Manchester Messenger June 2017

June 2017
October 09
1
North West Law
General election 2017:
Law Society launches vision for law and justice
Whoever wins the general election should put access to justice
at the heart of their plans for post-Brexit Britain, the
Law Society of England and Wales said today as it launched
its General election 2017: Our vision for law and justice.
Unveiling a five-point plan, Law Society president Robert
Bourns said: "The legal sector of England and Wales underpins
the UK economy - our law enables global commerce so it is vital
that however Britain is led after the election, reciprocal arrangements
are negotiated so our lawyers can practise law in the EU.
"Legal services employ and train more than 380,000 people -
the sector was worth £25.7bn in 2015 and it's growing. Every
time turnover in the legal sector goes up by £1, it creates £1.39
in the wider economy."
Robert Bourns added: "Early legal advice also prevents difficult
societal and personal situations escalating. So if you've a problem
with housing, how immeasurably better to solve that before
you and your family become homeless - which is also likely
Legal eagle turns author to share his top tips for making a will
James Beresford
The Monthly Publication of the Manchester Law Society
In association with
A lawyer who advises Premier
League footballers
and TV stars on managing
their money has turned
his talents to writing.
Wills specialist, James Beresford,
has drawn on his 10
years’ experience in the field
to write ‘No Will – No Say,’ a
simple and practical guide
to wills and estate planning.
From his first job at a small,
high street law firm, the 35-
year-old now heads up the
wills, tax, trusts and probate
team at law firm Slater and
Gordon and says a will is a
vital investment for everyone,
regardless of how
to cost the taxpayer far more than the initial legal advice."
The Law Society's calls include:
q Reinstate legal aid for early advice, particularly in housing
and family law
q Negotiate access for UK lawyers to practise law across the
EU, base themselves in the EU, and have rights of audience and
legal professional privilege in EU courts
q Ensure civil justice co-operation is maintained with the
EU in the interest of consumers, families and businesses
q Combat modern slavery by enforcing the Modern Slavery
Act 2015 and allocating the necessary resources to protect
victims
q
Scrap the current employment tribunal fee system.
much they leave behind.
An estimated 60 per cent of
the population have yet to
make a will, an official document
which lists what
should be done with your
property and possessions
when you die.
Even those who have one
may need to update it if, for
example, they start a family,
have a new partner or have
moved to the UK from a
country with different laws.
James, 35, who advises a
number of high-profile
clients from the firm’s flagship
office in Manchester
city centre, said: “No one
likes to talk about dying so
we put off making a will, but
it’s something that everyone
needs to consider.
“A lot of people do it after
they have children because
they want to make sure that
if anything happens they
will be looked after and provided
for.
“There are a lot of common
pitfalls though – such as the
belief that your ‘common
law’ spouse will inherit your
estate, which isn’t true.
That’s why it’s so important
to get the right advice.”
Manchester Legal Awards 2017 principal sponsors
President’s Charity of
the Year
Although the contents of
your will could be worth
hundreds of thousands of
pounds, James says many
people try to cut corners –
and beneficiaries pay the
price.
On one occasion, a man
amended a relative’s will to
try and save money and inadvertently
disinherited
himself.
James, who also lectures to
colleagues and law students
on the subject, added: “People
think they’ll save money
by doing it themselves, but
by going with a cheap or
‘DIY’ will they could be creating
problems for their
loved ones in the future if
there’s a mistake or someone
tries to dispute their
wishes.”
‘No will – no say’ also offers
advice on related topics
such as inheritance tax and
how to plan for the future if
for example, you have a
child who needs specialist
care or fear you may no
longer be able to make decisions
for yourself.
‘No will – no say ‘ is
available online at
books.telegraph.co.uk
or for more information
go to slatergordon.co.uk.

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Contents 3
North West Law June 2017
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
Solicitor believed to be youngest coroner in
the country
New Head of Clinical Negligence for Hilary
Meredith Solicitors
Pannone Corporate only North West firm
shortlisted for top national legal awards
Kain Knight joins forces with Nick McDonnell
to expand into the North and Midlands
6
8
9
10
Editorial Committee
David Anderson, St Johns Buildings
Julia Baskerville, Baskerville Publications Ltd
Fran Eccles-Bech, Manchester Law Society
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
Paul Jonson
page 9
High Flying Women
Charity and CSR
11
14 & 15
Baskerville Publications Ltd
Apartment 327 Holden Mill
Blackburn Road
Bolton BL1 7PN
Stephen Hindmarsh
page 17
FEATURES
Talking Heads
"what strategies do you use to manage stress?"
CAB Update from Stephen Hindmarsh
12 & 13
17
Advertising enquiries
Julia Baskerville
01204 303323
j.baskerville@jbaskerville.co.uk
www.locallawsocietypublications.co.uk
All rights reserved, reproduction in whole or part
without written permission from the Publisher and
Manchester Law Society is not permitted.
GDPR: Practical Steps to compliance for
law firms
19
Photographic material and manuscripts are supplied at
owners risk, neither the company not its agents accept
any liability for loss or damage.
Management Matters
page 16
REGULARS
News from the President
Management Matters
5
16
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
Printed by
Buxton Press

4 Manchester Law Society News
News from Bridge Street
National Fraud Intelligence Bureau Alert
Following the ransomware cyber-attack on Friday 12 May which affected the NHS
and is believed to have affected other organisations globally, the City of London Police’s
National Fraud Intelligence Bureau has issued an alert urging both individuals
and businesses to follow protection advice immediately and in the coming days.
Ransomware is a form of malicious software (Malware) that enables cyber criminals to remotely
lock down files on your computer or mobile device. Criminals will use ransomware
to extort money from you (a ransom), before they restore access to your files.
There are many ways that ransomware can infect your device, whether it be a link to a
malicious website in an unsolicited email, or through a security vulnerability in a piece of
software you use.
Key Protect messages for businesses to protect themselves from ransomware
• Install system and application updates on all devices as soon as they become available.
• Install anti-virus software on all devices and keep it updated.
• Create regular backups of your important files to a device that isn’t left connected to
your network as any malware infection could spread to that too.
The National Cyber Security Centre’s technical guidance includes specific software
patches to use that will prevent uninfected computers on your network from becoming
infected with the “WannaCry” Ransomware. Click https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/ransomware-latest-ncsc-guidance
for details.
For additional in-depth technical guidance on how to protect your organisation from ransomware
click https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/guidance/protecting-your-organisation-ransomware
Key Protect advice for individuals
• Install system and application updates on all devices as soon as they become available.
• Install anti-virus software on all devices and keep it updated.
• Create regular backups of your important files to a device (such as an external hard drive
or memory stick) that isn’t left connected to your computer as any malware infection
could spread to that too.
• Only install apps from official app stores, such as Google’s Play Store, or Apple’s App
Store as they offer better levels of protection than some 3rd party stores. Jailbreaking,
rooting, or disabling any of the default security features of your device will make it more
susceptible to malware infections.
Phishing/smishing
Fraudsters may exploit this high profile incident and use it as part of phishing/smishing
campaigns. We urge people to be cautious if they receive any unsolicited communications
from the NHS. The protect advice for that is the following:
• An email address can be spoofed. Don’t open attachments or click on the links within
any unsolicited emails you receive, and never respond to emails that ask for your personal
or financial details.
• The sender’s name and number in a text message can be spoofed, so even if the message
appears to be from an organisation you know of, you should still exercise caution,
particularly if the texts are asking you to click on a link or call a number.
Don’t disclose your personal or financial details during a cold call, and remember that the
police and banks will never ring you and ask you to verify your PIN, withdraw your cash,
or transfer your money to another “safe” account.
If you have been a victim of fraud or cybercrime, please report it to Action Fraud
http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/
If you haven’t already taken any action do something today!!!
Cyber Crime really does exist and not everyone is taking the right actions – is your firm?
You should be doing the following:
· Applying the latest security aspects – computers, telecoms and mobile devices
· Using fully supported software – not out of date/unsupported Microsoft
· Auditing and Testing your infrastructure
· Staff training and testing
If you need any help or assistance with any of the above, Manchester Law Society,
through MLS Advantage, gives you access to leading suppliers, who have all had due diligence
undertaken, who are experts in their field and offer special terms and advice for
our members.
http://www.nasstar.com
Contact: Andy Lewis
Mail: andy.lewis@nasstar.com
Phone: 07814 046069
Forthcoming Events
Regulatory Conference 2017
We welcome back the Regulatory Conference for another day full of essential information
on the changes to compliance and regulation that impact your firm.
Find out what is on your regulators’ agenda through updates from the SRA, Legal
Services Board and the Legal Ombudsman. This year’s programme also includes the
latest advice on how to ensure your data is protected when the General Data Protection
Regulations come in to effect in May 2018.
Learn how to implement the new Money Laundering Regulations 2017, how to
avoid being the next victim of a cyber-attack by hearing about what is new and on
the horizon in Cyber Security. For all COFAs out there, learn how the new accounting
audit is bedding in as well as updates on accounts rules breaches, particularly use of
client account as a banking facility.
A must-attend for all COLPs/COFAs and risk managers – Don’t miss it!
Date: 14 June 2017
Venue: Hilton Hotel, Deansgate, Manchester M3 4LQ
Cost to attend: MLS Members £110.00 + VAT (£132.00)
Non Members £150.00 + VAT (£180.00)
Registration: 09:00
Sessions start: 09:30
Conference closes: 16:00
Being a better leader
Are you the loud one? Who are the thinkers? Every team has people with different
personalities, characteristics and voices. Your job as the leader/manager is to identify
how each person ticks so that you can effectively lead your team.
In this session, Mike Ode from Potential Unearthed will help you to initially identify
how you tick before showing you how you can tap into the four voices in your team.
Learning Objectives
• An introduction to the 4 voices of communication – Spearhead, Considerate,
Methodical, Defender
• What’s your predominant voice? Individual exercise to determine your natural and
unnatural voice
• Grown up vs not so grown up! – Identify the mature and immature characteristics
traits of each voice and the impact that each one has on how you communicate and
lead your team
• Identify how your voice impacts positively and negatively on your team and wider
audience
• Your Team – What voices do they have? How do these voices impact on the dynamic
and success of the team?
• Tapping into everyone’s potential – Strategies for helping each voice to shine
Date: 22nd June 2017
Venue: RSM, 9th Floor, 3 Hardman Street, Manchester, M3 3HF
Cost to attend: MLS Members £20.00 + VAT (£24.00)
Non Members £40.00 + VAT (£48.00
Registration and refreshments: 8:30
Seminar starts: 09:00
Seminar closes: 10:30
Introduction to Access Training Course
Would you like to improve your interrogation of databases? Learn how to create and
use a variety of tools to produce professional reports? Join us for a practical introduction
to Access training course with RV Group.
In this one day course an expert trainer will teach you techniques on designing databases,
creating and developing tables, forms, queries and reports. This course is suitable
for delegates with little or no prior knowledge of Access.
Numbers on this course are strictly limited to ensure you receive bespoke and personal
tuition from our trainer.
Date: 27 June 2017
Venue: Manchester Law Society, 64 Bridge Street, Manchester, M3 3BN
Cost: MLS Members £125.00 + VAT (£150.00)
Non-members £175.00 + VAT (£210.00)
Registration: 09:30
Training: 10:00 – 16:30
Keep up to date with the latest event information at
www.manchesterlawsociety.org.uk or follow us on Twitter @ManLawSoc
To book a place on any of the above events, please email CarlaJones@manchesterlawsociety.org.uk

