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
The Law Society’s media profile this week:
Law Society research into the future of the legal workforce was covered by the Gazette, City AM, Legal Futures, Tech Register, Times (£), Global Legal Post, Legal Business, Lex 100, Today’s Wills and Probate, Legal Cheek, Irish Legal News and Scottish Legal News. There was also a subsequent letter responding to our research in City A.M. Our findings show the legal services market will need to adapt to a more deregulated environment, stronger commercial pressures and increasing adoption of technology. Today's Wills and Probate highlighted the Law Society's work to promote women in law.
The Gazette covered news that US-UK talks about post-Brexit trading arrangements included discussions about legal services, attended by the Law Society. The story was also picked up by Practice Source.
The latest edition of New Law Journal includes an interview with me. Among the issues discussed was the growing profile of the importance of the rule of law. I suggested this was “not because of my efforts but because there have been so many more challenges to the rule of law, it has accentuated the Society’s relevance”.
Today's Wills and Probate discussed the increasing numbers of solicitors proactively raising the possibility of leaving a legacy to charity in their will.
Law Society concerns about the role of unregulated McKenzie friends - who charge litigants in person for legal advice they are often not qualified to give - were covered by Yahoo News and by the Telegraph. The Times (£) and the Gazette meanwhile report on a study by Leeds Law School and Birmingham City University, which has found McKenzie friends often give biased advice. I said: “As legal aid cuts bite deeper and more people are forced to deal with legal problems without a solicitor, unscrupulous McKenzie friends may take advantage of an unmet need.”
The Gazette reports on 100 years of women in the law and how the profession has changed since the passing of the 1919 Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act. Also in the Western Mail.
The immigration committee wrote to the Gazette on the importance of preventing freelancers supervising others, who might not be qualified, to provide immigration advice.
A comment piece in the Gazette discussed the declining number of junior criminal legal aid lawyers and cites Law Society research which shows that in 2018 the average age of a criminal legal aid solicitor was 47.
Head of innovation at Hogan Lovells, Stephen Allen, picks Law Society director of strategic relationships Stephen Denyer as one of the lawyers he most admires, in a profile piece with Global Legal Post.
Mollie Ferguson, a member of our junior lawyers division (JLD), writes for the Gazette on mental health in law firms. She cites JLD research that 1 in 15 junior lawyers had experienced suicidal thoughts.
Wycombe Today celebrates that the town's library now has a copy of 100 Years of Women in Law, thanks to a generous donation by local solicitor and Law Society deputy vice president I. Stephanie Boyce. There is a further story in Wendover News.
A local solicitor wrote a column for the Bradford Telegraph & Argus on the pitfalls to avoid when leasing a property.
Legal Week covered our new lawtech report, which provides a comparative analysis of the UK and other jurisdictions, identifying the top ten emerging cities globally for legal tech innovations. Our head of commercial and technology law, Alexandra Cardenas, commented on changes driven by jurisdictions like England and Wales allowing non-lawyers to be business owners in law firms: "That's definitely been a model that has enabled different sources into firms and different skills in management and has encouraged innovation."
Don’t forget you can read all Law Society press releases by clicking on this link. For live updates follow us on Twitter.
Justice
Judicial diversity
On Monday 02 December I was accompanied by Richard Miller to the Judicial Diversity Forum, to provide updates on the work we are doing to support solicitors aspiring to judicial appointment, and to discuss measures aimed at improving judicial diversity.
Public Law
Immigration
The Law Society met with the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association regarding the performance of third party contractors (VFS and TLS) providing out of country visa application services. The plans for a second version of VFS’ website, to be launched in 2020, were discussed and UKVI welcomed further feedback from Law Society and ILPA members as this progresses.
Regulation
Professional Indemnity Insurance
Last Wednesday, Professional Indemnity Insurance Committee chair Nick Gurney-Champion and policy adviser Simon Thomson met with the SRA to discuss PII and the Compensation Fund. We anticipate that the SRA will shortly be publishing their response to their 2018 consultation on client protections. We also agreed to cooperate with the regulator on the issue of orderly closure of firms and messaging around the Solicitors Indemnity Fund, which will close to new claims from 1 October 2020.
Commercial and Technology Law
Women in the Workplace conference
Max Winthrop, the chair of the Employment Law Committee, spoke at the Westminster Business Forum conference on women in the workplace. He spoke on a panel which covered legal remedies for those who face discrimination and harassment, including the use of NDAs to resolve disputes.
Lawtech
This week I accompanied our head of commercial and technology law, Alexandra Cardenas, to meet the CEO of Barclays Ventures and his team to discuss LawTech and the Barclays Eagle Lab.
