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
The Gazette reported demands by an international coalition of legal bodies for the release of Nasrin Sotoudeh, the Iranian lawyer. The call was made by Bar associations and law societies from the G7 countries at the gathering of the CCBE – Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe. I said: “The international legal community has not forgotten. Repeated proceedings against Nasrin Sotoudeh constitute nothing short of judicial harassment.”
Coverage of the debate over solicitors' salaries continued this week. The story was sparked by the claim of an audience member on the BBC's Question Time programme that all solicitors earn more than £80,000 per annum. The Daily Mail quoted Law Society figures on the median salary for the profession of £62,000. Legal Cheek had also looked at the claims and cited our research.
The Times (£) examined our manifesto for justice as part of its election coverage. We have called for a raise in criminal legal aid fees and the return of legal aid for early advice in housing/family cases. Read the press release here.
The Times (£), the Daily Mail and Sky News all cover the use of pet-nups in divorce settlements. The Law Society is cited saying this can be covered in pre-nuptial agreements “to provide peace of mind”.
Ian Kelcey, co-chair of our criminal law committee, spoke to BBC Essex (2:12:40) about media restrictions and defence arguments in murder cases.
Robert Bourns, former Law Society president and current chair of the Board, received the City of London Law Society Lifetime Achievement Award at the British Legal Awards in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the legal profession. Reported by the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and Bristol Business News.
I said: “Robert’s award comes as recognition for his considerable contribution to the profession: as an experienced leader in his field, a champion of social mobility and access to justice, and as a distinguished former president of the Law Society.”
Local Government Lawyer reported on the Law Society’s new Practice Note on Legal Professional Privilege.
Litigation Futures discussed the rise of lawtech, noting the Law Society describes lawtech as “technologies that aim to support, supplement or replace traditional methods for delivering legal services, or that improve the way the justice system operates”.
Chair of our wills and probate committee, Ian Bond, was a guest on the FT Money Show podcast exploring what happens to an individual’s digital assets once they die.
Nick Gurney-Champion, the chair of our professional indemnity insurance committee, wrote an opinion piece for the Gazette on the top five things to consider before becoming a freelance solicitor. Further coverage of the regulation changes in the Gazette.
The Gazette reported that HM Courts and Tribunals service has said delays in grants of probate will be over by the end of the year – after missing its November deadline. Grants currently take four weeks when they should take just two. Also in Today's Wills and Probate.
Do not forget you can read all Law Society press releases by clicking on this link. For live updates follow us on Twitter.
Public Law and Justice
Probate delays
On 27 November we met with HMCTS to review delays to the probate service. There is still a backlog of applications to be processed, but HMCTS state they are working on reducing this, with the bulk of applications being processed within three weeks for professional applicants where IHT forms are present. They have confirmed that all calls from probate legal professionals have been centralised and are now being dealt with by the Birmingham Courts and Tribunals Service Centre. A link to a full summary of this meeting will be available in due course and another meeting will be scheduled for the new year. The information provided in the summary may be limited due to the pre-election period.
Parliamentary
A note on communication during the pre-election period
As you will be aware we entered the pre-election period on Wednesday 6 November. During the election campaign the Law Society will need to be even more careful to ensure our political neutrality in the run up to 12 December. To assist council members and committee chairs, we have attached short guidance on how we communicate during this period
Committee Chair Guidance for the General Election 2019
Commercial and Technology Law
We attended the launch of Richard Susskind’s new book on online courts and the future of the justice system. The Master of the Rolls, Lord Dyson, was the keynote speaker and made observations on the important contribution of the book when resources of the judicial system are under pressure.
General Election
Political party manifestos released
Ahead of the general election on 12 December, the Law Society has analysed the key justice-related pledges made in the Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Plaid Cymru manifestos. We have also compared these pledges to the key asks set out in our 2019 manifesto, Our vision for law and justice.
Speeches
I spoke at the discussion at the North East Joint Committee Roundtable on Tuesday (26 November).
Events
The chief executive hosted an event to mark the centenary of the women lawyers. Lady Hale gave the key note speech followed by a panel discussion with Dana Denis-Smith (founder, First 100), Carolyn Kirby (first female president of the Law Society), Raj Panesar (partner, Cleary Gottlieb) and chaired by Heidi Sandy (chair of the Women Lawyers Division).