5
President’s Column
5
From the President
They say that a week is a
long time in politics and the
events since my last article
in the May Messenger has
certainly proved the point.
Who would have thought
that we would be heading
towards an election on 8
June? In the meantime, we
now know the identity of
the Mayor for Greater Manchester
– although the fact
that Andy Burnham won is
perhaps not too great a surprise.
The election of Mr Burnham
ties in with an event that we
are organising in conjunction
with other professional
groups in the Greater Manchester
area, including the
RICS and the Institute of
Chartered Accountants in
England & Wales.
We are inviting Mr Burnham
and other key players to join
us to set out their vision of
how they see the devolution
of power and the
Northern Powerhouse
agenda benefitting the professional
community. I believe
it is important that we
put the interests of our
members and the wider
professional community at
the heart of the debate
about what the shift of
power means and what it
can achieve, as it seems to
me that a great deal of focus
to date (understandably
perhaps) has been on transport,
science and innovation.
All very sensible and
laudable, but I have the
sense that sometimes the
professions are overlooked,
or certainly the smaller firms
within the legal community
have been to date. My hope
is that this event, and the
adoption of a more joined
up approach with the other
professional bodies, will
give us, as lawyers, a bigger
voice at the top table in
helping to develop the
strategy to make the Northern
Powerhouse something
more than a catchy strap
line.
The aim is for that event to
take place in October. Full
details will follow in due
course.
In early May I attended the
National Law Society's Presidents
and Secretaries conference
at Chancery Lane. It
was my first time at the
event. As always with these
things, one of the most useful
aspects is meeting colleagues
from across the
country, sharing experiences
and getting new
ideas about what works and
what doesn't work. We are
fortunate that as one of the
larger societies with a wonderful
support team, we
tend to have tried most
things and we have figured
out what works best in practice.
Indeed, Fran was one
of the speakers on a break
out session dealing with relationships
with the media.
However, there are of
course always new ideas we
can pick up at such events.
One talk which was of particular
interest to me focussed
on in-house counsel.
As you may know, the numbers
of in-house counsel has
grown considerably over
the last few years and no
doubt will continue to grow
in the future.
That said, the number of in
house lawyers who are
members of MLS is relatively
small. An in-house
lawyer at Aviva who spoke
at the conference made the
point that in-house lawyers
can feel isolated from the
local legal community and it
can be difficult to interact
directly with other firms due
to their employer's policies
on dealing with law firms.
Against that background, it
struck me that maybe we
need to do more to try and
engage with the in-house
community and to create a
programme specifically tailored
for the in-house community.
If anyone has any
thoughts on how we best
achieve this, I would be
grateful if you could contact
me or Fran so we can take
on board your ideas.
And what about Ladybridge
FC? The good news is that
we have avoided relegation.
However, I must confess, it's
only because the other two
teams who were likely candidates
for relegation have
folded! I was reminded this
week of the importance of
good communication when
working with our striker
who has had a difficult time
in front of net (he can't
score). I chose to work with
him and our wingers on
their own, away from the
other lads, with a view to
him scoring lots of goals
from crosses and hopefully
Jon Hainey
building up his confidence.
What I didn't do was tell him
why I had singled him out
and reassure him that I think
he's doing a great job and
that it is just a matter of
time before he starts scoring
again. Unfortunately
my plan to build up his confined
back fired and he was
very upset that he had been
singled out. As his dad
rightly pointed out in his
long text to me that
evening, his son is hardly
the only problem with the
team (we have a goal difference
of -50). It was a timely
reminder to me of the importance
of good communication.
Even if we set out
with the best intentions, our
plans can come unstuck if
we do not fully and clearly
explain what we're thinking.
Jon Hainey
President
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6 Movers & Shakers
Solicitor believed to be youngest
coroner in the country
A solicitor is believed to
be the youngest coroner
in the country after being
appointed at the age of
31.
Zak Golombeck has been
practicing law for six years
and says he’s “very excited”
about his new role as Her
Majesty’s Assistant Coroner.
He said “I’ve been representing
families at inquests
since I started. I’ve always
been very interested in the
role of a coroner and always
hoped I would become one
at some point - I just never
thought it would happen
this early!”
A coroner is a government
official who confirms and
certifies the death of an individual
within a jurisdiction.
Coroners may also be
asked to conduct or order
an inquest into the manner
or cause of death, and investigate
or confirm the
identity of an unknown person
who has been found
dead.
Zak, a married dad-of-one
from Prestwich, Manchester
says he hopes to use his
new role to make a difficult
experience a little less distressing.
He said: “Many people aren’t
familiar with the court environment
and find it intimidating,
coupled with the
fact that listening to all the
details of how their loved
one died can often feel like
they’re living that day all
over again. It’s important
that they feel confident
enough to ask questions if
they need to, or if they
aren’t following what’s
going on because of all the
legal and medical terminology
that is often used. A
coroner’s role is obviously to
find out how a person died,
but it’s also to guide families
through the process in the
most sensitive way possible
and make sure they get that
sense of closure that an inquest
should bring.
“Inquests are crucial in helping
us learn lessons for the
future and I am really excited
to play my part in
that.”
Zak, who is a clinical negligence
and human rights solicitor,
will perform his new
duties alongside his work at
Manchester city centre law
firm Slater and Gordon.
He added: “It will be interesting
being on the opposite
side of the bench.
Instead of making legal arguments
I will be adjudicating
and making decisions. It
will be very different but I’m
very excited about it.
“My family is thrilled and
everyone is really pleased
for me at work. If anything
my new role will improve
my practice as a solicitor.
Suddenly I will be in a different
arena making judgements.
“I’m really thankful to my
firm for supporting me.
They have really helped
with this opportunity.”
New hire for Browne Jacobson’s growing
real estate team in Manchester
Browne Jacobson is continuing
its expansion in
the North West with the
appointment of lawyer
Viki Shaw into its Manchester
real estate practice.
Viki joins from
Stockport Metropolitan
Borough Council where
she specialised in strategic
housing matters, academy
conversions and the
social care sector.
Conveyancing, Banking and Real
Estate Boost for Shoosmiths
National law firm Shoosmiths
has announced the
launch of a conveyancing
team in Manchester, along
with senior appointments
to its Northern banking
and real estate teams as a
result of growing client
demand.
The firm has appointed
conveyancing partner Lisa
Gibbs into the Manchester
office signalling the
launch of the Northern
Shoosmiths’ conveyancing
offering.
Shoosmiths’ national conveyancing
team has experienced
exceptional success
over the last year to become
a market leading conveyancing
service and the
launch of a team in Manchester
will complement
the established teams in
Northampton, Solent and
Edinburgh.
Lisa joins from Simpson Millar
where she managed
their Manchester conveyancing
team and prior to
this she played a leading
role in the volume and conveyancing
teams at Irwin
Mitchell and Eversheds. She
will be in charge of developing
and leading the Manchester
conveyancing team
that will service clients’
needs in the North of England.
Shoosmiths is also bolstering
its banking presence
with the appointment of
partner, Tim McNamara. Tim
is returning to private practice
having spent the last 7
years at The Royal Bank of
Scotland Plc (RBS), the first 6
of which he spent leading
transaction management
for the corporate real estate
finance teams across the
North of England. For the
past year he was senior inhouse
counsel for the Future
Williams & Glyn division
of the bank. Before joining
RBS, Tim was a managing
associate in the finance division
at Addleshaw Goddard
in Manchester having returned
to the North from
London where he was a
banking solicitor with Herbert
Smith.
Tim will operate across the
North region with specific
focus on Manchester and
Leeds and will join banking
partner and deputy Manchester
office head, Liz
Sweeney in growing the
North-based banking team
and further strengthening
the firm’s corporate offering
in the North. He will also
support on national projects
for Shoosmiths.
The Shoosmiths Manchester
real estate practice is
also enhancing its team
with the appointment of
leading real estate partner
Paul Gidman who will help
Shoosmiths to service its
rapidly expanding property
sector client base in the
North and further build its
market. Paul, who was previously
at DWF, brings with
him extensive experience in
development and investment
work.
Commenting on the new
appointments, Head of
Shoosmiths in Manchester,
Vaqas Farooq, said, ‘In a
competitive marketplace,
we continue to attract the
very best of Manchester’s
legal talent; individuals like
Lisa, Tim and Paul who have
built up years of experience
and are leaders in their respective
areas of law. These
are exciting times for the
firm as we continue to
evolve our offering and we
look forward to providing
clients in the North with our
award-winning conveyancing
service, along with enhanced
capability in our
banking and real estate
teams.’
Shoosmiths is a national law
firm with a network of 12 offices
in the UK. The Manchester
office has enjoyed
rapid organic growth in the
past five years and has built
a reputation for offering superb
client service, developing
a strong foothold in the
Manchester market. 2017
sees the Manchester office
moving into a new purpose-built
agile workspace
at the XYZ building in Spinningfields.
The appointment is a reflection
of the firm’s continued
development of its work in
the property sector and
supports the firm’s commitment
to grow its Manchester
office. Viki joins a 50
strong national property
practice which has extensive
experience in complex
transactional work and delivering
major projects
across the country, including
ground breaking regeneration
projects and major
mixed use schemes.
The firm’s Manchester real
estate practice, headed by
Dominic Buckley and Victoria
Thourgood, has recently
advised YHA (England and
Wales) on the refinancing of
their entire portfolio and
the development of a world
class flagship Youth Hostel
at the former Olympic Park
site; the Homes and Communities
Agency on a
£200m mixed use scheme
at Northfleet Embankment
in Dartford; and Manchester
based Renold Plc on all their
property work.
Dominic said:“Viki will be a
great addition to our expanding
Manchester team,
allowing us to really boost
our real estate experience in
the North West.
“She has extensive experience
in our target sectors
which will suit the needs of
both our clients and
prospective clients in the region
and throughout the
UK.”
Viki Shaw
Since opening in February
2012, the firm’s Manchester
office has seen significant
headcount growth and
posted impressive financial
results with 25 per cent
growth for 2015/16. The
firm recently announced
plans to move its Manchester
office to No.1 Spinningfields.
The move will see the
firm quadruple its existing
office accommodation
when it moves into the
heart of the award-winning
Spinningfields estate in
September 2017.
L to R: Head of Shoosmiths Manchester, Vaqas Farooq with Paul Gidman, Lisa Gibbs
and Tim McNamara

