has
himself identified that this is the case by referring to several
points which he has not been able to deal with.
Insofar as the online court is concerned he has provided fairly specific parameters within
which the service should be provided but he has not, and could not have been expected
to, become engaged in producing a detailed specification of precisely what is going to be
required.
In fairness to him does refer to the need for "painstaking development, design and testing".
My answer therefore to the specific question is that that the jury is out on this one. We will
only really know what the implications will be once we know what the system and processes
actually look like once they have been designed and implemented. At the moment the only
thing we really know is what is going to be called. (the Online Solutions Court).
It could end up being a tremendous success providing inexpensive access to justice to all
but equally it could also end up being extremely complicated and as off-putting to the unrepresented
claimant as the current court system.
If it is going to succeed “Online Solutions Court” will either require extremely knowledgeable
"Case Officers" to identify the legal issues involved and assist the litigants (in which
case referring to it as an "Online Court" is to my mind something of a misnomer), or it will
need a huge investment in artificial intelligence driven systems to analyse the facts presented
by the claimants and identify what if any legal issues are to be resolved (which is, I
think, extremely unlikely).
Either way it is difficult to see how it will assist significantly in resolving cases where the
evidence of the parties is in severe conflict.
It might help the courts run more efficiently in simple cases where it is clear from the outset
that either the claim or the proposed defence to the claim is misconceived. The other
side of that particular kind however could well be that the courts could find themselves
inundated with "information" and "evidence" which since it is provided by unrepresented
parties, and in fact be completely irrelevant to the real issues.
The fact of the matter is that law is actually quite complicated and I fear the worst.
Phil Duignan
Principal Associate, Eversheds
It is understandable in theory why the proposed On-line
Court system may be attractive to some classes of litigant as,
post Jackson, the initial cost of litigation has increased, both
through the increase in Court Fees, and also the work now required
of parties in advance of the first CMC. The question of
proportionality of costs therefore certainly arises in claims
where the quantum is £25,000 and below.
There is however a real danger that the implementation of
such a system will place further burden on an already overworked
Court staff. Further the potential capping of recoverable
legal costs is likely to act as a deterrent to a party
obtaining legal advice on a matter important to them, which may result in an unfair outcome
which could otherwise have been avoided.
We should also not underestimate the important role that solicitors play at the outset of a
case when advising clients of the merits of a claim and the likelihood of success in pursuing
it. Without this filter in place, it could well lead to an increase in speculative litigation,
which would in turn take up substantial resource in an already very busy Court system.
The Final Report raises more questions than answers on this issue, and further careful
thought is required before it is implemented.
Geraldine Stephens
Solicitor, Blackstone Solicitors
I agree with the reasoning behind the proposal for the online
court. Throughout my training I have witnessed drastic cuts
to legal aid which has increased the number of litigants in
person, culminating in lay people, unable to afford legal advice
finding it difficult to navigate the court system causing
undue delay and frustration.
However, I am concerned that the financial limit of no more
than £10,000 was considered appropriate and believe that
claims valued at £25,000 or less will be treated differently.
The obvious initial implications will be setbacks, IT problems, and teething issues. It is vitally
important that online courts do not limit access to justice as I can see a decreased need
for lawyers in the not too distant future.
Law firms are more adaptable now than ever and I have no doubt we can embrace the
changes. There is little choice! A huge educational project beckons.
Calling all Criminal
Practitioners
The CPS are holding an open meeting on
Thursday, 8th September at 4.30 – 5.30 pm
for all criminal practitioners.
The meeting will take place at the CPS Office Manchester, 5th Floor
conference room, Sunlight House, Manchester, M3 3LU
The agenda items will include:
Jeff Lewis
Partner, Brabners LLP
· Digitisation
· Transforming Summary Justice
· Better Case Management
· Open Forum for Q&A
In the modern era, the concept of an Online Court has to be
a good one, but only if proper safeguards are put in place.
First, the amount of fixed recoverable costs must be realistic,
otherwise parties will not consult lawyers, and the Online
Court will get clogged-up with cases which are completely
unmeritorious and/or unintelligible. Secondly, the Court Service
IT needs to be ‘up to the job’; there is something of a history
of its not meeting the needs of its users; clearly, a process
which is designed to be conducted online needs the requisite
standard of IT. Thirdly, all would-be litigants, including the
vulnerable, must be able to assert their legal rights; this includes
those who do not use computers, those who cannot
access the internet, those who are visually-impaired, and those for whom English is not their
first language; indeed, it is easy to see how, if the appropriate protections are not put in
place, ordinary and vulnerable people might easily be prejudiced (in particular when claiming
against large organisations).
So, it’s a cautious approval to the Online Court – the devil will be in its implementation.
If you would like to attend could you please e-mail your name and firm
to andrew.jamieson@cps.gsi.gov.uk

16 Charity & CSR
Law Firm takes on Charity Challenges
Kuits organise quest fundraiser for charity
Commercial law firm Kuits
has raised money for its
nominated charity, Wood
Street Mission, by completing
an interactive
quest around Manchester
city centre.
Altrincham-based Jefferies Solicitors has once again raised a significant amount of
money for charity – this time by conquering the Three Peaks challenge and Race for
Life’s Pretty Muddy.
In what has turned out to be a bumper month for charity donations, Jefferies Solicitors
raised nearly £1,500 in June for the Children’s Adventure Farm Trust (CAFT) and Cancer Research.
Solicitor Michael Mawdsley took part in the National Three Peak challenge, scaling the UK’s
highest mountains, Ben Nevis (1,344m), Snowdon (1,085m) and Scafell Pike (978m) in under
24 hours.
To round off the charitable success, an eight-strong team, led by director Nina Ramsden,
tackled Race for Life’s Pretty Muddy at Tatton Park in Knutsford. Joining thousands of women
dressed in pink from across the North West, the group ran the 5km obstacle race for Cancer
Research.
Nina Ramsden comments: “At 10,000ft altogether, taking part in the Three Peak challenge
is no mean feat. Michael did a great job completing this in 22 hours 50 minutes and raising
£1,000 for CAFT – our chosen charity at Jefferies Solicitors.
“Following on from our running success last year, we once again took part in Pretty Muddy
to show our commitment to Cancer Research. We’re proud to get involved in such a worthwhile
charity – it’s one that remains close to our hearts.”
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
SJB Sportspersons’ Dinner for Headway
St John’s Buildings are holding a charity Sportspersons’ Dinner on Friday 18 November
at Hotel Football, overlooking Old Trafford and the city of Manchester. The event
is being held as part of our year of fundraising for Headway, the charity that works
to improve life after brain injury.
The Sportspersons’ dinner will be a light-hearted evening of sports-related stories and humour.
Guests will enjoy a 3-course meal, an auction of sports memorabilia and will hear from
our special guest speaker, John Hartson, formerly of Arsenal, West Ham, Celtic and Wales,
who will share some stories from his playing days and his insight into the modern game.
The evening will also include a stand-up comedy act by Debra-Jane Appleby.
The Sportspersons' dinner is open to all, so please join us to support this excellent cause.
Tickets cost £80 each. Please visit
http://stjohnsbuildings.com/news/sjb-football-law-conference-sportspersons-dinner
to find out more and book your place.
