Hampshire Legal March 2023

PUBLISHER

Benham Publishing

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Tel: 0151 236 4141

Fax: 0151 236 0440

Email: admin@benhampublishing.com

Web: www.benhampublishing.com

ACCOUNTS DIRECTOR

Joanne Casey

SALES DIRECTOR

Karen Hall

STUDIO MANAGER

John Barry

MEDIA No.

1943

PUBLISHED

March 2023 © Benham Publishing Ltd.

LEGAL NOTICE

© Benham Publishing.

None of the editorial or photographs may be reproduced without prior written permission from the publishers. Benham Publishing would like to point out that all editorial comment and articles are the responsibility of the originators and may or may not reflect the opinions of Benham Media. No responsibility can be accepted for any inaccuracies that may occur, correct at time of going to press. Benham Publishing cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in web or email links supplied to us.

DISCLAIMER

The Hampshire Incorporated Law Society welcomes all persons eligible for membership regardless of sex, race, religion, age or sexual orientation.

All views expressed in this publication are the views of the individual writers and not the society unless specifically stated to be otherwise. All statements as to the law are for discussion between members and should not be relied upon as an accurate statement of the law, are of a general nature and do not constitute advice in any particular case or circumstance.

Members of the public should not seek to rely on anything published in this magazine in court but seek qualified Legal Advice.

COVER INFORMATION

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Copy Deadlines

12th May 2023

For the June 2023 edition

Advertising

Anyone wishing to advertise in Hampshire Legal please contact Catherine McCarthy before the copy deadline. 0151 236 4141 catherine@benhampublishing.com

Editorial

Anyone wishing to submit editorial for publication in Hampshire Legal please contact Nicola Jennings before the copy deadline.

administration@hampshirelawsociety.co.uk

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05 President’s Review

07 HLS Contacts

09 CPD Programme 2023

10 Notices

11 Happenings in Hampshire

15 Council Members Report

18 How to have a conversation with a colleague about their mental wellbeing

21 The Legal Ombudsman Scheme Rules:

22 Lawcare and Academies launch fit for law part 2: working with others

23 The new legal competitive advantage

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Our clients tell us that we truly understand their challenges and needs that’s because we have local offices run by local people, using local knowledge and expertise, to provide the level of service that other providers simply cannot.

Our approach is practical and straightforward we roll up our sleeves and rapidly provide you with the help to get the deal done.

Although it seems a long time ago we hope that everyone had a relaxing Christmas and a Happy New Year. There already is lots going on in and we are looking forward to a jam packed 2023 full of events, lectures, socials and plenty of work and fun.

HILS have continued to be busy in responding to SRA and Law Society consultations, booking and promoting lectures and events and working through ideas for social and networking projects.

We are an active member of the Local Law Society Working Group who meet monthly (by Zoom). This is a very pro-active group which is made up of Administrators, Presidents and Secretaries of other local law societies all across the nation. The group liaise and pick an area of focus, such as social media, member fees, member engagement, lecture programmes and the like and then we share ideas and things that have worked and those things that haven’t. This has been invaluable and is always great to meet with like-minded people who are also supporting their local law societies.

HILS are also members of the Southern Area Association of Local Law Societies (SAALS) and I attended their bi-annual meeting in Andover in January 2023. This was again a fantastic opportunity to engage with other local law societies (at this event it is our 7 nearest and neighbouring societies). Also in attendance are the Council Members from our respective areas and this is a good opportunity to be brought up to date on what is happening at a National Law Society level and to raise any issues which are members have brought to our attention. PII was a hot topic!

Compliance is another big challenge which all law firms face and HILS are looking at what updates need to be put out to our members following the upcoming change in the Legal

President’s Review

MARCH 2023

Ombudsman’s Scheme and Rules. We would welcome feedback or pro-active engagement from our members as to other topics which would be of interest. This does not have to be limited to legal topics, we want to offer what our members need and desire so please do contact us.

We are putting on a ‘Bowl & Chat’ which is the first in what we hope will be a series of relaxed social get togethers. This is taking place at the Ten Pin in Millbrook on Tuesday 28th February 2023 and will be followed up by a ‘Coffee & Chat’ at Whiteley on 14 March 2023. Throughout the year we hope to host a variety of these types of events, giving our members an opportunity not only to de-stress but also to meet with other members and to enjoy some lively conversation and a nice relaxing drink.

HILS are looking forward to another joint seminar being put on with HW Conveyancing on 14 March 2023 at Eastleigh Football Club. We are really pleased to confirm that this event is full and so I look forward to reporting on how well it went in the next magazine. ■

Mo Aldridge President Hampshire Law Society

Mo Aldridge

ANNUAL QUIZ THE

Hampshire Law Society Contacts

The following is an up-to-date list of committee members’ names and addresses and the sub committees to which they belong

President

Mo Aldridge

Jasper Vincent

44 Queensway, Southampton SO14 3GT Tel: 023 8063 3225 maldridge@jaspervincent.com

Vice President

Tom Mitchell Trethowans

Botleigh Grange Business Park, Hedge End, Southampton SO30 2AF Tel: 02380 820465 tom.mitchell@trethowans.com

Deputy Vice President

Kevin Richardson

Biscoes

Kingston Crescent, Portsmouth PO2 8AQ

Tel: 02392 660261 krichardson@biscoes-law.co.uk

Honorary Secretary

Ian Robinson irobinson@hotmail.co.uk

Honorary Treasurer

Tom Mitchell

Trethowans

Botleigh Grange Business Park, Hedge End, Southampton SO30 2AF Tel: 02380 820465 tom.mitchell@trethowans.com

Immediate Past President

James Gleisner

Law Society Council Member

Adrienne Edgerley Harris Shentons

Star Lane House Staple Gardens

Winchester SO23 9AD adrienneedgerleyharris@gmail.com

Administrator

Nicola Jennings

Tel: 023 8044 7022 administration@hampshirelawsociety.co.uk

Complaints

Tom Mitchell

tom.mitchell@trethowans.com

Education & Training

Tom Mitchell (Chair) tom.mitchell@trethowans.com

Kirsten Wickham (Co-opted)

Giles Hall

Nicola Jennings

Membership

Sarah Coates (Chair) scoates@churchers.co.uk

Harriet Olway

Michelle Hurst

Contentious

Russell Evans (Chair) russell.david@yahoo.co.uk

Kevin Richardson

Steven Wood (Co-opted)

Non Contentious

Matthew Robbins (Chair) mrobbins@jaspervincent.com

Mo Aldridge

Tom Mitchell

PR (inc Social)

Mo Aldridge (Chair) maldridge@jaspervincent.com

Sarah Hallett

Eliza Watts

Naomi Taylor

Regulatory

Adrienne Edgerley Harris (Chair) adrienneedgerleyharris@gmail.com

Ian Robinson

Follow us on Twitter @hampshirelawsoc

Follow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/ company/hampshireincorporated-law-society/

CPD Programme 2023

PROBATE

Tuesday 18 April 2023 | 3.00-4.30pm Via Zoom

Kerry Morgan-Gould. Kerry is a Partner and Head of the Trusts & Estates Team at Ashfords LLP. Kerry has been qualified for 12 years.

