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Weekly update 29 July 2019

25/7/2019

 
​​Dear colleague,
 
Your weekly Law Society update
 
As the professional body for solicitors, every week the Law Society is working hard to influence the legal and regulatory environment on behalf of our profession and to promote solicitors at home and abroad. We support practice excellence, are an informed source of legal sector news and support members at every stage of their career.
 
Here are some highlights from last week.
 
Influencing on behalf of the profession and promoting the profession
 
The Law Society’s media profile this week
 
This week, I urged the new Prime Minister to focus on restoring our beleaguered justice system and maintaining cross-border justice after Brexit. The New law Journal, Global Legal Post and Law Careers all covered our call to the new prime minister. Read our press release.
Australasian Lawyer and All About Law reported our joint submission to the UN on human rights in Turkey. Our human rights policy adviser Marina Brilman also spoke to BBC World Service breakfast news programme Newsday (34:36). Read our press release and joint UN submission.
Former council member Joy Merriam spoke to the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire (42:20) about digital disclosure in rape cases.
Our housing law committee member, Jennifer Phillips, was on BBC Radio 4's Moneybox discussing tenant and landlord rights with a panel of experts.
BBC Radio Kent (1:09:55) interviewed the co-chair of our criminal law committee Richard Atkinson about the laws around assaults on emergency workers.
The Times (£) reported a third of case files are being returned to police due to errors - holding up trials across the country. Co-chair of our criminal law committee Richard Atkinson is quoted.
Inside Conveyancing, Public Law Today and Local Government Lawyer reported on our new conveyancing protocol. I said: “The Law Society is committed to providing support, advice and guidance to solicitors in all areas of relevant practice, in the best interests of clients and the public.”
The Solicitors Journal reported a parliamentary working group recommended property agencies be better regulated. I said: “Solicitors are a highly regulated profession and we have long maintained that property agencies should be subject to greater regulation.”
In a comment for the Gazette, our newly-elected deputy vice-president Stephanie Boyce wrote about her journey into the profession.
The Gazette reported on 70 years of legal aid.
The chair of our digital assets working group, Gary Rycroft, spoke to Business Life (p.58) about digital legacies in wills.
Our immigration committee chair Adrian Seelhoff wrote for Gazette on the committee’s work around outsourced visa and immigration services.
Don’t forget you can read all Law Society press releases by clicking on this link. For live updates follow us on Twitter.
 
Legal and Regulatory Policy
 
Access to Justice
Criminal Justice
A podcast based on the criminal roadshows was recorded on 28 June and is now available on our website. The podcast covers three key themes: criminal review fees, criminal campaigns and the HMCTS crime reform programme.
 
HMCTS attended our Criminal Law Committee meeting on 17 July to provide the committee with an update on the Virtual Remand Hearing design process.
Courts and Tribunals (Online Procedure) Bill
The Courts and Tribunals (Online Procedure) Bill had its third reading on 16 July. The Law Society was mentioned 9 times during the debate. 16 of our amendments have been supported.
The Law Society’s position in relation to the Bill is:
  • Litigants should have the ability to choose whether they wish to proceed with an
    online procedure
  • That the committee should include at least one representative from each legal professional body (Law Society, Bar Council, CiLex)
  • The Online Procedure Rules should be subject to the affirmative resolution procedure as opposed to the proposed negative resolution procedure.
 
HMCTS Flexible Operating Hours pilot evaluation framework
The Government published the evaluation framework for the upcoming Flexible Operating Hours pilots, which are due to commence on 2 September 2019. The pilots will take place in two civil and family courts in Manchester and Brentford. The Law Society will continue to sit on the Evaluation Advisory Group panel, providing expertise and guidance to the independent evaluators (IFF Research and Frontier Economics teams) throughout the pilot period.
Read more here: https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/news/stories/hmcts-foh-pilot-evaluation-framework/
Meetings/events
Richard Atkinson (Chair of the Law Society Criminal Law Committee) and our Justice Team have been in discussions with the MoJ with a view to agreeing some areas of work that can be implemented ahead of the report date for the Criminal Legal Aid Review (currently late 2020). The Law Society has been lobbying the MoJ for some time on these and other issues:
  • unused material
  • cracked trials in the Crown Court
  • advocates payment for paper-heavy cases
  • early engagement by defence practitioners (i.e. pre-charge advice)
  • payment for committals to the Crown Court

