For a short while, the Law Society has been running Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) forums across the country.

As well as the chance to delve into D&I concerns of those in the room, the participants at our D&I forums hear directly from the Law Society about what we are doing in the D&I sphere and are an opportunity for people to discuss issues of mutual concern relatively informally. The forums are designed to provide shared learning and peer support as well as the opportunity to work more closely with both the Society’s D&I team, and each other.

A wide range of individuals attend our forums, which include (but are not limited to): D&I professionals; HR professionals; partners and other fee earners; in-house and other legal practitioners; Local Law Society representatives; or anyone else involved or interested in D&I within law firms and in-house legal departments.

The overwhelming success of our D&I forums has meant we have expended them throughout England, and in Wales. Currently, we have had regional D&I forums in London, Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield, Leeds, Newcastle, Cardiff, Birmingham, Bristol and Southampton; and have more planned!

Last month, we held our first Eastern forum in Cambridge, kindly hosted by Birketts. We had a full room of attendees, who represented large and medium firms in the top 200, and Cambridge Law Society. Discussions focused on the hot D&I topics of attendees: unconscious bias; recruitment and how to set up disability networks. We hope that this forum will mirror those across the country and meet quarterly to continue to discuss issues and share best practice. Our D&I forums also offer the chance for attendees to influence the work of the Law Society and advise the Society on how to improve D&I within their organisations and region, and to help to organise more in-depth training and meetings on various topics, e.g., mental health and gender pay gap reporting.

If you would like more information, and to see our schedule for 2019, please visit our webpage, and to join our Eastern forum, or to host a forum in 2020 please contact chris.seel@lawsociety.org.uk or beth.quinn@lawsociety.org.uk 

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.
 
Influencing on behalf of the profession and promoting the profession

> Download our 'lines to take' background briefing

The Law Society’s media profile this week

The BBC  and Dundee Messenger reported our call for legal aid to be made more widely available for inquests. 

Our interim director of policy Richard Miller was quoted saying: "We believe legal aid should be much more widely available for inquests, particularly where the state has legal representation."

Coverage of our research into the impact of a no deal Brexit on UK legal services continued this week. Solicitors Journal , Global Legal Post and the Journal of the Law Society of Scotland carried our analysis, which shows that the sector may be set for a £3.5bn slump if we crash out of the EU without a deal.
 
I was quoted saying “the UK legal system is globally respected and the liberalisation of services in the EU has directly contributed to its success"... "in 2018 the total tax contribution of legal and accounting activities was estimated to be £19.1 billion – potentially funding the salaries of doctors, nurses, teachers and police officers.” Read the report here.

Ian Kelcey, co-chair of the criminal law committee, spoke to BBC Radio Kent (02:48:38) and BBC Radio 5 Live (0:47:36) about pre-charge anonymity for those accused of criminal offences and I put out a statement saying “a fair and consistent process should be applied. All must be treated equally before the law – irrespective of status, wealth or reputation.”

Legal Week (£) covered the sector response to changes to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) standard of proof that will apply from November.

I was quoted saying "there remains a concern that lowering the standard of proof [to the civil standard] may increase the likelihood of referrals to the SDT of ‘weaker’ cases which would previously and more appropriately have been dispensed by the regulator using its own powers. We trust the tribunal will monitor referrals to ensure best use of its resources and powers.”

Volunteers wanted for local media panels
 
Our local media panels help consumers understand the important work solicitors do to assist people in their everyday lives.
 
After the success of Legal Expert columns in South Wales, Bradford and Darlington/County Durham, we’re rolling out features in the York Press and Western Daily Press.
 
If you’re a practising solicitor in York, Bristol, Bath, Somerset, Gloucestershire or Wiltshire, and would like to get involved, please visit our website for further information. The deadline is Friday 23 August.

Access to Justice

Probate Delays
Ahead of a meeting with HMCTS on 10 September we are asking any practitioners experiencing delays to grants of probate of more than six weeks to get in touch. Please email examples to Emily.Weidner@lawsociety.org.uk
 
Meeting at the Embassy of Hungary
We met with the Hungarian Investment and Trade Commissioner and Science and Technology Counselor to discuss the Law Society’s work on court modernisation. The Hungarian National Office for the Judiciary is working on the Digital Court 2019 Project which aims to digitise the court service in Hungary. Areas of discussion included infrastructure developments, efficiency and quality of justice systems.

Meeting with the Association of District Judges (ADJ)
We met the Association of District Judges and Resolution to update them on our work on Civil Justice, including whiplash reforms, the rise in small claims limit for personal injury and fixed recoverable costs, HMCTS court reform programme and family law.
 
MoJ Criminal Legal Aid Fee Review: ‘Accelerated work’ programme
We met the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to discuss the ‘accelerated work’ programme initiated by the MoJ in response to lobbying by the Law Society and other practitioner groups. We hope that this will result in additional payments for our members, for work such as consideration of unused material and early disclosure.

The MoJ’s ‘Criminal Legal Aid Review’ (CLAR) is not expected to report until the end of 2020 at the earliest and we have been urging the MoJ to invest in specific areas earlier than this in recognition of the crisis in the criminal justice system and to help build confidence in the review process.

Regulation

Anti Money Laundering 
The Law Society and members of the Money Laundering Task Force attended a quarterly meeting with the National Crime Agency’s (NCA) engagement team on 30 July. We are working with the NCA to develop guidance for members on submitting high quality suspicious activity reports (SARs). We aim to produce examples of high quality SARs that members can refer to when drafting their own reports. The NCA also provided an update on its activities and feedback on issues it has observed in the SARs submitted by solicitors.
 
SQE
The Solicitors Qualification Exam (SQE) is due to go live in September 2021. The SRA has released the results, analysis and a report of an independent reviewer on the pilot of SQE1. The reports have made some significant recommendations for taking the SQE1 forward, such as scrapping the legal skills test as a part of SQE1. This would leave SQE1 assessment as a series of multiple choice questions. The Law Society is scrutinising the pilot results and will continue to work to ensure a robust and respected standard for entering the profession without arbitrary barriers.
 
Private Law

Leasehold
We met with the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to discuss the investigation into mis-selling of leaseholds, following our written submission.
 
Tax
We met with the advisers of the Economic Affairs Finance Bill sub-committee of the House of Lords to discuss developments in HMRC's powers in recent years.
 
Public Law

Immigration: visas
This week the Immigration Law Committee met with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) to discuss the planned changes to family and settlement visas. This was a joint meeting with the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association and focused on the changes that UKVI would like to make to the evidential requirements for such visas.
 
Mental Health
The Mental Health and Disability Law Committee has written to Susan Acland-Hood, CEO of HMCTS, about the functioning of the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Tribunal. Practitioners are reporting a growing number of adjournments and significant delays in listing hearings and issuing decisions. We are concerned children and young adults are not receiving the service they require or deserve from this tribunal.
 
Parliamentary

Both houses are in recess and we are preparing to engage with the new administration.

Campaigns: Write to the Lord Chancellor 
Take two minutes to ask the new Lord Chancellor to urgently improve access to justice. Our online portal includes a pre-written letter for you to send calling on the Government to tackle legal aid deserts and improve the criminal justice system.
 
Supporting members at every stage of their career 

Our new early career learning and development package is now live, including:
 
Resilience and Wellbeing face-to-face workshop, Leeds -Thursday 17 September 2019
Location: Leeds Law Society, 62 Wellington Street, Leeds LS1 2EE
This face-to-face one day workshop puts the focus firmly on your personal coping mechanisms. We demonstrate how to self-assess, manage emotional responses and deal with everyday stressors so you can better deal with the pressures of your job. We will address anxiety and its causes, encourage positive thinking and you will leave with valuable skills for life.

Resilience and Wellbeing face-to-face workshop, Bristol - Wednesday 18 September 2019 Bristol
Location: Bristol Law Society, 12 Colston Avenue, Bristol, BS1 4ST
This face-to-face one day workshop puts the focus firmly on your personal coping mechanisms. We demonstrate how to self-assess, manage emotional responses and deal with everyday stressors so you can better deal with the pressures of your job. We will address anxiety and its causes, encourage positive thinking and you will leave with valuable skills for life.

Judicial appointments: interview training for solicitors, London - Friday 20 September 2019 
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
This interactive course will equip delegates with the skills to enhance your application and interview performance. This workshop has been developed specifically for solicitors but the content is relevant for anyone serious about submitting a credible judicial application.

Judicial appointments: interview training for solicitors, London - Saturday 21 September 2019  
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
This interactive course will equip delegates with the skills to enhance your application and interview performance. This workshop has been developed specifically for solicitors but the content is relevant for anyone serious about submitting a credible judicial application.
 
JLD Forum: Career development skills for junior lawyers, London - Saturday 21 September 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
The Junior Lawyers Division is holding a free one-day career development and skills event for trainees, newly qualified solicitors (NQs) and solicitors up to five years' PQE. The aim is to equip those who are at the start of their careers with skills and know-how to progress, diversify and develop within the legal profession.

Preparing mature students/career changers for the solicitors’ profession, London – Tuesday 24 September 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
The Law Society is committed to attracting the most able candidates into the legal profession and promoting equality at all stages. As part of its drive to promote diversity at entrance level, the Law Society has developed an exciting careers event to offer advice and support to mature students and career changers aspiring to become solicitors.
 
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 next Friday 16 August - download the prospectus and secure your place today.
 
Legal Pride
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. Sign up for Manchester and Cardiff here.

Supporting practice excellence   

Solicitor Judges' Division Seminar: Breaking Down Barriers, London - 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 progress it.

Competition Section seminar: CPD compliance for Irish practising certificate holders, London -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 regulatory requirements.
 
Small Firms Annual Conference 2019: Thursday 19 September, London and Thursday 3 October, Leeds
Joshua Rozenberg QC (hon) will be this year’s keynote speaker. He will discuss changes in the legal sector 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.
 