She advises private individuals, charities and trustees in relation to all matters arising out of contentious Wills, Trusts and Estates. In addition, Kerry also advises clients in relation to contentious Court of Protection matters.

Contentious Probate update – a round up of recent and interesting cases and developments in the world of contentious trusts and probates, to include:

• Mirror Wills and Severing a Joint Tenancy - Dunbabin v Dunbabin [2022]

• Common Intention Constructive Trusts, Detriment & Unconscionability - Hudson v Hathway [2022]

• Occupation Rent for Duration of a Probate Dispute - Ali v Khatib [2022]

• Breach of Trust & Removal of PRs - Batt v Boswell [2022]

Fraudulent Calumny & Undue Influence - Whittle v Whittle & Anor [2022]

• Capacity & “The Golden Rule” - Boast v Ballardi & Ors [2022]

• Lay-Executors & Charging for Time Spent - Da Silva v Heselton & Others [2022]

• 1975 Act Claims and ‘Reasonable Financial Provision’Ramus v Holt [2022]

• Proprietary Estoppel & Receipt Before Death - Guest v Guest [2022]’

COMMERCIAL SDLT FOUNDATIONS

Tuesday 25 April 2023 | 1.45-4.45pm

Eastleigh FC, Eastleigh, Hampshire SO50 9HT

Paul Clark has been a commercial property solicitor for over 40 years. He is an expert on many aspects of commercial property law and is a popular and engaging speaker.

•SDLT - a tax on land transactions

• dealing with trusts

•contract and conveyance and options

• exchanges and partition

• linkage and connection

• exemptions and reliefs

• chargeable consideration, including uncertain and contingent consideration and works

• rates of tax - residential and non-residential and mixed

• subsales

WILLS AND PROBATE

Tuesday 2 May 2023 | 1-45-4.45pm

Eastleigh FC, Eastleigh, Hampshire SO50 9HT

Professor Lesley King is Private Client Practice Head at the College of Law, Bloomsbury. Bullet Points tba.

CONVEYANCING UPDATE

Tuesday 6 June 2023 | 3.00-4.30pm Via Zoom

Richard Snape is a consultant with Davitt Jones Bould. He is a renowned speaker on all aspects of Real Estate Law and he lectures nationwide to a wide audience. Richard has a reputation for delivering practical advice in an entertaining and engaging way.

Conveyancing continues to undergo major changes and the course will aim to look at the most important changes and their effect on the conveyancer.

FAMILY

Monday 19 June 2023 | 1.45-4.30pm

Eastleigh FC, Eastleigh, Hampshire SO50 9HT

HHJ Simmonds former solicitor and member of the children panel - appointed as a DJ in 2010 as a DJ of the principal registry of the family division and transferred to the western circuit in November 2015. At the PRFD he undertook all forms of family work to include complex children and money. Bullet points tba.

PROPERTY LECTURE

Tuesday 27 June 2023 | 1.45- 4.45pm

Eastleigh FC, Eastleigh, Hampshire SO50 9HT

Edward Denehan is recommended by Chambers and Partners (2015 Ed.) for Real Estate Litigation. “He is a very robust advocate, who has a good way of speaking in layman’s terms and is able to get his message across.” “He is pretty impressive when he is on his feet.” He is also recommended for Property Litigation in the Legal 500 and has been for many years. The 2014 Edition describes him as having “An impressive understanding of restrictive covenants affecting land”. Bullet points tba 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The programme will be updated once additional information is received from speakers. Information will be distributed via email and in the quarterly magazine.

You can find more detail on each lecture on our website: www.hampshirelawsociety.co.uk

PRICING

ZOOM: 1.5 hour lecture = £35.00 (Non Member £50.00)

LIVE: 3 hour lecture= £90.00 (Non Member £130.00)

Most of our lectures will be live lectures at: Eastleigh FC, Eastleigh Hampshire SO50 9HT

For Zoom Lectures the link will be provided in the days prior to the event. Handouts will be emailed prior to each lecture.

TERMS & CONDITIONS (Cont.)

 All applications will receive a written confirmation of booking

 Payment can be made securely online or is required with the registration form. No places can be reserved without payment

 Booking is subject to availability of places

 Delegates may be substituted at any time with an appropriate additional payment for any non-members

 HILS accepts no responsibility for the views or opinions as expressed by the speakers, chairman or any other persons at the event

 HILS reserves the right to alter the venue, programme and the speakers at any time

 Claiming the member rate remains the responsibility of the claimant however HILS will ensure that you are charged the appropriate fee once membership status checked

Your membership also entitles you to attend live and online seminars run by some of our neighbouring law societies – check the website for details.

SAVE THE DATE –HILS ANNUAL DINNER

FRIDAY 16 JUNE

HILTON AGEAS BOWL, Southampton

Further information will be circulated very soon.

OTHER SOCIAL EVENTS FOR 2023

Coffee & Chat - 14 March 2023

Whitely Costa/ Starbucks 17.30 – 1900.

Charity Quiz - 20 April 2023

In aid of The Wessex Cancer Trust

Scavenger Hunt - 10-14 July 2023

Summer Walks - Summer 2023

Rounders and Pizza - 12 Sept 2023

Past President Lunch - Sept 2023

Decoupage Evening - Nov 2023

AGM - 5 Dec 2023

Missing Wills

Trevor Hedley Wilmhurst

Address – 4/4a Eastern Road, West End Southampton SO30 3EQ

Dob 02/09/1933

Dod 16/10/2022

Peter Sinclaire Geddes

Address – Flat 28 Hanover House, 37a St Cross Road, Winchester SO23 9PQ

Previous address – Flat 18a William Gibbs Court, Orchard Place, Faversham Kent ME13 8RP

Dob 11/03/1940

Dod 19/12/2022

Commercial Property Lawyer

Great service, every client, every time.

We are looking for an experienced Solicitor/Legal Executive/Lawyer (at least 5 years PQE) to join our expanding Commercial department at our Portsmouth office. Working in a team of 13, you will be handling a caseload of commercial property matters including acquisition and sale of commercial premises, licenses, site acquisitions, rentals and contracts on behalf of a range of commercial clients.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an enthusiastic, experienced lawyer who is seeking an exciting opportunity at a firm that strives to give great service, every client, every time.

