Surrey Lawyer July 2023

PUBLISHER

Ian Fletcher Benham Publishing

Aintree Building, Aintree Way, Aintree Business Park, Liverpool L9 5AQ

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.

1955

PUBLISHED

Summer 2023 © The Surrey Law Society

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 Publishing. 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 Surrey 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

Image: Shaparak Khorsandi, Guest speaker for the SLS Legal Awards 2023

Copy Deadlines

25th SEPT 2023 (For OCT 2023)

08th DEC 2023 (For JAN 2024)

Advertising

Anyone wishing to advertise in Surrey Lawyer please contact Catherine McCarthy before the copy deadline. 0151 236 4141

catherine@benhampublishing.com

Editorial

Anyone wishing to submit editorial for publication in The Surrey Lawyer please contact Helen Opie before the copy deadline. 0333 577 3830

helen.opie@surreylawsociety.org.uk

KEY OFFICERS

Acting President

NICK BALL

TWM Solicitors LLP, 65 Woodbridge Road, Guildford, Surrey GU1 4RD

Tel: 01483 752700

Email: Nick.Ball@twmsolicitors.com

Acting President and Honorary Secretary

KIERAN BOWE

Russell-Cooke Solicitors, Bishops Palace

House, Kingston Bridge, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey, KT1 1QN

DX 31546 Kingston upon Thames

Tel: 020 8541 2041 Fax: 020 8541 2009

Email: kieran.bowe@russell-cooke.co.uk

Acting Vice President

DAWN LAWSON

Nichols Marcy Dawson LLP, Portman House, Colby Rd, Walton-on-Thames

KT12 2RN

Tel: 01932 219500.

Email: d.lawson@nmd-law.com

Hon. Treasurer

CLAUDENE HOWELL

Owen White & Catlin LLP, 74 Church Road, Ashford, Middlesex TW15 2TP

T: 01784 254188

E: claudene.howell@owc.co.uk

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Immediate Past President

MADELEINE BERESFORD

TWM Solicitors LLP, 65 Woodbridge Road, Guildford, Surrey GU1 4RD

Tel: 01483 752742

Email: madeleine.beresford@twmsolicitors.com

CARINA BRITS

Palmers Solicitors, 89-91 Clarence Street, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey KT1 1QY

Tel: 020 8549 7444

Email: carina.brits@palmerssolicitors.co.uk

KAREN GRIMM

Stone Rowe Brewer LLP

72 High Street, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 8JD

Tel: 020 8977 8621

k.grimm@srb.co.uk

MARALYN HUTCHINSON

Kagan Moss & Co, 22 The Causeway, Teddington TW11 0HF

Tel: 020 8977 6633 Fax: 020 8977 0183

Email: maralyn.hutchinson@kaganmoss.co.uk

DEV JUMMOODOO

Rosewood Solicitors, Export House, 5 Henry Plaza, Victoria Way, Woking

Surrey GU21 6QX

Tel: 01483 901414

Email: dev.jummoodoo@rosewood-solicitors.com

EMMA PATEL

Rosewood Solicitors, Export House, 5 Henry Plaza, Victoria Way, Woking, Surrey GU21 6QX