The fundraiser saw over
forty team members brave
the Manchester rain to complete
a series of tasks that
included taking the biggest
group selfie and solving riddles
dotted in several locations
around the city. The
eight teams were also
tasked with spelling out
‘Kuits’ in the most imaginative
way possible using
Manchester scenery.
While on their search, staff
were encouraged to send
photos of completed missions
back to event coordinators
at the firm’s offices at
Blackfriars House.
Samantha Lawson, a secretary
for the Kuits’ licensing
team and member of the
firm’s Community Involvement
Team (CIT), commented:
“A couple of CIT
members compiled a
slideshow of all of the images
as they came in, which
was very entertaining – one
team even bumped into
Girona FC and managed to
take a group selfie with the
squad!
“We judged each task on
entertainment value and
the levels of creativity that
went into the photos, before
giving points to the
best ones in each category.”
Laughs for cash: JMW Solicitors gears
up for 2nd fundraising comedy dinner
Last year, I was delighted
to have been involved
with a fundraising dinner
JMW Solicitors put on, to
raise funds for the Child
Brain Injury Trust.
The dinner, a black tie comedy
night, saw just under
200 from Manchester’s legal
and professional services
sector enjoy some fantastic
comic turns and sparkling
company, raising a staggering
£20,617.05 for the Child
Brain Injury Trust.
I’m delighted to say that
we’re holding the second
annual comedy dinner this
year, returning to the Victoria
and Albert Manchester
Marriott.
The dinner is set to take
place on 29th September
and once again, it will be a
black tie affair, with the goal
of raising as much money as
possible for this very worthy
cause.
We’re also pleased to say
Sarah Evans, marketing
manager and fellow CIT
member, added: “My
favourite task given to the
teams was to perform a random
act of kindness. Staff
bought food for the homeless,
coffees for construction
workers and donated their
umbrellas to passers-by,
which just added to the
charitable nature of the
event.”
Teams were given an hour
to complete the tasks before
heading back to the office
for a prize-giving
ceremony.
The firm raised a total of
£210 for Wood Street Mission,
which provides help to
children and families living
in Manchester and Salford
that Kings Chambers continues
to support the event
as a headline sponsor, providing
welcome drinks and
wine on the table.
The Child Brain Injury Trust
is a vital service and a wonderful
cause, which is why
we’re proud to support
them through this event
and others. Every penny
raised at this event will go
directly to supporting their
work in our region. At current,
that involves working
with 180 families who are all
in need of care, love and
hope in their darkest hours.
Not only are we supporting
this wonderful charity in
September, we’re also organising
a black tie dinner
with a dancing theme to
raise funds for Headway
Preston and Chorley. Another
great cause, and I look
forward to sharing more information
about this event
with you in the coming
months.
Group selfie with Girona FC
with everyday items most
people take for granted.
Steve Eccleston, Managing
Partner for Kuits, said: “Getting
together outside of the
office environment is an important
aspect of our culture
and something that we
like to organise frequently
to promote team-building.
We also encourage our people
to play an active role in
helping the Manchester
community, so the two
often go hand-in-hand.
“The feedback we’ve had
from everyone that took
part has been positive, so
I’m sure it will become a regular
fixture on our charity
events list.”
If you’re interested in learning
more about either event
and buying a table, you can
get in touch with my colleague
Danielle on
danielle.gibson@jmw.co.uk
who is handling bookings
and will be happy to provide
you with details of our
gold and standard packages.
We look forward to seeing
you there!
Gordon Cartwright
JMW Solicitors

Charity & CSR 17
BPP Pro Bono Centre – Calais Migrant Camp
If you google “Calais migrants” you don’t discover much
about the men and women in the Calais camps.
You learn that the Calais mayor wants the camps moved
to the UK in the light of Brexit. You learn too that French
riot police released tear gas into the camps recently,
after violence broke out. As lawyers engaged in pro
bono projects we look behind headlines and are keen to
find ways for our pro bono projects to help the most vulnerable.
We were therefore particularly struck by the following
headline:
“Right now, around 5000 refugees from war-torn and politically
unstable countries remain 20 miles from the coast of Dover.”
Care4Calais
5000 refugees. All living in terrible conditions with little access
to water, food or sanitation. We wanted to know more
about the personal stories of the refugees. What makes a 19
year old boy leave his family in the Sudan to make a perilous
trip across the continent and through Europe to the Northern
borders of France? What makes an 11 year old boy feel
safer in a camp on the outskirts of Calais than in the embrace
of his family in his home country, Afghanistan? What
do they know of the laws that might allow them, or in fact
block them, from building a new life on our continent?
The Pro Bono Centre team
The BPP Pro Bono Centre is part of BPP University Law
School. As a team, we run around 30 projects nationwide
aimed at improving access to justice in the community by
engaging law students to deliver free legal advice and education
under supervision. In Manchester and Liverpool the
team is headed up by me, Lucy Wildig, Pro Bono Manager,
and Rachael Kirkup, Pro Bono Coordinator, both formally of
Brabners LLP. The wider team won the 2016 BPP Staff Corporate
Social Responsibility Award for their Soup Kitchen
project (through which students and staff volunteer at a
homeless shelter in London) receiving a financial award of
£2,000 to spend on a team treat.
Fundraising
Once committed to visiting Calais, we started to raise funds
for items identified by the charities working there as being
much needed. In total we raised over £1150 prior to our
visit. We took items such as shoes with us and much needed
trousers for 12-14 year olds. Our first stop of the day was to
deliver the items to a warehouse of the French charity, the
Auberge des Migrants. This charity aims to offer basic food,
essential clothing and assistance with other basic needs
such as shelter. They have a huge warehouse near the camp
and long-term and short-term volunteers were all around
the warehouse on our arrival. One of the volunteers was almost
in tears on receiving our donated size 42 shoes as
there was a long list of camp inhabitants in need of them
and Tuesday (the day of our visit) was “shoes day!”
Volunteering with Care4Calais
Following our trip to Auberge, we then moved on to assist
a charity called Care4Calais. This was founded by a group
of UK volunteers and aims to help any refugees fleeing war,
poverty or natural disaster with basic needs and some quality
of life. Care4Calais is self-funded and is currently seeking
charitable status in the UK.
The pro bono team signed up for moving tents to clear
space for the “delivery from Glastonbury” and for loading
the mini bus full of cleaning items for the camp to be transferred
to the Auberge des Migrants for distribution (it was
refreshing to see such collaboration of efforts between
these independent organisations). We then took part in
warehouse tidy up, emptying donation bags and sorting as
best we could. Our entire team embraced the task at hand
with some really honing their warehouse credentials by operating
the warehouse pallet jack!
After lunch the team volunteered for a variety of tasks with
roughly half aiding with the distribution of food parcels and
of clothing items and half teaching English to the camp inhabitants.
Inside the Camp
The first thing you feel when driving in – a different world
but just a few hours from home. It is immediately striking
that you 15can’t see the end of the rows of tents and that
there are very few women or very young children around.
The pictures you don’t see much of in our media are of the
inhabitants trying to create a sense of place, home and community.