Regulation 7
Regulatory Affairs Committee Update
I can’t quite believe that we
are in the 6th month of the
year already! The last month
has been dominated by the
start of the high profile SDT
case involving the firm of
Leigh Day, their partners
and a solicitor in the firm
and of course the worldwide
cyber attack which in
the UK has had a massive
impact on the NHS. If there
is any good to come out of
this, it is that hopefully
everyone will now realise (f
they didn’t already) how
easy a cyber attack can happen
and ensure that they
have the most up to date
protections in place and
that all staff remain alert to
the possibility of viruses in
attachments to emails.
Starting with the theme of
data protection, a senior
barrister (who has remained
unidentified) has been fined
£1,000 by the ICO for failing
to keep clients’ sensitive
personal information protected.
The barrister’s husband updated
software on their
home computer which
meant that the personal
and sensitive information of
250 clients were uploaded
to the internet. Approximately
725 documents
(which were not encrypted)
were temporarily uploaded
and able to be accessed by
an internet search engine.
Whilst the files were quickly
removed from the online directory,
Steve Eckersley,
head of enforcement at the
ICO said that the barrister
had ‘overlooked her responsibility
to protect her clients’
confidential and highly sensitive
information’.
The ICO fine comes at the
same time as the Bar Standards
Board (BSB) has issued
a £750 fine to
Chester-based barrister
Maria Masselis of Linenhall
Chambers for a failure to
keep client matters confidential.
Masselis had disposed of
client files in household refuse
bags which had been
left outside a property for
collection by the council.
The council reviewed the
documents and were able
to trace the contents back
to Masseslis before referring
the matter to the BSB. A
spokesperson said that the
fine should serve ‘as a warning’
to ensure that confidential
information is kept and
also disposed of in an appropriate
manner.
Cold calling
A record fine has been im-
posed by the ICO on a
claims management company
for making 100m nuisance
calls. Keurboom
Communications Ltd made
calls over an 18-month period,
which related to a
wide range of subjects but
mainly road traffic accident
claims and PPI compensation.
The ICO is looking to
strengthen its powers when
the government implements
its plan to allow the
regulator to fine the company
directors behind nuisance
call firms. This aims to
stop them avoiding fines by
putting their company into
liquidation which is what
Keurboom has done. The
ICO confirmed that in
2016/17, it issued 23 companies
a total of £1.9m for
nuisance marketing, its
busiest year to date.
SDT decisions
In SDT news, a solicitor,
Richard Sedgley, a sole
practitioner
from
Bournemouth, has been
struck off by the SDT after
admitting to borrowing
over £1.2 million from the
client account in order to
fund a gambling addiction.
Sedgley, who has been a solicitor
for 38 years, made 59
transfers from the client account
over a two month period
before paying the
money back through his
winnings in June 2016. He
insisted that he had never
intended to permanently
misappropriate the funds.
It was heard by the tribunal
that Sedgley was in a
‘kamikaze’ state of mind following
the bereavements
of both a colleague and a
close personal friend. Sedgley
admitted that others in
the profession would see
his actions as ‘horrendous’
and, given his state of mind
at the time, had not appreciated
that his actions
would be construed as dishonest.
The tribunal nevertheless
found that Sedgley’s actions
were ‘planned’ and, although
out of character,
stated that they were
‘forced to the irresistible
conclusion that in making
such a large number of
transfers…[he] was dishonest
by the ordinary standards
of reasonable and
honest people’.
The SDT has also struck off a
solicitor of 17 years for failing
to advise the SRA that
he had been made bankrupt.
Alan Birkbeck of
Healey Kenyon McAteer,
Liverpool, also borrowed
money from an elderly and
vulnerable client and misinformed
police about representing
a client.
Birkbeck was made bankrupt
in January 2015 and
failed to advise either the
SRA or Healey Kenyon
McAteer of his financial situation.
The tribunal heard
how Birkbeck had previously
been made bankrupt
in 2004 and, as such, should
have been fully aware of
the process and the requirement
to advise the
SRA. Furthermore, Birkbeck
had held himself out as employed
during his suspension
and had misled police
in order to gain access to
potential clients being held
in custody.
In April 2015 Birkbeck became
the appointed solicitor
for an elderly and
‘vulnerable’ client, from
whom he borrowed over
£8,000 over a two month
period, which he failed to
pay back.
Birkbeck said that his failure
to inform the SRA was
an ‘oversight’ and cited difficult
personal circumstances
by way of
mitigation. However, the
tribunal found that his actions
were ‘deliberate, repeated
and continued over
a long period of time’ and
ordered him to be struck
off and to pay £3,453 in
costs.
High Court Appeals
Two very interesting Appeal
judgments in respect
of decisions handed down
by SDT appeared recently.
In Solicitors Regulation Authority
v Wingate & Anor
[2016] EWHC 3455 (Admin)
Holman J stated:
“[the SRA] submitted, and I
agree, that dishonesty and
lack of integrity are not the
same. While all dishonesty
involves a lack of integrity,
not all lack of integrity involves
dishonesty. The law
requires a subjective element
to any finding or conclusion
of dishonesty, but
the question whether a
person lacked integrity is
objective.”
In John Michael Mallins v
Solicitors Regulation Authority[2017]
EWHC 835
(Admin) Mostyn J, making
direct reference to the
statement of Holman J
above, stated
“I must respectfully disagree.
If this were right,
then the SRA could sidestep
the requirement of
proving the subjective element
of dishonesty in any
case by the simple expedient
of charging the same
facts as want of integrity. It
can be seen from the
charges set out above that
in this case the SRA has
done just that in relation to
charges 1 and 2.”
Leave to Appeal has been
granted in both cases, there
appears to be good ground
for consolidating the cases,
at least as far as any discussion
about whether or not
integrity and dishonesty are
the same thing. If it is held
that integrity and dishonesty
are the same thing
then this would appear to
open the door to a raft of
appeals in cases where a
lack of integrity was found
but the subjective/objective
Twinsectra test was not
applied.
Talking of SDT and the SRA
Any post Wingate &
Evans/Mallins raft of Appeals
is only likely to add to
the backlog at SDT and put
further pressure on the already
strained relationship
between the SDT and SRA.
There are still a number of
weeks left to go in the Leigh
Day hearing. Does Patricia
Robertson QC have any
more bunnies to pull out of
the disclosure hat in relation
to what various parts of
government and the SRA
were saying to each other
during the period in which
the SRA was investigating
Leigh Day?!
Training
And finally, the SRA has announced
that no LPC or
training contract will be required
under its plans to
revolutionise the training
requirements for solicitors.
The aim is to introduce
greater flexibility, increase
the range and choice of
legal training and is, according
to the SRA, likely to be
cheaper. It won’t be introduced
until 2020 but will involve
four elements
including a degree(or
equivalent), passing the 2
stages of the Solicitors
Qualifying Examination
(SQE), completing qualifying
legal training for at least
2 years and be of satisfactory
character and suitability.
That’s all from me for this
month. I look forward to
seeing many of you at the
Legal & Clerical Outfitters Since 1789
MLS Regulatory Conference
on 14 June. We have a great
line-up so if you haven’t
registered already, its not
too late to do so!
Michelle Garlick
Chair
Manchester Law Society
Regulatory Affairs
Committee
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Forthcoming Events
8 Movers & Shakers
Slater Heelis expands mediation
services
Experienced solicitor,
Sunil Mohindra has
achieved a prestigious
mediation accreditation
from the Centre for Effective
Dispute Resolution,
the leading commercial
and public sector mediation
provider in Europe.
Sunil is a partner in the Corporate
team at leading
Manchester law firm Slater
Heelis LLP.
Mediation helps two parties
to resolve a legal dispute
without going to court. Parties
in dispute are now required
to attempt some
form of Alternative Dispute
Resolution, which includes
negotiation, mediation, collaborative
law, and arbitration,
before the case
reaches the courts.
Chris Bishop, managing
partner at Slater Heelis, said:
“We pride ourselves on providing
the highest standard
of advice to all our business
clients. Sunil’s accreditation
will strengthen the range of
specialist services we can
offer, allowing us to provide
a comprehensive service to
suit the individual requirements
of all our clients.”
Sunil said: “Business disputes
are known for being
very expensive. Using a mediator
offers a much more
cost effective method to resolve
disputes, helping both
parties to come to an amicable
agreement on complex
issues on their own terms.
Mediation can be used in
any case, including professional
negligence claims
and company disputes.”
Sunil is a Council member of
Sunil Mohindra
Manchester Law Society
and a past member of the
Board of Trustees of TiE
Global and past President of
TiE UK North, a global networking
organisation for
entrepreneurs established
to mentor, educate and support
entrepreneurs worldwide.
He is also recognised
as a leading lawyer in the
Legal 500 law directory.
New Head of Clinical Negligence for
Hilary Meredith Solicitors
Wilmslow-based Hilary
Meredith Solicitors Ltd
has continued its fastpaced
expansion with the
appointment of Kris Inskip
as Head of Clinical
Negligence.
Kris joins Hilary Meredith
Solicitors from Slater and
Gordon, where he was a
Partner and National Head
of Clinical Negligence.
Kris’s arrival follows on from
the appointment of Peter
Watson as CEO. Peter joined
from leading national consumer
firm, Simpson Millar
where he was Managing Director
of Legal Services following
the acquisition of
Simpson Millar by Fairpoint
PLC in 2014. Hilary Meredith
Solicitors has also recently
strengthened its
main board with Zoe Holland,
Managing Director of
ZebraLC joining as a nonexecutive
director.
Recognised as a leader in
the field of Claimant Clinical
Negligence in the Chambers
Guide to the Legal Profession,
Kris has over 16
years’ experience acting for
claimants in high value,
complex cases. He deals
Hilary Meredith, Clare Stevens and Kris Inskip.
with cases involving serious
injuries for both adults and
children, specialising in
brain injury claims and
other serious injury and
fatal cases. He has achieved
life changing compensation
payments for many of his
clients, often exceeding £5
million.
Commenting on Kris’ appointment,
Hilary Meredith,
Chair at Hilary Meredith Solicitors
said: “We are absolutely
delighted to
welcome Kris to the firm. He
is an accomplished solicitor
with significant expertise
handling complex medical
negligence claims.
To attract a solicitor of Kris’
calibre is a positive reflection
on the firm as a whole.”
Commenting on his decision
to join Hilary Meredith
Solicitors, Kris Inskip said:
“I am thrilled to join Hilary
Meredith Solicitors. The firm
has made giant strides in recent
years and is now recognised
as a market leader in
high value claims. I am very
much looking forward to
further developing the
firm’s clinical negligence expertise
on a national level.”
Strategic Partner appointments for
Brabners’ Sports Team
Commercial law firm Brabners
has appointed leading
sport and
entertainment lawyer
Simon Taylor as a partner.
Simon has more than 30
years’ experience and specialises
in sport, entertainment
and licensing. He has
an international reputation
in motorsport, advising national
governing bodies,
teams and drivers, including
the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association,
on the full range of
legal services. This includes
representing clients at the
FIA International Court of
Appeal and National Motorsport
Tribunals, and negotiating
manufacturer,
sponsor and driver agreements
for leading motorsport
teams.
In addition to his sports expertise,
Simon has built a
strong client base in the entertainment
sector. He advises
some of the UK’s
largest promoters, festival
and live event organisers,
and venues, including Festival
Republic, Live Nation
and SJM. Other clients include
Somerset House, and
the Parklife and V music festivals.
Bromleys Solicitors is celebrating
after retaining its
Investors in People Gold
status.
It is the only law firm in
Tameside to have the accolade
and one of just eight
across Greater Manchester.
Bromleys was one of the
first law firms in the region
to achieve IIP Gold accreditation
in 2014, and has kept
the standard since then.
The award recognises Bromleys’
commitment to excellence
in the workplace,
including its management
of people, its leadership and
culture and its dedication to
continuous improvement.
The firm has also retained its
Lexcel quality mark from
the Law Society, which
recognises its high standards
in areas such as client
care and practice management.
Commenting on his new
role, Simon said: “Brabners is
renowned for its strong
sports sector expertise and
the calibre of clients it supports
across the piece
demonstrates the team’s
deep understanding of the
sporting world. This focus is
a perfect fit for my experience
and I’m looking forward
to working with the
team as we develop this further.”
Mark Brandwood, managing
partner at Brabners,
added: “By recruiting the
best talent, we are significantly
enhancing the service
we can provide to
clients. Simon is a highly respected
lawyer and he has
built a reputation for being
the best in the business.
With specialisms in motorsport
and entertainment,
his expertise complements
our current offering and will
be a key factor in the future
growth of our national
Bromleys has held this accreditation
since 2005.
continuously
Senior partner Mark Hirst
said: “We are delighted to
have retained such prestigious
accreditations.
“To achieve IIP Gold status
once again is a simply outstanding
result and stands
testament to the hard work
undertaken by the whole
Bromleys team.
“We have once again
demonstrated our commitment
to a high level of staff
involvement and engagement,
autonomy, training
support and opportunities
for our people to develop
their careers with us, and
this accreditation recognises
those policies, procedures
and principles.
“At the heart of everything
we do is our passion for providing
a high-quality service
to our clients, maintaining
our strong reputation in the
area and being seen as a
Simon Taylor
sports team.”
The news follows the appointment
of associate Andrew
McGregor, who
specialises in dispute resolution
in the sport sector.
Simon joins the firm from
Kennedys and will be based
in Brabners’ 15-strong
sports team, which advises
clients including England
Golf, Rugby Football
League, the England and
Wales Cricket Board, British
Swimming, Basketball England
and various Premier
League and EFL Championship
football clubs.
Double Joy for Bromleys
Mark Hirst
professional yet friendly
firm.
“Everyone at the firm can be
extremely proud of their
achievements. There is certainly
a positive energy
across the practice and we
look forward to the future
with confidence.”

Trio of Promotions at Farleys Solicitors
North West law firm Farleys
Solicitors has announced
the appointment
of three new associate
partners, as the firm continues
its growth across
the region.
Rachel Harrison, Charlotte
Mills and Laura Walmsley
have take up their new positions
following the firm’s annual
round of promotions.
Commercial litigation solicitor
Rachel Harrison joined
the firm in 2013, advising
businesses and individuals
on a wide range of commercial
disputes, alongside corporate
solicitor Charlotte
Mills, who specialises in
business sales and purchases,
corporate finance
and company law and procedure.
Laura Walmsley
joined Farleys in 2006 and is
a member of the firm’s
Fraud and Business crime
team, dealing with a national
caseload of criminal
law matters.
Partner Ian Liddle said “I
would like to congratulate
all three solicitors on a deserved
recognition of their
invaluable contribution to
the firm’s success.
“As a firm we strive to offer
the highest quality of service
at all times and their talent,
hard work and
Movers & Shakers 9
dedication to clients enable
us to maintain this. These
promotions also demonstrate
Farleys‘ continued
commitment to support
and invest in our people
and expertise as we continue
our growing presence
in the region.”
Farleys has a strong reputation
for its commitment to
client care and quality, having
held Lexcel accreditation
for the last five years
and is also highly recommended
in both the Chambers
and Legal 500 guides
to the legal profession.
Roberts Jackson shortlisted for
another two prestigious awards
Wilmslow-based Industrial
Disease specialist,
Roberts Jackson, has been
shortlisted in two categories
at the Claims Management
Awards 2017.
The firm has been selected
for Law Firm of the Year
whilst Associate Director,
Adam Farrell, has been selected
for the Rising Star
category.
The firm has already won
two awards in the past six
months, Law Firm of the
Year (Medium) at the Manchester
Legal Awards on 2
March and Business of the
Year 2016 (Business
turnover over 5m) at the
North East Cheshire Business
Awards in November
last year.
The Awards Ceremony will
take place on 8 June 2017 at
The Grange St Pauls, London
and will be hosted by
the brilliant comedian Lucy
Porter.
Pannone Corporate is the
only North West law firm
to be shortlisted in the
“Regional Firm of the
Year” category at the UK
wide Lawyer Awards
2017.
Hosted by legal publication
The Lawyer, Pannone Corporate
beat off tough competition
to be shortlisted
among other firms across
the UK including Michelmores,
Shulmans, Stevens &
Bolton, Thomson Snell &
Passmore, Wright Hassall
and rradar.
Pannone Corporate managing
partner Paul Jonson
said: “It is just over three
Charlotte Mills, Rachel Harrison and Laura Walmsley
Pannone Corporate only North West firm
shortlisted for top national legal awards
years since we launched the
firm during which time we
have expanded our client
base and positioned the
firm as the leading alternative
to the national/regional
firms in the region.
“Our success proves that by
having lawyers whose skills
rival that of any national
firm, an unrelenting commitment
to constantly improving
client service and
offering commercial legal
advice at sensible rates, you
can become a market
leader”
The awards ceremony will
take place on 27 June at the
Grosvenor House Hotel in
London.
Paul Jonson
Send your “Movers & Shakers” to
j.baskerville@jbaskerville.co.uk
The deadline for the July edition of
The Messenger is 15th June
Roberts Jackson is unique in
that it is the only UK law
firm to specialise solely in
industrial disease. Putting
the client’s experience at
the heart of the firm’s existence,
Roberts Jackson has
grown from a team of two
in 2009 to 200 today, helping
thousands of people a
year to access justice when
they have become ill due to
Browne Jacobson is continuing
its expansion in
the North West with the
appointment of associate
lawyer Ian Deakin into its
Manchester employment
practice.
Ian, who joins from Manchester
law firm Gunnercooke,
has over 10 years’
experience advising on contentious
and non-contentious
matters, with
particular expertise in advising
clients on strategic restructurings,
executive
termination, employment
tribunal litigation and TUPE
transfers and, in particular,
and insourcing and outsourcing.
The appointment reflects
Browne Jacobson’s continued
development of its employment
practice and
backs the firm’s commitment
to grow its Manchester
base. Ian joins a 35
strong national employment
practice, made up of
specialist lawyers and HR
professionals.
The team provides full em-
their working environment.
Naturally talented at his
work, Adam Farrell has a
90% trial success rate, more
than any other fee earner at
Roberts Jackson since the
firm opened in 2009.
Adam Farrell
CEO, Karen Jackson, commented:“I’m
delighted at
the recognition both for the
firm and for Adam. The dedication
of our staff to achieving
justice for their clients is
truly commendable and I
look forward to the ceremony
next month.”
New hire for Browne Jacobson’s expanding
employment practice in Manchester
ployment legal services to
its private and public sector
client base, including, restructures,
redundancy exercises,
mergers,
acquisitions, managing
change and senior executive
exits. Clients include
many well-known blue-chip
and FTSE companies and
public sector bodies including
those in the education
and health sectors.
Kerren Daly, who heads the
firm’s Manchester employment
team, said:
“Ian brings with him an
abundance of employment
law experience across a diverse
range of sectors which
will be a great offering to
our existing and target
clients in the region and
throughout the UK.”
Commenting on his appointment,
Ian said “I am
delighted to join Browne Jacobson
at such an exciting
time, both in terms of the
growth of the firm generally
but also, with the investment
in the Manchester office
and the impending
Ian Deakin
move to No 1 Spinningfields”.
Since opening in February
2012, the firm’s Manchester
office has seen significant
headcount growth and
posted impressive financial
results with 25 per cent
growth for 2015/16. The
firm’s move to No.1 Spinningfields
later this year will
see it quadruple its existing
office accommodation.