Our work internationally
This week I have been in Paris to meet with our counterparts from G7 countries and discussed priorities and the next steps as we prepare to engage with the next G7 Summit in the US in 2020. I also attended the Paris Bar opening of the legal year and spoke on a panel about legal professional privilege and our recent involvement in a new global report on this topic supported by the Union Internationale des Avocats (UIA).
I have also taken part in a new joint action in support of Nasrin Sotoudeh and recorded my #1minute4Nasrin message. I urge my colleagues to do the same.
Vice-president David Greene, head of international Mickaël Laurans and head of our Brussels office, Helena Raulus, attended the end-of-year Plenary Session of the CCBE. Given the context of Brexit, we cannot underestimate the importance of maintaining strong relations with European Bars and Law Societies, through the CCBE as well as on a bilateral basis, to further the Law Society’s European and international work and for the benefits of our members.
On 26 November, Helena Raulus chaired the British Chamber of Commerce EU committee event with Croatian ambassador Goran Štefanić.
On 27 November, The Brussels Office hosted the LSEW EU Committee meeting which was followed by an exchange of views with the Brussels Advisory Group and UK Permanent Representation. Guests included: Alec Burnside from Dechert; Jane Golding from British in Europe; Michael Robinson, head of UK delegation for the CCBE.
Supporting members at every stage of their career
Graham Turnbull Lecture - Tuesday 10 December 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
Each year, law students, trainee solicitors, pupil barristers and junior lawyers (current, prospective or in between stages) are invited to enter our annual Graham Turnbull essay competition. The title of the 2019 essay is: 'Has the Rule of Law been replaced by the Rule of Politics?'
Lawyers with Disabilities Celebration reception - Thursday 5 December 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
This Disability History Month, the Law Society will be hosting a celebratory reception to mark the 30th year anniversary of the Lawyers with Disabilities Division and International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Supporting practice excellence
Compliance support forum for in-house lawyers - Monday 2 December 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.
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.
Future of Law lecture - The judiciary of the future with the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales - Tuesday 3 December 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
The Future of Law lecture series is a programme of lectures from experts in their fields on topics concerning the legal profession. The next lecture in the series will be delivered by the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, Sir Ian Burnett.
Competition Section Seminar: Abuse of dominance – recent developments in the UK and Europe - Tuesday 3 December 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
There has been an explosion of activity in respect of abuse of dominance. Major 'platform' cases such as Google Shopping, Android, AdSense, Facebook, Apple/Spotify have been in the spotlight in Europe and elsewhere, and raise wider questions about the interaction with regulation. There has been a resurgence of excessive pricing cases (Aspen, Phenytoin etc), with many more cases still before the CMA. The CAT has also heard a major recent appeal (Royal Mail), and considered abuse in a fast-track case (Achilles), and the EU Court judgment in Intel on effects continues to bed down into practice.
A Christmas quiz celebrating 100 years of women in law - Tuesday 10 December 2019
Location: University Women’s Club
Fancy being the next egghead? Test your colleagues’ and friends’ quiz skills and take part in what we’re sure will be a fun evening for all. Join the Junior Lawyers Division and the Young Barristers’ Committee on 10 December to celebrate 100 years of women in law.
International Human Rights Day seminar “The Rise of Authoritarianism: Lawyers Upholding the Rule of Law”- Thursday 12 December 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
This seminar aims to explore the rise of authoritarianism and how it affects legal practitioners, as well as some of the initiatives of legal practitioners themselves and others to counter attacks on the legal profession
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.
Webinars
Thriving at work and at home in a 24/7 connected world - 2 December 2019 - free for Junior Lawyers, with a 20% discount to all other section members (postponed from October)
Mediation - 2020 vision / The future for litigators - 4 December 2019 - inclusive to Civil Litigation members
The unrealised risk and the fallout from Data Subject Access Requests - 5 December 2019 - 20% discount to Law Management Section members
Risk management for small to medium law firms - 17 December 2019 - 20% discount to Risk and Compliance and Law Management Section members
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
The Gazette reported demands by an international coalition of legal bodies for the release of Nasrin Sotoudeh, the Iranian lawyer. The call was made by Bar associations and law societies from the G7 countries at the gathering of the CCBE – Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe. I said: “The international legal community has not forgotten. Repeated proceedings against Nasrin Sotoudeh constitute nothing short of judicial harassment.”