Tel: 0Tel: 01483 901414

Email: emma.patel@rosewood-solicitors.com

RACHEL PHILIP

S. Abraham Solicitors, 290A Ewell Road, Surbiton, Surrey KT6 7AQ

Tel: 020 8390 0044

Email: conveyancing@sabrahamsolicitors.co.uk

JAMES SCOZZI

Elite Law Solicitors, 1 Fetter Lane, London EC4A 1BR

DX: 14 London Chancery Lane

Tel: 020 3440 5506 Fax: 01923 219416

Email: jscozzi@elitelawsolicitors.co.uk

SUZANNE WALKER

Nichols Marcy Dawson LLP, Portman House, Colby Rd, Walton-on-Thames

KT12 2RN

Tel: 01932 219500; Email: s.walker@nmd-law.com

KIM WINTLE

Blackfords LLP, Cleary Court, 169 Church Street East, Woking GU21 6HJ

Tel: 03330 150150

Email: kim.wintle@blackfords.com

LAW SOCIETY COUNCIL MEMBERS

SUSHILA ABRAHAM

S Abraham Solicitors 290A Ewell Road, Surbiton KT6 7AQ

Tel: 020 8390 0044

Email: office@sabrahamsolicitors.co.uk

ALASTAIR LOGAN

Pound House, Skiff Lane, Wisborough Green, West Sussex RH14 DAG

Email: alastairdwlogan@btinternet.com

Chief Executive & Magazine Editor

HELEN OPIE

Surrey Law Society, c/o Russell-Cooke Solicitors, Bishop’s Palace House, Kingston Bridge, Kingston-upon-Thames, KT1 1QN

Web: www.surreylawsociety.org.uk

Tel: 0333 577 3830

Email: helen.opie@surreylawsociety.org.uk

SUB-COMMITTEES

CONVEYANCING & LAND LAW

Rachel Philip

Carina Brits

Maralyn Hutchinson

Ema Jones

Martin Whitehorn

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION

Emma Patel

Victoria Clarke

Amber Howton

Alastair Logan

Linda Lusingu

Amber Matheson

Maria Mingoia

James Scozzi

FINANCE

Claudene Howell

Nick Ball

Maddie Beresford

Kieran Bowe

Helen Opie

PRIVATE CLIENT

Kieran Bowe

Maddie Beresford

Jess Buttaci

QUO VADIS

Claudene Howell

Nick Ball

Maddie Beresford

Kieran Bowe

James Scozzi

Helen Opie

SOCIAL

Madeleine Beresford

Claudene Howell

Daphne Robertson

Gerard Sanders

Helen Opie

Kim Wintle

SURREY JUNIOR LAWYERS DIVISION

Kim Wintle (Chair)

Martin Whitehorn (Vice Chair)

Katrina Burrows

Ellie Duke

James Fry

Mona Gholami

Seema Gill

Sapphira Gold

Bisma Hussain

Tabitha Lee

Amber Matheson

Daniella Mcleod

Alex Milson

Emma Smart

Bethany Walker

Daisy Welland

Email: surreyjuniorlawyersdivision@gmail.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ young-surrey-lawyers

Instagram: jld_surrey

Twitter: @YSL_Live / @SurreyJLD

It has been a period of change at the Surrey Law Society recently, which now sees myself and Nick Ball jointly fulfilling the role of Acting President following the commencement of Maddie’s maternity leave. It’s no exaggeration to say that Maddie committed a huge amount of her time to the Society during her presidential term, achieving a great deal, and I would like to extend my sincere thanks on behalf of Nick and the rest of the committee to Maddie for all that she did. Nick and I will be Acting Presidents until the Society’s AGM in November of this year, during which time we will be assisted by Acting Vice President Dawn Lawson, who will take on the role of President for 2023 – 2024 at the Annual General Meeting.

Dawn and I recently attended the Society’s Past President’s Championship Cup at Daytona, Sandown Park. It’s always an enjoyable event and this year was no different, with the race as competitive as ever and the networking relaxed and informal. Congratulations to our podium winners and many thanks to our sponsors for the evening, Evelyn Partners, Landmark Information, Southey & Co and Tower Street Finance.

You will by now have seen the Law Society’s guidance on The Impact of Climate Change on Solicitors, which discusses how law firms should be setting targets to reach Net Zero, as well as looking at the guidance solicitors should be giving in light of climate change risks. We are pleased to have partnered with SLS Patron Landmark Information to provide members with more practical support on how to implement the guidance through 2 free webinars; we are also looking at a forthcoming session specifically examining how law firms can start the move towards Net Zero.

The Society is also currently collaborating with Premium Patron Evelyn Partners on an Economic and Investment Market Update, which will include a special guest presentation, taking place later in the year. This will hopefully be the first of a series of Managing Partner briefings and we’re looking forward to establishing this programme over the next year.