Alexandra also met with Jenifer Swallow, Director of the Executive Delivery Function to the LawTech Delivery Panel to discuss LawTech and the Law Society’s work.
Parliamentary
The Law Society will be approaching appointed/reappointed ministers once announced to discuss the Law Society’s priorities as set out in our manifesto
Speeches
Deputy vice president I. Stephanie Boyce gave the opening remarks at the Graham Turnbull Lecture on Tuesday 10 December and at the Law Society’s public seminar for International Human Rights Day on Thursday 12 December.
Our work internationally
This week I addressed a workshop on business integrity at the Italian Embassy to mark International Anti-Corruption Day in London with Transparency International. We discussed approaches for anti-corruption, due diligence and reporting with Italian companies comparing Italian and UK anti-corruption laws.
This week I agreed a memorandum of understanding with the Warsaw Bar Association of Advocates. The agreement outlines our shared commitment to cooperate in the interests of our members, to raise awareness of our respective legal systems and business environments, to promote vocational training opportunities and work together to promote and protect the rule of law. The event was attended by member solicitors working in Poland and staff from the Polish Embassy in London.
On Wednesday 11 December, Helena Raulus, head of our Brussels office, attended the British Chamber of Commerce event: 'I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas' with Joanna Drake, Deputy Director-General DG ENV, European Commission
Supporting members at every stage of their career
Judicial appointments: interview training for solicitors - Friday 7 February 2020
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.
JLD forum: Helping you to secure a training contract, February 2020, Manchester - Saturday 08 February 2020
Location: The University of Law, 2 New York Street, Manchester, M1 4HJ
The Junior Lawyers Division, in partnership with the Manchester TSG and YSG, is holding a free one-day skills event to assist LPC students and LPC graduates with their search for a training position
Judicial appointments: interview training for solicitors - Friday 7 February 2020
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.
Capital markets in the 21st century – Friday 28 February 2020
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
We are delighted to announce that the sixth Law Society and American Bar Association capital markets conference will take place on 28 February 2020.
Supporting Practice excellence
Compliance forum for COLPs/COFAs: SRA Standards and Regulations - Monday 13 January 2020
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.
New SRA Handbook compliance updates – what’s new for in-house lawyers? -Thursday 16 January 2020
Location: Gateley, 29 East Parade, Leeds LS1 5PS
The new SRA handbook brings changes for in-house lawyers. Gain clarity and get an understanding of what these updates mean for you practically. Come with any questions you may have and join us for an interactive session.
Day of the Endangered Lawyer 2020 - Wednesday 22 January 2020
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
Every year the Day of the Endangered Lawyer is organised to support lawyers at risk in a particular jurisdiction. In 2020, the focus will be on Pakistan. During this seminar, we will hear from one of the speakers about his personal experiences of litigating human rights cases in Pakistan.
Advocacy and the Vulnerable Training, 24 January 2020, London - Afternoon session -Friday 24 January 2020
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.
Competition Section Seminar: UNCTAD – contribute to the future International competition enforcement framework, London -Tuesday 11 February 2020
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
This event will provide an opportunity to learn about the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) future plans for International competition enforcement and its framework. It will provide an opportunity for attendees to feedback on how this might work in practice; helping to shape UNCTAD’s final proposal. It will include a case study of how this might work in practice.
Private Client Section: Older or incapable client double seminars, London – Tuesday 11 February 2020
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
Focusing on support for your older or incapable clients, we bring you two of the top speakers in Private Client law to help you to support your clients.
Private Client Section: Older or incapable client double seminars, Manchester – Thursday 13 February 2020
Location: Manchester - Venue TBC
(See above)
Webinars
Risk management for small to medium law firms - 17 December 2019 - 20% discount to Risk and Compliance and Law Management Section members
Dubious investment schemes – Avoiding entity and individual regulatory liability -
14 January 2020 - 20% discount to property and risk and compliance
SRA Standards and Regulations - your obligations in managing risk - 16 January 2020 inclusive to risk and compliance
Construction law update 2020 – inclusive to property - 04 February 2020
Practising as, and dealing with, unregulated businesses and freelance solicitors -
13 February 2020 - 20% discount to risk and compliance
Sexual misconduct in law firms - 20% discount to risk and compliance - 05 March 2020
The challenges facing small legal practices – what you need to know - 27 March 2020 - 20% discount to risk and compliance and LMS.