Property Section workshop: risk and negligence in property transactions, Leeds -Thursday 19 September 2019
Location: Shulmans LLP, 10 Wellington Pl, Leeds, LS1 4AP
As the residential property market slows and returns on commercial property are threatened by the decline of the high street, there is a risk property owners will look to the professionals who advised them to recoup their losses.
 
Private Client Section seminar: Professor King and topical issues in private client practice, Birmingham -Thursday 19 September 2019
Location: Birmingham - Venue TBC
This one-hour seminar from Professor King will educate and entertain with practical guidance on topical issues in private client practice. Professor King will bring her unique insight and clarity on recent case law and statutory developments and will focus on avoiding traps and pitfalls.
 
International Weekend, London - 28 September 2019
The International Weekend 2019 is an opportunity for junior lawyers to network with international counterparts.The gala dinner is the highlight of the programme and is open to all. For further information click here.  
 
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

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

JLD sign-up page

Legal Aid Update
Law Society newsletter page

Professional Update
Law Society newsletter page

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
 
Simon Davis
President
The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London. WC2A 1P

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 this week.

> Download our 'lines to take' background briefing

 


 
Influencing on behalf of the profession and promoting the profession
The Law Society’s media profile this week

The Financial Times, Politico, City AM, Legal Futures and the Times all have covered our new report on the impact of a no deal Brexit on the legal services sector. New Law Journal also discuss our opposition to a no deal Brexit.

The Times (£), Gazette and New Law Journal cover Robert Buckland’s appointment as Lord Chancellor. I note that “as a former criminal barrister, [the lord chancellor] will well understand the challenges facing our justice system.” The Gazette also reports from the swearing in ceremony. In my speech, I urged the Lord Chancellor to recognise “that investment in our justice system is not only crucial for the rule of law but good politics and good economics.”

Law Society vice president David Greene was interviewed by Sky News breakfast programme, Sunrise, on Tuesday, to discuss the legal aid crisis as we mark 70 years since the introduction of legal aid in England and Wales. You can watch the interview here.

The Daily Mail, ITV.com, AOL.com, This is Money, the Sun, more than 100 local newspapers and a number of local radio stations cite Law Society concerns over the legal aid crisis, voiced by our interim operational director of policy, Richard Miller. Richard was also interviewed by Channel 5 News on the importance of legal aid and the impact of cuts.
 
Ian Kelcey, co-chair of the criminal law committee, appeared on BBC Wiltshire (01:07:53) to discuss anonymity for those under police investigation who have not been charged. This is after the Lord Chancellor told the Times (£) suspected sex offenders and others accused of serious crimes should remain anonymous until charged - if they have a reputation to protect. While supportive of pre-charge anonymity, I believe that a fair and consistent process should be applied. All must be treated equally before the law – irrespective of status, wealth or reputation. 
 
The Times (£), BBC, Metro, Mail Online, and the Sun report a judge's claims the justice system is 'beyond the point of collapse' after a case was delayed two years before getting to court. I am quoted in coverage saying that “decades of cuts to this fundamental part of our country's infrastructure mean the whole system is crumbling.”

Solicitor’s Journal covers our call to the new prime minister to focus on restoring the beleaguered justice system and delivering an orderly Brexit which maintains cross-border justice. Read our press release.
 
The Gazette reports on the 2019 Excellence Awards shortlist. I said that “there are more than 140,000 solicitors in England and Wales – to be shortlisted for an Excellence Award is to be recognised as among the very best of the profession.” 

The Gazette, Times and Legal Futures carry my comments on the Legal Services Board rule change approval for the SDT to move from the criminal standard of proof to the civil standard in its proceedings.
 
The Gazette carries my comments on SRA plans to make the first stage of the SQE entirely multiple choice.
 
The Guardian reports on Cambridge University’s ruling that sexual misconduct cases should not be covered by general disciplinary regulations. Cris McCurley, a member of our access to justice committee, said: “If universities are not prepared to adhere to their obligations and their duty of care then I can imagine there will be some significant legal challenges on this.”
 
Thomson Reuters and LexLaw discuss how influencers like former Law Society president Christina Blacklaws are helping to boost diversity in the legal sector and cover the results of our research into women in the law.
 
The Gazette examines why claimants are struggling to enforce judgments in civil cases. Christina Blacklaws is quoted saying: “It is well recognised that enforcement of judgments is a complex issue, with arcane procedures, which can easily defeat an unrepresented litigant.”
 
Council member Jonathan Goldsmith writes in the Gazette about the benefits of the current legal services sector regulatory regime.
 
Law Careers explores what life as an in-house lawyer looks like today. Our data shows that in 2017 there were 26,900 in-house lawyers.
 
Local solicitor Razia Jogi spoke to BBC Radio Newcastle (35:41) about the legal frameworks in place to prevent female genital mutilation (FGM).

Don’t forget you can read all Law Society press releases by clicking on this link. For live updates follow us on Twitter.

Volunteers wanted for local media panels
 
Our local media panels help consumers understand the important work solicitors do to assist people in their everyday lives.
 
After the success of Legal Expert columns in South Wales, Bradford and Darlington/County Durham, we’re rolling out features in the York Press and Western Daily Press.
 
If you’re a practising solicitor in York, Bristol, Bath, Somerset, Gloucestershire or Wiltshire, and would like to get involved, please visit our website for further information. The deadline is Friday 23 August.
 
Regulation

New Internal Governance Rules
The Legal Services Board has released the final version of its new Internal Governance Rules (IGR). The rules come into effect immediately, but approved regulators (such as the Law Society) and regulatory bodies (such as the SRA) have a transition period of 12 months to make any changes required to comply.

The LSB’s intention is to enhance the separation and independence of regulatory functions within the current legislative framework; to provide more clarity to decrease the number of independence-related disputes between approved regulators and regulatory bodies; and to make the IGR more readily enforceable. 
 
Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT)
The Legal Services Board has approved the SDT’s application for changes to its rules. The main change is that the standard of proof will change to the civil standard (on the balance of probabilities) instead of the criminal standard (beyond reasonable doubt) from 25 November 2019.

The Law Society opposed this change and there remains a concern that lowering the standard of proof may increase the likelihood of referrals to the SDT of ‘weaker’ cases which would previously and more appropriately have been dispensed by the regulator using its own powers. We have urged the tribunal to monitor referrals to ensure best use of its resources and powers.

Private Law

Employment law
The Government has published the next phase of its Good Work agenda. This included some significant changes to employment law that the Society has been lobbying for, including the setting up a single Labour Market Enforcement Body and improving protection for those who experience harassment at work.
 
Tax law
Some recommendations made by the Tax Law Committee were included in the Finance Bill, published on 11 July 2019, including measures to limit double taxation. The Tax Committee also raised issues in the consultation on extension of the off payroll working rules where companies who have exercised reasonable care could be double charged under the proposed secondary liability provisions. These have now been addressed by Government which has made changes and now says that the proposals are not intended to transfer liability where deliberate tax avoidance has occurred.
 
Public Law

Immigration
Members of the Immigration Law Committee met with the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration to discuss their current areas of focus, which include the asylum system, the 'hostile environment' laws, and problems with the newly contracted visa applications system, which the Law Society has also raised with the Home Office.
 
Parliamentary

The Law Society’s interim director of policy Richard Miller was quoted in the Women and Equalities Select Committee report on enforcing the Equality Act: the law and the role of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). The Committee took on one our recommendations on the enforcement role of the EHRC and made wider recommendations on legal aid for discrimination cases.
 
Swearing in of the new Lord Chancellor
On Tuesday, I spoke at the swearing in ceremony of new Lord Chancellor, Robert Buckland QC MP. This followed my telephone call with him to congratulate him on his new role and discuss the Law Society’s priorities. The new Solicitor General, Michael Ellis QC MP, was also sworn in during the event. My speech can be found here and was covered in the Gazette.
 
Key stakeholder meetings
The CEO met with Deputy Director General of the Confederation of British Industries (CBI) on Thursday to discuss cooperation on Brexit, education and skills.
 
Legal services sector asks for UK-EU future relationship paper
Yesterday we published a paper on the legal services sector’s asks regarding the UK-EU future relationship, which received widespread media coverage (see above). It has been sent to key government and opposition figures and will be distributed to more MPs when the House of Commons sits again in September.
 
The paper summarises the current state of the UK-EU relationship as it affects the legal sector, and explores how different future relationships will affect English and Welsh lawyers and firms. All outcomes are explored in relation to market access to ensure the continued success of the UK legal sector. We conclude in the paper that only an association agreement can adequately deliver on legal services, and that the openness of England and Wales for EU and EEA lawyers should be maintained.

Our influencing work internationally

We took our first trade mission to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, this week. Nine delegates from our member firms travelled to Malaysia as part of the two day programme jointly arranged with the Malaysian Bar Council to learn more about legal business opportunities.

On Monday 1 July, our delegates met with the President and senior officeholders of the Malaysian Bar and received an update on the legal services sector and economy. They then met with boutique law firm Izral Partnership, before participating joining a tour of the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC). Four of our delegates spoke on two panel discussions on “Safeguarding intellectual property: case studies from Asia and the UK/Europe” and “Foreign direct investment: issues and opportunities in Malaysia and the UK” alongside representatives from Foong Cheng Leong and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority at our in our joint seminar with the Malaysian Bar Council later that evening. Over 30 Malaysian lawyers attended the event.

On Tuesday 2 July, our delegation met with one of the largest full-service law firm in Malaysia, Shearn Delamore & Co, where we received an update on developments in the courts and legal services in Kuala Lumpur. We then met with the founder and employees of GM Tan & Co before receiving a briefing from the British High Commission in Malaysia and the partner of one of the two law firms in Malaysia that hold a Qualified Law Firm Licence.