Location: PO2, Portsmouth

Position: Full-time, Permanent

Responsibilities

• Drafting reports on titles and leases, handling completions of sales, purchases and leases

• Freehold and leasehold acquisitions and disposals for commercial real estate clients including licenses to assign and lease renewals

• Preparing draft contract packs including Land Registry documents, relevant planning documents and replies to standard enquiries

• Obtaining redemption statements, preparing completion statements and bills.

• Post Exchange matters including Memorandums

• Maintain excellent client relationships and work with the department to enhance the teams current offering.

Attributes Requred:

• Sound knowledge of the Commercial Property process

• Enjoy working methodically and accurately to deadlines

• Strong and efficient admin and IT skills

• Excellent client care and communication skills

• ability to promote the business, successfully develop business connections, bring on new clients and expand the current workload.

The Package & Benefits:

• Competitive salary

• Self-managed paid time off leave policy

• Fantastic training and development

• Flexible working scheme

• 8% Contributory Company Pension

• Healthcare cash back scheme – claim back the costs of routine GP, optical and dental expenses

• Membership to CSSC discount website for a host of supermarkets, high street retailers, access to English Heritage sites.

• Regular hosting of charitable events, such as Mental Health Day, Wear a Hat Day, Cupcake Day and more

• Dog friendly office 

Trethowans appoints new partner to bolster its charity law sector

Trethowans has appointed a new partner and experienced charities solicitor at its Southampton office..

Kirsteen Hook has specialised in charity law for more than ten years and has worked with a broad spectrum of clients in the sector, including small local or regional charities through to international charities and household names.

As well as providing charity governance support to the Firm’s existing charity specialists Kirsteen will lead on our charity governance work providing charity law support and advice on a wide range of legal matters affecting charities, including formation, advice on structures, incorporations and mergers, training, trustee support, risk management, Charity Commission regulation and general governance. This addition of a charity law specialist will enhance Trethowans’ Charity sector group putting us in a key position to provide the specialist and niche advice required for this sector.

Kirsteen sits on the LexisNexis Q&A panel of experts for charity law and has been recognised as a ‘Rising Star’ in the renowned legal directory, the Legal 500, for charities and not-for-profit for four years running. Kirsteen will be based at the firm’s Southampton office but will work across all of its offices.

Kirsteen will be supporting the growth of the firm’s charity law offering and working with a number of colleagues in other teams who already work with charities, including property, corporate, commercial contracts (including IT/IP), employment, data protection, litigation and charity probate matters.

Kirsteen said: “I’ve always loved the variety which comes with charity law as the work is so diverse, and I get to work with some truly great and inspirational clients.

“I’m excited to work closely with teams across the firm and to grow and develop the firm’s charity offering which will include supporting colleagues on all the additional rules and regulations charities are bound by.

“My aim is to develop the charities sector at Trethowans and for us to be recognised as one of the leading charity firms in the south.”

Sarah Humphrey, Head of the Charities Sector at Trethowans, said: “Kirsteen brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in charity law to our firm and her expertise will be invaluable to our teams across the south.

“We’re excited for her to build on the services we already provide to charities and we’re thrilled to have her on board.”

Last month, Trethowans was named one of The Times Best Law Firms for 2023 - the newspaper’s annual list of the top 200 legal practices in England and Wales.

The firm was also recognised in the Legal 500 for 2023, achieving top tier status for its services in Corporate and Commercial, Licensing, Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence (claimant) and Personal Tax, Trusts & Probate. 

New appointment for Hampshire legal firm

Churchers Solicitors has appointed Hannah Lisseter as Associate Solicitor for the firm’s Wills and Probate team.

Hannah, who has joined the team at Churchers’ office in Ryde, qualified as a solicitor in 2006 and joined Churchers in October 2022.

She specialises in will writing, bereavement and probate support, and assisting elderly or vulnerable people.

Hannah is an accredited member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), Solicitors for the Elderly (SFE) and an affiliate member of the Society of Later Life Advisers (SOLLA).

Hannah said: “I am delighted to have joined the Churchers team and I’m looking forward to helping a wide variety of clients.” 

Hugh Calloway, Partner welcomes Hannah Lisseter

Sarah Humphrey, Partner welcomes Kirsteen Hook

Phillips Law overturn landmark Court of Appeal decision at the Supreme Court

In a decision handed down by the Supreme Court this morning at 09:45am, Wednesday 25 January 2023, we are delighted to confirm that our clients, the executors of the estate of the late Timothy Gwyn-Jones have succeeded in their appeal to the UK Supreme Court which was heard on 2 November 2022.

The appeal was brought by Max Hope and Simon Arneaud of Phillips Law, with Andrew Twigger KC and Robert Sterling as leading and junior Counsel.

With Lady Rose, Lord Briggs and Lord Stephens finding for our clients, a full copy of the Judgment can be found here: – Barton and others (Respondents) v Morris and another in place of Gwyn-Jones (deceased) (Appellants) – The Supreme Court https://www.supremecourt.uk/cases/uksc-2020-0002.html

A Phillips Law summary of the key facts/issues that were before the Supreme Court can be found here: – Phillips Law to take landmark restitution law case to the Supreme Court https://phillips-law.co.uk/insights/phillips-law-to-take-landmarkrestitution-law-case-to-the-supreme-court/

Phillips Law is delighted to welcome Daniel Weintroub and Sarah Filsell to the growing team.

Daniel Weintroub joins as a Partner in the Family team, and Sarah Filsell joins as a Solicitor in the Employment team.

Max Hope, Director at Phillips Law said “Daniel is a key senior hire for our growing family law team. He brings with him a huge amount of experience; we’re delighted to welcome him on board.”

Jaqueline Kendal, Head of Employment at Phillips Law said “We are delighted to welcome Sarah Filsell to the employment team. Sarah is a vital hire as we enter a period of exciting growth for the firm.” 

Daniel Weintroub and Sarah Filsell of Phillips Law

Max Hope and Simon Arneaud of Phillips Law

Private client service presence in Hampshire bolstered by continued growth and investment

The Private client space and service offering in Hampshire has been supported by a firm’s ambitious plans and hard work over the last few years. Employees at two firms, Foot Anstey and Enable Law, which is part of the Foot Anstey Group, have been supporting individuals across the region in everything related to private wealth, wills and probate, personal injury, mental capacity and clinical negligence.

Over the last two years Foot Anstey’s Private Wealth sector has increased its presence and size in the region with the addition of Partner Rachel Brooks in 2020 as well as the continued efforts to expand its team further throughout 2021 and 2022 with high profile appointments.