There are little cafes and kitchens set up in
makeshift huts, places that we are told are often full outside
of Ramadan. It is however evident that this is no luxury
campsite. There is little provision for basic needs and shelter
varies from tents to small shacks constructed from whatever
materials were to hand. Some were sturdier than others
with tarpaulins and roofing structures, whereas others used
blankets to keep out the sun and rain.
There were also some porta cabins. These house 12 people.
To access these, they must comply with some rules including
scanning your hand. Many of the refugees are nervous
about this because of the Eurodac system and therefore
don’t enter. We are told that roughly 20% of the inhabitants
want to reach the UK and so don’t risk creating obstacles by
complying with the porta cabin requirements. This leaves
them susceptible to the terrible conditions on camp. Cold,
wet, damp conditions day in, day out.
The men varied in age and all had made perilous journeys
to reach Calais. One 19 year old told us that in Sudan he was
not safe. His father, aged 52, felt this young boy had no
choice but to leave the family to seek shelter with an uncle
in the UK. He is trying to reach him.
Care4Calais have clearly developed great relationships with
people in the camp and those who chanced their luck by
pushing in tended to be well known to them from previous
distributions. How do you deal with a situation like this?
Pretty much the same way as such incidents are handled
anywhere. The others tut and everyone ignores the person
pushing in until they realise it is faster to join the back.
Those of us actually inside the container were organising
the ‘stock’ or offering our comments on the jumpers. The
queue was well over a hundred people and it was surprising
how similar the operation ran to a normal shop; some
were dissatisfied with the colour or fit of the jumpers and
some changed their mind afterwards and wanted to have
a replacement!
After the clothes, we returned to the van and began food
distribution. We were initially in contact with a guide from
the camp and the plan was to work in pairs and deliver
packages to specific people known to be in need. The immediate
problem we faced was that, in reality, every person
in the camp is in need. Everybody there is hungry and everybody
needed the packages. As word spread that we were
delivering food, it became progressively harder to return to
the van to collect more, and impossible to explain that “no,
you cannot have this food”. Instead we had to arrange another
queue and handed out food to as many people as
would could before it ran out.
Regardless of the views you might hold on where people in
the camps should be, it is impossible not to be charmed and
stunned in equal measure as the told their stories. One
young man had fractured his leg and skull after jumping
from a lorry having realised it was heading in the wrong direction.
Apparently, this was nothing compared to his friend
who, thinking he had made it to England, found that he was
in fact in a lorry and surrounded by Belgian police, and was
duly deported to Italy. It became clear that they don’t find
the camp to be as horrifying as the places from which they
have fled.
Some of the residents we met matter of factly told us of their
days spent queuing (without knowing what aid, if anything,
would be delivered to their area that day) and sleeping, before
re-attempting to board lorries to the UK for 5 – 6 hours
each night (despite some having been recently tear-gassed
and others still carrying the physical scars from previous
failed attempts). What impossible situations had they fled
from – leaving jobs, homes and family precious to them behind
– to push them to this unforgiving daily routine?
One of the long term aid workers I spoke to was delighted
that a young male had selected a bright yellow hoody during
our distribution rather than a black hoody that would
provide the ‘cloak of darkness’. I asked why. “It means that –
at least for tonight – he won’t be risking his life to climb
aboard a vehicle heading for the UK”.
Legal projects going forward
We were fortunate enough to meet with a volunteer in the
Legal Centre on camp. Through a very productive meeting
we identified three areas where BPP students and fellow pro
bono providers can assist
1. Information
There are 8000 inhabitants and very minimal volunteer resources
to provide simple, useful information on the legal
and other options available to the camp inhabitants. Our
students will work on preparing posters in the languages of
the inhabitants setting out some clear information. The
most common languages are Arabic, Pashto, Farsi, Dari and
Tigrinya.
2. Training
There are a number of incredible volunteers based in Calais
helping long-term to assist with the distribution of goods,
basic English lessons and more. Few know anything at all
about immigration law and asylum law. We’ve agreed to
prepare online training for all charities based in Calais to
provide access for their volunteers so that they understand
the basics. We will also provide ad hoc training in person in
the UK where required.
3. Volunteer recruitment
We will prepare a job description for legal student volunteers
to help in the Legal Shelter in Calais. This will include
details on the requirements for the post, information about
the Legal Shelter and rules for volunteering. We will also provide
training on the relevant laws to the students at BPP. We
are also able to seek further pro bono assistance for example
with gaining charitable status, governance and more either
alone or with our pro bono partners.
Manchester and Liverpool’s Pro Bono Centre are always
looking to forge new partnerships with Law Firms across the
North West, for a variety of different projects and initiatives.
If you would like to get involved, or simply have a chat to
discover how you could, as a firm, work with us, please don’t
hesitate to contact me at LucyWildig@bpp.com

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
Case Studies to demonstrate firms really are
taking action on mobility, agility and productivity
Over the last few years in this column I have written a great
deal about how law firms should be taking seriously enhancements
in mobility, agility, productivity and efficiency.
Many of you get in touch with me to ask how academic I am
about the topic with a doubt as to whether other firms are
or are not adopting the latest ideas in order to become and
remain for competitive, more profitable and in control of
working capital at the same time as enhancing client experience.
This month I am going to share some real examples stimulated
by Manchester Law Society Advantage members.
http://www.manchesterlawsociety.org.uk/mls_advantage
Hosting and Agile Working Let’s start with Olliers -
http://olliers.com/latest-news/olliers-goes-paper-free.html
who are comfortable to go public on their good news –
moving to a paperless office, having embraced a fully
hosted digital environment:
Matthew Claughton, managing partner of Olliers, the top
tier rated criminal defence specialist firm, is a strong advocate
of investing in the right technology to facilitate growth.
Having moved to the cloud to enable speedier and more reliable
access to IT systems, Olliers is better able to promote
agile working, providing staff and clients with greater flexibility
and benefits.
Their supplier http://convergets.co.uk/ has delivered a fully
hosted desktop service to Olliers. All fee earners are able to
access the firm’s systems from their electronic devices at
court, at home, or indeed any location where they are able
to access wifi.
Matthew explains: “We encourage flexible working and 60%
of employees including the six consultants who have joined
us in the last twelve months work flexibly in terms of hours
and/or remote or agile working. As we continue to attract
additional consultants nationwide, the flexible and agile approach
of Olliers digital working is likely to prove instrumental
in our recruitment” and “Technology enables our
London-based consultants to access our systems, and distance
becomes irrelevant as we can provide seamless representation
for our clients. Our clients benefit from a service
that is far more cost effective and we are in a position to provide
them with local representation.”
Telephony Contribution. Established for over 50 years,
http://www.hillyermckeown.co.uk/ Solicitors is a leading
Northwest law firm with a reputation for delivering technically
excellent and innovative legal advice. With offices in
Chester (HQ) and Wirral, the firm’s reception provides a service
for over 250 users.
To maintain efficiency and enhance the client experience
they needed an investment iin upgrading telecoms with the
clear objectives of greater call control for receptionists and
everyday system users to enhance first touch client experience
and introduce the most resilient telecoms infrastructure
possible to protect client communications. Whilst of
course reducing costs. The solution came from
http://www.matrix247.com/.
