Newcastle News Oct 2017

President’s Column
News from the President
I was sitting in what is left of
Newcastle Magistrates Court in the
first week in October feeling, of
course, quite lonely. Of the seven
Courts which could be available,
only one was sitting. Next to me
was my old friend, Richard Scott,
and between us we comprised
almost the entire Court list. The
place resembled a mausoleum
with a few security people
twiddling their thumbs. The
lighting in the corridors was fitted
with an energy saving device and
as no one was walking down the
corridors, the lights switched off as
if the whole place had given up.
So, sometimes it seems, with the
Law itself. The Magistrates’ Bench
soldiers on in the building with a
resigned look of despair, relieved
when the odd Defendant turns up.
It took some years to grind us all
down to this state encapsulated by
the word “posterity”. We were
supposed to become lean and
hungry, not sick and tired. It is
true that we did not capitulate
easily but with each year a little of
our resolve was chipped away so
that now we look at what is left
New Committee
Members
and wonder “how did we let this
happen?” No functioning
Magistrates’ Court in Newcastle or
Sunderland, the Employment
Tribunal reduced to a dribble of
cases and Police stations closed.
Now what is left of our Police Force
shuts the doors at 8 p.m. I was
standing outside Forth Banks
Police Station a little while ago
when an old couple approached to
ask for directions to the Centre for
Life. I explained that the Police
Station now shuts down at 8 p.m.
but that a local Asda or
supermarket might be able to
help. The few Police on duty at
night inside are embarrassed, in
private, at the situation. But things
might be looking up! The
Supreme Court decided recently
that it was not right to raise Court
fees for employment tribunals so
high that an ordinary person could
not afford to take a case to Court.
You may think this all sounds like
common sense – but the Court of
Appeal did not see it that way. The
effect of this case brought by the
union, Unison, was immediate –
Employment Courts started to see
Do you have some ideas as to how the profession might promote itself
better in the north –east? Do you have a view on our relationship with
the SRA or Legal Ombudsman, for example? Is there an area where you
feel we could offer better education and training?
We would like to hear from you.
The membership of our committee rotates on a rolling basis. This year we
are looking for 4 new committee members. We would be particularly
interested in hearing from you if you work in Newcastle or North Tyneside
or practice in the fields of domestic conveyancing or civil litigation.
However, all locations and areas of expertise welcomed.
If you would like to put yourself forward or just get some more
information on what might be involved, please contact Kate Goodings on
0191 2325654 or mail@newcastlelawsociety.co.uk
We have 6 meetings a year and ask all elected standing committee
members to attend at least 3 of those 6 meetings. Meetings are held in
Newcastle at 5.30pm on a Monday.
Deaths
The Society was saddened to hear of the death of
Ken Weldon. Ken died on 27th August 2017. He
was elected to membership of the Newcastle
upon Tyne Law Society in 1965 and had been a
member for over 50 years.
an increase in their lists. A
shudder went through the whole
system as the significance of this
decision gradually sank in.
Namely that a legal right is
meaningless unless there is a
means to enforce it. The Courts
have fought back.
Another possible bright spot is the
transfer of the County Court to the
Civic Centre – possibly allowing
Newcastle to have a Magistrates’
Court at the Quayside. We will
wait and see. 2019 has been
mentioned but if we are not
vigilant we will be told that the
current situation, having been
accepted, can clearly carry on.
Enough of lean times, it will soon
be time to be fat and jolly at the
President’s dinner on 10
November. I am trying to get a
band so we can have a knees up as
well. That is if Kate says we can
afford it. So get your order in now!
Lewis Pearson
President
The North East Legal Support Trust is
looking for people to register to take
part in their Great Legal Quiz
Wednesday 8 November 2017
Great Legal Quiz.
The Great Legal Quiz is a fantastic evening for people to have fun and
compete whilst doing their part to help support those most in need of
specialist free legal advice and help.
Questions are like a pub quiz - not legal - it's The Great Legal Quiz
because.....
All money raised goes to front line legal advice charities who deliver
help and support to vulnerable people in desperate need of specialist
advice. Your fundraising will mean they won't be alone in going
through very difficult experiences.
How it works:
NELST supplies the questions, and posters for you to use to advertise
your quiz night in a local pub, your office, the charity where you
volunteer, or just at home! Simply sign up to let them know you are
taking part and they will add you to the list of quizzes taking place to
raise funds for your local Legal Support Trust or local Legal Advice
Charity.
You feedback your top scores the next day and they will announce the
top teams in the country! A shield goes to the highest scoring team,
and another to the highest fundraising quiz organisers.
If you have any questions or would like to find out more, take a look at
their FAQs. For ideas about how to get started, check out their
'Fundraising Hints and Tips'.
All this information and more is on the NELST website
nelst.weebly.com/great-legal-quiz
4 Newcastle News