Rachel advises clients on tax and estate planning, with a particular niche in rural and landed estates. She can help her clients with drafting a Will, tax planning and administration of complex estates, particularly where there are succession issues. Rachel has headed up events in the Hampshire region for key charities, clients and businesses.

Enable Law has also invested heavily in the region, having appointed Alison McClure, Partner, and her team in 2020 as well as Eleanor Armstrong to lead its international personal injury practice offering in 2021 and has recently hired Byron Cole as a Senior Paralegal to support the demand for work.

The firm welcomed Stewart Young as a Legal Director in late 2022. He has a wealth of experience in bringing complex severity claims to the High Court in London and has acted for individuals in a variety of cases relating to clinical negligence.

Not long after, January 2023, it was announced that the law firm had also welcomed industry heavyweight Paula Barnes as a Consultant. She sits across all teams at the firm as well as being a member of National Consortium of Special Schools and Conductive Education Centres, which she previously Chaired, as well as a Trustee of Move Europe.

Rachel Brooks, Partner at Foot Anstey, said: “Since we opened our Southampton-base in 2017 we have made it our mission to continue to make our brand seen and heard. Our expansion in the White Building in 2021 was an indication of our growth in the Hampshire region and I am excited to see our hard work and passion for the Southampton business community come to fruition further in 2023.”

Jasper Vincent welcome Mike Dyer

Jasper Vincent are very pleased to welcome Mike Dyer as the new Head of its Family Department. Mike was formerly a Partner and Head of Family Law in a large Southampton based firm and has over 40 years’ experience in the field. He is a member of Resolution and an accredited specialist in advocacy and financial remedy, a Collaborative lawyer and family mediator.

Mike will be based at Jasper Vincent’s Segensworth office (he will be covering all our offices in Hampshire) Jasper Vincent are pleased to be gaining his wealth of knowledge and depth of experience to grow our Family Department.

Matthew Robbins said:

‘We are really thrilled that Mike is able to join the firm and look forward to working with him to develop Jasper Vincent’s Family Law Department. Mike is a well-respected local Solicitor, and we have high hopes moving forward’ 

Mike Dyer, Head of Family Department - Jasper Vincent

Charity urges solicitors to take part in research to better support needs of the profession.

• New research questionnaire launched by The Solicitors’ Charity

• Plea for solicitors to have their say in what the profession needs

• Interviews with charity CEO, Nick Gallagher available on request

‘Solicitors, help us to help you’ – that’s the plea from The Solicitors’ Charity as it launches a research questionnaire, the latest stage in its strategy research project, to find out how it can deliver even more, positive impact to the legal profession.

Solicitors across England and Wales are urged to take part to help the charity tailor their services to meet the changing needs of the profession.

The confidential online questionnaire asks solicitors to share their insights and opinions to shape the way the charity works and the support it offers to legal professionals in times of need.

The Solicitors’ Charity CEO Nick Gallagher explained: “This is a really important piece of research for us as we want to continue making a real positive difference to the lives of solicitors in the future.

“We want to hear about their challenges and how they’re responding to them. Whether it’s finding the right balance between work and personal life, managing the demands of their practice, or simply making ends meet, we want to know what people think.

Max Hope and Simon Arneaud of Phillips Law

“Solicitors play a vital role in society, representing the interests of their clients and helping to provide access to justice. We understand that being a solicitor also comes with its own demands and so we want to make sure that we’re doing everything we can to support solicitors when times get tough for them.

“By participating in our research, solicitors will help the charity to identify areas where they need to provide more support and resources.”

Since 1858, The Solicitors’ Charity has provided help to solicitors in need or crisis. The charity helps to ease solicitors’ practical, emotional and financial difficulties brought about by challenges such as job loss, low income, debt, bereavement, and mental and physical health issues.

In addition to direct help, it also works with partners including LawCare, the mental wellbeing charity, The Solicitor’s Assistance Scheme, for employment and regulatory advice, and Renovo, for career counselling, to provide confidential support for solicitors.

Complete the questionnaire: at https://www. thesolicitorscharitysurvey.org/survey/ selfserve/53b/230210?list=2 

Council Members Report

There have been two Council meetings since the last issue of this magazine. I have picked topics which I think will be of most interest to you. The next meeting is on 23rd February so I will miss the deadline for including the outcome in this issue.

Solicitors Indemnity Fund:

TLS has been engaging closely with the SRA on the future of the Fund. The SRA Board announced on 15th February 2023 that it will bring post 6-year run-off cover under its direct control, meaning solicitors ’clients will still be able to claim compensation if something goes wrong years after a firm has closed. This will take effect on 1st October 2023. Meanwhile, the current SIF regime continues.

Criminal Legal Aid:

This has been a continuing focus, with TLS campaigning to secure full implementation of the Bellamy review. The Government’s response would have a huge impact on the ability of the public to access justice. The planned 11% increase in rates for solicitors by 2024 is well below the recommendation (19%) and amounts to a real terms pay cut. TLS is continuing conversations and considering legal action against the MOJ.

Legal aid cost assessment success:

TLS has achieved significant results on this (see R (On behalf of the Law Society) v Legal Aid Agency) and on the extent of preretainer duties owed (Cam Legal v Belsner).

Criminal Legal Aid- pre-assessment costs:

TLS started proceedings in 2021 (R (on behalf of the Law Society of England and Wales) v The Lord Chancellor) re the failure to properly implement a scheme for pre-charge engagement between the police, CPS and those suspected of involvement in certain types of crime. The additional work involved in advising clients re entering such an arrangement would go unremunerated under the scheme. The proceedings were stayed by consent, and whilst negotiations continue, as from 1 October 2022 solicitors could claim for all preparatory work.

Diversity and Inclusion:

TLS has launched a D&I Framework-a systematic approach to delivering a diversity and inclusion strategy. Although targeted at larger firms, its strategic approach is relevant for all firms and inhouse teams. The LSB had asked what Council members were doing to further D&I in their firms -the Framework will help this.

Qualifying routes:

At the November HILS AGM, I was asked about solicitor apprenticeships and how they fit in with the new SQE I have written a separate short article, which I hope will help de-mystify the process.

The Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE):

Council discussed the SQE and noted that research had been commissioned by the SRA into the differential attainment of ethnic minority candidates. We heard anecdotal evidence of

the difficulties candidates were encountering in entering for the examinations. Concern was expressed at the effect on their mental health of studying whilst working in a law firm. We were encouraged to share our concerns with the Junior Lawyer (0-6 PQE) Council representatives or with the Junior Solicitors Network (juniorlawyers@lawsociety.org.uk). So, if you have any feedback on the SQE, please let me know or email Junior Solicitors Network direct.

My Law Society- MyLS:

Don’t forget to sign up to MyLS it’s a useful forum for debate with colleagues.

