Liverpool Law Mar 2017

From the President
President’s Mentions
Hello everyone, trust you are
well. I wasn’t, had man flu -
yes it does exist and it was
bad.
I have been looking at the
news lately and two items are
repeated incessantly - Trump
& Brexit- but it occurred to me
that when you look at the legal
systems of the two allegedly
greatest democracies of the
world UK & USA, you see
some significant differences at
present.
I have always thought whilst
not perfect the British system
is the best. This was illustrated
recently by the High Court &
Supreme Court decision on
Brexit. No-one, not even the
P.M. or Government, is above
the law. It may have been
academic but it tested some of
the great minds and illustrated
that the Rule of Law & Justice
must prevail. The Prime
Minister & Government
complied.
Look across the pond and we
see Trump trying to be a
dictator and putting his own
yes -men in place to ensure he
gets his own way- watch this
space!
We are still very busy at Helix
(LLS) with the changes that
HMG are trying to impose.
The idea of divide & rule is
still alive and kicking with the
proposed 10% hike in Q.C.s
fees and threat of further
reduction to Solicitors &
Higher right fees. Continued
tightening of the belt
regretfully.
I note The Law Society have
appointed an interim CEO to
bridge the gap until a
permanent appointment is
made. I note that Robert
Bourns is determined to press
ahead with reforms and he
would welcome input from us
all.
I was fortunate recently to
meet with him when in
London and get his views
directly on several issues, he
certainly has the members of
the profession at heart, having
been a Partner in a provincial
firm dealing with not only
commercial & private matters
but also Legal aid cases.
I attended the ANWLS dinner
last month when the smaller
Societies in Lancashire &
Cumbria met to try to revive
their association, it was a very
pleasant evening and I thank
all organisers and officers.
The Vice President Joe Egan
was present and gave a rallying
cry. I understand that a
decision has been made to relaunch
ANWLS with a
summer social event and will
be expanded to include local
groups and organisations from
the North West and will
continue to keep the
connection with Liverpool &
Manchester law societies. The
problems with ANWLS
illustrate the difficulties
everyone in the profession is
facing - too little cash and time
and so much to do. Maybe we
can help subject to time & cost
- ideas please particularly from
those on the fringes of
Merseyside who feel a little left
out.
I was pleased to welcome our
Presiding Civil Judge His
Honour Judge Graham Wood
Q.C. to the recent NQ evening
when we had 44 newly
qualified solicitors & 8 pupil
barristers. It was certainly
heartening to see and hear the
enjoyment & enthusiaism the
youngsters displayed -
congratulations to them all
and grateful thanks to Graham
for his address and
presentation of the
Certificates. I hope all are
being proudly displayed in the
offices.
I would encourage all of you
to make use of the modern
communications and give us
your views of all things legal
on LinkedIn & Twitter please.
What effect will Brexit have on
us - what can LLS do for you,
how can we help.
By the time you read this all
nominations for the Legal
Awards will be in & I would
ask you to book your place for
the highlight of the year in
May at the Rum Warehouse -
save the date 12 May 2017.
Finally, I have set in motion
the Annual Dinner for
November - an exciting new
venue & exciting speakers - no
more news for now - just save
the date - 16th November
2017.
Bye for now.
John Ballam
President
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