Following an audit of systems, contracts and line usage
which identified where operational gains and financial savings
could be made. The firm could retain an element of the
existing PBX equipment enabling previous investments to
be optimised whilst a processor upgrade was recommended
with a new hybrid call management platform at
Chester and Wirral.
Receptionists were provided with a computer-based system
enabling them to see the status of colleagues regardless of
office location, whether they were working from home or
on mobile, through a user friendly on-screen presence management
system. A communication link between locations
was provided with a centralised reception, with all calls
being delivered to two receptionists at head office, with
back-up and overflow available from two additional operators
at an alternative location. Receptionists now have full
PC screen visibility of where calls are coming from and for
whom they are intended, allowing them to answer calls in
the correct way every time.
There is enhanced performance – fast, seamless call handling
and transfer; on-screen dialling.
Print Strategy and Efficiency - Now a couple of examples
where http://www.docutechsolutions.co.uk/ has enhanced
client agility and reduced costs.
Pickering & Butters http://www.pb4law.co.uk were able to
provide, with an audit current print usage which provided
enough information to develop and enhanced print strategy.
The number of printers have been reduced at the same
time as the implementation of enhanced data communication
and document sharing throughout the organisation.
Staff now have the ability of agile working within the organisation.
The whole resolution is applied on an encrypted and
secure platform, more importantly, at significantly reduced
costs.
Plus at http://pannonecorporate.com – from day 1 they established
a future proof print and work flow strategy
through the use of multifunctional devices plus Equitrac
and print & management software. There are enhanced providing
a robust & highly secure print flow. There is enhanced
document sharing and reduced costs.
Outsourced Telephone Answering. David Eagle head of IT
at https://www.withyking.co.uk/ explains why the firm took
the decision to switch to telephone answering specialists
https://www.moneypenny.com/uk
“Prior to outsourcing we found we had been missing around
30% of our calls so inevitably opportunities were being
missed and customer service was affected as a result. We
needed total confidence in the people taking our calls,
being absolutely sure they were portraying the right image
for our business. We now know that our Moneypenny PA
and her small team do just that. We now know we are never
missing a call or business opportunity and with spot-on
messaging, we are able to call new business enquirers
straight back which is proving to be far more effective than
previously. Emails sent directly to fee earners out of hours
also means they have the option to respond straight away
rather than have messages waiting for them at reception
the following morning.
“We do have an occasional look at Moneypenny online
which is great for management data but much of the time
we actually forget we are outsourcing as it’s so seamless an
arrangement between us. It just works – simple as that!”
Outsourced transcription and electronic signatures In
the last few months I have covered the developments at
http://www.documentdirect.co.uk/ with their outsourced
DD transcription and mobile app plus their electronic signature
product – big topic with the Law Society at the moment.
I could of course quote a law firm but have chosen for
something different an author and motivational speaker –
Andy Bounds https://andyboundsonline.com/
The motivation is similar to that of a law firm “Our business’s
success hinges on me being relentless with follow-up. Every
meeting throws up next actions, documents to be created,
future diary entries etc. I simply dictate what they are, send
them through to Document Direct, then get on with my
next meeting while they are typing up what happened in
the previous one. My customers regularly tell me I’m the
fastest supplier they’ve ever worked with.
The secret? Document Direct.
Even better, their “Out Of Hours – 24/7 service means I can
dictate any sizeable stuff at the end of the day, send it
through to them to type while I have tea with the kids. Later
that evening, or the next day when I start work, it’s on my
computer and I can crack on”
“They’ve enabled me to work the way I want to”. “And this
has given me the life I’ve always wanted” “As I say… I love
Document Direct!”
***************
Slightly different – That PI specialism factor. I was not
aware of the full range of services offered by
http://www.citadel-law.com – not Advantage suppliers but
certainly friends of MLS
The PI market is changing so fast with some giving up but
also more specialism certainly demanded. Citadel Law is
currently advising law firms, banks and accountants as they
manage the changing scene.
Advice is going into businesses of all shapes and sizes that
touch the PI market. Your business may mirror some of this
•Large commercial firm - WIP value, operational enhancements
and options be they sale, trade out or expansion
• Medium sized PI firm - Operational and WIP review to increase
bank
• Small PI law firm for sale - Seller due diligence and
grooming
• Administrators and bank - Personal injury WIP earn out
on a law firm in administration –to maximise recoveries
and minimise timescales
• PI and general practices - Strategic review and inputting
LQC Analytics to demonstrate current and future WIP
value and operational/risk status of PI books.
• National law firm - Succession planning for a allowing
senior partners to retire (WIP valuation based on LQC Analytics
utilised by international accountancy firm)
• Numerous law firms and litigation funders - Assessing
and assisting to finance personal injury claims by way of
disbursement funding, court fees and WIP draw down
Bill Kirby is a director of Professional Choice Consultancy
offering advice to firms on business issues from
strategy, planning, business development, the effective
use of IT applications and IT hosting for compliance,
business continuity and DR. He can be contacted at billkirby@professionalchoiceconsultancy.com

Local News
MTSG News
Thank You
As this is my first contribution to the Messenger magazine as the
newly-appointed Chair of MTSG, my first order of business is to
congratulate and pass on an enormous thankyou to all committee
members on the 2015/2016 committee for all their efforts
and hard work that made last year’s MTSG calendar an extremely
successful one. The committee put in a significant amount of
time behind the scenes and I think we can all agree that the array
of events held across the board demonstrates the dedication of
each committee member within their respective roles. The MTSG Summer BBQ and Election
Results Party (being the end-of-year social) was held at The Lawn Club in August,
which proved to be a sell-out event. Once again, the Social Directors outperformed themselves
in venue choice and evening entertainment.
The 2016/2017 MTSG Committee
The MTSG elections drew to a close at the end of July. Following a large volume of applications
received and the hundreds of votes cast, I am delighted to reveal this year’s MTSG
election winners and the 2016/2017 committee:
Chair – Matthew Flanagan (Turner Parkinson LLP); General Secretaries – Emily Taylor (Simpson
Millar LLP) and Didi Ogbo (TLT LLP); Sponsorship Directors – Luke Holden (JMW Solicitors
LLP) and James Kay (Slater Heelis LLP); Online Director – Sophie Burrows (JMW
Solicitors LLP); Treasurer – Lara Celensu (BLM LLP); Social Directors – Seraphina Wilkins
(Fieldfisher LLP), Loretta Woollams (JMW Solicitors LLP) and Georgina Anwyl (Freshfields
Bruckhaus Deringer); Ball Directors – Nikki Hussey (DWF LLP), Aisling Bassett (Laytons Solicitors
LLP) and Charlotte King (JMW Solicitors LLP); FELT Director – Alex Herbert (Davis
Blank Furniss); Education Directors – Grace Matthews (Lund Bennet Law LLP) and Alasdair
Jones (DWF LLP); Sports Director (Male) – Neil Munford (Bermans); Sports Director (Female)
– Catherine O’Rourke (JMW Solicitors LLP); Activities Director – Chris Berry (Solis
Law); Charities Director – Heena Kapadi (Slater Heelis LLP); JLD Representative – Adam
Hattersley (McHale & Co).