Supporting members at every stage of their career 
 
Our new early career learning and development package is now live, including:
 
Resilience and Wellbeing face-to-face workshop, Leeds -Thursday 17 September 2019
Location: Leeds Law Society, 62 Wellington Street, Leeds LS1 2EE
Resilience and Wellbeing face-to-face workshop, Bristol - Wednesday 18 September 2019 Bristol
Location: Bristol Law Society, 12 Colston Avenue, Bristol, BS1 4ST

This face-to-face one day workshop puts the focus firmly on your personal coping mechanisms. We demonstrate how to self-assess, manage emotional responses and deal with everyday stressors, so you can better deal with the pressures of your job. We will tackle anxiety and its causes, encourage positive thinking and you will leave with valuable skills for life.

Judicial appointments: interview training for solicitors, London - Friday 20 September 2019 
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
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 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.
 
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 and the courts and much more. Enrolment closes Friday 16 August - download the prospectus and secure your place today.
Legal Pride
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.


Fiona Woolf lecture, London  - 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.

Supporting practice excellence   
 
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. This forum, aimed at COLPs and COFAs, will provide insight into the changes that you need to make.
 
Solicitor Judges' Division Seminar: Breaking Down Barriers, London - 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 achieve it.
 
Competition Section seminar: CPD compliance for Irish practising certificate holders, London -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. 
 
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. It will have 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 conferences 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.
 
Property Section workshop: risk and negligence in property transactions - problems and pitfalls for practitioners, Leeds -Thursday 19 September 2019
Location: Shulmans LLP, 10 Wellington Pl, Leeds, LS1 4AP
As the residential property market slows and returns on commercial property are threatened by the decline of the high street, there is a risk that property owners will look to the professionals who advised them to recoup their losses.

Private Client Section seminar: Professor King and topical Issues in Private Client Practice, Birmingham -Thursday 19 September 2019
Location: Birmingham - Venue TBC
This one-hour seminar from Professor King will educate and entertain with practical guidance on topical issues in Private Client Practice. Professor King will bring her unique insight and clarity on recent case law and statutory developments and will focus on avoiding traps and pitfalls.
 
Small Firms Annual conference 2019: Thursday 19 September, London and Thursday 3 October, Leeds
Joshua Rozenberg QC (hon) will be this year’s keynote speaker. He will discuss changes in the legal sector 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

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

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
 
Simon Davis
President
The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London. WC2A 1P

​​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

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.

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.
 
Following Council last week, I am attaching our brief summary of the meeting which will appear in the Gazette on Monday 10 June. Also attached is a brief paper which can be shared about our work to strengthen the Diversity and Inclusion Charter.
 
Here are some highlights from this week.
 
Influencing on behalf of the profession and promoting the profession
 
The Law Society’s media profile this week
  
Gary Rycroft, a member of our digital assets working group, appeared on BBC Money Box (starts from 19:43) to talk about hire-purchase agreements and whether they can ever be broken lawfully.
 
As part of the Law Society’s regional media work Robert Hill, a Nottingham solicitor, appeared on BBC Radio Nottingham (starts from 1:47: 25) to discuss the complexities of Aretha Franklin’s estate and the importance of using a solicitor to make a will.
 
Our head of justice, Richard Miller, wrote about the impact of the 2012 legal aid cuts on the criminal justice system for the Barrister.
 
I wrote to the Guardian, arguing more needs to be done to safeguard children in domestic violence cases, saying “Updating the legal aid means test and reinstating legal aid for early advice will help to ensure that domestic abuse is identified at the earliest possible point”. This month the government commissioned a three-month review of the family courts. 
 
An anonymous solicitor spoke to the Law Society to reveal their experiences of sexism in the workplace. Commenting on the story, I said: “We will not tolerate sexual harassment or bullying in the legal sector… it is incumbent on all of us to work to end bullying and harassment of any kind.” Our Women in Leadership in Law report, launched in March, can be found here.  
Our international symposium on gender equality in law will take place on Thursday 20 and Friday 21 June 2019.
 
A unique partnership between legal practitioners and academics will seek to create a new qualification in law and technology, reports the Gazette. The aim is to equip future legal professionals with the skills they need to navigate the ever-changing tech landscape.
 
Don’t forget you can read all Law Society press releases by clicking on this link. For live updates follow us on Twitter.
 
Regulation
 
Access to Justice
Criminal Justice
As part of our ongoing criminal justice campaign, we’ve launched a petition calling on the government to increase investment in the criminal justice system. To add your digital signature to the 3,000+ already on the petition, and for further details on the campaign, please visit the campaign webpage.  We are also hosting a series of free roadshows around the country, exploring issues such as the growing shortages of duty solicitors, court closures and barriers to accessing legal aid.  On 21 May, head of justice, Richard Miller, delivered a criminal justice roadshow in Exeter. 
 
The roadshows cover three issues:

• They inform members of our criminal justice campaign and how they can participate.
• They provide an opportunity for discussion of the MoJ’s review of criminal legal aid and the approach the Law Society should take to discussions.
• They enable us to update members on what is happening in the HMCTS reform programme that impacts on criminal lawyers.

 
To learn more about the issues from Law Society experts, get involved in our criminal justice campaign and give us your views, book your free place here. 
 
HMCTS
Richard Miller gave evidence to the Justice Select Committee about the HMCTS reform programme.
 
Role of the Profession
President
On Wednesday I hosted a dinner discussion at Carey Street to explore the results of the women in law report in more detail and what more can be done to improve diversity in the profession.  Attendees included female past presidents Linda Lee and Lucy Scott-Moncrieff and the new deputy vice president elect, I. Stephanie Boyce.
 
Immigration
The Law Society has provided views to the Home Office on the existing Form AN guidance on applying for citizenship by naturalisation, including successfully seeking a correction to the start date of the qualifying period. This in advance of a public consultation due to be issued later this year on evidential requirements, to which we will also respond.
 
Technology
Alexandra Cardenas, head of commercial and technology law, spoke at the Committee on Standards in Public Life ‘s roundtable on the review into artificial intelligence and public standards. She presented the findings of the upcoming report on algorithms in the criminal justice system. The Technology and Law Policy Commission will be launching its report at the AI in Legal Services Summit on 4 June 2019.  Over the past year the commission has examined the ethical impacts of AI in law and the growth and adoption of emerging technologies. The international summit will bring together all of these findings, along with insights into the latest legal innovations.  Speakers alongside me will include, Lord Chancellor David Gauke, Richard Susskind, Andrea Coomber (Justice), Silkie Carlo (Big Brother Watch),  Sue Daley (techUK), Dan Katz, Sir William Blair, Lord Tim Clement-Jones,  Nick West (Mischon de Reya),  Noel Hurley (Arm), Julia Salasky (CrowdJustice), Stephanie Hamon and many more. Anyone wishing to attend can register on the event website. 
 
Commercial Law
Property
The Property Ombudsman (TPO) acknowledged the Law Society’s contribution to the scheme’s updated Code of Practice on Sales which becomes effective on 1 June.
 
Future of Lawyers
Director of policy, Sophia Adams-Bhatti, spoke at a panel event on the future of lawyers hosted by the City of London Corporation.
 
Our influencing work internationally
 
This week I spoke at the general congress of the European Bars Federation (FBE) in Barcelona. I joined a panel discussing the lobbying and influencing role bars and law societies play for the benefit of their members. I have highlighted the Society’s role as the voice of solicitors, driving excellence in the profession and safeguarding the rule of law. This is an important time to influence the legislative and regulatory environment and promote the vital part legal services play in our economy. I spoke proudly of the successes we achieved with our access to justice campaigns and in promoting England and Wales as a global legal centre.
 
On 28 May, Helena Raulus, head of the Brussels office attended an event: Almuerzo-luncheon-debate with Martin Selmayr, secretary general of the European Commission, organised by the Spanish Chamber of Commerce to Belgium and Luxembourg. Martin Selmayr was speaking about the future of the EU, including Brexit.
 
Supporting members at every stage of their career 
 
The power of gender equality to transform the business of law; an international Symposium –  20-21 June 2019
Location: The Hilton Bankside, 2-8 Great Suffolk St, London, SE1 0UG
Join us at our two-day conference as we bring together professionals from across the legal profession and other sectors from both the UK and internationally, to identify the steps needed, and share practical tools, to achieve gender balance in the workplace.It will also mark the centenary of women being admitted to practice law in the UK and celebrate the successes of women in law globally
 
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 Thursday 6 June 2019  
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
Aimed at members up to three years post qualification, career experts offer guidance on what makes a great CV or application and give participants an opportunity to practise 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 a manager.
 
Resilience and Wellbeing face-to-face workshop – Thursday 6 June 2019  
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
This face-to-face one day workshop puts the focus firmly on your personal coping mechanisms. We demonstrate how to self-assess, manage emotional responses and deal with everyday stressors, so you can better deal with the pressures of your job. We will tackle anxiety and its causes, encourage positive thinking and you will leave with valuable skills for life.
 
Resilience and Wellbeing face-to-face workshop Birmingham – Tuesday 11 June 2019
Location: De Vere Colmore Gate, Birmingham, B3 2QD
See above for more details…
 
One-to-one career advice, London/Virtual Morning session – Tuesday 11 June 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
See above for more details…
 
Resilience and Wellbeing face-to-face workshop Manchester – Wednesday 12 June 2019
Location: Townhouse Hotel,101 Portland St, Manchester M1 6DF
See above for more details…
 
One-to-one career advice, 12 June 2019, London/Virtual - Morning session – Wednesday 12 June 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
See above for more details...
 
In house Diversity and Inclusion
Join our regional panel sessions on 'How to implement a D&I strategy in your legal team'. The Law Society's In-house Division and D&I team are bringing together in-house lawyers committed to D&I to discuss common issues and examples of how these can be overcome. Discussion points will feed into a Law Society practice note and guidance. Book your place to hear from our panel and input your views.
Manchester - 25 June (17.30-20.30) https://bit.ly/2WYwdJO
London - 27 June (8.00-10.30) https://bit.ly/2G4HHoy
 
Celebrating Eid al-Fitr – Friday 7 June 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
Celebration of Eid
 
MLRO and MLCO peer to peer learning, Cambridge – Wednesday 5 June 2019
Location: Mills & Reeve, Botanic House, 98-100 Hills Rd, Cambridge CB2 1PH
This event, aimed at MLRO’s, is designed to provide you with the platform to discuss best practice and upcoming developments in economic crime.
 