10 Movers & Shakers
In its mission to resolve costs disputes and speed up
delays CADR appoints leading Manchester profit
improvement lawyer as Non-Executive Director
CADR has come a long
way in the last three years.
From a new start up in an
emerging market, now to
being the accepted standard
for costs mediations.
In the beginning, it was
hard to convince most costs
practitioners to accept that
there was a viable alternative
to the slow, expensive
and drawn out
detailed/provisional costs
assessment process but the
concept is now accepted as
a legitimate alternative solution.
The attitude of the judiciary,
in particular the Costs
Judges themselves, has
helped this forward thinking
move by penalising parties
for failing to engage in
ADR in a contentious Costs
environment.
New enquiries and in particular,
repeat business, means
that CADR’s respected mediators
are increasingly busy
across the UK.
Former leading Costs Judge
and now Costs Mediator,
Colin Campbell says, "When
I retired from the Senior
Courts Costs Office, I
thought that I would be skiing,
watching cricket or
writing for the Costs Law
Reports but from the start,
my life has been increasingly
involved with CADR."
CADR has aspirations for
continued expansion and to
assist the legal sector further
by increasing efficiencies
in costs disputes,
reducing the ‘costs of the
costs’, speeding up the cash
flow cycle and assisting in
freeing up working capital
for many law firms.
To achieve this, the Directors
of CADR are delighted
to appoint Manchester
Lawyer Lesley Graves to the
board as a Non-Executive
Director.
Lesley is a practising solicitor
and the managing director
of Citadel Law, based in
Manchester’s Spinningfields,
the only advisory law
firm focused on supporting
the personal injury sector.
Having advised on personal
injury WIP exceeding
£450M, Lesley is the leading
and trusted advisor on
profit improvement, technical
and operational performance
and WIP
valuation.
Lesley’s commitment to
supporting the personal injury
sector through unprecedented
change and
maximising profitability has
led to her being the leading
“go to” advisory lawyer in
her field dedicated to supporting
the industry.
"I am delighted to be joining
CADR at such an exciting
time. The traditional way
of resolving costs disputes is
no longer the only, or most
profitable, way. Litigation
practitioners face a different
world today than they did
five years ago. Resolving
costs quickly and cost effectively
is the bloodline of all
businesses and CADR leads
the way in supporting the
legal sector - which is perfectly
aligned and non conflicting
with the firms I
advise."
“It’s a natural step for CADR
for to take. We needed
Lesley Graves
someone to help us take
CADR to the next level and
Lesley fits the bill perfectly"
says Nicholas Clark, Director,
CADR. He points out "Dramatic
change is set for October
2017. Those wishing
to avoid the mandatory requirement
for the use of the
new electronic Bill of Costs
and the ongoing uncertainty
over proportionality
will find CADR an attractive
solution; let alone those already
attempting to avoid
significant delays in a
stretched Court system and
increased Court fees. Together,
with Lesley, and
through engaging with our
clientele, we remain committed
in providing a useful
and efficient alternative to
the Court process.”
CADR’s commitment to provide
an outcome for all parties
in litigation that is
prompt, certain and positive
- with key performance
indicators that provide
commercial and expedient
outcomes - is top of their
agenda.
The deadline for the July edition of
The Messenger is 15th June
Kain Knight joins forces with Nick McDonnell to
expand into the North and Midlands
Independent firm of costs
lawyers, Kain Knight, have
expanded beyond the
South of England with the
appointment of Nick Mc-
Donnell as a Director of
Kain Knight (North & Midlands)
Ltd, the newest
part of the Kain Knight
group.
Kain Knight, the longest established
independent firm
of Costs Lawyers are known
predominantly in the South
of England for their expertise
in the field of costs litigation.
Nick McDonnell is a
Costs Lawyer with over 18
years of costs experience.
He has spent the last 11 of
those years with a firm of
costs specialist solicitors
and a number of those
years as a Director.
Nick graduated from Cambridge
University in 1998
and subsequently went into
the law practicing civil litigation
with a solicitors’ firm
in Lancashire where he also
took up an interest in costs.
Since then, Nick has become
an expert in his field
conducting high value and
complex costs matters as
well as delivering technical
and practical training to
firms of solicitors throughout
England and Wales.
Nick continues to handle a
complex caseload, with an
emphasis on Commercial,
Intellectual Property, Civil
and Catastrophic Injury litigation,
including costs management
& budgeting,
detailed assessment proceedings,
as well as conducting
appeals up to the
Court of Appeal and assessments
pursuant to the Solicitors
Act 1974. Nick also has
extensive experience as an
advocate at costs hearings
(even appearing in the
Court of Appeal before Lord
Justice Jackson) and is a
qualified mediator.
“There’s little doubt Kain
Knight are a market leader
in the field of costs litigation
services,” said Nick.
“They have a fantastic reputation
of excellence. However,
that is a reputation
largely known in the South
of England. I am thrilled to
be working with such a big
name in the costs industry
and to bring my own skills
and experience to the table
to establish that same reputation
in the North and the
Midlands.”
Matthew Kain, Manging Director
of Kain Knight
said:“We are delighted to
welcome Nick McDonnell to
Nick McDonnell
the Kain Knight group. Nick
comes with a fantastic reputation
in providing legal
costs services in the North
and the Midlands and we
are very excited to be working
with him to continue to
establish Kain Knight’s reputation
throughout the rest
of England and Wales. We
see a great deal of potential
in the North and Midlands
and will continue to make
significant investment in
human resources, technology,
marketing and business
development to
establish our business in
that region.”
Kain Knight (North & Midlands)
Ltd commenced trading
on 1 May 2017.
St Johns Buildings shortlisted for The Lawyer
Awards 2017
Manchester Chambers, St
Johns Buildings have
been shortlisted in ‘The
Lawyer’ Awards 2017.
They have been shorlisted
in the Chambers of the Year
category and Sally Harrison
QC is shortlisted for Barrister
of the Year.
The awards ceremony will
take place on 27 June at the
Grosvenor House Hotel in
London.
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Want to grow your practice?
Looking to improve operational performance?
Implementing Lexcel can help achieve this, and much more.
To discuss the benefits Lexcel can bring to your practice call Tracy Thompson on 07702 040784 or
email tt@tracythompsonassociates.co.uk
www.tracythompsonassociates.co.uk
Sally Harrison QC
LEXCEL CONSULTANCY * BUSINESS PLANNING * RISK & COMPLIANCE SERVICES * MARKETING STRATEGY * INTERNAL AUDITING * AWARD/TENDER/PII APPLICATION ASSSISTANCE

High Flying Women
News 11
Around September last year I was researching
an article I was writing about
the lack of women leaders in law firms
for my business’ newsletter when I came
across a quote written by Lady Barbara
Judge: “Sometimes it takes a woman to
open the door so that another woman
would walk through it.”
Yes it is a powerful quote, but because I
have only ever worked in my small family
business, at that moment in time I didn’t
fully appreciate just how powerful it was -
until I started talking to professional
women specifically about it. The trends in
what these women were saying were not
encouraging. For whatever reason, there
seemed to be a disconnect, not just between
women and their female peers, but
also between women and their female employers.
That’s when I realised that women would
never hold 50% of leadership roles if we did
not change this.
And so High Flying Women was born.
The goal - to connect women and collectively
open as many doors for each other as
we can. So instead of one or two women
trickling down the leadership pipeline as is
happening currently, we can flood the leadership
pipeline with women.
I know that this is no simple task, therefore
High Flying Women is a membership, a long
term initiative with collaboration as the
focus. Members will get out of it as much as
they give. We want to inspire each other, to
push each other, to help each other as
much as we can to maximise our potential.
To be initiated into the group, one must attend
a High Flying Women event. Our
events consist of both skill development
workshops to address barriers in the workplace
and more social events with relationship
building as the focus. Developing
meaningful connections is the priority. To
take advantage of the amazing calibre of
women we do have in the network, we also
offer a formal mentoring scheme and have
private online platforms so our members
can carry on networking following events.
We had our first event at the end of March.
It was a workshop with ‘Work-Life Balance’
as the focus. It was an extremely inspirational
event and the feedback was overwhelmingly
positive. The challenge of
Work-Life Balance is something that will affect
us all, especially when traditionally,
women put more hours in at home. For
many professional women this is a significant
barrier, which is why it is so important
they have a place where they can talk about
it and learn from others in a judgment-free
setting.
Networking with my High Flying Women
has taught me the true meaning of a barrier
- for the most part, I don’t think a lot of us
realise that a barrier exists until suddenly it
isn’t there anymore and we see how much
progress we can truly make in both in our
professional and personal lives without
them.
One example for me is the barrier of Confidence
and Imposter Syndrome and it has
only been recently with the support of my
High Flying Women that I have been able to
glimpse what life looks like for me without
this barrier. The support, sense of community
and focus on skill development I get
through High Flying Women has allowed
me to identify the subconscious decisions I
make to not do something out of fear, so
now I can consciously isolate these moments,
these barriers, and take a sledge
hammer to them.
High Flying Women itself is growing at an
astronomical rate - I almost can’t keep up!
Our next event (7th of June) which is focusing
on Confidence and Imposter Syndrome
was 60% full after 20 minutes of releasing
the invitations. We now have women signing
up from across 53 different sectors and
industries.
Now I am looking for support from businesses,
long term sponsors to help me drive
High Flying Women’s growth geographically.
I would encourage any woman who this
has resonated with to get in touch with me.
High Flying Women supports the career development
of women so that we can flood
the leadership pipeline with women in our
life times and so that will be paid equally for
doing so.
Bethan Jepson
Email:
bethan.jepson@jepsonholt.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethan-jepson/
Twitter
@BethanJepson
www.facebook.com/HighFlyingWomen
What makes a good landing page?
Reaching the older customer
online
Many legal services
providers will be aiming to
target the over 60s. From
wills and probate to wealth
planning and conveyancing,
this can be a fruitful
market.
Some may assume this audience
will be mostly offline
– but these days, that’s just
not true. Research suggests
retirees can be just as digitally
active as other audience
segments, and could
therefore be included in
your online marketing strategy.
How many are online?
2016 research from the ONS
found 88% of 55-64 year
olds and 74% of 65 to 74
year olds had used the internet
recently. The figure is
lower for over 75s at 33%,
but there has also been
growth here since 2015.
Facebook’s audience insights
tool shows around
10% of all its UK users are
55-64, and 8% are 65+,
which is around 6 million
people.
What are they doing?
Ofcom’s 2016 media use report
reveals what this audience
is doing online.
As might be expected, Facebook
is by far the most popular
social network for over
55s, with 88% saying this is
their main profile and 70%
visiting at least daily. Clearly
organic and paid campaigns
on Facebook could
be a great way to reach
them.
They’re also reading the
news (around a third do so
weekly), looking for information
and advice, and
over 80% have used a
search engine - all great opportunities
to be noticed.
Email will also be an effective
channel, with around
two thirds of over 55s sending
or receiving emails each
week. Meanwhile video
content could also be considered,
as YouTube reports
that time spent watching
videos by over 55s almost
tripled from 2015 to 2016.
Impact on your strategy
This audience is also likely
to be more suspicious of
websites and marketing,
with Ofcom finding them
the most likely to say they
are ‘not confident in staying
safe online’. They may therefore
require more trust symbols
before entering their
details, or might respond
better to content-led marketing
over direct advertising.
Offering larger font
options and having a clear
navigation and intuitive
user experience could also
be helpful.
However, overall reaching
the over 60s online is not so
different and is by no
means impossible – so it
would be a shame to ignore
this large and growing audience.