Law Society Training Courses:

I have recently discovered that the portal for accessing these is not the same as the Society’s website (even though there is a “My Learning“ heading there!). I have fed back to TLS that the separate site does not work well and have asked for it to be improved. The Membership Committee is going to consider my representations (I am told I’m not alone in being frustrated by the difficulty accessing it).

To find courses, you go to: https://learn.lawsociety.org.uk/ click on My Learning on that page, then Login. You will get sent a verification code on your mobile to type in. You will then see a list of all available courses. There is a search box to find what you need.

PC Holder Survey:

Factsheets based on findings from a survey conducted with 2,000 PC holders are being used to build deeper understanding amongst TLS staff of the environments and perceptions of solicitors across different segments. A report is planned for external publication. This is part of TLS focus of engaging with the profession.

TLS Newsletter:

this now has new content (if you haven’t looked at it in a while, it’s worth doing to see the new “story” approach of recent SDT cases and experiences of solicitors from all backgrounds. There are new guides and Practice Notes on the register of overseas entities and professional undertakings.

Junior solicitors:

there’s a new website hub for support- see https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/junior-lawyers/

Remaining on the Roll of Solicitors:

if you know someone who no longer holds a PC, please let them know that the SRA is going to charge a fee for remaining on the Roll. They need to open a MySRA account, so the SRA can contact them in April 2023.

Do contact me with questions and concerns- I will be very pleased to hear from you:

Adrienne Edgerley Harris aedgerleyharris@shentons.co.uk

Adrienne Edgerley Harris

Welcome to my latest update as your Council Member on what is happening at The Law Society (TLS).

Keeping transactions moving in 2023

It’s been an interesting start to 2023 in the property sector and, for legal professionals, remaining compliant is not easy amid such market and legislative turbulence.

As a trusted property partner, X-Press Legal Services ensures it clients have access to the most innovative digital products available, to facilitate effective caseload management.

Its aim is to keep local marketplaces buoyant, and it achieves this by ensuring independent conveyancers are fully supported, compliant and able to reduce delays in transactions wherever possible.

X-Press Legal Services offers a full suite of options to enable lawyers to fulfil due diligence and compliance requirements and avoid SRA fines. To make working life even easier, the following products are all now available to order 24/7 at the click of a button through ICOS, its online ordering platform:

✓ AML checks

✓ Source of Funds checks

✓ Law firm ID checks

X-Press Legal Services provides a seamless pre to post completion experience, delivered through an Intelligent Online Conveyancing System – ICOS. Its wraparound service including residential and commercial searches, pre and post completion services, plus due diligence and compliance products.

“We are proud to retain our Hampshire clients based on the excellent local service we provide, coupled with our suite of industry leading products,” commented Charlie Allen, owner of X-Press Legal Services Hampshire. “Call centres and inescapable contracts are not our style. Rather, we take the time to fully understand each of the law firms we work with, supplying the right products to support their caseloads and keep transactions moving.”

Providing clients with complete protection and peace of mind, X-Press Legal Services has also invested in the same level of cyber security as those recommended by The Law Society. The company has Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation, the highest standard achievable, deployed across all its digital systems and products.

X-Press Legal Services also provides clients with regular training and CPD seminars. These deliver vital overviews of industry changes and the tools available to manage them alongside the opportunity to network with peers.

Legal professionals are invited to register their interest now in Charlie’s next CPD event and get in touch to discover more about X-Press Legal Services. 

T: 0330 159 5335

E: CharlieA.1335@xpresslegal.uk

www.xpresslegal.co.uk

All your conveyancing needs in one place

Since 2012, King Edward VI School and Stroud School have been proud partners. To celebrate the 10th anniversary as Hampshire’s leading 3-18 independent day school, King Edward VI School and Stroud have shared that the already well-established links will, from next academic year, be further enhanced.

From September 2023, Stroud will move to a Nursery to Year 6 model, which will provide a wonderful opportunity to further enhance the links between Stroud and KES. As the school moves to a true 3-18 school structure, Stroud children arriving in Year 7 at KES from September 2024 will be able to earn their place by virtue of their ongoing academic attainment, rather than through the traditional entrance exam route.

This ‘Head’s Recommendation’ route will uniquely allow children from Stroud to obtain a guaranteed place at KES, should they have demonstrated the appropriate academic potential to thrive and succeed at our senior school.

Head’s Recommendation

The Head at King Edward VI, Neal Parker, said of the new initiative: “Stroud School is the KES preparatory school, and Stroud pupils represent our biggest intake into Year 7 each September. In recent years we have sought to build on our close relationship, benefiting both our primary and secondary pupils and teachers through mutual collaboration and sharing of best practice. We know that the teaching and learning at Stroud is exceptional, and that we can rely on the expertise of the Stroud academic staff to give a Head’s Recommendation to those pupils who will benefit from the learning environment offered by KES.

We are looking forward to welcoming our first cohort of Head’s Recommendation entrants in September 2024, after the process is introduced over the next academic year. This is but one more step towards building a truly exceptional 3-18 offering for families across our region.”

To find out more about Stroud School and King Edward VI, please visit www.kes.school ■

Head’s Recommendation

We are pleased to announce that from September 2023, Stroud School pupils achieving at the appropriate level in their studies by the end of Year 5 will be given a guaranteed place at its senior school, King Edward VI, Southampton, for Year 7, without the risks and anxiety associated with an external examination route.

For more information, please visit: kes.school

How to have a conversation with a colleague about their mental wellbeing

There are high levels of negative emotions within law: the work is often about winning or losing requiring legal professionals to be critical, judgemental, combative and aggressive. Lawyers are required to think pessimistically, looking for potential problems and worse-case scenarios. In addition many lawyers are perfectionists who fear failure and making mistakes.

This can also be exacerbated by a difficult working environment - lack of support or supervision, an overly critical manager, being undermined after a career break, an unreasonably heavy workload, long hours, and sleep deprivation are all very common issues. In addition, many areas of law can be emotionally difficult to deal with and some cases can have considerable impact on health and wellbeing.

If you are working with someone who appears to be struggling, whether they are a lawyer or support staff, consider asking your colleague in private what is wrong and how you might help. Talking to a colleague in this way can be difficult but you don’t need to be an expert in mental health to start a conversation of this nature. It’s important to remember that talking could make all the difference to your colleague’s mental health.

Recognising a problem

Out-of-character behaviour may include:

• Irritability, mood swings, anger, and short temper

• Lack of energy, concentration, and motivation

• Frequent bouts of illness

• Failure to achieve targets despite apparent commitment and long hours

• Overconfidence despite making mistakes

• Withdrawal from normal social interaction

• Deteriorating relationships with managers and/or colleagues

• Neglect of personal dress and hygiene

• Coming into the workplace smelling of alcohol

• Over-reacting when challenged

Having the conversation

• Find a suitable place, ideally outside of the office; perhaps a café or go for a walk.