President’s Jottings

SUMMER 2023

As you will hopefully already be aware, the shortlist for the SLS Legal Awards has now been announced and I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to all the finalists. The Awards is always a fantastic evening and I’m certainly looking forward to this year’s ceremony, in our new location, G Live, Guildford. We’re pleased to be offering members early bird and second table discounts this year, so please do have a look at the booking information later in the magazine and contact the SLS Office to book your place.

I look forward to hopefully seeing many of you at the Awards in October, or at one of our training sessions during the Autumn, but in the meantime, I wish you all a wonderful summer. 

Kieran Bowe Acting President Surrey Law Society

Kieran Bowe

CEO Report

SUMMER 2023

This year is flying by, and it’s nice to be writing this with the sun shining and the promise of summer holidays around the corner. The Spring quarter has been as busy as ever for Surrey Law Society and I’m pleased to update you on everything that we’ve been up to since the last issue.

As you know, our President Madeleine Beresford recently went on maternity leave and I’m delighted to share that she has now had a beautiful baby boy, and both mother and baby are doing well. Since Maddie’s departure, Past Presidents Kieran Bowe and Nick Ball have taken on the role of Acting President, with committee member Dawn Lawson as Acting Vice President until the AGM in November. I would like to personally thank Maddie for all that she did for the Surrey Law Society during her term, as well as Kieran, Nick and Dawn for stepping in to assist with this period of transition.

On the training front, we’ve been continuing our programme of webinars, online courses and in-person sessions for members, with some of our recent webinars proving our most popular ever. We’ve been lucky to host sessions on Commercial Awareness & Business Development, Contentious Probate – Issues and Funding, Managing Complex Family Dynamics in the Probate Process and Maximising Income and Increasing your Profit Margins. These have been incredibly well received and I’d like to thank all of our speakers for giving their time so generously to present for the Society. Remember, our entire webinar programme is available free of charge for SLS members so if you weren’t able to attend any of the above but would like a copy of the recording, please do get in touch. In addition to our webinars, we have also hosted online courses on Capital Gains Tax –A Guide for Private Client Lawyers and a Residential Conveyancing Update for 2023, as well as in-person sessions on Purchases of New Builds and Shared Ownership Leases, and Use of Wills, Trusts and Variations for IHT Planning in the Stealth Tax Age.

June saw the return of our Past President’s Championship Cup at Daytona Sandown Park and you can read more about this later in the magazine. It was, as always, a fantastic evening with much healthy competition and good company. If you’ve never attended this event before, I can highly recommend it for the future, so do look out for it next year.

The shortlist for the SLS Legal Awards has now been announced and is available to view overleaf. Many thanks to all who submitted nominations this year and huge congratulations to all the finalists, I know that our shortlisters found it extremely challenging to score so many phenomenal entries and that is truly a testament to the extraordinary talent in the county. We’ve also been excited to announce our very special guest speaker at the Awards, Shaparak Khorsandi. Shaparak is a comedian, author, speaker and advocate for human rights and is going to be an outstanding addition to our Awards programme. As you will see overleaf, booking is now open, and we’d encourage you to make your bookings soon so that you can take advantage of the early bird rate. We’re also excited to announce that this year we have introduced a ‘second table’ discount, so you can now book 2 tables of 10 for just £100 plus VAT per person. As you already know, this year’s Awards has moved to G Live and we’re really looking forward to showcasing all your talent on a much bigger stage!

In April, the Law Society published its Guidance on the Impact of Climate Change on Solicitors, which created a lot of discussion. SLS Patron Landmark Information invited Surrey Law Society members to a webinar on 4 May which looked at what this meant for solicitors and asked what

lawyers required to be able to fulfil the guidance. We are now pleased to advise that Landmark are presenting a further session for members on 5th July on Climate Change Reporting - A Practical Guide, and we very much hope to see you there. The Law Society Guidance comprises 2 parts:

Part A is about reducing the climate change impact of the law firm and its clients. For law firms, this involves assessing the annual carbon emissions that the firm makes and then setting targets to drive down these emissions with the ultimate goal of reaching Net Zero by 2050 or earlier.