12 Talking Heads
Talking Heads
Following on from Mental Health Awareness Week last month
we asked practitioners "what strategies do you use to manage
stress?"
Danielle Watts
Trainee Solicitor
Kuits
After a busy day, I find the
best thing is to let off some
steam by doing some exercise.
This releases any energy
I have built up
throughout the day and enables
me to relax for the
evening ahead. Kuits has
both a netball and touch
rugby team, so I find there
are plenty of opportunities
to get outdoors and have a
laugh with colleagues.
When I’m not feeling so energetic
and the sun is out, I
find that escaping to eat
lunch on the firm’s rooftop
terrace always does the
trick!
Chris Longbottom
Head of Family Law
Shoosmiths Manchester
Being able to manage stress
effectively is an essential
skill for family law practitioners.
On a day-to-day
basis, we support clients
who are experiencing
highly stressful situations.
We have to be equipped to
deal with that and to manage
the professional demands
of our roles.
A lot of the stress experienced
by our clients comes
from a lack of knowledge
about the law and where
they stand in relation to it.
We help to minimise that
stress by explaining things
in lay-person’s terms, demystifying
the legal process
and setting out a plan of direction.
From my own point of view,
as a family law adviser, managing
stress is all about finding
a balance. Clients often
have needs outside office
hours and I have to be accessible
to them. It is important
to make sure that your
own personal life is not affected
by this. I am very fortunate
to be supported by
an understanding family,
and by an employer that
pro-actively tackles stress in
the workplace by placing a
focus on flexible, agile working.
Tom Bridgford
Partner
Eversheds Sutherland
Everyone is different but I
have always found the following
helpful:
Take regular exercise and
build this into your weekly
routine;
Don’t bottle things up – if
you have concerns about
how you are going to get
through your workload,
share that with a colleague,
sooner rather than later;
Make sure you take all your
holiday entitlement – holidays
are absolutely critical
to re-charging the batteries;
Set some red-lines to ringfence
some time for yourself
or your family. For example,
if you need to leave early to
get to, say, a language lesson
on a Tuesday, make sure
your colleagues know that
you really need to leave for
that;
Try not to look at emails
24/7 – this is easier said than
done in a world of smart
phones but they have an
‘off’ button, so try to give
yourself a break from
screen-time.”!
Andrew Holroyd
Executive Chairman
Jackson & Canter Group
Doing things you enjoy is
supposed to help but nothing
is more stressful than
playing golf. Why do I keep
doing it? - one of life’s mysteries!
I am very fortunate to enjoy
my day job as Chair and
Compliance Officer of the
practice and I am lucky not
to worry about it too much.
I know that’s a bit weird.
One of our work values is
that we should work hard
but also have some fun and
down time. Friday bar is a
time when people can get
together and socialise at the
end of the month. Our
Leadership and Ownership
team have also organised
Yoga and Mindfulness sessions.
Last week we had a
Psychiatrist Dr Stevens to
give a lunchtime talk to our
staff on Mental Health and
Well Being.
We all face hard times in our
lives and hopefully monthly
staff one to ones are times
to discuss how our staff are
feeling as well as what they
are doing. Getting to grips
with issues and understanding
them is a good start to
solving problems
Jonathan Wall
Paralegal
Burton Copeland LLP
For a quick fix, the Apple
Watch breathe app is a
great way to instantly relax.
But, the main way I deal
with stress is by ensuring a
little R&R at the weekend
and switching off from work
(at least in part) in order to
recharge the batteries. To
me there is nothing more
therapeutic after a busy
week, than standing in the
kitchen on a Friday night
cooking something special
with a glass of red wine and
chewing the fat with my
wife, or standing on the side
line of the football pitch
with other parents and
cheering on my boys on a
Saturday morning.
If the cause of the stress is a
problem that requires some
deeper thought, an outdoor
walk usually does the trick;
I don't ever remember returning
from a walk without
either a solution to the
problem or at least a plan of
action.
Sydney Fulda – Partner
Commercial Litigation
DAC Beachcroft LLP
Last month I met a US corporate
lawyer who worked
in London. She told me that
she daily witnessed colleagues
crying in the toilets.
I also read a report that
more than 90% of junior
lawyers in this country feel
stressed and under pressure
at work, with more than a
quarter describing stress
levels as "severe or extreme".
Partners in today's
law firms need to be aware
of these issues to drive a culture
which provides levels
of support and leadership
towards managing stress
which will resonate.
Strategies to manage stress
include an ethos of always
doing your level best – no
more can be expected of
you; spread positivity and
happiness and focus on
your achievements; help
others and be charitable;
keep fit, eat well and believe
in yourself; keep a day of
rest; that 24 hour switch off
is a godsend and if all else
fails – support Derby
County – puts life and work
pressures into perspective!
Polly Hill
Associate
Ralli Solicitors
The stress of our jobs in
terms of deadlines, compliance,
accounting, managing
client expectations (and
the list goes on) is mountainous
as can be our lives
outside of work. I manage
my stress levels by a combination
of factors which
varies subject to the height
of my stress levels. I find that
the most effective stress
managers are cardio vascular
exercise as the release of
endorphins keeps my mental
health very well in check
and also, talking to my litigation
colleagues who fortunately
will also listen as a
problem shared is a problem
halved. The odd glass of
Malbec can also work wonders!
I have recently started
using a mediation app on
my train commute as I believe
mediation can work
small miracles for stress levels
and has many other
physical and mental health
be
Rachel Martin
New Enquiries Manager
Aequitas Legal
Working in lead conversion
in Personal Injury my role is
somewhat high paced and
highly pressured. I am very
conscious of work stress as
it is so easy to spill over into
other areas of your life.
There are a number of ways
I deal with stress:
1. Switching off: It’s important
to find a good balance
between work and social
life. I used to check my
emails over the weekend,
even when on annual leave!
Since stopping, I am less
stressed, happier at work
and I find it easier to relax.
2. Being able to say NO!
When I am overworked or
have over committed is
when I get stressed. It’s
much better to be honest
and say when I have too
much to do.
3. Walking – I regularly go to
the Lakes to walk, just by
getting away from all technology
refreshes my mind,
ready for the week ahead.
Peter Atherton
Barrister
Deans Court Chambers
I was fortunate to act for
Penelope Hatton in the
leading case on occupational
stress. She was a
teacher whose work, adverse
family and life events
all contributed to causing
her depression and debility.
Many of her problems could
have been avoided if she
had felt able to share them.
Many high performing professionals
are perfectionists
who enjoy the challenges of
their work and accept that
‘high winds blow on high
peaks’. Many stressful situations
can be effectively
managed by good communication
and delegation
skills. On a personal level I
recommend the benefits of
a happy family, valued colleagues
and friends, regular

vigorous exercise, joining a
choir and a season ticket at
Old Trafford.
Andrew Gartside
Associate
Centrefield LLP
I find that the majority of
stressful situations arise at
work in relation to matters
which are time pressured. I
have found that the best
way to manage stress is to
plan and prioritise my ongoing
matters on a continual
basis. I refer to an
electronic “to-do” list which
has a summary of all my ongoing
matters which can
then be automatically prioritised
by urgency or
client. Having the list at
hand allows me to ascertain
quickly the current status of
my matters and identify the
individual work which either
needs to be dealt with
quickly. If an urgent matter
then does arise, I am able to
quickly cross refer to the list
and either delegate certain
matters to other fee-earners
so that they are completed
in time or re-prioritise other
matters. The list also assists
in making other members
of the team aware of my capacity
when it comes to
work streams.
Carole Jones
HR Partner (Non Legal)
Express Solicitors
This is an important topic as
a HR practitioner within the
legal sphere. I read extensively
and as a business we
support Mental Health
Foundation’s Mental Health
Wellbeing Week and run a
series of events which target
stress as well as other
areas.
The main thing for each of
us is to concentrate on
Mind, Body and Soul – each
Talking Heads
has to be balanced and
nourished if you are to be
the best you can be.
Too often we forget to concentrate
on one area and if
stress takes hold, the cortisol
makes you put on
weight and affects sleep
and concentration leading
to unhealthy conflict. Easier
said than done to achieve
balance but we should all
be taking a regular personal
MOT in these 3 areas. If you
identify a weak area, you are
the only person who can
begin to get it fixed. I struggle
with keeping fit, so have
signed up to the Manchester
10km to challenge myself.
Mark Fitzgibbon
Partner
Hill Dickinson
Let’s face it, the state of
one’s mental health often
gets overlooked / ignored in
such a pressure cooker of a
profession as ours (and not
just in the legal profession,
but it’s the only one I can
speak for). Recognising that
multiple demands from colleagues,
clients and life outside
the office (there should
be one in some shape or
form!) impacts upon each of
us is an important tool in itself–
how stress affects your
physical and mental health
is often the first hurdle to
overcome. Stress affects
everyone in different ways
and everyone, once they
recognise the effect, implements
different coping
strategies which work for
them; for me I try to plan
plenty of time into every instruction
so I don’t get
caught out on time (which
would increase stress levels
for me), but on the other
hand, I try to make sure I get
as much physical exercise
and sleep as I can manage,
equally, it’s essential for me
to make sure I have plenty
of distractions outside of
the office, family, friends,
hobbies, exercise – anything
that takes my mind off
work, at least for a while. “
13
Volunteer Opportunity for
Housing, Probate and Civil
Litigation Solicitors
This is an exciting opportunity to help those in the local
community whilst further developing your skills.
The Organisation
BPP LEGAL ADVICE CLINIC runs a pro bono law appointment
advice clinic providing free, independent high quality
advice to for clients with various legal issues.
Role Description
You will be supervising BPP LPC or BPTC students, i.e. they
already have a qualifying law degree.
All suitable clients are offered one off face to face initial
advice.
You will meet students prior to a client meeting, observe
the client interview (either in person, or by watching a
recording of it) and then de-brief the students after the
meeting with guidance and direction to follow. You will
then provide remote support and supervision with the
student’s letter of advice providing feedback and suggestions
on a first draft and then signing off the letter of advice
within a two-week turnaround. Subject to availability,
the clinic may provide additional advice and support but
the general rule is initial-advice only.
Person Specification
We are looking for lawyers with at least 2 years PQE, we
will consider less PQE in some circumstances.
Time Commitment
We are looking for lawyers to volunteer twice per calendar
year (although every little helps).
If you are interested, or require more information,
please contact Lucy Wildig -LucyWildig@bpp.com.
TAILORED
REGULATION
OF SPECIALIST
LAWYERS
PROTECTING
THE CONSUMER
SUPPORTING
INNOVATION,
COMPETITION
AND GROWTH
IT’S TIME TO
THINK ABOUT
THAT MOVE
To find out more about how your practice could benefit from transferring to the CLC, contact us on the details below.
www.clc-uk.org/Changing-Regulators or call 020 7250 8465

14 Charity and CSR
Davis Blank Furniss sponsors launch
of TLC: Talk, Listen, Change
Tuesday 11th April saw
the official launch event of
the new charity TLC: Talk,
Listen, Change.
TLC: Talk, Listen, Change,
which was part of the Relate
Federation before becoming
an independent charity,
will offer a variety of services
such as parenting programmes,
domestic abuse
services, family mediation
and counselling for adults,
couples and children.
Over 200 of the North
West’s leading business
people and public figures
attended the reception
which took place at The
Place Aparthotel and was
sponsored by law firm Davis
Blank Furniss. Guests included
the Vice Lord Lieutenant
of Greater
Manchester, Edith Conn,
and The Mayor of Trafford,
Judith Lloyd.
The charity’s mission is to
enable people of all ages to
benefit from healthy and
happy relationships, and to
create a society where people
enjoy good emotional
wellbeing and personal resilience;
supported by positive
relationships in all areas
of their life.
TLC: Talk, Listen, Change deliver
a range of integrated
support, therapies and programmes
of work which
help improve emotional
wellbeing and ensure
healthy and happy relationships.
People will be able to
choose to access its services
in a way which works for
them. The staff are extremely
dedicated to their
mission, which is to support
all forms of relationships, be
that the relationship with
yourself, with your partner
or previous partner, family
or friends, school or employer
or with your community.
Caroline Bilous – senior solicitor
in the Family team at
Davis Blank Furniss – commented:
“We were proud to
sponsor the launch of TLC:
Talk, Listen, Change as it will
help countless people
across Greater Manchester.
We wish them all the luck as
the team starts its hugely
important work.”
Michelle Hill – CEO of TLC:
Talk, Listen, Change – said:
“We are delighted to be
launching Greater Manchester’s
own relationship
charity, TLC: Talk, Listen,
Change. Davis Blank Furniss
has been a fantastic partner
and we are very grateful for
their sponsorship. We believe
that everyone needs a
bit of TLC sometimes and
are pleased to be able to
offer this to the people of
Greater Manchester.”
News from the President’s Charity:
St Ann’s Hospice
L to R: Keith Marsland, Chair of the Board of Trustees at TLC: Talk, Listen, Change;,
Michelle Hill, CEO of TLC: Talk, Listen, Change; Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Edith Conn
OBE DL JP; Victoria Hill, Head of the Family Mediation department at TLC: Talk, Listen,
Change; The Worshipful the Mayor of the Borough of Trafford, Judith Lloyd;
Caroline Bilous, Senior Solicitor at Davis Blank Furniss Solicitors;
Thousands of people will
be hitting the city streets
this month in support of
St Ann’s Hospice, and
members of the local legal
community are being invited
to join them.
The charity’s flagship
fundraising event, the Manchester
Midnight Walk, is
back following its success in
2016, where around 1500
participants raised just
under £170,000 for the local
hospice.
Eamonn O’Neal, Chief Executive
from St Ann’s, said:
“Last year’s walk was incredible
with thousands of people
joining in to raise an
amazing amount for the
hospice. We’re really excited
for this year’s event, and
can’t wait for everyone to
see what we have planned
for the evening.
“Many businesses from
across Greater Manchester
join us by entering groups
to take part in the walk and
feedback is that it’s a great
team-building event, which
also enables organisations
to help us in supporting
local patients with life-limiting
illnesses. We’d love as
many members of the legal
community as possible to
join us by entering a team,
and help support our patients.”
The event has pulled in the
crowds every year since it
began in 2007, creating a
unique late-night party atmosphere.
Eamonn, from St Ann’s,
added: “As one of the oldest
adult hospices in the country,
we are constantly looking
at new ways to raise the
£16,000 a day we need to
keep our hospice doors
open.
We’re really fortunate that
Mancunians and Salfordians
alike rally around in support
of our patients, and the
Manchester Midnight Walk
is a perfect example of that.
It's amazing to see so many
people out in force passing
local landmarks to raise
money for local people.”
Interested walkers can
sign up to take part in the
10k moonlit stroll now, by
visiting the website
www.mmwalk.org.uk or
calling 0161 498 3631.