• The conversation could be started with a simple ‘How are you?’ Once a person knows they are being given the space and time to talk, they often will.

• Actively listen to the person and give them your undivided attention. Keep your phone switched on silent and refrain from looking at your watch.

• Don’t interrupt - try to leave any questions or comments you may have until the person has finished.

• Ask open questions: – What support do you have in place? What would you like to happen in this situation?”

• Use positive body language, and encourage the person to continue with small verbal comments like ‘I see’ or ‘what happened next?’

• Check your understanding by paraphrasing what the person has said back to them.

• Respond by using empathetic statements such as: “I appreciate this must be difficult for you…”

• Avoid clichés. Comments like ‘pull yourself together’ or ‘what will be, will be’ are not helpful.

• Don’t make the conversation about you: avoid saying things like ‘I know how you feel’ or ‘The same thing happened to me.’

• The important thing is to listen, rather than give advice, the individual needs to be able to act for themselves.

• Explore if practical help with tasks would be of use to the person.

• Encourage your colleague to use self-help strategies and to seek the support of family, friends and others.

• Discuss what options may be available to them by way of professional help and support – such as LawCare, HR, another colleague or suggest they visit their GP

• Care for yourself as well – you may need to talk to someone, while respecting your colleague’s privacy.

Managing mental health in a group

A mental health problem not only affects the person in question but also the people around them, including colleagues. If necessary, and if you are the right person to do this, you may need to talk to their team and explain what’s going on. Get permission from the person first about what they are comfortable with you sharing. If colleagues will need to pick up work from somebody else, make sure they are well briefed about this and have the capacity to do the work.

Your firm might want to consider providing mental health training for all staff and in particular managers so they are aware about what to look out for in colleagues and how to support them and signpost them for help.

Returning to work

Sometimes the person may need some time off work due to mental ill health. Whilst it is important to keep communication channels open, they should not be contacted by phone or

email about work matters whilst they recover. It is vital that an employee feels supported whilst they are off work and only return to work once they feel ready with, where relevant, the agreement of a medical professional or counsellor. If the situation is complex getting input from occupational health is useful too. Coming back to work too soon is counter-productive for the person concerned and the organisation, and can lead to another period of absence.

Employees may need a phased return to work after a period of sickness leave and adjustments may need to be made going forward – flexible working for example. Coffee or lunch with the team before the start back date sometimes breaks the ice. Encourage all staff to work sensible hours, take full lunch breaks, rest and recuperate after busy periods, avoid working at weekends and take annual leave entitlement. We all need ‘down time’, and this can prevent some mental health problems from escalating.

Have regular review meetings and some people may like to have a code word for when they feel overwhelmed, so they don’t have to go into detail at the time.

If you are worried about a colleague, or want to talk yourself, you can call the LawCare helpline on 0800 279 6888. The helpline is free, independent and confidential. www.lawcare.org.uk 

By Elizabeth Rimmer

Time to look at the “big picture”

DISCOVERING THE EMOTIONAL BENEFITS OF FINANCIAL ADVICE

No two individuals share the same goals or ambitions. Each person is unique, with their own needs, targets and budgets. So when it comes to managing your money, building wealth, securing your future and, above all else, drawing up an effective plan for fulfilling your investment objectives, professional financial advice should be tailored to your unique specific needs.

FEELING LESS ANXIOUS

Having access to financial advice is strongly linked to feeling more secure and less anxious about money. According to the survey, around 3 in 5 people who have received financial advice report that they feel financially more secure and stable, compared with under half of those who have not received any advice.

Only 1 in 3 people who have received financial advice report feeling anxious about their household finances, compared with over 40% of those who haven’t.

FEELING MORE CONFIDENT

One of the key practical benefits of financial advice is that it gives you access to expertise on topics that are complex. This provides you with more confidence and increased peace of mind. People who have received financial advice report feeling three times more confident about their understanding of financial matters and products than those who haven’t.

For example, areas that some people find confusing concern retirement planning and understanding their life insurance and critical illness options. Among those who have not received advice, around 1 in 4 people say they would not know where to start when it comes to the different options available to them. Among those who received advice, that number is fewer than 1 in 12.

FEELING ABLE TO COPE IN A CRISIS

The COVID-19 pandemic has left many people feeling less stable in their financial situation. 35% of those who have not received financial advice report feeling anxious about their finances, while 65% see the value in being more prepared for unpredictable events in life.

Financial advice helps you prepare, plan and navigate any future shocks or crisis. And while you can experience the benefits of advice after just one meeting, it’s essential to receive ongoing advice over the long term as your situation and life goals change. This means your adviser gets to know you and

your background, and can help you adjust to whatever life has in store. Those people who have an ongoing relationship and receive regular financial advice are twice as likely to report feeling in control of their finances as people who do not. ■

Steven Vallery Managing Director S4 Financial Limited hello@s4financial.co.uk

Steven Vallery

The Legal Ombudsman Scheme Rules: changes coming into force on 1 April 2023

The delays faced by both complainants and practitioners when dealing with the Legal Ombudsman (LeO) have long been an issue. Following a review of its Scheme Rules in 2022, LeO announced changes which will take effect from 1 April 2023. Although these are aimed at improving LeO’s operational efficiency, the changes should not be ignored by practitioners as they do seem to reflect a subtle tilt towards the interests of practitioners over those of users of legal services. James Robins and Ivan Roots of Womble Bond Dickinson, who are specialists in defending both LeO complaints and professional negligence claims, look at the changes which practitioners should be aware of and the steps that they will need to take

The most significant areas of change on 1 April 2023 are as follows:

Time limits for referring complaints

The time limit for referring a complaint to LeO under Rule 4.5 will be shortened from six years from the cause for complaint or three years from knowledge of the cause for complaint to one year in both cases. However LeO’s discretion under Rule 4.7 to extend these time limits where it is fair and reasonable to do so remains.

Discretion to dismiss or discontinue complaints

The grounds upon which LeO has discretion to dismiss or discontinue complaints are listed at Rule 5.7.

Firstly, there is a change to Rule 5.7(b). At present, this allows dismissal of a complaint where the complainant ‘has not suffered (and is unlikely to suffer) financial loss, distress, inconvenience or other detriment’. The word ‘significant’ is being added to this Rule, which will extend LeO’s discretion to complaints where the detriment is so minor that an investigation would be an inappropriate use of LeO’s resources.