Keep an eye out for the profiles of each of the newly-elected committee members in October’s
edition of the Messenger.
The Year Ahead
Manchester is a diverse and dynamic city and I am looking forward to meeting with all
the new members in this year’s intake of trainee solicitors, paralegals and other MTSG
members. Having relocated to Manchester from Northern Ireland, I have found that MTSG
is an excellent base for those who are new to Manchester and for meeting new people,
in addition to expanding your network of professional contacts as a junior legal professional.
The Social Directors are currently in preparation mode for the launch party and if last
year’s event is anything to go by, it will be a fantastic night. Some of the opportunities we
are planning throughout this year include a variety of social, sporting, charitable, networking
and educational events, the infamous winter and summer balls, and not to forget
the MTSG ski trip. By now, you should have received the MTSG welcome packs from
your firms, however if you have not done so, please contact us via our website or via one
of our social media platforms (details provided below).
We look forward to continuing our relations with the current sponsors and supporters
of MTSG as well as working alongside new sponsors and supporters who are interested
in becoming involved with MTSG. The commitment and generosity of all our sponsors allows
MTSG to provide a magnitude of events throughout the year whilst providing networking,
development and educational opportunities to our members.
I think I speak for all of the newly-elected committee members in saying we are looking
forward to growing and developing the MTSG. We will continue to build on the success
of the previous year and we have some exciting events to look forward to.
We look forward to seeing you at the launch party!
Matthew Flanagan
Chair of MTSG
Trainee Solicitor at Turner Parkinson LLP
Matthew.Flanagan@tp.co.uk
The Manchester Trainee Solicitors Group provides social, education, sporting and networking
opportunities for junior legal professionals in and around Greater Manchester.
If you would like to become a member, whether you are a paralegal, prospective
trainee, trainee or newly qualified solicitor, please visit the ‘Join Us’ section of our website
(www.mtsg.org.uk), contact us via twitter (@mcrtsg) or via the facebook group
(MTSG 2016/17).
MYSG News
The success of Manchester Young
Solicitors Group continues to build
with tickets for their most recent
summer networking event selling
out in just over 10 minutes. This
event, held on the 27th July,
hosted 70 of our solicitors and was
in conjunction with the chartered
accountants and the young professional network. The
evening was enjoyed on the exclusive terrace of King
Street Town House and attendees were treated a live saxophone
performance and cocktails. Some great contacts
were made and it was another incredible event for our
members. Credit must be given to our sponsor, Realm Recruitment
who have shown a real interest in support Manchester’s
legal community and enabled us to put on this
fantastic event.
Looking forward in our calendar we have the following
events coming up:
6th September: Building your career breakfast briefing,
RBS Deansgate, presented by Jepson Holt.
22nd September: Newly Qualified Solicitor Event, Revolution
Parsonage Garden. All members welcome.
End of September: Netball tournament
Benefits of membership
Who are we?
Manchester Law Society is a voluntary membership organisation for the local legal
community. Instituted in 1838 and Incorporated in 1871 we are one of the oldest
local law societies in the country. With over 2700 members and associated members
we are a strong and vibrant community promoting your profession and giving local
lawyers a voice.
Why join?
• Legal Education Programme
o Members are entitled to a reduced delegate rate
o Full day and half day in depth conferences on various topics including:
• Personal Injury
• Employment Law
• Management
If you are interested or know anyone at your firm who is
looking to develop their network and business development
skills please sign up to our mailing list at
https://www.mysg.co.uk and follow us on LinkedIn and
Facebook. Members are encouraged to check the website
regularly for news and updates as we are receiving an unprecedented
amount of interest in each of our events and
attendance is on a first come first served basis.
Charlotte Percy
Chair of Manchester Young Solicitors Group
Family Associate at Slater and Gordon Lawyers
Charlotte.percy@slatergordon.co.uk
• Regulation
• Commercial
• Family Law
o Evening seminars focusing on business and soft skills areas
o The opportunity to provide speakers for seminars and courses and for
chambers and MLS to work together to provide seminars to our members
o For details on the current programme visit
www.manchesterlawsociety.org.uk

20 News
Matrix247 WINS Corporate Social Responsibility
Award in E3 Business Awards 2016
Rossendale based
Telecommunications firm,
Matrix247 has been
awarded the “Corporate
Social Responsibility
Award” at the 2016 E3
Business Awards, which
were held on 3rd June at
the Macron Stadium in
Bolton.
The company, which is a
part of MLS Advantage, designs
telecom systems, supplies
mobile phones with
call & data bundles, data
networks and video-conferencing
solutions, saw off intense
competition from
nominees across the North
West. The award was presented
by Diane Elebert-
Morgan representing the
award partner Greater Manchester
Chamber of Commerce.
Receiving the award, the
company’s CEO, Stephen
Pritchard said: “Creating the
Matrix247 Foundation a
year ago to help five local
NW charities not only is of
great benefit to each cause,
but has created a great
sense of community spirit
and a tight bond in team-
work between the staff at
Matrix247. So for us, everyone
benefits out of taking
this approach and ties in
very nicely with the high
sense of morals which we
value so much with the culture
at Matrix247. We will
covet this award as a high
achievement in our 25 year
history.”
Speaking on behalf of 1
Events Media, which hosted
and organised the awards,
Managing Director Mubarak
Chati said: “Matrix247,
should be very proud of itself.
In 2016, the E3 Business
Awards attracted the highest
number of entries - and
probably the highest calibre
of entries - that our judges
had ever seen. Winning
against such impressive
competition really means
something.
“As the host of the Awards,
we were left in no doubt
that the North West is home
to some huge talent. Companies,
social enterprises
and individual entrepreneurs
are doing great things
for the region's economy, its
people and its communities.
Matrix247 is a great example
of that and I’m
delighted that the Awards
are helping it to achieve the
recognition it deserves.”
Robots still not ready to steal your job
Despite the warnings
from Hollywood in films
like Terminator and AI, it
appears that robots are
getting that bit closer to
stealing the jobs of professionals
around the
world. The legal sector is
just one area that is rapidly
increasing its use of
technology to both lower
costs and quicken
processes. But what does
this mean for talent in the
profession?
Magic Circle firm, Clifford
Chance is the latest to embrace
artificial intelligence
by recruiting its very own
robot, Kira, which is designed
to help lawyers to
quickly analyse contracts,
identify potential legal issues,
improve speed and, ultimately,
increase efficiency.
Perhaps most startlingly,
Kira isn’t just designed to be
switched on and work, but
it also gathers information
and learns on the job, a skill
that some humans haven’t
yet fully mastered. This
means that Kira also undertakes
training, although
whether this has the same
impact as the same classroom-based
courses that
many of us are used to remains
uncertain.
Clifford Chance is utilising
the technology to ultimately
reduce its clients
legal expenditure and
quicken processes across
the board, particularly in the
areas of work that would
usually be undertaken by
trainees and/or paralegals.
However, while many of you
may be reading this and becoming
slightly concerned
with your own job security,
fear not, as the firm has reported
that Kira will have little-to-no
impact on its
trainee intake.