A James Bond themed
‘Skyball’ raised a four-figure
sum to support Manchester’s
homeless
community.
Charity and CSR
Trafford Law Society makes major
donation to Skullfades Foundation
The Trafford Law Society
event saw lawyers from
across South Manchester
donate £1,200 to support
the work of the Skullfades
Foundation, a charity established
by Sale-based barber
Ged King to provide free
haircuts to local people who
find themselves homeless.
Davis Blank Furniss confirmed as new
Glossop Golf Club headline sponsor
Law firm Davis Blank Furniss
has been announced
as the new club sponsor of
Glossop & District Golf
Club in a three-year exclusive
deal.
Lewis Thompson – solicitor
at Davis Blank Furniss said:
“Davis Blank Furniss has
been in Glossop since 1877
so we are delighted to be involved
with such an historic
club – it opened just eight
years after us.
He added: Many of us are
big golf fans and to become
part of such a local institution
is a great feeling. We are
all now looking forward to
supporting the club over
the coming years.”
Nick Minns – captain at
Glossop & District Golf Club
- added: “On behalf of everyone
at Glossop & District
Golf Club I would like to
thank Davis Blank Furniss
for its sponsorship. The new
deal will help us shape our
future as we continue to develop
competitions for men,
women, seniors and juniors
as well as promote our fantastic
facilities for outside
events.”
The foundation also provides
a range of practical
help and support, including
a winter appeal to give
Manchester's homeless
community more appropriate
clothing and sleeping
bags for the colder months.
Sarah Amatiello, President
of Trafford Law Society and
solicitor at Nicholls in Timperley,
said:“The great work
Ged and his team are doing
to improve lives on a small
budget really struck a chord
with our members. We hope
the money raised will help
them to continue to support
Manchester’s homeless
community.
The cheque was presented
to Ged King by Trafford Law
Society committee members
Phillip Rhodes and
Camilla Burton-Baddeley
from Slater Heelis LLP.
Wood Street Mission egg-static with
Kings Chambers donation
Barristers, clerks and staff
at Kings Chambers have
donated and collected
more than 200 Easter
Eggs for children’s charity
Wood Street Mission.
Camilla Burton-Baddeley, Ged King and Phillip Rhodes
Phillip said:“It was a pleasure
to meet with Ged to
hand over our donation to
the Skullfades Foundation
and hear more about his
valuable work with local
people.”
Ged King, said: “We’re very
grateful to Trafford Law Society
for choosing us as their
charity partner for the Skyball
event. As a smaller independent
charity, a donation
of this size can make a real
difference to the support
we’re able to offer.”
Trafford Law Society is a
local law society, providing
information, seminars and
social events for its members.
Nick Minns (Glossop Golf Club Captain) & Lewis Thompson (Davis Blank Furniss)
Wood Street Mission is a
Manchester based charity
that supports disadvantaged
children in Manchester
and Salford by easing
the impact of poverty on
their families.
For the past five years Kings
Chambers has taken part in
the charity’s Easter and
Christmas Appeals donating
food, toys and money
with the help of many Manchester-based
solicitors
firms.
The 200 eggs, will go to disadvantaged
to children who
would not normally receive
them.
Debra Andrés, Chambers
Director at Kings Chambers
said: “The Wood Street Mission
has been a favoured
charity of Kings for some
years now with members
and staff alike really getting
involved in the spirit of the
projects, the charity run and
the work they do. The passion,
conviction and positive
community impact
made by the charity is always
a huge inspiration to
everybody here at Chambers.
“We’ve been inundated
with Easter Eggs, to the
point where my office has
been swamped by them!
Best of all – every one of
these eggs will bring a smile
to the face of a child who
perhaps otherwise may not
have received one. “
The recently appointed
Head of Chambers, Nigel
Poole QC said: “Kings Chambers
has a mission to support
ever more
organisations helping people
in the communities in
which we work.
“I would like to thank our
Chambers Director Debbie
Andrés for overseeing this
successful fundraising effort
and look forward to working
with Wood Street Mission
on future fundraising
efforts.”
Please RSVP
Sarah.Amatiello@nichollssolicitors.com

16 Management Matters
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
This month:
• Managing the business with the right BI?
• Are you failing you lawyers?
“You cannot manage what you cannot measure” – “You
need Business Intelligence from your data”
A social media statement in May that is just so true. There
are very few partners and department heads in law firms,
that do not want to see the success of their business and
their personal rewards whether it be money, retirement or
work:life balance and job satisfaction however it is pitched.
However success needs effort.
Most firms now do some work annually generating at least
a 3 year strategy doing a stocktake of where the business
has come from, where it is at and where we want it to go.
In most case as well we are beginning to make people accountable
– department/work-type or location heads for
revenue, gross profit, working capital (WIP realisation, lock
up and cash collection), compliance and business development,
client satisfaction. We are also now making individual
people accountable for their own performance – fee earners
-
WIP, billing, billable hours, SLA achievements as a minimum.
It is therefore critical that we have the information available
in order to measure the performance, see how it is trending
clearly showing and analysing peaks and troughs an how to
capitalise on the good and how to correct the bad. This intelligence
needs to be with us at the appropriate time to
take action so we have to fully understand the need to separate
- Key Performance Indicators (KPI)
o These provide information so that a few earner is
in a position to action and recover within say a monthly time
period – so daily information on billable time recorded,
billing and the like with follow up from management and
peer pressure
- Reports
o Probably on a monthly basis but giving trend
data on key areas by department or team – billing, gross
profit, working capital, enquiry conversions, matter starts,
matter closes.
Trending of data is critical so that peaks and troughs are evident
and have to be commented on and exploited or recovered
with actions being agreed to enable forward
forecasting
Do have a look - http://www.professionalchoiceconsultancy.com/articles.php
Again the Finance Head should be responsible for this data
availability and again most of the PMS/CMS products that
you have should enable this data as a when you need it. This
should be part of a formal review with your vendor. Again
even with financial management your on- site product will
have more capability than many are aware of plus there are
also supplementary tools like Katchr and PowerBI
The odd added value accountancy firm could potentially
help here too – Article April 2017. We should be getting so
much more added value from them and some are responding.
Working with law firms I have found the need for department
heads to report and present monthly against their accountable
measurement criteria to their peers a really
useful exercise – commenting on performance and why,
peaks and troughs, recovery and exploitation actions and
revised forecasts incredibly useful.
See all the management matters articles plus so much more
here. http://www.manchesterlawsociety.org.uk/the-messenger-north-west-law
Research reveals “Lawyers believe they are being held back
as firms fail to …………………………………”
A few years ago a good number of progressive firms were
prepared to sit down as a group and as part of their 3 and
5 year strategy plans even consider how they were going to
get to a paperless environment with all of its practical benefits
in terms of performance, compliance and security. It
is never going to happen overnight but it does need a plan
Most case, matter management and document management
suppliers have the technology in their products that
are already sitting in the law firm environment but the firms
are not getting the benefit of utilisation because of management
and training.
More Recent Evidence
The month of May 2017 saw the results of a survey conducted
by Microsoft in conjunction with Legal Week
You may say that Microsoft would say that but their survey
states that lawyers questioned emphasised
- Just 20% said their firm had equipped them with
the right technology to work seamlessly in and
out of the office
- More than 86% said they still used pen and paper
to complete legal work
- The desktop PC was the second most popular at
71%
- 62% use a laptop and less than 17% used a tablet
Robert Epstein Windows Product Marketing Director at Microsoft
has said “in terms of people’s ability to compete,
they are going to have to change rapidly because of the
slowness that brings to processes and document review. It
might be good for billings but it’s certainly not good from
a client’s perspective or frankly for the productivity of the
individual”
The surveyed lawyers also criticised their firm’s adaption to
technology changes
- 50% gave an unsatisfactory rating
- 10% described the firm’s response as poor/very
poor
- Lawyers used smartphones and tablets for check
ing mail - 71% & 20%
- Web browsing - 60% and 21%
- Few for work related projects
- 83% of lawyers said that embracing available
technology would lead to greater productivity
Apparently of those surveyed it was felt that senior partners
often (31%) made the decisions to buy hardware and 65%
said this decision maker hadn’t changed in the past five
years.
Getting involved with mobile devices is a necessary evil. It
is of course aided with the moves into the – let’s make sure
it is a secure hosted environment we are seeing this whole
process adding to agility and mobility of working.
This is undoubtedly the way forward – it is just a matter of
timing. However it has to be done carefully and to the right
standard. The need for security and the right supplier
should never be under-estimated. Many of our articles cover
this – it’s a fundamental and why deal with someone that
doesn’t know the requirements for law firms – it does require
a specialism.
I refer you to MLS Advantage members
www.nasstar.com
www.xyonecybersecurity.co.uk
www.matrix247.com
Please look at the March 2017 article which included the
cost of abdication.
There is absolutely no issue with your firm getting the right
infrastructure – available, mobile, compliant, secure. Just
deal with the right people with the right track record.
Way forward
The use of technology has to be a clear part of the firm’s
strategy reviewed every year for a three year horizon.
Yes there is growth, revenue, geography, work-types, profitability,
working capital succession, client satisfaction and
development, competitiveness and so on but we cannot ignore
technology which in reality will enable all of those
things.
IT therefore has to be part of the debate – what can it contribute?
Efficiency, productivity, cost reduction, availability,
speed of working, competitiveness – the Magic of IT – October
2015 article. 18 months behind the times now with
the developments of artificial intelligence and machine
learning. We do however have to make a start.
The full headline and hopefully leaving the technology
word out of the heading we had a few more readers
Research reveals “Lawyers believe they are being held back
as firms fail to embrace technology”
In fact hopefully there are many suggestions within this column
and there are some relevant and selective articles on
this website.
http://www.professionalchoiceconsultancy.com/articles.php
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