Advocacy and the Vulnerable Training, London afternoon session – Monday 10 June 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 balance between advancing their client’s case effectively in court whilst ensuring vulnerable witnesses are not subjected to undue stress.
 
Youth Justice Advocacy Training – Thursday 13 June 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
This training has been developed by the Youth Justice Legal Centre (YJLC) in partnership with the Law Society and is an essential course for all solicitors who will be appearing in the youth court, providing an overview of youth-specific criminal law from the police station to the youth court. The training will cover key topics such as out of court disposals, bail and remand, jurisdiction, adaptations to the trial process and youth sentencing. The course will introduce participants to the underlying principles of youth justice and international children’s rights law
 
Supporting practice excellence   
Some of our upcoming events are:
 
Criminal justice roadshow Bristol – Monday 3 June 2019
Location: Bristol Law Society, 12 Colston Avenue, Bristol, BS1 4ST
Our criminal justice system is at breaking point. Due to years of underinvestment it is facing an avalanche of problems, such as growing shortages of duty solicitors, court closures and barriers to accessing legal aid. The Law Society has been making the case to government for increased spending on criminal justice to help fix the broken system, but we need your help. Attend this event to ensure your voice is heard.
 
Law Management Section People in Practice seminar, in association with Leeds Law Society – Tuesday 4 June 2019
Location: Leeds Law Society, 62 Wellington Street, Leeds LS1 2EE
Looking after the people in your practice is paramount to running a successful firm. This seminar covers key topics in legal human resources including culture and behaviour in the workplace, agile and flexible working and employment case law update.
 
Criminal justice roadshow Birmingham – Tuesday 4 June 2019
Location: BPP University, 32-34 Colmore Circus Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6BN
See above for more details…
  
Property Section: half-day conveyancing convention London –Thursday 6 June 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
The Law Society's Property Section, is hosting a bespoke, half-day event for property practitioners. This new-format event focuses on the most important issues affecting modern property practice.
 
The rule of law and the environment, London – Tuesday 11 June 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
Our panellists will be exploring the future of environmental law in light of World Environment Day and the upcoming Environment Bill.
 
Seminar: Competition Section president Professor Richard Whish – Key trends in Competition law 2018-2019 – Tuesday 11 June 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
Join us in London on Tuesday 11 June at 18:00 for a Competition Section seminar presentation from the president of the Competition Section, Professor Richard Whish.
  
Criminal justice roadshow, Sheffield – Thursday 13 June 2019
Location: Sheffield - Venue TBC
See above for more details…
 
The Annual President’s and Secretaries’ Conference 2019 – Friday & Saturday 14-15 June 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
This free, must-attend event for local law societies will incorporate a varied mix of plenary and breakout sessions. Delegates will have the opportunity to discuss common challenges, share experiences and hear practical tips from both their local law society peers and expert speakers.
 
In-house Division annual conference 2019: advancing the role of the in-house lawyer - Day one – Tuesday 18 June 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
The In-house Division annual conference is the flagship event for the In-house Division representing more than 27,000 members in England and Wales across the public, corporate, not-for-profit and charity sectors.
 
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

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

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 members unless otherwise specified.
 
Kind regards
 
Christina
 
Christina Blacklaws
President
The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London. WC2A 1PL

​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 this week.
 
Influencing on behalf of the profession and promoting the profession
 
The Law Society’s media profile this week:
International Bar Association research into sexual harassment and bullying in the legal sector received widespread media coverage. I released a statement on behalf of our members reiterating that the legal profession must tackle bullying and harassment in the sector head on.
 
You can read my statement in full here. The Times (£), Bloomberg, City AM, Gazette and MSN Money, amongst others, report on the story.
 
Jenny Beck, a member of our access to justice committee, was on the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire to discuss family courts and child arrangement orders. You can watch the programme here. Jenny is on from 52:39.
 
Coverage of our housing legal aid deserts campaign continues in local media. Our head of justice Richard Miller appeared on BBC Tees; you can listen to the interview here (2:12:00). London news, Wigan Today, Derbyshire Times, Gainsborough Standard and others also ran with the story.
 
For mental health awareness week, the Gazette and Legal Futures report on the Law Society, the Solicitors Regulation Authority, LawCare, SBA the Solicitors’ Charity, and the Solicitors’ Assistance Scheme joint campaign, #SupportingSolicitors, which promotes the help available to solicitors dealing with personal challenges. 

The Times (£), Global Legal Post and Law Careers reported the Junior Lawyers Division (JLD) demand for action to prevent a mental health crisis in the profession, following their latest resilience and well-being survey.
 
Legal Week (£) explores how universities are seeking to equip the next generation of legal professionals with the skills to leverage lawtech. Alan East, Chair of our education and training committee, says that lawtech is finally beginning to take hold in UK law schools.
Legal Cheek reports on the SRA’s response to a call from junior lawyers to reintroduce a mandatory minimum salary and concerns that the new work experience element of the Solicitors’ Qualifying Exam (SQE) puts would-be solicitors at risk of exploitation.
The Daily Mail reports that home owners need revisions to the current guidance on Japanese knotweed. We said we would consult to see “whether changes need to be made”.
 
The Times (£) reports that the government is to push more court users towards the online court system despite concerns from the profession. I am quoted saying: “We have long suspected that an outcome of the court modernisation programme would be to drive litigants away from physical courts to online procedures.”
 
The Daily Mail reported that delays to applications for grants of probate are causing chaos. I am quoted saying “It is extremely disappointing to hear of these delays – particularly when the impact falls on the bereaved.”
 
Don’t forget you can read all Law Society press releases by clicking on this link. For live updates follow us on Twitter.
 
Regulation
Members of our Regulatory Affairs team led two roundtable discussions on Ethics Hot Topics in Preston and Lancaster on 8 May. Both sessions were well attended and we received positive feedback from delegates.
Access to Justice
Solicitor judges and advocacy
The Law Society's Solicitor Judges Division hosted a Spring drinks evening with solicitor advocates and solicitor judges in Chancery Lane on 14 May. Vice-President Simon Davis and Alexandra Marks CBE spoke at this networking evening, aimed at solicitors working in the courts, solicitor judges and those aspiring to join the judiciary. This offered opportunities for building peer-to-peer contacts and discussing approaches to cases. 
 
We presented the latest version of the Solicitor Judges Division’s Judicial pathway, a toolkit for solicitors at any career stage seeking to obtain a deep and practical understanding of what is needed to become a judge in England and Wales.
 
Richard Miller, head of the justice, attended the quarterly Judicial Diversity Forum meeting.
Criminal Law
As part of our criminal justice campaign, we launched a petition calling for the government to increase investment in the criminal justice system.  To add your digital signature to the 3,000+ already on the petition, and for further details on the campaign, please visit the campaign webpage.
 
We are also hosting a series of free roadshows as part of our criminal justice campaign, exploring issues such as the growing shortage of duty solicitors, court closures and barriers to accessing legal aid. The first of the roadshows took place on 16 May in London. 
Book your free place here to learn more about the issues from Law Society experts, get involved in our criminal justice campaign and give us your views on the Ministry of Justice’s crime fees review and HMCTS’ reform programme. 
Role of the Profession
Simplifying the Immigration Rules
We responded to the Law Commission’s Home Office-sponsored consultation on Immigration Rules, which will feed into its review to make the Rules simpler and more accessible to users. 
 
Our response supports the proposed simplification of the Immigration Rules, making legislation more accessible and fit for purpose. However, we also highlight the complexity of this task and provide specific examples of how the confusing intricacy of the Rules causes a wide range of problems. 
Court and Tribunals (Online Procedures) Bill
Our justice and public affairs teams collaborated to produce a briefing for the Second Reading of the Courts and Tribunals (Online Procedures) Bill, which will establish the Online Procedure Rules Committee as part of the HMCTS reform programme.
 
Commercial
Tax Law
We responded to HMRC and HM Treasury’s consultation on Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT).  The consultation sought views on the design of a 1% surcharge on non-UK residents purchasing residential property in England and Northern Ireland. Our full response is available here.  
We express concern about the insufficiency of the evidence base to show that the surcharge would meet the policy objective and suggest amendments to seek to avoid potential unfairness and anomalies that would arise from the current proposals.  We also voice serious concerns about the introduction of significant further complexity into the home-buying process.
The Law Society’s guidance on buying a home is available here, and the Government’s key guidance on buying and selling, which the Society recently endorsed, is available here: How to Buy a Home How to Sell a home.
Rule of Law and Environment Event
As part of our influencing work for the Environment Bill we are developing a breakfast panel event to coincide with Environment Day.  Details will soon become available on our Events page.  
 
Code for completion guidance
We released our new Code for Completion by Post in response to the Court of Appeal decision in the Dreamvar case last year. We amended the TA13 Completion Information and Undertakings form to reflect the changes made to the Code.
 
Conveyancing
We attended the All-Party Parliamentary Group on leasehold and commonhold, where we engaged with a large number of MPs. 
Technology
The Technology and Law Policy Commission will be launching its report at our AI in Legal Services Summit on 4 June 2019.  Over the past year the Commission has examined the ethical implications of AI in law and the growth and adoption of emerging technologies in the criminal justice system. The international summit will bring together our findings, along with insights on the latest legal innovations. Council members wishing to find out more or attend can register on the event website. 
 
Consultation responses and parliamentary activity, influencing on behalf of the profession:
 
Parliamentary
On Tuesday the House of Lords held its Second Reading of the Courts and Tribunals (Online Procedure) Bill. The Law Society briefed ahead of the debate and were mentioned four times.
 