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
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
Campaigns Update
Sign up to the Campaigns Update newsletter
Parliamentary report
Sign up to the Parliamentary report newsletter
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
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
The Law Society’s media profile this week:
Law Society research into the future of the legal workforce was covered by the Gazette, City AM, Legal Futures, Tech Register, Times (£), Global Legal Post, Legal Business, Lex 100, Today’s Wills and Probate, Legal Cheek, Irish Legal News and Scottish Legal News. There was also a subsequent letter responding to our research in City A.M. Our findings show the legal services market will need to adapt to a more deregulated environment, stronger commercial pressures and increasing adoption of technology. Today's Wills and Probate highlighted the Law Society's work to promote women in law.
The Gazette covered news that US-UK talks about post-Brexit trading arrangements included discussions about legal services, attended by the Law Society. The story was also picked up by Practice Source.
The latest edition of New Law Journal includes an interview with me. Among the issues discussed was the growing profile of the importance of the rule of law. I suggested this was “not because of my efforts but because there have been so many more challenges to the rule of law, it has accentuated the Society’s relevance”.
Today's Wills and Probate discussed the increasing numbers of solicitors proactively raising the possibility of leaving a legacy to charity in their will.
Law Society concerns about the role of unregulated McKenzie friends - who charge litigants in person for legal advice they are often not qualified to give - were covered by Yahoo News and by the Telegraph. The Times (£) and the Gazette meanwhile report on a study by Leeds Law School and Birmingham City University, which has found McKenzie friends often give biased advice. I said: “As legal aid cuts bite deeper and more people are forced to deal with legal problems without a solicitor, unscrupulous McKenzie friends may take advantage of an unmet need.”
The Gazette reports on 100 years of women in the law and how the profession has changed since the passing of the 1919 Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act. Also in the Western Mail.
The immigration committee wrote to the Gazette on the importance of preventing freelancers supervising others, who might not be qualified, to provide immigration advice.
A comment piece in the Gazette discussed the declining number of junior criminal legal aid lawyers and cites Law Society research which shows that in 2018 the average age of a criminal legal aid solicitor was 47.
Head of innovation at Hogan Lovells, Stephen Allen, picks Law Society director of strategic relationships Stephen Denyer as one of the lawyers he most admires, in a profile piece with Global Legal Post.
Mollie Ferguson, a member of our junior lawyers division (JLD), writes for the Gazette on mental health in law firms. She cites JLD research that 1 in 15 junior lawyers had experienced suicidal thoughts.
Wycombe Today celebrates that the town's library now has a copy of 100 Years of Women in Law, thanks to a generous donation by local solicitor and Law Society deputy vice president I. Stephanie Boyce. There is a further story in Wendover News.
A local solicitor wrote a column for the Bradford Telegraph & Argus on the pitfalls to avoid when leasing a property.
Legal Week covered our new lawtech report, which provides a comparative analysis of the UK and other jurisdictions, identifying the top ten emerging cities globally for legal tech innovations. Our head of commercial and technology law, Alexandra Cardenas, commented on changes driven by jurisdictions like England and Wales allowing non-lawyers to be business owners in law firms: "That's definitely been a model that has enabled different sources into firms and different skills in management and has encouraged innovation."
Don’t forget you can read all Law Society press releases by clicking on this link. For live updates follow us on Twitter.
Justice
Judicial diversity
On Monday 02 December I was accompanied by Richard Miller to the Judicial Diversity Forum, to provide updates on the work we are doing to support solicitors aspiring to judicial appointment, and to discuss measures aimed at improving judicial diversity.
Public Law
Immigration
The Law Society met with the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association regarding the performance of third party contractors (VFS and TLS) providing out of country visa application services. The plans for a second version of VFS’ website, to be launched in 2020, were discussed and UKVI welcomed further feedback from Law Society and ILPA members as this progresses.
Regulation
Professional Indemnity Insurance
Last Wednesday, Professional Indemnity Insurance Committee chair Nick Gurney-Champion and policy adviser Simon Thomson met with the SRA to discuss PII and the Compensation Fund. We anticipate that the SRA will shortly be publishing their response to their 2018 consultation on client protections. We also agreed to cooperate with the regulator on the issue of orderly closure of firms and messaging around the Solicitors Indemnity Fund, which will close to new claims from 1 October 2020.
Commercial and Technology Law
Women in the Workplace conference
Max Winthrop, the chair of the Employment Law Committee, spoke at the Westminster Business Forum conference on women in the workplace. He spoke on a panel which covered legal remedies for those who face discrimination and harassment, including the use of NDAs to resolve disputes.
Lawtech
This week I accompanied our head of commercial and technology law, Alexandra Cardenas, to meet the CEO of Barclays Ventures and his team to discuss LawTech and the Barclays Eagle Lab.