CAB News
17
Vehicle Charges: An Update from Stephen
Hindmarsh, CAB Volunteer
You can’t open the paper
or hear the news these
days without hearing
about pollution from cars.
Authorities are constantly
amending the vehicle tax
regime to keep pace with
our increasing knowledge
about the ways in which
motor vehicles impact our
health. So in this article I
am going to look at the
various vehicle duty
regimes that affect our
cars.
Originally authorities were
not concerned about pollution
at all. The tax regime
depended on the engine
size. This changed in 2001
and now there is a brand
new vehicle duty regime
that came into force on 1st
April 2017 which affects cars
registered after that date.
There has also been a
change in the way cars are
taxed when they are
bought and sold. We do get
enquires at CAB about this,
particularly when a client
has bought a car and thinks
that they can still transfer
the tax from one car to another.
This is how things look at
the moment.
Vehicle Tax Rates
Before March 2001 car tax
was based on engine size
only. This changed on the
1st March 2001 when the
government introduced a
vehicle tax regime that was
based on CO2 emissions.
This regime continues to
apply to all cars registered
between 1st March 2001
and 31/3/2017. Basically,
the more CO2 emissions
produced by the car the
more tax is paid.
From the 1st April 2017
there is a new regime for
petrol and diesel cars. For
the first year you will pay a
tax based on a sliding scale
relating to CO2 emissions.
The rates can be viewed at
www.gov.uk/vehicle-taxrate-tables.
Zero CO2 emissions
attract no duty whilst
the very worst CO2 emissions
(over 255 grams per
kilometre) will attract duty
of £2000
In the second year after registration
the rules are different
for cars depending on
whether their list price was
above or below £40,000. If
your car is below £40,000
then there is a flat rate of
£140. If the car has a list
price of more than £40,000
then an extra charge of
£310 per year will apply for
a period of 5 years. If your
car emits no CO2 then the
rate remains zero.
Buying and Selling
There was a change to the
rules in October 2014. From
that date it was not necessary
to display a tax disc on
the vehicle.
Also from that date you cannot
transfer tax from one
vehicle to another.
You must tax a vehicle that
you have bought before
you drive it. If you sell a vehicle
then the vehicle registration
document (V5C)
must be completed with details
of the new buyer and
sent to the DVLA. With that
form you can apply for refund
of the tax paid for
whole months for the period
after you have sold.
I have come across several
examples at CAB particularly
where there is a private
sale and one party or the
other has not followed the
rules and ended up with a
penalty.
Air quality
We are now aware that it is
not just CO2 which is causing
the problems with car
emissions. It is the NO2
emissions as well and these
are the emissions that cause
the effects to human health.
But you will see that the vehicle
duty regime makes no
mention of NO2 emissions.
Probably because the government
encouraged us to
buy diesel in the first place.
At the time of writing this
article the government has
delayed publication of its
Air Quality Plan until after
the General Election
However, local authorities
did not encourage us to buy
diesel. These authorities are
now starting to take action
to discourage drivers from
using vehicles that emit
above a certain level of
NO2. Westminster Council
have become the first UK
city to penalise diesel drivers
with more extensive
parking prices. From the
23rd October this year, drivers
of older (pre 2005) petrol
and diesel vehicles will have
to pay an additional T
charge (Toxicity charge) to
drive in the London congestion
charge area.
It can only be a matter of
time before other towns
and cities introduce their
own version of the T charge.
Information websites
For more information about
the new vehicle tax regime
you can go to:
www.gov.uk/government/n
ews/new-vehicle-tax-ratesfrom-1-april-2017
You can also find out the
current tax (and MOT) status,
including expiring dates
for a vehicle from the DVLA
vehicle enquiry service:
www.gov.uk/check-motstatus.
Stephen Hindmarsh was a
solicitor at Hill Dickinson in
Manchester and a past
President of Manchester
Law Society. Stephen now
volunteers at the CAB
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18 Local News
Black Solicitors Network (BSN) Update
The challenge for groups
is to offer something of interest
for all members.
BSN’s appeal covers the
full spectrum of careers,
starting with students on
the LPC course right
through to the judiciary.
Last month we helped a
group of students with advice
on applying for their
first legal role and gave
them tips on ways to make
themselves standout from
the crowd.
We are now looking to work
with established lawyers
who are looking for their
next challenge. If any senior
lawyers are interested in exploring
a career within the
judiciary Please email me to
enquire about the BSN initiatives
to assist those wishing
to join the judiciary. For
example, do you have any
questions on the application
process? Are you in the
process of applying and
would like guidance? In
conjunction with The Law
Society, BSN runs a series of
programmes, including support
and coaching, designed
to assist you in your
application.
Turning to a more relaxed
note, we are pleased to be
hosting our first summer social.
SAVE THE DATE – Thursday,
15th June, 6pm at The
Botanist on Deansgate. We
are expecting up to 60 people
on the night along with
special guests. We will be
serving up drinks and
canapes whilst being entertained
with live music. The
format is informal and a perfect
opportunity to make
new contacts and catch-up
with old friends. As always,
BSN and our events are
open to all. If you would like
to attend please email me at
kyle.blackburn@jmw.co.uk
Finally, nominations are
now open BSN’s Diversity
Legal Awards! This is now
our eighth year hosting the
awards and they are the
only industry awards which
focus solely on recognising
and promoting diversity, inclusion
and equality across
the legal profession. Nominations
and submissions are
invited from firms, chambers,
in-house legal teams
(private and public sector),
suppliers to and individuals
within the legal profession.
Submissions may cover one,
some or all aspects of diversity,
including gender, ethnicity,
sexual orientation,
disability and social mobility.
Last year’s winners include
Dr Sandie Okoro of HSBC
Global Asset Management
(Lifetime Achievement
Award), Ruth Grant of
Hogan Lovells (Diversity
Champion), Latham &
Watkins (Retention) and
Freshfields (Law Firm Diversity
& Inclusion Initiative of
the Year).
This year I would like to see
some of the North’s outstanding
talent represented
and hope that you will
make suggestions. The
entry deadline is 31 July
2017. Please email me with
your submissions.
Kyle Blackburn
Chair
Black Solicitors Network
MTSG Update
Social
The MTSG Charity Quiz was
held on Thursday 11 May in
Artisan in aid of one of our
chosen charities for this
year, Forever Manchester,
raising approximately £250
for the charity. Attendees
were welcomed with drinks
tokens and a buffet, in addition
to a duo of brothers
who acted as our quiz masters
for the evening. We
would like to say a massive
thank you to all those that
attended and assisted in
raising money for Forever
Manchester.
Please keep an eye on your
email inboxes and our social
media platforms for details
of the MTSG election
process and the MTSG election
social, which is due to
be held in late July.
CILEx Update
FELT
The FELT-ers were treated to
a rum trail around Manchester’s
infamous Northern
Quarter on Thursday 18
May, kindly sponsored by
Sacco Mann. The rum trail
provided all attendees with
6 rum cocktails in 6 different
bars and plenty of food to
keep them going along the
way.
Bongos Bingo is the word
on all FELT-ers lips as we
anxiously await new dates
to be released for the crazy
bingo event at Albert Hall.
This is to be sponsored by
Think Legal and more info
will be released very shortly!
Watch this space!
Summer Ball
On Friday 23 June 2017, the
MTSG will be throwing their
annual summer ball at the
Imperial War Museum, Salford
Quays, kindly sponsored
by Realm Recruit.
Mark the date in your diary
now as following on from
the amazing Winter Wonderland
Ball, this year’s Ball
Directors Aisling, Charlotte
and Nikki have put together
an exceptional themed
night for you! The early bird
tickets have now sold out so
please contact one of our
Ball Directors, Charlotte
King
(charlotte.king@jmw.co.uk)
to obtain a copy of the
ticket request form for details
of how to get your
ticket for the Summer Ball
2017 which includes:
• Drinks reception
• Three course meal at the
Imperial War Museum, Salford
Quays
• Half a bottle of wine and
one drinks voucher
• After dinner entertainment
• Raffle in support of Forever
Manchester, Save the Children
and The Christie (prizes
to be announced)
• After party venue at The
Liquor Store (located on
First Street)
3 Peaks Training
In preparation for the 40
MTSG members taking part
in the 3 peaks challenge in
July, MTSG and JCI have
arranged various training
walks to prepare our members
for the challenge –
please note that you can
come along to the training
walks even if you are not
taking part in the challenge
itself. The dates and the venues
of the remaining training
walks are listed below:
• Sunday 4 June 2017 -
LAKES - Scafell Pike
• Sunday 18 June 2017
(bring your father!) - DALES
- Bolton Abbey, The Strid,
Simon's seat, Bardeen Fell,
and the Valley of Desolation.
For more information on
the training walks, please
contact Sports Directors,
Catherine Anderson
(catherine.anderson@jmw.c
o.uk) or Neil Munford
(neil.munford@bermans.co.
uk).
Matthew Flanagan
Chair of MTSG
Solicitor at KPMG
matthew.flanagan@kpmg.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).
Training
The Greater Manchester
CILEx would like to thank
John Mitton of Park Square
Chambers and Ian Skeate of
Clerks room for providing
training for the Branch in
April and May.
John Mitton provided an
overview on advocacy. The
training will be followed up
with a particle session and
details will follow shortly.
The next training session
will take place on 25 May
2017 and will presented by
District Judge Margaret Mc-
Donald of Kenworthy
Chambers. Ms McDonald
will be providing training on
‘Advocacy from a Judges
Perspective.’
For further information,
please email greatermanchester@cilex.org.uk
If you would like to attend
any of our training sessions
please email greatermanchester@cilex.org.uk.
Alternatively,
you can join our
Facebook Group.
Preston Legal Walk
Rachel Stevens, Vice Chair
and Media Secretary of the
Greater Manchester CILEx
Branch took part in the Preston
Legal Walk on 24 April
2017.
The 10K walk around Preston
started at the County
Court at Preston, continued
along the River Ribble, up to
Marina and ended at the
University of Central Lancashire.
The branch will be taking
part in the Manchester
Legal Walk that is due to
take place on 28 September
2017.
CILEx Head Office news:
The Chartered Institute of
Legal Executives (CILEx) has
appointed Linda Ford as its
new chief executive officer
as it presses ahead with significant
governance reforms
and puts a renewed focus
on speaking to and supporting
members.
Ms Ford has been CILEx’s
chief operating officer since
she joined in 2015 from the
General Optical Council,
where she was head of the
education and standards directorate.
She has also been
interim CEO for the past
year.
In addition to the governance
reforms announced
earlier this year, Ms Ford
oversaw the launch in
March of the “I am ACILEx”
campaign, aimed at both individuals
and employers.
This offers the opportunity
for practitioners without a
professional status to become
an Associate member
of the Chartered Institute.
Ms Ford has also led the financial
turnaround of CILEx,
with the organisation returning
to the black in 2016
and the projections for 2017
looking more positive still.
Linda Ford says: “CILEx and
its members can look to the
future with positivity and
optimism and safe in the
knowledge that they have a
great deal to offer the public,
the profession and those
looking for a career in the
law. We want to do all we
can to help our members
progress their careers and
make their mark.
“It is a privilege to be asked
to set and lead the future direction
of CILEx, and member
engagement will be at
the heart of what we do.
This will be aided by the
new governance structure,
which will make clearer the
role and responsibilities of
the various parts of the
group.”

Data Protection and IT 19
GDPR: Practical Steps to compliance for law firms
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) directive
became part of UK (and US/EU) law on the 25th of
May 2018 and your company is legally bound by it, there
is simply no getting away from it.
The new GDPR, put forth by the European Commission in
2012 and finally generally agreed upon by the European
Parliament and Council in December 2016, is set to replace
the Data Protection Directive. Although many companies
have already adopted privacy processes and procedures
consistent with the existing Data Protection Directive, the
GDPR contains a number of new protections for data subjects
and threatens significant fines and penalties for noncompliant
data controllers and processors once it comes
into force in the spring of 2018.
In less than 400 days’ time, the directive will come into place
and the fines for non-compliance are either $20 million
or 4% of global turnover. Those that think that Brexit will
have any impact on GDPR need to think again as we now
know that the UK is likely to leave the EU in 2019, whilst
GDPR applies from 2018. Therefore, whilst the UK is still in
the EU we will be applicable to the new legislation.
Solicitors are already subject to the data protection act of
1998 and a number of professional obligations surrounding
data protection, and none of this changes with GDPR – it
simply amplifies the need to take it seriously. Solicitors already
understand the security obligations they are under,
particularly when it comes to IT related data and many may
have further protection methods and guidance available via
their managed IT provider as Nasstar clients do.
In order to ensure they are compliant moving forwards,
firms need to begin exercising data protection by
design/default to ensure that protection is built into every
new solution, product or process. This can be done by carrying
out data protection impact assessments to identify
threats or risks. Look at it like a business case – what are you
trying to achieve, what’s the harm and how do you fix the
harm?
Here are some practical steps to getting GDPR ready:
1. Have an action plan – take a risk based approach and
prioritise
2. Have a proper data breach response plan - similar to a
fire evacuation plan, it needs to be easy to follow.
3. Invest in proper technology – Nasstar reduce risk with
its managed platform, but it needs to be implemented
throughout the business
4. Review vendor contracts – you will need their help to
report security breaches. Check you have the right contract
with them and find vendors who know GDPR
5. Place in place a DPIA process
6. Get your documents and records ready to produce in
a regulatory inspection and make sure you factor this into
overhead costs
7. Think of a world without employee consent and
tougher consent generally
8. Make sure things like the right to be forgotten, the right
to not be subject to profiling are all covered in policies
and procedures
9. Brief the board and look at annual reporting requirements
10. Train staff on all aspects of the law to ensure all staff
know risks
11. Set up and undertake regular compliance audits/reviews
12. Sense check your plans with specialist lawyers
If you have any further questions on GDPR, you can head
over to the Information Commissioners (UK) website, where
they explain the new General Data Protection Regulations
in plain English, covering every part of it.
We are currently helping a number of our customers get to
grips with GDPR and our professional services team at experts
on the details of the GDPR fine print. Nasstar’s professional
services team offer a consultative approach offering
solutions as automation, data cleansing and integration systems
to streamline the process of gathering consent. If you
need any help getting through GDPR and into compliance,
please do get in touch.
Andy Lewis 07814 046069 or 0207 148 5000 or
email andy.lewis@nasstar.com
LEAP celebrates 1000 UK
firm milestone
LEAP Legal Software has
doubled its UK customer
base in the last twelve
months and has now
passed the 1,000 firm
mark with over 6,000 end
users of its integrated case
management platform.
The first legal practice in the
UK signed up to LEAP in January
2015, in April 2016
there were 500 firms using
the software and now there
are more than 1,000. This
rapid growth in firms switching
to LEAP has been accelerated
by the recent launch
of LEAP 365, which enables
a lawyer to access up-todate
document, matter and
accounting information,
from whichever device they
are using worldwide. LEAP
365 includes the UK’s largest
library of automated forms,
document management for
the firm and clients, time
recording, billing and client
accounting.
“We’re very proud to have
over a thousand law firms
using LEAP software in the
UK. All these firms are using
one product on one technology.
We believe this is a
first in the UK legal market.”
comments LEAP UK CEO
Peter Baverstock. “Our
unique ability to electronically
convert data from the
old outdated system many
firms are still languishing on
has helped us to smoothly
bring these firms into the
21st century to compete
more effectively. ”
To help with its rapid growth
LEAP undertook an independent,
anonymous employee
survey in February
2017, statistics show that
92% of the workforce understand
the company’s mission
and how they can
influence it, 94% see a clear
link between their work and
the company’s goals and
objectives and that 95% feel
LEAP is a good employer.
Richard Hugo-Hamman
LEAP Executive Chairman
adds “Success has many fathers
but in this instance the
popularity of LEAP amongst
UK law firms can largely be
attributed to Peter Baverstock
and the rest of his
leadership team. They have
faced and conquered
tremendous scaling up challenges
and to have more
than a thousand law firms
operating more efficiently
and profitably than ever before,
is a testament to their
skills and the quality of service
they provide.
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C
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Contact
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Mobiles
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tt: 0845 872 4400 or aaron
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Sarah Green:
0800 856 7792 or sarah.green@xy
.co.uk
een@xyonecybersecurity.co
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Ste Pritchard
.uk
: 08000 740 247 or ste@ma
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atrix247.
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Compli provides regulatory and compliance advice and assistance to law firms and others
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Michelle Garlick: 0161 233 7330 or michelle.garlick@weightmans.com
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Document Direct
Our flexible, 24-hour, 365 day service allows you to outsource as much or as little of
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Julie Williams: 0844 225 1447 or julie.williams@documentdirect.co.uk
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Search Aggregator
ETSOS is about helping law firms to grow their conveyancing volumes, improve their
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David Opie: 01524 220001 or davidopie@etsos.co.uk
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Xyone provide top level cyber security consultancy to law firms. Our services are designed
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Charlie Edwards: 0333 323 3981 or charlie.edwards@xyonecybersecurity.co.uk
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Viewpoint
Today’s law firms are embracing technology – recognising the value that it can deliver
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Docutech Office Solutions focus on providing the service and products that you need
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Jason Dixon: 0844 8932919 or jasondixon@docutechsolutions.co.uk
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Telecoms: Connectivity: Mobiles
A division within Matrix247 Telecoms
Group, established in 1991, was specifically set-up to deliver effective communications
to law practices. Recommended solutions are flexible and scalable ensuring resilience
and regularity. Compliance has a high priority along with low ongoing operating costs.
Our portfolio encompasses telephone systems, low-cost landline calls, mobile packages
and implementing networks for multi-location firms.
Contact
Ste Pritchard: 08000 740 247 or ste@matrix247.com
matrix247.com/law
J