On Thursday, Ministers from the Department for Exiting the European Union were questioned by MPs in the House of Commons. The Law Society briefed beforehand and was mentioned twice in the session.
 
Our influencing work internationally:
 
This week, I was in Moscow and St Petersburg with our international policy adviser for the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Chika Muorah.  In Moscow, we met with members to gather their views on proposed regulatory reform and the likely impact on their practice. The issues raised by our members were discussed at our bilateral meeting with the Russian Federal Chamber of Lawyers.  We also hosted our first international women in law roundtable in Russia in partnership with our Russian counterparts and the British Embassy in Moscow.
 
We attended the International Legal Forum in St Petersburg to show our support for the Russian bar association and I participated in two sessions. The first was a panel discussion on women in law and the second was a session hosted by the Russian bar on lawyers' fees.
 
On 14 May, our Brussels Office co-hosted a legal breakfast event with FLINN Law on Court of Justice of the European Union’s opinion on CETA’s Investment Court System and its implications for the future EU trade policy.  Panellists were Helena Raulus, Head of Brussels Office; Leonard Hawkes, Flinn; Colin Brown, DG Trade, European Commission; Nicolas Angelet, Doughty Street Chambers, London; a representative of the Canadian Mission to the EU (TBC) and Emily Hay, Senior Associate at Hanotiau & Van Den Berg.
 
Head of our Brussels office Helena Raulus chaired a British Chamber of Commerce event, Priorities of the Finnish Presidency with Ambassador Rislakki, on 14 May.
 
Our Brussels office hosted an event on European in-house organisations, LPP Task Force, on 15 May. Stephen Denyer and Sophia Adams Bhatti were in attendance.
 
Supporting members at every stage of their career 
 
Please remember The power of gender equality to transform the business of law, our international symposium is next month. This two-day conference is designed to bring together professionals from across the legal profession and other sectors to identify steps needed to achieve gender equality in the workplace, crucial to boost growth, innovation and productivity
 
Male Champions for Change report launch - Monday 20 May 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
Join us on Monday 20 May for the launch of our male champions for change report following a series of roundtables. Led by Law Society vice president Simon Davis, our panel of expert speakers will discuss the outcomes of the research conducted as part of the Women in Leadership in Law project.
 
How to implement a diversity and inclusion (D&I) strategy in your legal team
Join our regional panel sessions on 'How to implement a diversity and inclusion (D&I) strategy in your legal team'. The Law Society's In-house Division and D&I team are bringing together in-house lawyers to discuss common concerns and examples of how issues can be overcome. Discussion points will feed into a Law Society guidance. Book your place to hear from our panel and input your views.
Manchester - 25 June (17.30-20.30) 
London - 27 June (8.00-10.30) 
 
Advocacy and the Vulnerable Training - Wednesday 22 May 2019, Bradford - Afternoon session
Location: Bradford – Jury’s Inn Bradford
The Advocacy and the Vulnerable Training was developed in conjunction with the Bar to help solicitor advocates and barristers strike the balance between advancing their client’s case effectively in court whilst ensuring vulnerable witnesses are not subjected to undue stress.
 
Career options and support available - Wednesday 22 May 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
This free event that will help you explore career options and support available to those wishing to return to or change their career in the legal profession. The event will feature a panel of speakers showcasing different examples of the careers options available to you. Delegates can find out more about the support offered by the following organisations: LawCare, Women Returners Network, Practice Advice Service, SBA, SAS, SRA.
 
Supporting practice excellence    
Some of our upcoming events are:
 
MLRO and MLCO peer to peer learning, Cambridge - Wednesday 5 June 2019
Location: Mills & Reeve, Botanic House, 98-100 Hills Rd, Cambridge CB2 1PH
This event, aimed at MLRO’s, is designed to provide you with the platform to discuss best practice and upcoming developments in economic crime, while also acting as a peer to peer learning opportunity.
Criminal justice roadshow, Exeter - 21 May 2019
Location: Veitch Penny Solicitors, 1 Manor Court, Dix's Field, Exeter, EX1 1UP
Our criminal justice system is at breaking point. Due to years of underinvestment it is facing an avalanche of problems, such as growing shortages of duty solicitors, court closures and barriers to accessing legal aid. The Law Society has been making the case to Government for increased spending on criminal justice to help fix the broken system, but we need your help. Attend this event to ensure your voice is heard.
 
CQS Roadshow, 23 May, Cardiff - Thursday 23 May 2019
Location: The Law Society, 5th Floor, Capital Tower, Greyfriars Road, Cardiff CF10 3AG
These seminars are designed to provide CQS members with an update on the improvements being made to the accreditation in 2019 and provide the support needed to ensure compliance with the new scheme requirements. There will be an opportunity for Q&A and for networking with speakers and members of other accredited practices.
 
AML City of London update - Thursday 23 May 2019
Location: Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, Adelaide House, London Bridge, London, EC4R 9HA
This event is for MLROs, MLCOs and other AML compliance professionals working for London City firms. It will give you a platform to learn about the regulator’s perspective on AML as well as upcoming changes to the UK’s Suspicious Activity Reporting regime. Speakers will include representatives from the SRA, the UK Financial Intelligence Unit, BDO and the Law Society.
 
CQS Roadshow, 29 May, London - Wednesday 29 May 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
These seminars are designed to provide CQS members with an update on the improvements being made to the accreditation in 2019 and provide the support needed to ensure compliance with the new scheme requirements. There will be an opportunity for Q&A and for networking with speakers and members of other accredited practices.
 
Criminal justice roadshow, Bristol - Monday 3 June 2019
Location: Bristol Law Society, 12 Colston Avenue, Bristol, BS1 4ST
Our criminal justice system is at breaking point. Due to years of underinvestment it is facing an avalanche of problems, such as growing shortages of duty solicitors, court closures and barriers to accessing legal aid. The Law Society has been making the case to Government for increased spending on criminal justice to help fix the broken system, but we need your help. Attend this event to ensure your voice is heard.
 
Law Management Section People in Practice seminar, in association with Leeds Law Society- Tuesday 4 June 2019
Location: Leeds Law Society, 62 Wellington Street, Leeds LS1 2EE
Looking after the people in your practice is paramount to running a successful firm. This seminar covers key topics in legal human resources including culture and behaviour in the workplace, agile and flexible working and employment case law update.
 
Criminal justice roadshow, Birmingham - Tuesday 4 June 2019
Location: BPP University, 32-34 Colmore Circus Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6BN
Our criminal justice system is at breaking point. Due to years of underinvestment it is facing an avalanche of problems, such as growing shortages of duty solicitors, court closures and barriers to accessing legal aid. The Law Society has been making the case to Government for increased spending on criminal justice to help fix the broken system, but we need your help. Attend this event to ensure your voice is heard.
 
Resilience and Wellbeing face-to-face workshop -Thursday 6 June 2019  
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
This face-to-face one day workshop puts the focus firmly on your personal coping mechanisms. We demonstrate how to self-assess, manage emotional responses and deal with everyday stressors, so you can better deal with the pressures of your job. We will tackle anxiety and its causes, encourage positive thinking and you will leave with valuable skills for life.
 
The Annual President’s and Secretaries’ Conference 2019 - Friday & Saturday 14-15 June 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
This free, must-attend event for local law societies will incorporate a varied mix of plenary and breakout sessions. Delegates will have the opportunity to discuss common challenges, share experiences and hear practical tips from both their local law society peers and expert speakers.
 
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

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

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,
 
Christina
 
Christina Blacklaws
President
The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London. WC2A 1PL

​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 this week.
 
Influencing on behalf of the profession and promoting the profession
 
The Law Society’s media profile this week:
 
Politics Home reports on joint efforts across the legal sphere to support LGBT+ pride events. The Law Society will be joining the Bar Council and CILEx this summer at pride events across the UK – marching together under the banner of #LegalPride. I said “it’s important to show the public the legal profession will constantly and unequivocally support LGBT+ people and their rights”.

The Gazette,  New Law Journal, Guardian and the Times report on the launch of the FDA’s ‘Manifesto for Justice’ – supported by the Law Society, Bar Council and the Secret Barrister. In a foreword, I called for more resources for the creaking criminal justice system. See our full press release. The manifesto was unveiled at the Law Society.

IT glitches are causing major delays to grant-of-probate, the Gazette reports. Council member Melinda Giles says that delays have been acknowledged across the country, and that HMRC is also facing a backlog.
 
Meanwhile, the Daily Express reports that the proposed increases to probate fees are still on the House of Commons agenda despite being delayed by Brexit. “This is a tax on grief,” I said.
Further coverage in FN Talk and the Business Telegraph.
 
Today’s Conveyancer has a detailed overview of the changes to the Conveyancing Quality Scheme (CQS), which came into effect on the 1 May 2019. Joanna King, legal and compliance analyst at Ochresoft, says that “active promotion of the CQS quality mark is reflected in added credibility and gravitas for member firms”.
 
The Times (£) reports on why access to phone data is needed for a fair trial. “Being up front about the need for proper disclosure is important,” said Richard Atkinson, co-chair of the Law Society’s criminal law committee.
 
The Times (£) and Legal Cheek report the Law Society’s junior lawyers division (JLD) has written a letter to the Solicitors Regulation Authority warning that aspiring solicitors risk being exploited if they are not paid a minimum salary while completing the work experience element of the new Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE).
 
Legal Cheek also reports that according to research by the JLD, junior solicitors are under high levels of stress and one in fifteen have experienced suicidal thoughts in the past month.
 
Content Live reports on how to create good cyber security. “The most vulnerable people are at the two ends of the scale,” said Peter Wright chair of our GDPR working group.
 
Chair of the Law Society’s employment law committee Max Winthrop was interviewed on BBC Money Box on a recent employment law case. You can listen to the interview here. Max’s interview starts at 04:35.
 