Part B of the guidance looks at climate change risks. For property lawyers, the key parts here are the duties to advise and warn clients about such risks.

In the coming months, we will be working closely with Landmark to provide invaluable information on how to fulfil the guidance and I’d like to personally thank Landmark for their support with this.

Lastly, I wanted to update you on a couple of the ongoing activities of our EDI Committee. On 9th September, Surrey Law Society will be joining forces with Surrey Junior Lawyers Division to attend Pride in Surrey, which is this year taking place in Reigate. We would love for you to join us, so if you are interested in attending, please do get in touch. The committee is also working on an initiative to promote equality and diversity within the legal profession from an early age, and is reaching out to secondary schools across the county to offer them the chance for members to give a careers presentation to their schools. Again, if this is an initiative that you would like to be involved in, we would love to hear from you.

Wishing you all a wonderful summer

Helen.

Helen Opie Chief Executive & Magazine Editor

T. 0333 5773830

E. helen.opie@surreylawsociety.org.uk

@SurreyLawSoc

@surreylawsociety

Helen Opie (Chief Executive at Surrey Law Society)

Surrey

Law Society

Helen Opie

GBH Law Assists with the Sale of Regional Accountancy Practice Wise and Co to Shaw Gibbs Limited

Denise Herrington, Kathryn Shaw, and Helen Stone acted on behalf of Sharmini Woodings, Mark Dickinson, Steve South, and Steve Morgan, partners of Wise and Co, in connection with the merger of their business with Shaw Gibbs Limited, a leading accountancy practice based in Oxfordshire.

Wise and Co is a well-known practice that has operated from its offices in central Farnham, Surrey since the 1970s, with a focus on serving clients in Surrey, Sussex, and Hampshire.

In a statement regarding the merger, Sharmini Woodings, current Managing Partner of Wise and Co, expressed her excitement, stating “The merger is an exciting opportunity for both Wise and Co and Shaw Gibbs Limited. By combining our resources,

Moore Barlow Leads Deal to Open New Restaurant for Michelin-Star Chef

Southeast law firm Moore Barlow has advised on the lease of a new restaurant in Soho for Michelin-starred chef Tomos Parry. Mountain, on Beak Street in Soho, will be a new wood grill and wine bar that combines Spanish influenced cuisine and executive chef Parry’s Welsh heritage.

His cooking is led by long standing relationships with the fishermen and farmers in Wales and Cornwall whose guiding principle on sourcing from the ground in the morning to on the grill in the evening has been the backbone of Brat's approach for the last years.

Moore Barlow acted for tenant Super 8 Restaurant Group, which is operated by Brian Hannon and Ben Chapman. The group also operates the Michelin-starred Brat in Shoreditch as well as Brat Climpsons Arch, Smoking Goat and Kiln in Soho.

The transaction was led by Richard Hughes, partner in the commercial property team at Moore Barlow.

Commenting on the deal, Richard said: “Mountain is a really exciting project, bringing together the UK’s best chefs, an award-winning restaurant group in Super 8 and a prime location in central Soho. Hospitality is rebuilding after a challenging few years and the number of opportunities and appetite for investment in new ventures is expanding all

expertise, and client bases, we will be able to offer more comprehensive and tailored services to our clients. We are thrilled to be joining forces with such a well-respected firm.”

She further added, “Throughout the acquisition process, the team at GBH Law provided exceptional legal support. Denise Herrington and her team ensured that everything ran smoothly and efficiently, and their attention to detail was outstanding. We are grateful for their expertise and guidance throughout this entire process.”