What this does mean,
though, is that legal professionals,
and those who will
move into the profession in
the coming years, will have
to put considerably more
thought into the types of
skills they develop. It’s no
longer enough to stick it out
in the office until the small
hours to show that you’re a
hard worker because, quite
frankly, Kira will get it done
much quicker and more efficiently
than you will possibly
be able to. Instead, professionals
should think
about what sets them apart
from the current level of
technology and focus on attributes
like developing a
wider personal network and
greater interpersonal skills,
if they want to survive in the
age of technology.
It’s understandable that the
speed of change would be
concerning to some. After
all, how far off are we from a
robot making partner? Or
will we eventually bow
down to robotic judges? It
remains to be seen and in all
honesty it’s likely that the
responsibilities of robots
will grow as technology
continues to develop. However,
for now, legal jobs appear
to be safe and at least
new starters at Clifford
Chance and a handful of
other firms will go into their
first day already knowing
one of their colleagues’
names.
Lynn Sedgwick
Managing Director
Clayton Legal
VFS LEGAL FUNDING
RELEASING CASH FLOW
Do you want to improve
your Cashflow?
VFS provides quick, simple and cost effective funding
solutions that release YOUR funds locked up in YOUR profit
costs and disbursements.
The funds can be used by you for any purpose. Including, for
example, Tax and VAT payments, removing the need to rely on
costly, fixed term repayment loans from secondary funders.
Disbursement funding (‘DCF’)
VFS funds the ongoing disbursements incurred on PI, Clinical
Negligence and Litigation cases until their natural conclusion.
Costs advance facility (‘CAF’)
VFS can provide immediate funding against most bills that
have been served – releasing cash back into the practice.
For a no obligation discussion please call 020 3747 9333
or email enquiries@vfslegal.com or visit vfslegal.com

Christmas Party Feature 21
Christmas is a coming...
This month in the Messenger we are including some fantastic ideas to create a truly
memorable Christmas Party in 2016...

22 Christmas Party Feature
CILEX
The Place will tailor-make your perfect
Christmas event
Winners of ‘Serviced Apartments of the Year’ for the second year
in a row at The Manchester Tourism Awards, The Place Aparthotel
is the transformation of a Grade II listed former cotton warehouse.
The historic importance of its strategic location next to
canal and rail inks continues today with guests enjoying easy access
from Piccadilly Station, as well as easy road access and onsite
car parking.
The buildings industrial past shines
through in the architecture, which
blends old and new – the modern
self-catering apartments featuring
exposed brick walls, arched warehouse
windows and high barrel ceilings.
Perfect for extended stay
guests or corporate clients staying
in the city for one night.
Located right in the heart of multi-cultural Manchester, The Place
Aparthotel hosts a variety of events and special celebrations. With
the team embracing these occasions. With a range of Christmas dinner
and party options The Place Aparthotel is the ideal choice for
getting together with friends or family or celebrating with colleagues.
With the Christmas party events being created to suit a range of
budgets and requirements. If you can’t find exactly what you’re looking
for our experienced event coordinators will be more than happy
to tailor make your perfect Christmas event.
The Place Aparthotel, Ducie Street, Manchester, M1 2TP
www.theplaceaparthotel.com
events@theplaceaparthotel.com
THE PLACE TO BE THIS CHRISTMAS
Celebrate with one of our fantastic Christmas Party Nights
or for a delicious Christmas Lunch, choose
The Place Aparthotel in Manchester.
For a relaxed Christmas dining experience our lunch menus are the perfect option
for you! Dine in our bar, Victorian Garden or for larger parties our characteristic private rooms.
Or for something a little more upbeat, start your evening with a sumptuous cocktail then make
your way to tuck into a delicious three course meal. You won’t forget the evening with our
DJ and photobooth providing photos for you to take home!
Christmas Party Nights from £25
Christmas Lunch from £14
For more information or to book please enquire with our events
team on 0161 778 7500 or email events@theplaceaparthotel.com
www.theplaceaparthotel.com
Ducie Street, Piccadilly, Manchester M1 2TP

Christmas Party Feature 23
DON’T SETTLE FOR THE SAME
OLD, SAME OLD CHRISTMAS
Looking for something a little different this Christmas? Glam up, loosen those ties and
get merry with kitsch cocktails, speakeasy vibes and fresh American cooking at All
Star Lanes. It’s all about festive feasting, drinking and bowling, the new old
fashioned way.
Bring the team in for a Christmas party they won’t forget. Feast on festive takes on
American comforts (featuring the return of our epic Christmas dinner burger!) in our
diner and then head over to the lanes for a bit of bowling. Organise a tournament or
just let the team loose – it’s the perfect sport for a bit of team bonding.
For those not wanting the full diner experience, we’ve got party packages with festive
sliders and canapes too. Oh and bowling, of course… it’s what makes the party!
If you’re looking for a large party or big corporate event we’ve got our luxe private
room – The Jungle Room. Holding up to 100 people, you can book in for unlimited
bowling on your own private lanes, cocktails from your own private bar, festive sliders
and canapés…this is the ultimate way to party. Full venue hire also available for up to
500 people.
Prices start from £30 per person.
For more information:
0161 871 3600
christmas@allstarlanes.co.uk
The Great Northern, 235 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EN
Allstarlanes.co.uk

MLS ADVANTAGE
MORE ADDED VALUE FOR MEMBERS OF THE MANCHESTER LAW SOCIETY
Contact
David Opie: 01524 220001 or davidopie@etsos.co.uk
Search Aggregator
Contact
Ste Pritchard: 08000 740 247 or ste@matrix247.com
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
MLS AD
MLS AD
ANT
MLS ADVANT
ANTA
ANTA
AGE
Compli by W
MLS AD
MORE ADDED V
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MLS AD
UE FOR MEMBERS OF THE MAN
ALUE FOR MEMBERS OF THE MAN
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ANT
MLS ADVANT
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Viewpoint
ANTA
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AGE
IETY
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HESTER LAW SOC
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HESTER LA
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Contact
Di
Document
Michelle Garl
Direct
lick: 0161 233 7330 or mich
elle.garlick@weightmans.co
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Contact
Quentin Birc
Trainin
AML T
hall: 0844 811 7660 or quen
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ntin.birchall@viewpoint-av.c
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Contact
Martyn Best: 0
Switchboa
: 0151 227 9150 or martyn.b
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Contact
Bill Jones or S
s or Sarah Scott: 0161 828 1937 or b
7 or bill.jones@elplearning.co
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Contact
upp
Docutech O
Office Solutions
Search Agg
Joanna Swash
gregator
333 202 1005
: 0 w
joanna.s
or j
.co.uk
wash@moneypenny.
Contact
Jason Dixon: 0
Managed IT
: 0844 8932919 or jasondixo
T Services
n@docutechsolutions.co.uk
k
Contact
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
S
vidopie@etsos.co.uk
Contact
Xyone Cybe
Security
er S
C
Telecoms :
Contact
Aaron Naisbi
Mobiles
Connectivity :
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
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transcription
and succeed.