The Gazette, Legal Voice, Exeter Daily, the Leicester Mercury, Lancashire Telegraph and East Anglian Daily Times cover our legal aid deserts campaign showing the sparse provision of housing legal aid across the country. You can see our legal aid desert map here.
 
In a comment for the Gazette, Dr Judith Bourne wrote on Gwyneth Bebb, one of the first women to apply to the Law Society to sit her preliminary exams and qualify as solicitors.
 
The Gazette also reports on my work on women in the law.
 
Richard Atkinson and Ian Kelcey – who co-chair our criminal law committee - along with Jonathan Black, president of the LCCSA and Bill Waddington, chair of the CLSA have a letter in Friday’s Times (£) responding to media coverage of the standardised consent form giving police access to digital devices belonging to complainants and other witnesses. They write: “Following high profile cases, such as that of Liam Allen, we know that if relevant evidence found on a complainant’s digital device is not disclosed it can risk a miscarriage of justice.”
 
Head of justice Richard Miller was on ITN London’s 6pm bulletin on Wednesday talking about funding of the justice system in the context of a breach of court security.
The Times (£) reports on our support for Law Commission-proposals to extend the right to manage to include owners of leasehold houses and not just flats. We said the proposals were “consistent with the need to make the process more efficient”.
Legal Futures covers the LSB’s decision to conduct a consultation process on revising its internal governance rules (IGR) moving away from a position that would have hampered representative bodies in their role lobbying on behalf of their members. I’m quoted: “We believe the IGR should not hamper legitimate influencing activities by professional bodies, so we’re pleased the LSB appears to have taken our views on board.”
Don’t forget you can read all Law Society press releases by clicking on this link. For live updates follow us on Twitter.
 
Consultation responses and parliamentary activity, influencing on behalf of the profession:
 
Parliamentary
On Wednesday the Law Society was referenced by a member of the Constitution Committee during an evidence session with the lord chancellor. Baroness Corston highlighted the Law Society’s map of legal aid provision for housing cases, and asked the lord chancellor how people could enforce their rights in areas which the map showed as having no housing legal aid provider.
 
On Thursday the government introduced a new Bill to provide for online procedures in civil and family courts in England and Wales, in the First-tier Tribunal, Upper Tribunal, in employment tribunals and the Employment Appeal Tribunal. The Law Society will be briefing parliamentarians ahead of the second reading of the Courts and Tribunals (Online Procedure) Bill, which will take place in the House of Lords on 14th May.
On 30th April 2019, the Law Society’s international human rights adviser, Dr. Marina Brilman, gave evidence to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee on the rule of law and human rights in South America. The Law Society submitted written evidence in November 2018. The main subjects addressed in the session were:

• Regional challenges to the Inter-American system of human rights by PROSUR member states and lack of financing
• The rise in attacks against lawyers and human rights defenders in Colombia, especially after the signing of the peace agreement
• Challenges by the Colombian government to the Special Jurisdiction for Peace
• The lack of effective protection measures in Colombia for lawyers and human rights defenders
• The breakdown of judicial independence and rule of law in Venezuela
• Human rights violations committed in Venezuela by state authorities, including the use of military jurisdiction over civilians

 
The recording of the session can be watched here:
https://bit.ly/2vCdd8h
 
Access to Justice
On 25th April we relaunched our Advice Deserts campaign with a new housing map showing the shortage of housing practitioners across the country. It received good coverage on television and radio.  Further information on the campaign is available on the webpage. 
 
Fast Entry to Courts for Professional Users
We attended the first meeting of the Professional Users’ Access Scheme Project Board on 24th April and are engaging with member services colleagues as to the Law Society’s position in respect of the project.
 
Solicitor Judges and Advocacy
As the Spring legal term draws to a close, the Law Society's solicitor judges division and Advocacy Support will be hosting a Spring drinks evening with solicitor advocates and solicitor judges on 14th May. Vice president Simon Davis and Alexandra Marks CBE will speak at this celebratory networking drinks evening, aimed at solicitors working in the courts, solicitor judges and those aspiring to join the judiciary and offering an opportunity to network with peers, make career contacts and discuss anecdotes and approaches to cases over a drink and canapes. Any members wishing to attend can book through our events page. 
 
Criminal Law
As part of our ongoing criminal justice campaign, we have launched a petition calling for the government to increase investment in the criminal justice system.  To add your digital signature to the 3,000+ already on the petition, and for further details on the campaign, please visit the campaign webpage.
 
At the justice questions session in the House of Commons on 23rd April, our criminal justice campaign was name-checked, in particular the increasing average age of solicitors and succession planning.
 
The criminal law committee and the Crime Practitioner Group have undertaken a review of the Legal Aid Agency’s Crime Contract Standard Terms.
The comments from the Criminal Law Committee and Practitioner Groups have been shared with Matt Howgate of the Legal Aid Practitioners Group, who has been commissioned by the Access to Justice Committee to undertake a review of the Standard Terms from both a criminal and civil perspectives.
 
We have sent a further letter to justice minister Lucy Frazer MP to request an interim fee increase for crime practitioners following the 10% fee increase for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which will encourage even more young defence lawyers to move to the CPS.
 
Our influencing work internationally:
 
On 7th May, Helena Raulus, head of our Brussels office, will be chairing a British Chamber of Commerce event on: cybersecurity and disinformation in the EU elections and the priorities of DG Connect with Claire Bury, deputy director general, DG Connect, European Commission. Anna Drozd, EU Policy Adviser will also be in attendance.
 
On 8th May, Helena Raulus will be chairing a Brussels-Based UK Organisations and Offices (BBUKOO) Plenary meeting in CBI Brussels Offices.
 
Supporting members at every stage of their career
 
Preparing 2nd year trainee solicitors for qualification - Career planning tips for trainees approaching qualification, London - Thursday 9th  May 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
This event will provide an opportunity for trainee solicitors, mulling their post-training contract options, to gain insight into the newly qualified (NQ) jobs markets from Husnara Begum, a career coach who specialises in offering guidance to final seat trainees who miss out on internal jobs.
 
Judicial appointments: interview training for solicitors Manchester - Monday 13th May 2019
Location: Townhouse Hotel,101 Portland St, Manchester M1 6DF
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.
 
Advocacy and Solicitor Judges' Division Spring Drinks, London - Tuesday 14th May 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
Join us for The Law Society's Advocacy and Solicitor Judges' Division Spring Drinks; an excellent opportunity to meet solicitor advocates and solicitor judges.
 
Male Champions for Change  Report Launch- Monday 20th May 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
Join us on Monday 20 May for the launch of our male champions for change report following a series of roundtables. Led by Law Society vice president, Simon Davis, our panel of expert speakers will discuss the outcomes of the research so far conducted as part of the Women in Leadership in Law project.
 
Mental health week – Panel event: Diversity and intersectionality London -Tuesday 14th May 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
To mark mental health week, we are hosting a breakfast panel session. The theme of the event will be exploring well-being with lawyers from different diversity backgrounds. The event will also feature the impact of intersectionality and MH. Join us on Tuesday 14 May for insight on this important topic.
 
The Annual President’s and Secretaries’ Conference 2019 - Friday & Saturday 14th & 15th June 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
This free, must-attend event for local law societies will incorporate a varied mix of plenary and breakout sessions. Delegates will have the opportunity to discuss common challenges, share experiences and hear practical tips from both their local law society peers and expert speakers.
 
Supporting practice excellence   
Some of our upcoming events are:
 
Nominations are open for the Excellence Awards
Don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate your success, nominations for the Excellence Awards have been extended to Friday 17 May. For your chance to be recognised as a leader in your field submit your nomination now. We encourage teams, firms and individual solicitors across England and Wales to take the opportunity to promote their success. There are 22 categories to choose from, including Practice Manager of the Year, Excellence in International Legal Services and Excellence in Access to Justice.
 
MLRO and MLCO peer to peer learning, Manchester -Tuesday 7th May 2019
Location: Shoosmiths, The XYZ Building, 2 Hardman Boulevard, Spinningfields, Manchester, M3 3AZ
This event, aimed at MLRO’s, is designed to provide you with the platform to discuss best practice and upcoming developments in economic crime, while also acting as a peer to peer learning opportunity.
 
MLRO and MLCO peer to peer learning, Bristol - Wednesday 8th May 2019
Location: Bristol Law Society, 12 Colston Avenue, BS1 4ST
The event is for MLROs, MLCOs and solicitors with an interest in anti-money laundering compliance. It will give you a platform to learn about best practice and upcoming developments in AML.
 
Competition Section annual conference 2019 London - Thursday 9th May 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
The annual Competition Section conference is an established fixture in the competition law calendar. This event draws on speakers from the UK and overseas and includes leading practitioners, regulators and economic experts.
 
Compliance support forum for in-house lawyers, London - Thursday 9th May 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
This popular forum has been updated with new materials to prepare you for the SRA Standards and Regulations which come into force in November 2019. Some of the key themes of this replacement to the SRA Handbook are very relevant to in house practitioners and we discuss the meaning of effective supervision and management, personal accountability, and the flexibility which comes with new practising styles.
 
Private Client Section: Practical inheritance tax update, Manchester - Thursday 9th   May 2019
Location: The University of Law, 2 New York Street, Manchester, M1 4HJ
This seminar will provide a practical focus on recent changes affecting inheritance tax. This one-hour seminar will provide an update on: residence nil-rate bands and downsizing, business property relief, criminal facilitation of tax avoidance, and the future of inheritance tax and trust taxation.
 
CQS Roadshow Birmingham- Monday 13th May 2019
Location: Shoosmiths LLP, 2 Colmore Square, 38 Queensway, Birmingham B4 6BJ
These seminars are designed to provide CQS members with an update on the improvements being made to the accreditation in 2019 and provide the support needed to ensure compliance with the new scheme requirements. There will be an opportunity for Q&A and for networking with speakers and members of other accredited practices.
 