GBH Law is proud to have played a role in this acquisition, which will undoubtedly lead to exciting new developments for the merged business. ■

the time. New launches like this are essential to driving the sector forward and its continued recovery. It was a pleasure to work with Brian and his team.”

Brian Hannon, CEO and co-founder of the Super 8 Group, said: “The UK has one of the world’s most vibrant and varied food cultures and is home to world-class chefs and restaurants. Another opportunity to work with Tomos would have been hard to pass up and we’re grateful to everyone involved in the deal that helped to make it happen.

“Moore Barlow has been a consistent and trusted partner to us for some years and the team’s support through this process was invaluable. We’ve come to rely on their level-headed, conscientious work and this is what they delivered for us again on this deal.”

Set to open in Summer 2023, Mountain has already been named on the Evening Standard’s list of London’s most exciting new restaurant openings.

Richard Hughes is based in Moore Barlow’s London office in Cheapside, one of the six the firm has across the Southeast of England including Guildford, Southampton and Richmond

The firm’s commercial property team supports clients in London and along the M3 corridor, as well as around the South Coast. ■

Richard Hughes

Stevens & Bolton Announces Round of Promotions, Alongside a New Partner

Guildford-based law firm Stevens & Bolton has announced the promotion of Matthew Peto to Partner to further bolster the firm’s growing private client practice. Matt’s promotion brings the total number of all-equity partners at Stevens & Bolton to 46 following five successful lateral Partner hires over the past 12 months, including Gareth Walliss who joined Stevens & Bolton’s private client team from Shoosmiths last year.

Commenting on Matt’s promotion James Waddell, Managing Partner, said: “We are delighted to welcome Matt to our all-equity partnership. Matt’s career at Stevens & Bolton is going from strength to strength and I am really excited about what Matt can contribute to the success we are seeing in our private client teams.”

The announcement follows the firm’s 12th consecutive year of growth and is part of a wider round of internal promotions, which also sees two new Managing Associates and four new Senior Associates being promoted. ■

Senior Appointment and Office Opening Set to Bolster Moore Barlow Surrey Footprint

Southeast-based law firm Moore Barlow has made a key hire for its Surrey commercial property team and also announced a move to a new office in Richmond to boost its offering to clients across the region. Rupeena Shoker joins the business’s 26-strong commercial property team from North Hampshire firm Lamb Brooks LLP, where she was partner and head of commercial property.

Rupeena trained and qualified at K&L Gates in the City and has extensive experience in all aspects of high value commercial property work – including corporate-support property work, the acquisition, letting and disposal of commercial properties and all landlord and tenant matters.

The new hire comes as the firm looks to open a new office in Richmond in the autumn, in a move that will see it close its two current premises in the town and relocate 52 employees to a larger, 6,500 sq. ft. unit that will provide its people and clients with a new space focused on flexible and collaborative working.

Commenting on the moves, Ed Whittington at Moore Barlow said: “Rupeena brings a wealth of experience in handling complex commercial property matters and critically, will build on the services we provide to our clients in the sector, as we advise them on the constantly evolving real estate and workplace landscape.

“More broadly, our business has long-focused on embedding a peoplefirst culture and our move to the new premises on Sheen Road reflects this, providing a more flexible and collaborative working space that better suits how we want to work with our colleagues and clients.” ■

Stevens & Bolton Hires New Corporate Partner

Guildford-based law firm, Stevens & Bolton has announced the appointment of new partner Jonathan Steele who joins the corporate practice from Charles Russell Speechlys, continuing its recent run of lateral hires.

Jonathan is an accomplished corporate transactional specialist, offering expert advice on a wide spectrum of matters including mergers and acquisitions, corporate investments and restructurings. He has particular industry expertise in the healthcare, technology and media sectors, working with clients that range from early-stage growth companies to listed public companies.