We held an introductory meeting with the new Head of Judicial and Legal Relations at HMCTS, Caroline Olaiya. We discussed future engagement meetings including the Strategic Professional Engagement Group meetings and monthly one-to-ones. We raised concerns regarding certain areas of the reform programme primarily around the probate delays, flexible operating hours pilot and the assist digital project.
We gave a presentation to the Law Society Joint V Committee on our work on Pro Bono Week, Justice Week, the Major Incidents Response Plan, and the Pro Bono Charter Review. The Joint V are representatives from the five largest local Law Societies: Bristol, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester.
The Justice Team met officials from the MoJ to discuss progress in the work strands arising from the LASPO Post-Implementation Review.
We attended the Justice Alliance event ‘Legal Aid Matters’ at the Houses of Parliament, where David Greene, the Law Society vice president, gave a speech focusing on the importance of early legal advice. The event was featured in the Gazette.
Regulation
The Law Society submitted a response to the second stage of the UCL (University College London) review of legal services regulation led by Professor Stephen Mayson. Our response is available here.
Parliamentary
 
Boris Johnson was named new Conservative leader and Prime Minister.  Our vision for law and justice for the new PM has been published here and a press release has been issued. A letter to the new Prime Minister setting out our policy recommendations has been drafted and will be sent shortly.
We will begin our engagement with the new administration and will write to new ministers and members of Johnson’s cabinet when they are appointed. Robert Buckland QC has been announced as the new Lord Chancellor and other senior Cabinet positions announced have included:
  • Sajid Javid - Chancellor of the Exchequer
  • Priti Patel - Home Secretary
  • Dominic Raab - Foreign Secretary (solicitor)
  • Michael Gove - Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (former Lord Chancellor)
  • Liz Truss - International Trade Secretary (former Lord Chancellor)
  • Stephen Barclay - Brexit Secretary (solicitor)
  • Robert Jenrick - Housing and Communities Secretary (solicitor)
Our influencing work internationally
 
We led a joint submission to the United Nations on the erosion of the rule of law in Turkey with 13 other international bar associations and lawyers’ groups. Read the joint UN submission.
On 17 July Helena Raulus, Head of Office attended a meeting with Christopher Deacon (Partner) to discuss Brexit in London.
 
Supporting members at every stage of their career 
 
Our new package of learning and development for people early in their careers is now live, including:
One-to-one career advice, London/Virtual - Morning session - Wednesday 11 September 2019
One-to-one career advice, London/Virtual - Morning session - Wednesday 18 Sep 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
Are you in the early years of your career in law? How confident are you that you are marketing yourself effectively for new opportunities? Aimed at members up to three years post qualification, career experts can offer you guidance on what makes a great CV or application and give you a chance to practise your job interview techniques. Appointments are also available to discuss how to make a career/professional development plan and prepare for a career and professional development conversation with your manager.
 
Advocacy and the Vulnerable Training, London - Morning session -Thursday 1 August 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
The Advocacy and the Vulnerable Training was developed in conjunction with the Bar to help solicitor advocates and barristers strike the right balance between advancing their client’s case effectively in court whilst ensuring vulnerable witnesses are not subjected to undue stress.
 
Lexcel consultant training, London - Wednesday 11 September 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
This course provides an in-depth understanding of Lexcel England and Wales v6.1 and what evidence is required to meeting the Standard requirements.
 
 
The Law Society's Diploma in Local Government Law and Practice 2019-2020
This self-study course has been tailored for trainee solicitors, solicitors, barristers and chartered legal executives who are committed to progressing in local government law and practice. The programme will cover the structure of local government law, local authorities, the courts and much more. Enrolment closes Friday 16 August. Download the prospectus and secure your place today.
 
The Law Society is marching in more Prides than ever before – as #LegalPride, together with the Bar Council and CILEx to show a united legal profession in support of its LGBT+ members and LGBT+ rights. The vice president and deputy vice president marched in Birmingham, and will be doing the same in Leeds and Manchester (respectively). Sign up for Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester and Cardiff here.
 
Solicitor Judges' Division Seminar: Breaking Down Barriers - Tuesday 10 September 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
This autumn, the Solicitor Judges' Division is hosting a panel discussion on judicial diversity and how we can improve it.
 