Property Section: half-day conveyancing convention 2019 Birmingham-Tuesday 14th May 2019  
Location: BPP University, 32-34 Colmore Circus Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6BN
The Law Society's Property Section, is hosting a bespoke, half-day event for property practitioners. This new-format event focuses on the most important issues affecting modern property practice.
 
Criminal justice roadshow  London- Thursday 16th May 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
Our criminal justice system is at breaking point. Due to years of underinvestment it is facing an avalanche of problems, such as growing shortages of duty solicitors, court closures and barriers to accessing legal aid. The Law Society has been making the case to government for increased spending on criminal justice to help fix the broken system, but we need your help. Attend this event to ensure your voice is heard.
 
 
 
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

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

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 members unless otherwise specified.
 
Kind regards,
 
Christina
 
Christina Blacklaws
President
The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London. WC2A 1PL

​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 this week.
 
Influencing on behalf of the profession and promoting the profession
 
The Law Society’s media profile this week:
Our head of justice, Richard Miller featured on Radio 4’s You and Yours consumer programme as the top story on Friday, highlighting our legal aid deserts campaign.
The Sunday Times (£) reports Law Society’s opposition to the proposed increase in probate fees and the Daily Mail covers the issue with a comment from me: “The decision to treble the cost of death certificates comes hot on the heels of the Government’s proposed increases to probate fees.”
Melinda Giles, council member and member of the wills and equity committee, was interviewed on LBC to discuss our concerns, following her interview on probate fees for TALKradio. 
The Times (£) covers the Law Society’s Lawtech Adoption Research report. I am quoted saying: “Lawtech in the UK is largely focused on efficiencies and automation rather than on delivering new types of law. As such it is less mature than other fields of digital disruption – such as fintech, where there is more funding and regulatory alignment.”
Speaking about the Law Society’s disappointment with the LSB’s failure to adequately protect consumers, I told the Gazette: “We are increasingly concerned by the LSB’s lax approach to deregulation.
“Regulation exists to protect the public, so the stakes are high if those protections are removed. We are disappointed the LSB has rubber-stamped hugely significant rule changes without rigorously applying the available evidence to understand the impact on the public.”
As we approach International Women’s Day on 8 March, coverage of gender equality issues is gathering momentum.
In an article in the Guardian on sexism in the profession, I was quoted saying: “Sexual harassment is illegal. Just as anyone is protected by the law, they should also be protected by employers – law firms and courts included. As a profession which strives to uphold justice, the legal sector needs to be at the forefront of the fight against sexism and sexual harassment in the workplace.”
The Guardian reported on Gwyneth Bebb and her struggle to gain equality in the legal profession. Legal Futures and We are the City note the Law Society is to join CARE International for #March4Women 2019 on 3 March.
The Gazette reports that the common law tradition has been, by any measure, a successful ‘export’ for England and Wales. “The result of cutting legal aid was a vast increase in the number of litigants in person in the courts,” adds the Law Society’s head of justice, Richard Miller. “And – surprise, surprise – they struggle with the adversarial system”
The Gazette covered the Law Society Group’s 2018 gender pay gap report, published this week.
Legal Futures and Today’s Conveyancer report reactions to the Law Society’s tougher code for completion, which has been introduced following a ruling on liability for losses caused by fraud during property transactions.
Consultation responses and parliamentary activity, influencing on behalf of the profession:
Regulation
We launched the Legal Needs survey on 13 February. We expect preliminary results in March.  
 
Access to Justice
LASPO
Following the publication of its Post Implementation Review of LASPO, we are seeking to engage with the Ministry of Justice to further develop the proposals. 
 
Technology and the Law
Technology and Law Policy Commission Evidence Session – algorithms in the justice system
The Law Society’s Technology and Law Policy Commission hosted its final evidence session on Thursday 14 February at Chancery Lane.
The Commission, led by myself alongside co-Commissioners Sofia Olhede (UCL), Sylvie Delacroix (University of Birmingham) examined the use of algorithms in the justice system, the impacts on the rule of law, implications for data rights, and whether our human rights framework is fit for purpose.
Witnesses at the London session included Richard Susskind, Jamie Susskind, Hannah Knox of UCL, David Powell of Hampshire Police and Judith Jones of the ICO. We were joined by Guest Commissioner Madhumita Murgia of the Financial Times.
A video of the event will be made available on our website in the coming weeks.  Further information on the Commission is available here.
 
Global Legal Blockchain Consortium briefing session
On Monday 25 February the Law Society will be hosting a briefing session by the Global Legal Blockchain Consortium. The GLBC is the largest legal industry blockchain consortium in the world, comprised of more than 190 large companies, law firms, software companies, and universities. It promotes the use of blockchain technology for the legal industry and is also developing standards to govern the use of blockchain technology in the business and practice of law. 
I will be opening the session with a speech, followed by an update on the activities of the GLBC, its plans for 2019 and demonstrations of  new blockchain proofs-of-concept in legal applications. 
Any members wishing to attend can book their place on the GLBC’s event page. 
Civil Justice
We responded to DEFRA’s consultation on biodiversity net gain. Our response supports the government's aims set out in the consultation and argues that the best way to achieve a consistent framework for business, which provides clarity and certainty through a streamlined process (the consultation objectives), is to mandate net gain in the planning process through a clear legal duty which is subject to prescribed exemptions. The response also argues:

• the tariff revenue should be collected locally (for example, through a local authority);
• the tariff revenue should be spent through a blended model, allowing spending at both local and national levels; and
• if a dispute is only over biodiversity net gain requirements, then the planning appeal system, as currently operated, would be an inefficient way of settling matters that would likely result in the stalling or abandonment of developments.

Further, the response agrees that there should be exemptions from mandatory net gain, particularly for small developments (unless the adverse biodiversity impact is significant), permitted development and developments where planning gain requirements are already very large. 
Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland
We held our Law Society Board meeting in Cardiff this week and engaged with the Commission on Justice in Wales. Paul Tennant, Chief Executive and I also met colleagues from Law Societies in Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland in Belfast.
 
Our influencing work internationally:
On 21 February, the Brussels Office hosted and chaired a Legal Issues Task Force meeting with the UK Brussels-based organisations.
 
Solicitor brand campaign
We’re looking for business or consumer clients who would like to be photographed as part of our campaign to promote the value of solicitors. More details can be found here.
 
Supporting members at every stage of their career
 
International Women’s Day seminar – Friday 8 March
Our flagship event to celebrate International Women’s Day 2019 is fully booked. The theme of the event is inspiration and action in the workplace. Our empowerment workshop is also now fully booked.
   
To celebrate international women’s day and 100 years of women in the law, we are also supporting March4Women – on Sunday 3 March
#March4Women: https://wwwcareinternational.org.uk/march4women
Tickets are just £5. You can book here: https://careint.uk/2G1s5EJ
 
Wellbeing champion training – Thursday 21 March 2019
Wellbeing champion training is designed as a follow up workshop for mental health first aiders and champions. This is a half-day workshop that aims to bring additional clarity to your role as a first aider. 
 
Supporting practice excellence
Some of our upcoming events are:
 
Lexcel consultant training – Wednesday 20 March 2019
This course provides an in-depth understanding of Lexcel England and Wales v6.1 and what evidence is required to meeting the Standard requirements.
 
Advocacy and the Vulnerable Training, Wednesday 27 March 2019, Manchester – Afternoon session  
The Advocacy and the Vulnerable Training was developed in conjunction with the Bar to help solicitor advocates and barristers strike the balance between advancing their client’s case effectively in court whilst ensuring vulnerable witnesses are not subjected to undue stress.
 
This training will also be held in Bristol on Friday 29 March.
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

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

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,
 
Christina
 
Christina Blacklaws
President
The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London. WC2A 1PL

​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:
 
The government’s proposed increases to probate fees will see estates of £2m pay £6,000 the Financial Times (£) reported. I’m quoted saying: “The cost to the courts for granting probate does not change whether the estate is worth £50,000 or £2m. It is unfair to expect the bereaved to find or subsidise other parts of the courts and tribunal services, particularly in circumstances where they have no other options but to use the probate service.” Further coverage in the Sunday Times (£) and the Gazette.
Melinda Giles, a council member and member of the wills and equity committee also appeared on Talk Radio to discuss probate fees. You can listen to the broadcast here. The interview runs from 08:00.
The Times (£) reported ministers faced a backlash over the MoJ’s recent review of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders act. The government was accused of kicking legal aid issues down the road. I called on ministers to “give urgent attention to amending the means test thresholds because the current levels are preventing families in poverty from accessing justice”. Further coverage in the Gazette, Family Law Week, the Justice Gap and Legal Futures.
Ranjit Thaliwal, a Midlands-based mental health law solicitor talked to BBC Radio Nottingham about the legalities of sectioning for Time to Talk mental health day. You can listen to the broadcast here. Ranjit’s interview starts from 1:12:00.
There is little wrong with the 30-year-old Children Act. But years of austerity too often compromise the legal process, challenging the ability of courts and social services to prioritise the interests of the vulnerable. Jerry Bull, chair of the Law Society’s children law sub-committee, points to ways in which overworked family judges in a stretched judicial system are adding to the pressure on lawyers. “There are far more proceedings and courts are expecting more of us each time, because they don’t have the resources to back up the judges.” Full report in the Gazette.
Nominations are now being accepted for this year’s Law Society Excellence Awards, which will recognise the outstanding achievements of solicitors working in all areas of law across England and Wales.“Every day solicitors across this country demonstrate their commitment to their clients, their community, and to the rule of law,” I said. “The Excellence Awards celebrate the very best - the winners highlight not just the values of the profession, but the vital role solicitors play in the administration of justice every day.” Coverage in the Gazette.
The Northern Echo carries the first of a new, weekly ‘Legal Expert’ column in conjunction with the Law Society. This week’s topic is no-fault divorce. Law Society position on no-fault divorce is here.
 