MLS ADVANTAGE
m
WHAT IS MLS ADVANTAGE?
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A group of carefully selected partners who have had due diligence
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Viewpoint
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Working with our partners will ensure that our members have improved
efficiency and value, and most importantly, reduced cost packages and implementing networks for multi-location firms
Telecomms including telephone systems, low-cost landline calls, mobile
helping
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transcription
and succeed.
service to your fee earners we it can deliver to the client experience, business processes and operational
help improve the turnaround of your documents enabling you to react
On-line A search portal and aggregator helping for conveyancing departments
more effectively to your clients. We are 100% UK based and offer a
Key services that our preferred partners expertise lies in are:
solutions for legal environments where presentation, collaboration,
training, learning and communication take place. From sophisticated
supported by ISO27001 the Information Security Management system. meeting room and presentation technology to video-conferencing and
Regulatory and compliance advice and assistance to law firms and Technology solutions for law firms where presentation. Collaboration,
You will be impressed by how we can help you, so please call us for your digital signage systems, our specialist knowledge allows us to integrate
others in the legal sector, whatever your structure. A flexibly, tailor training, learning and communication take place
free trial.
the very best audio-visual, multi-media and collaboration solutions into
made service designed to support you in meeting the evolving regulatory,
compliance p by value and pricing, risk challenges easy checkout you and face. dedicated assistance. MLS Advantage partners are able to identify and advise on core issues fac-
Contact
legal working environments with ease. It’s because we understand the
Martyn Best: 0151 227 9150 or martyn.best@documentdirect.co.uk
relationship between people, space and technology that we can deliver
ing your business and using their experience, expertise and market
Contact
specialist Contact design, installation and management services.
Outsourced
David Opie:
typing
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or davidopie@etsos.co.uk
flexible, 24 hour, 365 day service
so as much or as little of your typing and document production Contact
knowledge
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We Quentin know that Birchall: our 0844 members 811 7660 recognise or quentin.birchall@viewpoint-av.com
the value that technology, outsourcing
and business services can deliver to the client experience as well
Compl-i by Weightmans
weightmans.com
Fully C Telecoms outsourced : Connectivity switchboard : Mobiles facility, support for an in-house team as business matrix247.com/law
processes and operational efficiency.
and business continuity on an ad-hoc basis.
MLS
Our MLS Advantage partners all offer special packages to Manchester Law
Top and level regularity. cyber security Compliance consultancy has a high for priority law firms along designed with low to ongoing identify
encompasses and mitigate telephone risk from systems, an internal low-cost and landline external calls, perspective mobile packages and implementing networks for
operating Society costs. members. Our portfolio
Why not contact one of them today?
On-line Contact anti money laundering, bribery, data protection and equality
ADVANTAGE
and Ste diversity Pritchard: training 08000 740 247 or ste@matrix247.com
m
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FOCUSED WORKFORCE
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Designs
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Booking
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and
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Development
Client
Services
Viewpoint is an audio visual integrator, with over 20 years
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Will Smith
01925 284014
will.smith@viewpoint-av.com
www.viewpoint-av.com
nasstar.com info@nasstar.com +44 207 148 5000

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New! Exclusive Yoga & Pilates Studio Opening 19th June
If you’re anything like us, one thing that’s always put
you off going to a much needed yoga or Pilates class
is the lack of personal attention you get in large
classes.
That and the ‘close proximity’ of the other attendees (it’s
hard to focus on those tight muscles when you’re trying
to avoid someone’s arm waving in your face) – some
classes are more like a full contact combat situation
rather than a peaceful, focused environment!
If you’re disillusioned with not knowing whether your
Downward Dog is going sideways, your Half Camel is
going backwards, or you’ve never tried yoga or Pilates
before because large classes and lack of instruction has
always seemed too daunting to get started, we’ve got
the ideal solution for you.
Launching on 19th June, Optimised are opening our
brand new, state of the art yoga, Pilates, and seminar studio
within our existing facility that will be specifically for
small group classes of 6-8 people (as well as private 1:1
and 1:2 sessions), ensuring plenty of space and individual
input from our expert instructors.
QMS Skin Spa Offer
QMS Skin Spa Offer book a 60 Minute Facial Monday
to Wednesday and get 30% off your booking
Please Quote LAWSQMS002
Not only that, but we’ll also be adding a projector and
screen to the studio and we’ll be running a range of regular
health seminars and workshops with our expert
team of nutritionists, Doctors, personal trainers, life
coaches, psychotherapists, and physical therapists so
that we can answer the burning questions of the day
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state, your health, and your performance.
If you want to live a better, more productive and higher
quality life, this is the place for you. Here’s what we’ve got
in store:
- Small group classes so you get more attention, more
space and freedom to move, and better results
- Free access to mats, lockers, towels, and our luxury
changing facilities equipped with showers, hair dryers
and straighteners so you can freshen up ready for work
or socialising after your class
- Free access to our state of the art far infrared sauna after
class
- A range of health and performance seminars and workshops,
with subjects ranging from optimising digestive
system health, effective and healthy weight loss strategies,
and optimal hormonal health, through to living a
higher performance, happier life
Sound good? Great. And if your workplace or team could
be healthier, more productive, and more effective, we’ll
also be offering specific, bespoke corporate workshops
to address the unique needs of time limited city centre
professionals.
We’ll be opening the doors to our new studio On Monday
19th June. To stay tuned, hit up the website or our
facebook page, or shoot me an email (matt@optimisedpersonalwellness.co.uk)
with questions or to register
your interest.
To your lean, healthy, optimised future,
Matt
For more information visit www.optimisedpersonalwellness.co.uk
twitter: @mattopwellness facebook: /optimisedpersonalwellness
Manchester Law Society Members receive a 10% discount
on personal training upon production of their
Benefits of Membership Card
Complete Health Clinic – book with Helen and
you will receive complimentary probiotic with
every treatment and nutritional advice.
!
We are open 7 days a week 9am till 8pm
! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !!
> ! ! !
Look out in next month for our master class,
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!
Email; spa@thelowryhotel.com

October 09
The W
rld
according to Fran
I am old. Yes, I have said it. It has happened lightning fast and I didn’t see if coming.
I was just be living my life the way I always have and then one day, out of the
blue, I had the horrifying realization that people have stopped viewing me as an
ultra-cool, iconic masterpiece of humankind ... now I’m invisible! There was no
warning!
I am sure that most women in their mid 50’s will tell you that while they may feel like
30—vital, vigorous and engaged—their valuation has changed. Experience is often
dismissed, energy routinely ignored and, let’s face it, sex appeal all but laughed at. In
racetrack jargon, we old mares are sent out to pasture while our male counterparts
frolic in stud farms.
How do I know I have been sent out to pasture am getting old I can hear you ask, dear
reader.
Well a number of events have happened recently:
1. I went into a department store (on Deansgate!) to look for some shoes with a
younger friend. I needed a flat black pair for work and a high black pair for going
out/dinners etc – not a bad sale for somebody. I tried on quite a few, as you do, and
found ones that I liked. They were not in the sale (and I had my” smuggling into the
house plan” ready for when I got home). I walked around the floor with the left hand
shoes from each pair looking for a sales assistant. Every shop assistant glanced at me
and ignored me as if I wasn’t there and asked my younger friend if they could help
her!!!! Needless to say I didn’t buy the shoes!
2. Jack asked me how did we let people know we were going to be late in “the olden
days” when we didn’t have mobile phones. After I had picked myself up from the floor
(which obviously took a long time as I am so bloody old!) I told him that we weren’t
late and on the very, very unusual occasion that we might be we used a phone box to
call the person with a 2 pence piece!!!!
3. I went to a Bruno Mars concert a couple of weeks ago (which surely proves I am
down with the kids and not old – although he didn’t come on until about 9.30 pm so
was a bit knackered by then!!!!!!) and on the way out a young guy was giving out
leaflets about a live music club and glanced at me and my friend and walked straight
past us!
4. I went into Neighbourhood for lunch with a business colleague. For once I was early
and I walked in and had the following conversation with the young man on the reception
desk:
Young Man: Hello Madam, can I help you?
Me: No thanks, I am waiting for a friend. We are having lunch.
Young Man: You do know you are in Neighbourhood don’t you?!
I did laugh eventually and he was very apologetic and comped our drinks – and I had
only had water
I was discussing this at the dinner table with Jack and Peds one evening and Jack came
up with a few beauties of his own in the “you know you’re old when…………………”
category.
You know you’re old when all of your sports heroes have retired (that one was for Peds)
You know you’re old when you get cramp in your finger scrolling down to find the year
you were born on a web site
You know you’re old when you can remember getting through an entire day without
taking a picture of anything
You know you’re getting old when you say “hang up” the phone and know what it
means
You know you’re getting old when your ears are hairier than your head (another one
that was for Peds)
You know you’re getting old when it gets late earlier
You know you’re getting old when you have to increase your font size to billboard.
You know you’re getting old when you watch Home Alone and wonder how much
their mortgage is!
There were others but they are not printable!
Peter and I decided that my new mantra is going to be age brings intelligence, experience,
wisdom and beauty and I will not be scared of it! I can tell you this even if you
don't see me, you will know that I am here!
Fran Eccles-Bech
Chief Executive
Monthly Competition
Since opening our first Browns in 1973, we’ve created extraordinary experiences by combining quality food and drink, a bustling
atmosphere, beautiful buildings and elegant special touches. Whether you’re visiting for a lazy brunch, an al fresco lunch, afternoon
tea, evening cocktails or an intimate dinner, our all day brasserie and bars offer a stylish space to relax.
Browns is the perfect location for that early morning meeting or relaxing break with the paper – We truly believe breakfast is the
most important meal of the day. And on the weekend, why not relax with friends enjoying an Eggs Benedict and our famous
Bloody Mary.
Moving on to Lunch
We’ve got it covered with our range of lunches, whether you’re looking for a quick cheap bite to eat or a more indulgent leisurely
lunch.
To tempt you further… Our Browns Afternoon Tea is sure to brighten any day
Adding some early evening sparkle.
We welcome you for that post work drink with friends, let us add some pre-dinner sparkle, you'll find something for everyone in
our extensive range.
Finishing with a delicious Dinner Serving classic, simple yet stylish food since 1973.
We work hard with designers and architects to make sure that our bars and restaurants are stylish and attractive places for our customers
but there is one thing guaranteed to create a sophisticated ambiance: a great pianist.
To win a three course meal for two with a bottle of Champagne answer
the following question:
Q - When did the first Brown’s open?
and send to FranEccles-Bech@manchesterlawsociety.org.uk
no later than 15th June 2017
The winner of the QMS Skin Spa competition was Angela Stokes,
Associate, DLA Piper

Classified Directory
Expert Witnesses
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 Vacant
Talented Lawyers Needed!
Davis Blank Furniss is a full service Lexcel
accredited legal firm with offices in both
Manchester city centre and Glossop.
Are you a solicitor or a team of solicitors who are looking for a fresh
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If you are, then come and talk to us. We are
especially looking for people with a following,
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autonomy and delivering great client service.
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
Locums
WHY PAY AGENCY FEES?
Senior Residential Property
Solicitor with over 30 years
conveyancing experience (29 years
as a sole practitioner) available for
holidays, maternity and
sickness cover. Reasonable rates. If I
can help, please telephone David
on 07896 617287 (or email
davidswann8491@hotmail.co.uk)
further details and availability.
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
Expert Witnesses
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
Shareholder Disputes
Solicitor with 23 years
experience in such matters
available on an Agency basis
to assist firms who wish to
keep clients in-house.
Please contact by email
harryrosenblum@hotmail.co.uk
or telephone/fax:
0161 445 1850
Locums
Senior residential and
commercial property Solicitor with
over 4 years continuous Locum experience
offers you cost effective
solutions for holiday maternity and
sickness cover .No Agency fees to
pay. Please contact Martin Libman
on 0161 485 1240 or 07939 508543.
18 years as Locum Solicitors in the
North West. Tel John Bradley/Lynda
Greenwood 07790 612906 Available
to deal with Conveyancing and
Family.
Missing Will
If any solicitor holds the will for
John Thomas Davies
born 21st January 1930
and late of
31 Edgeworth Drive, Ladybarn
Manchester
M14 6RU
Please contact Ms Charlotte Bulley
Greens Solicitors
9/10 King Street
Ludlow
Shropshire
SY8 1AQ
or call 01584 873918
CharlotteB@GreensSolicitors.com
Woodpecker Bakery
We provide bespoke baked
goods made to order.
Please contact Kate Oldfield, Managing
Partner in confidence at
kate.oldfield@dbf-law.co.uk or on
0161 832 3304.
Strictly no agencies.
Lifestyle/Gifts/Entertainment
Situation Vacant
Experienced part-time
Wills/Probate/LPA Solicitor
required
for a small friendly firm in Whitefield.
Hours and days to suit
Applications in confidence to:
Andrew Kormornick
0161 796 7000 or
andrew@kormornicks.co.uk
(no Agencies please)
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

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