Fiona Woolf lecture  - Thursday 12 September 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
This event is to celebrate the achievements of Dame Fiona Woolf and other inspirational women who have reached senior positions within the profession. This year’s guest lecture will be delivered by Vidisha Joshi, managing partner, Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors.
 
Judicial appointments: interview training for solicitors, London - Saturday 21 September 2019  
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
In view of increasing competition for judicial appointments, this interactive course will equip delegates with the skills to help enhance your application and interview performance. This workshop has been developed specifically for solicitor applicants but the content is relevant for anyone serious about submitting a credible judicial application.
 
Supporting practice excellence   
Some of our upcoming events are:
 
Compliance forum for COLPs/COFAs: SRA Standards and Regulations, London – Tuesday 6 August 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) will be issuing new Standards and Regulations later this year which will replace the SRA Handbook. There will be a new, reduced set of principles, two separate Codes of Conduct - an individual solicitor code and a firm code - and simplified Account Rules. This forum, aimed at COLPs and COFAs, will provide insight into the changes that you need to make.
 
Competition Section seminar: CPD compliance for Irish practising certificate holders -Tuesday 10 September 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
This two-hour seminar will cover essential CPD requirements for Irish practising certificate holders, with a particular focus on the regulatory element of Irish professional development.
 
Risk and Compliance autumn conference 2019: Mitigating risk in a changing regulatory landscape - Bristol -Thursday 12 September 2019
Location: Mercure Bristol Holland House Hotel and Spa, Redcliff Hill, Bristol, BS1 6SQ
In this popular one-day event speakers will provide invaluable advice for shaping the future of compliance in your firm and offer practical guidance to help you cultivate a best practice culture throughout your firm or department. The autumn conference will be held in Bristol.
 
Compliance forum for COLPs/COFAs: SRA Standards and Regulations, London - Monday 16 September 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) will be issuing new Standards and Regulations later this year which will replace the SRA Handbook. There will be a new, reduced set of principles, two separate Codes of Conduct - an individual solicitor code and a firm code - and simplified Account Rules. This forum, aimed at COLPs and COFAs, will provide insight into the changes that you need to make.
 
Small Firms Division annual conference 2019, London – Thursday 19 September 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
The Small Firms Division is dedicated to meeting the needs of all smaller legal businesses, including sole practitioners. The Division's flagship annual conference will take place in London and Leeds, and will provide practitioners with a half-day of small firms-focused conference sessions, practical tips and networking opportunities.
 
Small Firms Annual conference 2019: Thursday 19 September, London and Thursday 3 October, Leeds
We are delighted to announce that Joshua Rozenberg QC (hon) will be this year’s keynote speaker and will discuss changes in legal industry and the future for small firms.  The programme will also cover topics such as small firm business models, cost effective ways to market your firm and the latest updates from the SRA handbooks. Secure your place on or before Tuesday 3 September to save up to £50.
 
Keeping members up to date
 
We have a number of newsletters for members. Below is a list, along with links for signing up to them.
 
Newsletter
Sign-up method

Advocacy Update
Update My Law Society preferences

Anti-money Laundering Update
Law Society newsletter page

Campaigns newsletter
https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/policy-campaigns/campaigns/

City Update
Contact the City relationship management team

Diversity & Inclusion Update
Update My Law Society preferences

In-house Forum
Update My Law Society preferences

International Update
Law Society newsletter page

Junior Lawyers Update
Law Society newsletter page

JLD sign-up page

Legal Aid Update
Law Society newsletter page

Parliamentary report
https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/policy-campaigns/public-affairs/

Professional Update
Law Society newsletter page

Regional Update
Contact your regional relationship management team

Risk & Compliance Update
Join the Risk and Compliance Service

Small Firms Focus
Contact the Small Firms Division

Solicitor Judges Update
Join the Solicitor Judges Division

 
 
You can also register for the Gazette daily update here.
 
As always, please feel free to share this update with your constituents unless otherwise specified.
 
Kind regards
Simon

Peterborough Cathedral Justice Service

22/7/2019

 
All members of the Peterborough Law Society and their guests are invited to the Justice Service.

The Service will be held at Peterborough Cathedral on Sunday 6 October 2019.  The Service begins at 3.30pm and all guests are to be seated by 3.15pm.

Please kindly RSVP by 6 September 2019 to His Honour Neil McKittrick DL (details are in the attached invite).  

We hope to see many of you there.

justice_service_invite.pdf
File Size: 74 kb
File Type: pdf
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