Newcastle News Oct 2017

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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
Annual Dinner 2017 Newcastle upon Tyne Law Society ANNUAL LAW DINNER 10 th November 2017 J O I N O U R P R E S I D E N T L E W I S P E A R S O N T O G E T H E R W I T H F R I E N D S & C O L L E A G U E S F R O M A C R O S S T H E L E G A L C O M M U N I T Y F O R T H I S PRESTIGIOUS EVENT Supported by VENUE: NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE CIVIC CENTRE TIME 6.30PM FOR 7PM FURTHER DETAILS ON BOOKING FORM OR FROM OUR WEBSITE WWW.NEWCASTLELAWSOCIETY.CO.UK Newcastle upon Tyne Law Society ANNUAL LAW DINNER MENU To Start Smoked Haddock and Roasted Corn Veloute ~~~ Main Course Roast Breast of Guinea Fowl with a casserole of blue cheese, kale, bacon, wild mushrooms and shallots Dauphinoise Potatoes ~~~ Dessert Brandy Snap basket filled with seasonal fruits ~~~ Northumbrian Cheese Board ~~~ Coffee or Tea with Mints ~~~ Vegetarian Option Roast Pepper, Potato and Spinach Strudel with a mushroom, tomato and basil sauce ~~~ Special Dietary Requests can be catered for. Please contact the office IS SUPPORTED BY 10 th November 2017 Venue : Newcastle upon Tyne Civic Centre Time 6.30pm for 7pm – Black Tie FURTHER DETAILS ON BOOKING FORM OR FROM OUR WEBSITE WWW.NEWCASTLELAWSOCIETY.CO.UK Newcastle News 5
Page 1 and 2: October 2017 Client Care in Dickens
Page 3: Editorial In the President’s colu
Page 7 and 8: Feature • I do understand the det
Page 9 and 10: Atttention to detail. In these unpr
Page 11 and 12: The Great Legal Quiz finding it inc
Page 13 and 14: FAST Today’s conveyancing demand
Page 16: Seeing things from your perspective

Newcastle News Oct 2017

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