Secondly, there is a new Rule 5.7(p), which will allow LeO discretion to dismiss or discontinue complaints which would not be a proportionate use of LeO’s time to investigate. However LeO have confirmed that this Rule will apply to only a very small proportion of cases so its effect may be limited.

Finally, new Rule 5.7(q) provides a ground for dismissal or discontinuance where there has been undue delay in raising the complaint. This is intended to catch subsequent complaints to an existing investigation, where the complainant should have known about the subsequent complaints when the investigation was begun.

Discretion to decline to escalate cases to an Ombudsman for decision

Where an investigator’s case decision has been provided to the parties, a revision to Rule 5.19(c) will provide that a final decision is only required where either party indicates disagreement based on the substantive new facts or evidence, or a challenge to the facts or evidence on which the case decision was made. This is a far higher hurdle than the current position where only a simple disagreement is required to trigger a final decision, without the need for any substantive reasons.

What do practitioners need to do?

Practitioners should ensure that their client care information, terms of business, information published on websites, and any signposting or guidance outlining when a complaint can be referred to LeO takes into account the changes to the Scheme Rules. The change in time limits for bringing complaints is a particularly important point to communicate to clients.

James Robins Partner Insurance

Ivan Roots Associate Professional Risks

LAWCARE AND ACADEMICS LAUNCH FIT FOR LAW PART 2: WORKING WITH OTHERS

Legal mental health and wellbeing charity

The new Working with others course is the second part of the Fit for Law series; an ongoing programme to promote psychologically and emotionally healthier ways of working within law that was developed based on evidence from focus groups with legal professionals across the UK. The courses aim to upskill individuals and encourage positive organisational and cultural change in the legal workplace.

Working with others takes 2 to 4 hours in total to complete but is broken down into smaller sections and includes videos from legal professionals discussing the ways they work and communicate with others. The topics covered include:

• Working effectively with clients: identifying, understanding and managing client emotions, communicating with clients in person and online, and working with difficult or vulnerable clients.

• Working effectively with colleagues: team working and leadership, responding to conflict, and supporting colleagues.

• Collaborating with third parties.

Elizabeth Rimmer, CEO of LawCare said: “This new course is an opportunity to focus on the relationships which are part of day-to-day life for legal professionals, and to further their skills on how to approach and manage these. Healthy working relationships with colleagues and clients foster a positive working

environment and are the bedrock of a culture that treats people with respect. We know from our work at LawCare the detrimental impact poor relationships in the workplace can have on mental wellbeing; this course will help legal professionals to feel more confident in raising concerns, managing client relationships and understanding what may be driving challenging behaviour in others.”

Dr Emma Jones of the University of Sheffield said: “Most legal professionals interact regularly with other people in the workplace, whether that’s clients, colleagues or third parties. ‘Working with others’ recognises that these interactions can affect individuals’ and teams’ wellbeing in a range of different ways. It seeks to provide evidence-based practical guidance on how to deal with some of the challenges that commonly arise.”

The new Working with others course, and the first part of Fit for Law which is all about managing and understanding yourself, are available to everyone studying law or working in the legal profession in the UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man and could be used as CPD in some jurisdictions. For more information visit www.fitforlaw.org.uk 

LawCare and academics at the University of Sheffield and The Open University have launched a free online course for legal professionals about Working with others.

What should law firms prioritise in 2023?? As new research from legal software provider Clio reveals, the answer above all else is adaptability. Ever-evolving working habits, new client expectations, and challenging market conditions mean that standing still in today’s landscape is the same as going backwards.

Clio’s brand-new Legal Trends Report shows just how profound an impact this constant change is having on law firms. It also highlights how firms can make themselves adaptable (and even antifragile) by adopting legal technology. The right solutions will allow law firms to meet both their clients’ and staff’s expectations – which will play a key role in helping law firms survive in what may be turbulent times ahead.

Why firms must adapt to lawyers’ changing working habits

The pandemic forever changed how lawyers want to work. Indeed, the 2022 Legal Trends Report shows that:

 44% of lawyers are more likely to want to work throughout the day rather than a traditional 9-to-5 schedule

 45% prefer meeting clients virtually

 49% of lawyers say they prefer to work from home

Client expectations also continue to change

While firms must increasingly cater to their lawyers’ working preferences (especially if they want to keep hold of top talent), client demands are also a paramount concern. The Legal Trends Report found that:

 35% of clients prefer virtual meetings, compared to 28% who prefer meeting in person

 70% of consumers want the option to pay a lawyer via a payment plan

 68% want to communicate with their lawyers over the weekend

The new legal competitive advantage

The solution? Cloud-based legal software

Cloud-based legal software plays a vital role when it comes to law firm adaptability. These tools enable seamless virtual collaboration between law firm colleagues, and between lawyers and their clients. They automate administrative work – meaning no more precious hours wasted on lowvalue tasks. In fact, Clio’s research shows that the impact of legal software extends beyond helping lawyers fulfil their work commitments.

Lawyers using cloud-based legal software to manage their practice were:

 60% more likely to have positive relationships with their clients

 44% more likely to have positive relationships with colleagues

 29% more likely to be happy with their professional life

These findings are just a snippet of those contained in Clio’s in-depth 2022 Legal Trends Report, the seventh iteration of this industry-leading publication. Based on aggregated and anonymised data from tens of thousands as well as surveys of thousands of legal professionals and consumers, it highlights some of the most pressing issues facing law firms today.

Get

Michael Gillman

Solicitors’ Charity Trustee Michael

Gillman FRSA

When Michael Gillman became a Trustee of the Solicitors’ Benevolent Association, as it was then known 15 years ago, it was in a very different place.

Michael wanted to ‘give something back’ as a solicitor and could see that an overhaul of the charity was needed as many of its processes hadn’t changed for decades. As chairman from 2012 and 2015, he teamed up with the then new CEO Tim Martin and worked on bringing their visions for improving the charity to fruition.

“What I wanted to do was to ensure the charity was fit for purpose so that the beneficiaries are well supported. “One thing that motivated me was hearing from a solicitor acquaintance who told me about a young friend who had worked for a big City law firm, but became very ill and was really supported by the charity.

APPRENTICESHIPS

There are-as you might expect- several ways to qualify as a solicitor by this route, although all end in taking the new Solicitors Qualifying Exam (the SQE) parts one and two.

Here is the link to the relevant page: https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/career-advice/becoming-asolicitor/qualifying-without-a-degree/apprenticeships

There are some guides there.

You will also see reference to graduate apprenticeships which relate (as the title suggests) to those with degrees or equivalent. These are shorter and seem to be more focussed to the role-it’s difficult to tell from the limited information there to be honest.

