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Your weekly Law Society update 3 June 2019

3/6/2019

 
Dear colleague,
 
Your weekly Law Society update
 
As the professional body for solicitors, every week the Law Society is working hard to influence the legal and regulatory environment on behalf of our profession and to promote solicitors at home and abroad. We support practice excellence, are an informed source of legal sector news and support members at every stage of their career.
 
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

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