Coverage of the debate over solicitors' salaries continued this week. The story was sparked by the claim of an audience member on the BBC's Question Time programme that all solicitors earn more than £80,000 per annum. The Daily Mail quoted Law Society figures on the median salary for the profession of £62,000. Legal Cheek had also looked at the claims and cited our research.
The Times (£) examined our manifesto for justice as part of its election coverage. We have called for a raise in criminal legal aid fees and the return of legal aid for early advice in housing/family cases. Read the press release here.
The Times (£), the Daily Mail and Sky News all cover the use of pet-nups in divorce settlements. The Law Society is cited saying this can be covered in pre-nuptial agreements “to provide peace of mind”.
Ian Kelcey, co-chair of our criminal law committee, spoke to BBC Essex (2:12:40) about media restrictions and defence arguments in murder cases.
Robert Bourns, former Law Society president and current chair of the Board, received the City of London Law Society Lifetime Achievement Award at the British Legal Awards in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the legal profession. Reported by the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and Bristol Business News.
I said: “Robert’s award comes as recognition for his considerable contribution to the profession: as an experienced leader in his field, a champion of social mobility and access to justice, and as a distinguished former president of the Law Society.”
Local Government Lawyer reported on the Law Society’s new Practice Note on Legal Professional Privilege.
Litigation Futures discussed the rise of lawtech, noting the Law Society describes lawtech as “technologies that aim to support, supplement or replace traditional methods for delivering legal services, or that improve the way the justice system operates”.
Chair of our wills and probate committee, Ian Bond, was a guest on the FT Money Show podcast exploring what happens to an individual’s digital assets once they die.
Nick Gurney-Champion, the chair of our professional indemnity insurance committee, wrote an opinion piece for the Gazette on the top five things to consider before becoming a freelance solicitor. Further coverage of the regulation changes in the Gazette.
The Gazette reported that HM Courts and Tribunals service has said delays in grants of probate will be over by the end of the year – after missing its November deadline. Grants currently take four weeks when they should take just two. Also in Today's Wills and Probate.
Do not forget you can read all Law Society press releases by clicking on this link. For live updates follow us on Twitter.
Public Law and Justice
Probate delays
On 27 November we met with HMCTS to review delays to the probate service. There is still a backlog of applications to be processed, but HMCTS state they are working on reducing this, with the bulk of applications being processed within three weeks for professional applicants where IHT forms are present. They have confirmed that all calls from probate legal professionals have been centralised and are now being dealt with by the Birmingham Courts and Tribunals Service Centre. A link to a full summary of this meeting will be available in due course and another meeting will be scheduled for the new year. The information provided in the summary may be limited due to the pre-election period.
Parliamentary
A note on communication during the pre-election period
As you will be aware we entered the pre-election period on Wednesday 6 November. During the election campaign the Law Society will need to be even more careful to ensure our political neutrality in the run up to 12 December. To assist council members and committee chairs, we have attached short guidance on how we communicate during this period
Committee Chair Guidance for the General Election 2019
Commercial and Technology Law
We attended the launch of Richard Susskind’s new book on online courts and the future of the justice system. The Master of the Rolls, Lord Dyson, was the keynote speaker and made observations on the important contribution of the book when resources of the judicial system are under pressure.
General Election
Political party manifestos released
Ahead of the general election on 12 December, the Law Society has analysed the key justice-related pledges made in the Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Plaid Cymru manifestos. We have also compared these pledges to the key asks set out in our 2019 manifesto, Our vision for law and justice.
Speeches
I spoke at the discussion at the North East Joint Committee Roundtable on Tuesday (26 November).
Events
The chief executive hosted an event to mark the centenary of the women lawyers. Lady Hale gave the key note speech followed by a panel discussion with Dana Denis-Smith (founder, First 100), Carolyn Kirby (first female president of the Law Society), Raj Panesar (partner, Cleary Gottlieb) and chaired by Heidi Sandy (chair of the Women Lawyers Division).