There is also some information on the SRA website relating to admission if you are using the apprenticeship route: https://www.sra.org.uk/become-solicitor/admission/pathwaysqualification/solicitor-apprentice/

More information about the apprenticeship route in to the profession at https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/topics/hr-and-people-management/ apprenticeships-information-for-employers 

Adrienne Edgerley Harris

“That’s what it is all about. There are real people in need. Solicitors are human and any one of us can succumb to illness and hard times.” New initiatives were introduced, including risk analysis of policies, creating strategies and agreeing criteria for the grant-making process.

“I’ve always been motivated to ensure that the charity could provide the best support possible for beneficiaries and not merely hand out money. We want to avoid creating a dependency culture,” he explained.

“During my time as Trustee I’ve been delighted that the support for beneficiaries has widened considerably through initiatives such as the charity helping to fund LawCare, enhancing provision of money and debt management advice, and using the services of Renovo for career counselling to enable people to return to work, not necessarily in the legal profession.”

The management has been reformed and there’s much more diversity on the Board of Trustees, which better reflects the modern profession which the charity serves. Michael is standing down from the Board this year after 15 years as Trustee and hopes he has been able to be a catalyst for changes for the better, in the way the charity serves the profession.

A former Senior Partner and specialist matrimonial solicitor at Bishop & Sewell LLP, Michael retired in October 2019 after more than 40 years as a solicitor. He still assists the firm, supporting the Family and Dispute Resolution teams and former clients.

Michael was President of the City of Westminster & Holborn Law Society in 2008. He continues to sit as a Deputy District Judge. He is married with two adult sons and enjoys fine arts, gardens, opera and travel. 

5 ways that technology can help law firms attract and retain talent

Employers are currently facing a once-in-a-generation skills shortage. The loss of a talented team member was once a burden, but now the costly difficulty of replacing a good employee is a potential threat to business.

Record unemployment lows and an increase in competition has driven the need for law firms to attract and retain talent. SME law firms are reviewing the benefits, productivity tools, working day and models of working that they offer as a result of the growing need to attract skilled employees.

Technology can enable law firms to future proof their businesses, ensuring their staff and client needs are satisfied. By embracing legal practice management software and implementing self-service technology, law firms can automate lengthy processes, stand out from the competition and overcome the skills shortage the industry is facing.

Here are some ways technology can help law firms attract and retain talent.

1. Create flexible working solutions

Using effective technology streamlines processes and offers employees more rewarding careers. This enables a focus on more valuable and interesting work, significantly reducing time spent on every day, repetitive, and nonbillable administrative tasks. Law firms can attract and retain the best people because they want to work with the best technology.

SME law firms have the agility to implement innovative technology solutions quickly. This means they can deliver superior client service and flexible working conditions more easily than their larger counterparts. Law firms offering genuinely flexible working conditions are luring solicitors who are exhausted by long office weeks and commuting away from their current roles.

2. Win back staff

Parenthood can interrupt or end a career but that doesn’t need to be the case. Effective legal practice management facilitates flexible hybrid working solutions, enabling firms to attract lawyers with family commitments by offering the chance to work from multiple locations. A typical day no longer needs to be so structured; cloud practice productivity solutions provide lawyers with the capability to work the way they truly want and will help win back the best employees.

3. Invest and upskill junior lawyers

Junior lawyers are the future of the profession but may lack the legal expertise or business acumen necessary that comes with experience. As technology develops and more tasks are being automated, young lawyers are also most at risk. Law firms must have a plan in place to train and upskill these future experts and technology can help. Up-to-date legal guides available on legal publishing software can provide junior lawyers with the crucial training they need to progress, as well as templates and forms that they can tailor for client needs. This reduces barriers to development, enabling senior lawyers to delegate work and junior lawyers to work and learn independently.

4. Keep lawyers doing what they love

A typical day for lawyers can be filled with tasks such as chasing overdue invoices, tracking each billable unit, training others and scheduling meetings. Lawyers are leaving the profession because they are unable to simply practise law. Fortunately, many of these tasks are now automated by good practice management software. Tasks such as signing documents, paying by credit card or tracking billable time can all be automated, freeing up lawyers to practise law.

5. Access skilled expertise beyond traditional borders

Firms no longer need to limit their search for new talent to just their office proximity or within the current job market. Cloud technology centralises a law firm’s client and matter information, keeping it updated in real-time and accessible to all. Lawyers and support staff can work for their practice from anywhere in the world, expanding the talent pool for law firms. For firms that rely on cloud-based practice management software, geography is no longer a boundary to attracting clients, managing their matters or engaging expertise.

By thinking long term and investing in technology, firms can transform their business operations to attract talent, support staff and stay ahead of the competition 

By Gareth Walker CEO, LEAP

Gareth Walker

Poppy’s second chance at love

Poppy’s owner first contacted her local rehoming centre and said she needed to hand Poppy, a four year old Chihuahua cross, over to us as she had sadly recently been given a diagnosis that she had a terminal illness. She was advised to apply for a free Canine Care Card and nominate a Dog Guardian; someone she trusts to sign over the care of Poppy to Dogs Trust should she need it. She’d then be able to spend the most time possible with Poppy and feel reassured that she’d be given the best possible care at Dogs Trust when they could no longer be together.

When Poppy’s Dog Guardian contacted us to advise that her owner was now receiving palliative care and that they needed to activate her Canine Care Card, Poppy was collected by Dogs Trust the very next day. After a vet and behavioural assessment we decided the best place for Poppy would be a loving foster home. We were able to advise the foster carers of all the information we’d been given by Poppy’s owner regarding her life, diet and routine to enable us to make this transitional period as stress-free as possible for Poppy.

Within almost no time, we were able to find very affectionate Poppy a lovely new home for her second chance at love.

Poppy’s story is one of many we come across at Dogs Trust.

Many owners are growing increasingly worried about gradually losing their independence or their health deteriorating. Dogs Trust want to offer owners peace of mind that we will be there at this difficult time to care for and rehome their four legged friends should the worst happen.

Therefore we’re pleased to announce that we have extended our Canine Care Card service. Dogs Trust will care for your dog should you move into a care home, become seriously ill or pass away.

For more information on our Canine Care Card service and how to register your dog please type in this link www.dogstrust.org.uk/ccc where you will find our online application form and more information on our free service.

If you have any queries regarding the Canine Care Card please email CCC@dogstrust.org.uk or call 020 7837 0006 and we will be happy to help. 

Let lawyers do the job they love.

Attracted by the option of flexible, hybrid or fully remote working, highly skilled lawyers are looking to join forward-thinking law firms that put technology at the heart of their business.

LEAP, the cloud-based legal practice productivity solution, enables firms to offer genuine flexible working opportunities to help create a highly productive and loyal workforce.

Scan the code to download our recent white paper on overcoming the skills shortage and retaining talent in the legal sector. Find