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We have added a number of new benets and features to
help you along the way, the highlights of which include:
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6 Weight Loss Pitfalls to Avoid – And 6 Solutions
As many of you will be returning from the holiday season with a few extra pounds to shift (or
maybe a bit of longer term additional baggage!), here are 6 common pitfalls I see regularly in the
gym (and some great solutions):
1/ Over rewarding: research shows that when people start to exercise, overall food consumption
increases compensating for calories burned! ‘Rewarding yourself’ for exercising is a really
common thing to do. Unfortunately, research also shows that people consistently overestimate
the calories burned during exercise leading to overall fat gain!!
Solution: Keep a food diary (or use an app like myfitnesspal to increase awareness of food consumption).
2/ Becoming more sedentary: research also shows that when people take up specific exercise,
they decrease non-exercise activity, and actually become more sedentary the rest of the time!
Solution: Become more aware of how much you’re moving your body outside of specific periods
of exercise and aim to move your body as much as possible in daily life.
3/ Eating more high carb foods: so many people fall into the trap of thinking you need more
carbs and/or sports drinks before and during your work out, but this is rarely the case, and may
actually suppress fat burning!
Solution: earn your carbs and if you need more, increase them after your workout and at your
evening meal on exercise days (not the rest of the time).
4/ Crash dieting: as we’re approaching the back end of Summer many people will have hit the
low-calorie-oh-my-god-I’m-going-on-holiday-in-a-few-weeks panic button in the past few
months. Unfortunately most people who achieve fat loss this way put it all back on and actually
end up more fat than they started out!
Solution: First, don’t do that again :o) Second, aim for longer term consistency in your nutrition
and lifestyle habits, built around whole food, protein and good fats – and make food that you like
to eat.
5/ Lack of sleep: research consistently shows that lack of sleep = more body fat. Most likely
through a change in hormonal balance that drives hunger (people eat more), and more carbs and
poorer quality foods.
Solution: Focus on your sleep routine and identify areas for improvement – no electronics before
bed, no fluids an hour before bed, no coffee or green tea late in the day are good places to start!
6/ Chronic stress: High stress hormones = inhibition of fat burning, an increase in craving for
carbs and more food in general, and increased fat storage. Not that great.
Solution: take some time to plan specific stress reduction strategies like walking in nature, meditation,
a cool little app called Naturespace, and calm.com
To your new lean and healthy body,
Matt
three sixtyº Personal Training is based on Bridge St and is a unique, private health clinic and personal
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For more information visit www.threesixtypersonaltraining.co.uk
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Manchester Law Society Members receive a 10% discount on personal training upon production
of their Benefits of Membership Card

October 09
The W
rld
according to Fran
When you read this column I shall be hopefully sunning
myself in France, recharging my batteries and trying to
forget about all the stupid little things that annoy me on
a daily basis like:-
1. Jack not tidying his room although this doesn’t just annoy
me it really, really, really irritates the hell out of me
2. When the train driver pulls into the station and stops
about five miles away from the crowd so we all have to run
to get on it
3. When the train driver, who has just made you run the said
five miles to get on the train, doesn’t turn on the open door
button light for ages and ages and ages
4. When people start to get on the train before everybody
has got off
5. The serve yourself counter in a supermarket.
Why on god’s earth do they have to shout so loudly, in a really
irritating voice, “please place your item in the bagging
area” when you quite obviously already have and then the
lights start flashing, everybody looks at you like you are
barmy and can’t work the damn thing, and an assistant, who
quite clearly is not concerned in the slightest, looks like they
should still be at school, smirks at you whilst looking you up
and down and sneering “do you have a problem madam?”
6. Or when it shouts “unexpected item in the bagging area”
and you are screeching like a banshee – “there’s nothing
there you idiot. I haven’t scanned anything yet”
7. When I say to Jack “please put the washing in the machine.
The tablet is on the top so don’t forget to put that in”
and he does all that but doesn’t turn the damn machine
on!!!!!!
8. People who walk REALLY slowly in front of you and then
stop for no apparent reason
9. People breathing way too loudly
10. Car drivers who get stuck in yellow boxes at junctions
11. People who park next to you, far too near your line, so
you have to climb in to the driver’s seat through the passenger
seat to get in
12. When people with a lot more than ten items use the ten
items or under aisle in the supermarket
13. When cyclists don’t stop for red lights
14. And when cyclist ride NEXT to the cycle path and not on
it
15. People who leave only the crusts in the bread bin and
nothing else (Jack)
16. People who put a wet spoon in the sugar (Jack)
17. People who use the last of the milk and put the empty
container back in the fridge and don’t tell you (Jack)
18. Text speak
19. People who open packets the wrong way round (Jack)
and then you can’t shut them properly
20. Cash machine slowcoaches
21. Automated phones that leave you on hold for ages,
telling you your call means the world to them whilst playing
the MOST dire music ever
22. Serial Social Media Moaners
23. When picture frames on walls are crooked
24. People who nail clip in public
25. Drawers that are left open
26. A TV on in an empty room
27. When you open a dvd case and it is empty or the wrong
film is in it
28. Incessant tapping
29. People who leave the toilet seat up
30. Made up car names that are not even real words
31. People who throw something into a litter bin, like they
are the next great Harlem Globe Trotters basketball star, and
then leave it on the floor when they miss
32. Uncomfortable chairs
33. Toothpaste squeezed from the middle of the tube
34. People who drink directly out of bottles of milk/orange
juice from the fridge and then put them back
35. Chasing after a ping pong ball
36. People who quite obviously are reading a book/email/chatting
on line whilst I am on the phone with them
Wow! Once I got started………………………..
Anyway Jack has surpassed himself – we play a daft game
that I love but nobody else seems to – I think they only play
it to humour me. Take it in turns and ask questions to each
other – salt and vinegar or cheese and onion crisps, spice
girls or little mix, utd or city, champagne or prosecco.
You get the picture. Jack and I were playing it and I asked
him what superpower he would pick (I was about to say x-
ray vision or strength) and he said I would have said America
but I’m not so sure if Trump gets in but then again I don’t
like Putin so I couldn’t say Russia!!!!!!! So I’ll have to say America
or Russia. Too, too funny that boy.
Hope you have all had a wonderful summer – see you soon!
Fran Eccles-Bech
Executive Director
Monthly Competition
Oxygen Freejumping, Manchester
Trampoline Parks are a new and exciting concept that originated in America back in 2014.
They have slowly crept into our communities, where only a handful of people had been enjoying this modern new
way to stay fit and have fun. Oxygen Freejumping has truly burst onto the scene across the UK, combining safety
and an amazing event for all ages.
At Oxygen Freejumping we have 5 open parks with a further 10 in development. We offer over 150 adjoining trampolines,
and can accommodate over 150 bouncers to have the freedom to experience the movement of flying by
controlling their own ambitions. Inverted walls to bounce off offer a new approach to testing skills, as well as static
blocks to improve leaps and stands. We have designated areas for dodgeball, basketball and volleyball.
We cater for all ages from Little O’s Under 5’s sessions, to Dodgeball, Vollyball Leagues, Trampoline & Free Running
Academies and our fantastic array of Airbourne Exercise Classes and S.E.N sessions. Come as a family or enjoy your
works party here with a bounce followed by some Prosecco bubbles in our licenced cafe.
Don’t forget you can get 50% off entry on your first visit and 20% off entry each visit thereafter using your Manchester
Law Society Reward Card.