Alexandra also met with Jenifer Swallow, Director of the Executive Delivery Function to the LawTech Delivery Panel to discuss LawTech and the Law Society’s work.
Parliamentary
The Law Society will be approaching appointed/reappointed ministers once announced to discuss the Law Society’s priorities as set out in our manifesto
Speeches
Deputy vice president I. Stephanie Boyce gave the opening remarks at the Graham Turnbull Lecture on Tuesday 10 December and at the Law Society’s public seminar for International Human Rights Day on Thursday 12 December.
Our work internationally
This week I addressed a workshop on business integrity at the Italian Embassy to mark International Anti-Corruption Day in London with Transparency International. We discussed approaches for anti-corruption, due diligence and reporting with Italian companies comparing Italian and UK anti-corruption laws.
This week I agreed a memorandum of understanding with the Warsaw Bar Association of Advocates. The agreement outlines our shared commitment to cooperate in the interests of our members, to raise awareness of our respective legal systems and business environments, to promote vocational training opportunities and work together to promote and protect the rule of law. The event was attended by member solicitors working in Poland and staff from the Polish Embassy in London.
On Wednesday 11 December, Helena Raulus, head of our Brussels office, attended the British Chamber of Commerce event: 'I'm Dreaming of a Green Christmas' with Joanna Drake, Deputy Director-General DG ENV, European Commission
Supporting members at every stage of their career
Judicial appointments: interview training for solicitors - Friday 7 February 2020
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.
JLD forum: Helping you to secure a training contract, February 2020, Manchester - Saturday 08 February 2020
Location: The University of Law, 2 New York Street, Manchester, M1 4HJ
The Junior Lawyers Division, in partnership with the Manchester TSG and YSG, is holding a free one-day skills event to assist LPC students and LPC graduates with their search for a training position
Judicial appointments: interview training for solicitors - Friday 7 February 2020
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.
Capital markets in the 21st century – Friday 28 February 2020
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
We are delighted to announce that the sixth Law Society and American Bar Association capital markets conference will take place on 28 February 2020.
Supporting Practice excellence
Compliance forum for COLPs/COFAs: SRA Standards and Regulations - Monday 13 January 2020
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.
New SRA Handbook compliance updates – what’s new for in-house lawyers? -Thursday 16 January 2020
Location: Gateley, 29 East Parade, Leeds LS1 5PS
The new SRA handbook brings changes for in-house lawyers. Gain clarity and get an understanding of what these updates mean for you practically. Come with any questions you may have and join us for an interactive session.
Day of the Endangered Lawyer 2020 - Wednesday 22 January 2020
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
Every year the Day of the Endangered Lawyer is organised to support lawyers at risk in a particular jurisdiction. In 2020, the focus will be on Pakistan. During this seminar, we will hear from one of the speakers about his personal experiences of litigating human rights cases in Pakistan.
Advocacy and the Vulnerable Training, 24 January 2020, London - Afternoon session -Friday 24 January 2020
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.
Competition Section Seminar: UNCTAD – contribute to the future International competition enforcement framework, London -Tuesday 11 February 2020
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
This event will provide an opportunity to learn about the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) future plans for International competition enforcement and its framework. It will provide an opportunity for attendees to feedback on how this might work in practice; helping to shape UNCTAD’s final proposal. It will include a case study of how this might work in practice.
Private Client Section: Older or incapable client double seminars, London – Tuesday 11 February 2020
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
Focusing on support for your older or incapable clients, we bring you two of the top speakers in Private Client law to help you to support your clients.
Private Client Section: Older or incapable client double seminars, Manchester – Thursday 13 February 2020
Location: Manchester - Venue TBC
(See above)
Webinars
Risk management for small to medium law firms - 17 December 2019 - 20% discount to Risk and Compliance and Law Management Section members
Dubious investment schemes – Avoiding entity and individual regulatory liability -
14 January 2020 - 20% discount to property and risk and compliance
SRA Standards and Regulations - your obligations in managing risk - 16 January 2020 inclusive to risk and compliance
Construction law update 2020 – inclusive to property - 04 February 2020
Practising as, and dealing with, unregulated businesses and freelance solicitors -
13 February 2020 - 20% discount to risk and compliance
Sexual misconduct in law firms - 20% discount to risk and compliance - 05 March 2020
The challenges facing small legal practices – what you need to know - 27 March 2020 - 20% discount to risk and compliance and LMS.
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
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
Campaigns Update
Sign up to the Campaigns Update newsletter
Parliamentary report
Sign up to the Parliamentary report newsletter
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
RSS Feed