Law Society access to justice committee member June Venters QC writes in The Times about her experience of offering legal advice pro bono from her local GP’s surgery over the last decade. This follows a proposal by the justice minister Lucy Frazer last week that funded legal advice be offered from GP surgeries.
 
The Times (£) also reports that British fashion designers risk losing design right protections in the event of a no-deal Brexit. I said: “The law governing intellectual property is largely harmonised across the EU. Much of the legislation and case law stems directly from EU level law.” Further coverage in the Gazette.
 
The BBC reports that new laws are needed to tackle knife crime in London. “The home secretary is right when he says there's no specific legislation that easily lets you pull down knife crime content from social media,” says Steve Kuncewicz, a member of council and of the technology and the law committee.
 
Law Society immigration committee member Zeena Luchowa answered questions from BBC London audience members worried about their futures.
 
Our Valentine’s Day warning about the myth of common law marriage was cited in the Manchester Evening News and the Daily Mirror as well as Global Legal Post. I said: “The term originates from when it was less socially acceptable for couples to live together and have children outside wedlock.” I also warned of the pitfalls of people relying on long term cohabitation as the basis of their rights.
The controversy about whether 19-year-old Shamima Begum - who left Britain in 2015 with friends in order to live in Isil-controlled Raqqa – should be allowed to return to the UK has received widespread coverage in the media. Ian Kelcey, co-chair of the criminal law committee, is quoted in the Times commenting on her potential legal situation: “On the basis of what we know so far it is likely that Begum would be arrested on return to the UK and probably charged under the Terrorism Act 2006.”
 
Legal Futures covered the launch of the Law Society’s LawTech adoption report which reviews how far the legal sector has come in terms of adopting technology to execute work.
 
Don’t forget you can read all Law Society press releases by clicking on this link. For live updates follow us on Twitter.
 
 
Consultation responses and parliamentary activity, influencing on behalf of the profession:
 
Probate
Shadow leader of the Commons Valerie Vaz MP quoted Law Society vice president Simon Davis on the subject of probate fees. She noted that the Non-Contentious Probate (Fees) Order 2018 may be ultra vires, and cited the Law Society’s argument that it is a “tax hike through the back door”, mentioning Simon Davis by name.
 
More than 2,000 people have now written to their MP regarding the proposed changes to probate fees using our online tool.
 
Brexit
No deal guidance – we published new no deal guidance on VAT and intellectual property – this will feature in our professional update this week and in a number of our other newsletters.
 
Concerns on no deal raised with the lord chancellor – the CEO wrote to the lord chancellor to raise our concerns around no deal and the decrease in legal services exports from 2016 to 2017.  
 
No deal concerns raised in Parliament – we briefed shadow justice ministers in the Commons and Lords five times on key secondary legislation around legal services, recognition of professional qualifications and civil justice co-operation – the Law Society was mentioned in the debates 19 times and our concerns around no deal were mentioned throughout.
 
Increased awareness of with Lords justice spokespeople on Brexit – we met with the Labour’s Lords adviser on justice to increase his understanding of the Law Society’s Brexit priorities.
 
Brexit conference – We hosted a joint conference on Brexit with City and Financial. Both the vice president and deputy vice president spoke at conference, along with:

• Justice minister, Lucy Frazer QC MP
• Shadow justice minister, Yasmin Qureshi MP
• Former lord chief justice, Lord Thomas
• Former attorney general, Dominic Grieve QC MP
• Chair of the justice select committee, Bob Neill MP.

 
Speeches
I spoke at an “in conversation" event with Lady Arden at Clyde & Co. I also spoke about the women in leadership in law programme at a Network for Knowledge event on Wednesday.
 
The vice president and deputy vice president spoke at a joint Law Society and City and financial conference on Brexit and legal services.
 
Resilience and Wellbeing Survey 2019
For the third year running, the Junior Lawyers Division’s (JLD) is undertaking a resilience and wellbeing survey of its membership. The survey can be accessed here.
 
Access to justice
LASPO
The MoJ published the Post Implementation Review this week. We immediately put out a press release and provided a summary for members online and via a Legal Aid Update.
 
Courts modernisation
The Gazette hosted a roundtable regarding court reforms, self-representation and the prospect of a more inquisitorial system.
15 guests took part, including myself, Law Society head of justice Richard Miller, and Susan Acland-Hood (CEO of HMCTS).
 
The justice select committee have launched a new inquiry into the access to justice implications of the HMCTS court modernisation programme, including on the increasing use of digital and video technology and of court closures.
 
Court closures
On 7 February we attended the Westminster Legal Policy Forum on Civil Justice reform in England and Wales which discussed court modernisation, litigation costs and priorities for implementation of the Civil Liability Act. The event was chaired by Lord Faulks QC.
On 8 February I met with Professor Abi Adams to discuss the court modernisation programme and access to justice. It was agreed that it is essential to have the relevant data to analyse in order to evaluate the programme effectively.
Public Accounts Committee Hearing
HMCTS has now responded to five of the recommendations that came out of the June 2018 Public Accounts Committee Hearing. The recommendations can be found here.
 
Flexible Operating Hours Pilots
HMCTS intends to pilot flexible operating hours for civil and family matters in Manchester and Brentford from April. We attended the first meeting of the Evaluation Advisory Group which will consider how the pilot is evaluated. HMCTS took on board a number of our concerns about methodology.
 
Role of the profession
The Flag It Up campaign, of which the Law Society is a core partner, filmed two videos on compliance on 6 February, one of which is with Amy Bell, former chair of our MLTF, in our offices.
 
Technology
Technology and Law Policy Commission Evidence Session – algorithms in the justice system
The Law Society’s Technology and Law Policy Commission hosted its final evidence session on Thursday 14 February in London. The commission, led by me alongside co-commissioners Sofia Olhede (UCL) and Sylvie Delacroix (University of Birmingham), examined the use of algorithms in the justice system, the impacts on the rule of law, implications for data rights, and whether our human rights framework is fit for purpose.
 
Witnesses at the London session included Richard Susskind, Jamie Susskind, Hannah Knox of UCL, David Powell of Hampshire Police and Judith Jones of the ICO. We were also joined by guest commissioner Madhumita Murgia.
 
Lawtech adoption research
I spoke at the launch of this new Law Society report which shows a rise in the number of lawtech companies in recent years. 
However, this increase is not reflected in the rate of lawtech adoption among legal practitioners. Our research explores what types of lawtech providers are gaining traction in different sectors of the profession and the drivers behind this, with a view to how adoption rates might impact the future shape of legal process and delivery.
Civil
Environment
We attended a roundtable at DEFRA hosted by Environment Secretary Michael Gove to discuss environmental targets.
 
Our influencing work internationally:
On 11 February, Helena Raulus, head of the Brussels office, chaired the British Chamber of Commerce event on the EU, third countries and Brexit – managing secure data flows across borders. It was also attended by legal secondee Betty Ann Morain and speakers included Heather Anson.
 
On 13 February, Betty Ann Morain attended an event organised by the European Commission: Civil Society Dialogue on WTO negotiations on e-commerce The same day, EU policy adviser Rita Giannini met Nicola Wisdahl from the Scottish Government to discuss justice and home affairs matters.
 
Along with Lizzette Robleto de Howarth, international programmes manager, I attended the Festivity of Sant Raimon de Penyafort, an annual event organised by the Barcelona Bar Association. On 15 February, I spoke at the ‘Trobades de Barcelona – Jacques Henry Memorial’ of the European Bars Federation – an event where international representatives of the legal profession come together in Barcelona to discuss issues of interest to the legal profession. This year’s focus was on gender equality, and I took part in a panel on the challenges, opportunities, and benefits of empowering female leadership in the legal profession.
 
Solicitor brand campaign
We’re looking for business or consumer clients who would like to be photographed as part of our campaign to promote the value of solicitors. More details can be found here.
 
Supporting members at every stage of their career
 
International Women’s Day seminar – Friday 8 March
Join us for our flagship event to celebrate International Women’s Day 2019. The theme of the event is inspiration and action in the workplace.
 
To celebrate international women’s day and 100 years of women in the law, we are also supporting March4Women – on Sunday 3 March
#March4Women: https://www.careinternational.org.uk/march4women
Tickets are just £5. You can book here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/march4women-2019-event-tickets-54751304626?aff=lawfirms (Short link: https://careint.uk/2G1s5EJ)
 
Judicial appointments: interview training for solicitors – 15 March – London
In view of increasing competition for judicial appointments, this course will equip delegates with the skills to help enhance their application and interview performance. (Also running on 16 March – book here.)
 
In-house Division: Communicating law to non-lawyers – 20 March – Manchester
This seminar will offer practical examples and guidance to help strategically align in-house lawyers with their business.
 
Law Society team in half marathon for LawWorks
On Sunday March 10th Tom Fothergill, Chief Operating Officer, Sophie Brooks, Operational Director of strategy and planning and Kerry Jenkins, Head of Finance will be running as a representative Law Society Team at the Vitality Big Half Marathon here in London & we are aiming to raise money for LawWorks which, as many will know, is a charity supported by the Law Society which focuses efforts on connecting those in need of legal advice who can’t afford to pay for it with volunteer pro bono solicitors.
 
Sponsoring them couldn’t be simpler – just follow this link http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/lawworksbighalf to their fundraising page.
 
Supporting practice excellence
Some of our upcoming events are:

Risk and Compliance annual conference 2019: preparing for change in shifting times – 15 March
This full-day programme features a mix of plenary sessions and a choice of workshops to help you achieve best practice in compliance.
 
Property Section seminar: Risk and negligence in property transactions – 28 March – Manchester
Join John de Waal QC and other contributors to the recently published Risk and Negligence in Property Transactions for an interactive and practical seminar.
 
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

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

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 members unless otherwise specified.
 
Kind regards,
 
Christina
 
Christina Blacklaws
President
The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London. WC2A 1PL