Our work internationally
This week I have been in Paris to meet with our counterparts from G7 countries and discussed priorities and the next steps as we prepare to engage with the next G7 Summit in the US in 2020. I also attended the Paris Bar opening of the legal year and spoke on a panel about legal professional privilege and our recent involvement in a new global report on this topic supported by the Union Internationale des Avocats (UIA).
I have also taken part in a new joint action in support of Nasrin Sotoudeh and recorded my #1minute4Nasrin message. I urge my colleagues to do the same.
Vice-president David Greene, head of international Mickaël Laurans and head of our Brussels office, Helena Raulus, attended the end-of-year Plenary Session of the CCBE. Given the context of Brexit, we cannot underestimate the importance of maintaining strong relations with European Bars and Law Societies, through the CCBE as well as on a bilateral basis, to further the Law Society’s European and international work and for the benefits of our members.
On 26 November, Helena Raulus chaired the British Chamber of Commerce EU committee event with Croatian ambassador Goran Štefanić.
On 27 November, The Brussels Office hosted the LSEW EU Committee meeting which was followed by an exchange of views with the Brussels Advisory Group and UK Permanent Representation. Guests included: Alec Burnside from Dechert; Jane Golding from British in Europe; Michael Robinson, head of UK delegation for the CCBE.
Supporting members at every stage of their career
Graham Turnbull Lecture - Tuesday 10 December 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
Each year, law students, trainee solicitors, pupil barristers and junior lawyers (current, prospective or in between stages) are invited to enter our annual Graham Turnbull essay competition. The title of the 2019 essay is: 'Has the Rule of Law been replaced by the Rule of Politics?'
Lawyers with Disabilities Celebration reception - Thursday 5 December 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
This Disability History Month, the Law Society will be hosting a celebratory reception to mark the 30th year anniversary of the Lawyers with Disabilities Division and International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Supporting practice excellence
Compliance support forum for in-house lawyers - Monday 2 December 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.
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.
Future of Law lecture - The judiciary of the future with the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales - Tuesday 3 December 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
The Future of Law lecture series is a programme of lectures from experts in their fields on topics concerning the legal profession. The next lecture in the series will be delivered by the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, Sir Ian Burnett.
Competition Section Seminar: Abuse of dominance – recent developments in the UK and Europe - Tuesday 3 December 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
There has been an explosion of activity in respect of abuse of dominance. Major 'platform' cases such as Google Shopping, Android, AdSense, Facebook, Apple/Spotify have been in the spotlight in Europe and elsewhere, and raise wider questions about the interaction with regulation. There has been a resurgence of excessive pricing cases (Aspen, Phenytoin etc), with many more cases still before the CMA. The CAT has also heard a major recent appeal (Royal Mail), and considered abuse in a fast-track case (Achilles), and the EU Court judgment in Intel on effects continues to bed down into practice.
A Christmas quiz celebrating 100 years of women in law - Tuesday 10 December 2019
Location: University Women’s Club
Fancy being the next egghead? Test your colleagues’ and friends’ quiz skills and take part in what we’re sure will be a fun evening for all. Join the Junior Lawyers Division and the Young Barristers’ Committee on 10 December to celebrate 100 years of women in law.
International Human Rights Day seminar “The Rise of Authoritarianism: Lawyers Upholding the Rule of Law”- Thursday 12 December 2019
Location: The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL
This seminar aims to explore the rise of authoritarianism and how it affects legal practitioners, as well as some of the initiatives of legal practitioners themselves and others to counter attacks on the legal profession
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.
Webinars
Thriving at work and at home in a 24/7 connected world - 2 December 2019 - free for Junior Lawyers, with a 20% discount to all other section members (postponed from October)
Mediation - 2020 vision / The future for litigators - 4 December 2019 - inclusive to Civil Litigation members
The unrealised risk and the fallout from Data Subject Access Requests - 5 December 2019 - 20% discount to Law Management Section members
Risk management for small to medium law firms - 17 December 2019 - 20% discount to Risk and Compliance and Law Management Section members
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
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