To win £250 kids party for 10 or £250 teambuilding day for 10 answer
the following question:
Q - How many ‘bouncers’ can be accommodated on the 150
adjoining trampolines?
and send to FranEccles-Bech@manchesterlawsociety.org.uk
no later than 15th September 2016
The winner of the Spin Factory competition was Caroline McCarron
Lawshare, JMW Solicitors LLP

Classified Directory
Locums
Commercial Property Locum
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18 years as Locum Solicitors in the
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Shareholder Disputes
Solicitor with 23 years
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Please contact by email
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or telephone/fax:
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Locums Expert Witnesses To advertise in the Messenger
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WHY PAY AGENCY FEES?
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DUAL QUALIFIED, very experienced
criminal specialist advocate with
higher rights. Crime work and
Crown Court work. Very reasonable
rates, short term locum contract
considered.
Please contact Christine on 01772
741816 or 07967 530138
Notary Public
Notary Public
John Cusack
worldwide documents
Notarised
accessible & efficient service
home & office visits
well-established (since 1984)
& experienced
tel: 0797 332 9791
jocusa@live.co.uk
Situations Wanted
Senior Residential Property
Solicitor
seeks position
(full time or part time).
Over 30 years conveyancing
experience
(29 years as a sole practitioner)
Anywhere in the Greater
Manchester area.
Email: davidswann8491@hotmail.co.uk
or telephone David on
07896 617287
Please mention
The Messenger when
responding to advertisements
Lifestyle/Gifts
Mark Mattison, a Mediator
based in South Manchester is
available for commercial
mediations and for training on
all forms of ADR.
07831 302797
mark@markmattison.co.uk
www.markmattison.co.uk
Woodpecker Bakery
We provide bespoke baked
goods made to order.
Our specialities include
brownies, salted caramels
and marshmallows.
Ideal gifts for family, friends,
clients or just to say thank
you.
Contact us on
carla@woodpeckerbakery.com
or
07834073628
to discuss your personal
quotation
ST. JAMES’S PLACE
WEALTH MANAGEMENT
ASSISTING LEGAL PROFESSIONALS
STEVE OCCLESTON WEALTH MANAGEMENT LIMITED
Senior Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management
PA RT N E R S I N M A N AG I N G YO U R W E A LT H
STEVE OCCLESTON WEALTH MANAGEMENT LIMITED
Senior Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management
We firmly believe that planning for a secure future, be it for yourself, your family, or your business,
is one of the most important steps you will ever take.
About St. James’s Place
We appreciate that your financial situation is unique, and therefore if financial advice is to be truly
valuable it must be based on a comprehensive and detailed overview of your financial circumstances.
However, The unless essence your of our plans business are acted is the upon provision and regularly of personal, reviewed, face-to-face changes wealth in your management
circumstances
or the advice. effects With of inflation funds under may erode management their value. amounting to £58 billion, our FTSE 100 business is
established as one of the UK’s leading wealth management organisations. At the heart of the
business is the St. James’s Place Partnership, which is the advisory channel for
As a Senior St. James’s Partner Place Practice Wealth Management. of St. James’s This Place brings Wealth together Management, some of the we most can experienced, provide you with able
a personal and highly wealth regarded management professionals service in designed financial to services meet today.
your short and long-term needs. We
can help you reach your financial goals by offering you the appropriate advice and guidance now,
and by ensuring that any plans put in place remain effective in the future no matter how your
circumstances change.
We put our clients first
In addition to our expertise we have access to specialists within St. James’s Place Wealth
Management, as well as links with other professional bodies including solicitors and accountants,
thus enabling We do not me provide to offer any you off-the-shelf a holistic wealth solutions management as our experience service designed is that every to meet single both one your of
short and our long-term clients has needs. their own personal concerns, responsibilities and ambitions. The solutions
that work for one, simply will not work for another. Basing their service on this principle,
members of the St. James’s Place Partnership build exceptionally strong, trusted and lasting
This brochure
relationships outlines
with our
their range
clients, of wealth
focused management
on reliable services
and personal and expertise
advice designed which we
to are
suit
sure you
individual will find
requirements.
informative in establishing effective ways to protect and enhance your future
prosperity. We very much look forward to building a professional and valuable relationship with you
in the future.
STEVE OCCLESTON WEALTH MANAGEMENT LIMITED
Senior Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management
Guaranteed advice
Cheshire House, 164 Main Road, Goostrey, Cheshire. CW4 8JP
St. James’s Place guarantees Telephone: the 01477 suitability 549138 of the advice Mobile: given 07976 by members 778494
of the St. James’s Place
Partnership when recommending Email: any steven.occleston@sjpp.co.uk
of the wealth management products and services available from
www.sjpp.co.uk/stevenoccleston
companies in the group.

‘We promote a friendly and
professional approach’
Commercial Property Solicitor
Manchester
A leading commercial firm is looking for a Commercial Property
Solicitor to join their developing team. The role will involve
a varied caseload; the ideal applicant will have 2 years
+ PQE and be able to demonstrate strong technical knowledge.
Contact Emma Wallbank
Construction Litigator
Manchester
My Client is a Legal 500 Ranked firm. The role will focus on
the involvement in high value and complex construction disputes
from inception to conclusion. The firm is seeking candidates
with 2-6 years PQE and strong academic
background
Contact Simon Scott
Private Client Solicitor
Manchester
A fantastic opportunity to join an expanding village Law Firm,
they are looking for an experienced Private Client Solicitor or
Fee Earner to run a caseload of Wills, trusts and Estates. Experience
is essential. Great salary and benefits.
Contact Lauren Connors
Credit Hire Litigator
Manchester
An award winning law firm is looking for a strong Litigator to
join their established Credit Hire team. You will have over 2
years previous experience of handling your own caseload of
Litigated Credit Hire matters independently.
Please contact Naomi Melling
Corporate Commercial Solicitor
Manchester
My client is a leading regional law firm based in Manchester
city centre. They are looking to recruit an experienced Company
Commercial Solicitor who will be responsible for a preexisting
caseload as well as developing new leads.
Contact Simon Scott
RTA Fee Earner
Manchester
A highly reputable law firm based in central Manchester is
looking for an experienced fee earner to join their Personal
Injury team. They are looking for a candidate to handle a
caseload of Litigated, Fast Track matters independently.
Please contact Naomi Melling
Real Estate Paralegal
Manchester
Manchester based law firm are looking for an experienced
Real Estate Paralegal to join its award winning team. The
successful applicant must have a minimum of 1 years experience
within Real Estate or Commercial Property. This role
will offer a training contract within 2 years for the right candidate.
Contact Emma Wallbank
Residential Conveyancing Solicitor Manchester
A Manchester based firm are looking to expand their team
with an additional experienced Conveyancing Solicitor. It is
essential that you are a Qualified Solicitor, Licensed Conveyancer
or Qualified Legal Executive with minimum of 2
years PQE. All residential matters.
Contact Lauren Connors
Clayton Legal
Recruiting talent, building the future
01772 259121
enquiries@clayton-legal.co.uk
www.clayton-legal.co.uk
@clayton_legal
/ClaytonLegal
/ClaytonLegal

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