SLS Insight with James Scozzi

SLS Insight – with James Scozzi

SURREY LAW SOCIETY

What position do you hold within the SLS? Chair of Social Committee / Committee Member.

Why did you join the SLS Committee? I wanted to give something back to the profession and quite unexpectedly, Sushila, who I had known for some time, suggested I come along to a committee meeting and see what it was all about. After two meetings I was hooked and it has now been a good few years in the SLS committee.

What do you enjoy most about being on the Committee? I enjoy the ability to help the members and to formulate innovative ways of taking the Society forward. I have also made many good friends whilst being on the committee.

What was the biggest achievement of your Presidential Year? My biggest achievement as President was bringing in the SLS Awards for the very first time. A lot of hard work was required by many in the committee and in particular by Helen, our CEO. The event was a huge success and it is now our flagship event every year.

What are you looking for in new Committee Members? I am looking for people who are first and foremost innovative and have a hunger to make a difference.

Why would you encourage someone to join the SLS? I would encourage joining for many reasons. There is the opportunity to meet fellow professionals in the county, the ability to attend the courses that are part of our excellent training programme, the yearly go-karting event is very fun and surprisingly competitive and last but not least the chance for you and/or your firm to be recognised with an award at the SLS awards gala dinner.

THE PROFESSION

When & why did you become interested in the law? When I was about 14 my aunt, who was a lawyer in Italy, took me along on one of her cases. I was sitting in a court in Rome listening to lawyers argue and thought ‘that looks fun’ – and stuck to the idea of becoming a lawyer from that point onwards. I must admit, however, that I never expected to become a costs specialist.

What firm do you work at and what is your role there? I work for a firm called Elite Law and I am the Managing Partner. My firm undertakes various areas of Law but does specialise in Legal Costs.

What is a typical day for you at work? If only there was such a thing as a typical day. Given my role, each day can be very different but I suppose for the most part I spend my time doing some fee earning work, dealing with compliance and dealing with the various issues that arise on any given day by any given Solicitor or department that requires my input.

What is the most enjoyable part of your role? Managing a team of excellent lawyers who more often than not surprise me … in a good way.

What’s been your most memorable career highlight to date? A career highlight was making new law in the Court of Appeal in Messih v McMillan Williams. This established the principle that if Civil Procedure Rule 38.6 had been intended to create a general discretion as to costs on discontinuance, it would have said so.

What’s been the hardest challenge career-wise? Setting up a Law Firm from scratch and growing it in accordance with the original plan.

What are the biggest challenges facing the legal profession in the next 10 years? Automation and de-regularisation.

ABOUT YOU

What’s your favourite film? Godfather Part 2.

What did you want to be when you grew up? Indiana Jones.

What would your autobiography be called? Bonkers.

What would you do if you were invisible for a day? Sleep, oh to sleep uninterrupted would be a wonderous thing.

If you could have dinner with anyone from history, who would it be? Winston Churchill.

What’s a great book you’ve read recently? The Devil in the Kitchen by Marco Pierre-White. I have a weird fascination with crazy chefs and Marco definitely fits the bill.

If you could be an Olympic athlete, in what sport would you compete and why? Swimming because if I was allowed to throw anything like a javelin I would probably kill someone. In a pool I think the only life at risk would be mine!

What do you think is the greatest invention of all time and why? The computer because without it there are so many things we would not have now including the ability to travel to space.

What is your favourite day of the week and why? Sunday. It is the one day a week where, for the most part, I am not asked to do anything and can genuinely relax with my family. ■