Jonathan’s arrival comes at a time of considerable growth for the firm and adds to the five high-profile lateral hires made by the firm over the past 12 months, Sarah Cardew from Irwin Mitchell, Caroline

Delaney from Rosenblatt, Andy Williams from Charles Russell Speechlys, Gareth Walliss from Shoosmiths and Heidi Sawtell from Talbot Walker. It also follows the recent internal promotion to partner of Matthew Peto in the firm’s private client practice, bringing the total number of partners in the all-equity partnership to 47.

Commenting on Jonathan’s arrival, James Waddell, Managing Partner, said “The Stevens & Bolton corporate practice continues to go from strength to strength, with one of the largest mid-market M&A teams outside the City and a particular specialism in executing buy-and-build strategies for corporate acquirers. Jonny is a great addition to our really strong corporate partner bench, and we are delighted to welcome him to the firm.” ■

Jonathan Steele

Rupeena Shoker

Matt Peto

QUARTET OF NEW PARTNERS ANNOUNCED AT MOORE BARLOW

Southeastlaw firm Moore Barlow has named four new partners across its personal injury, real estate and corporate practices.

Major trauma specialist Amandeep Khasriya has been made a partner in the personal injury team. Amandeep has 14 years’ experience dealing with high-value and serious injury cases and also heads up the firm’s diversity and inclusion committee. She is also vice chair of the Law Society’s Women Solicitors Network.

The firm also confirmed that Charlotte Brackley and Ben Loosemore in the property practice have joined the partnership. Charlotte, in Moore Barlow’s highly-regarded rural property team, has 20 years’ experience acting for high-net-worth individuals, private companies and trusts, predominantly buying, selling and financing farms, estates and large country houses with land. Ben is a land development specialist acting predominantly for housebuilders and investors.

The fourth new partner, Polly Cross, works in the corporate practice where she leads the department’s company secretarial team and specialises in advising companies in relation to director and

shareholder meetings, share transactions, articles of association, directors’ duties and statutory company law requirements.

A further 13 lawyers across the firm have been promoted to associate and senior associate.

Ed Whittington, Managing Partner at Moore Barlow, said: “Amandeep, Charlotte, Ben and Polly bring a wealth of expertise to the partnership, bolstering the level of specialist knowledge we have in our senior team.

“Investing in our people and offering them remuneration that’s more than just a salary - through training, career development and a nurturing culture - is fundamental to our model. These four promotions demonstrate that our approach is working and showcase the strength of expertise available across our business.”

Moore Barlow employs nearly 500 people with offices in Guildford, Southampton, Woking and Lymington, Richmond and the City. ■

Polly Cross, Ben Loosemoore, Ed Whittington and Charlotte Brackley

Amandeep Khasriya

DMH Stallard LLP, Guildford Office Expand their Family Law Practice with New Team Members

Staff and Partners at award winning law firm DMH Stallard LLP, have welcomed new colleagues into their Family Team at their Guildford office.

Partner of the Guildford DMH Stallard LLP Family Team, Samantha Jago, welcomed Amber Matheson and Jessica Da Silva in October 2022. Amber joined the firm as a newly qualified Solicitor with over 6 years legal experience and is steadily growing her client base and network. Jessica is the team’s Paralegal, and the firm is very proud to have her continue her career with them as a Trainee Solicitor from September 2023.

The team has recently welcomed Lauren Moir and Michelle Davies, who joined the firm from a Surrey Legal 500 practice in June 2023. Lauren has joined as an Associate Solicitor and comes with a strong local profile and client following. Michelle joins the team as a Paralegal with over 23 years’ experience in the legal profession.

Commenting on the hires Samantha Jago said; “I am very proud to be part of the growth and success of the family team at the DMH Stallard LLP Guildford office. I was recruited by the firm almost 4 years ago to grow a family team at the Guildford office and it is wonderful to see that ambition realised.

The growing family team is able to continue to support and complement the work of the firm’s other practice areas by providing first class support and legal advice to clients as they face the challenges that flow from a relationship breakdown.

DMH Stallard LLP is a wonderful place to work, and I look forward to seeing the new recruits excel in their careers with the firm.”

DMH Stallard LLP not only offers family law advice at its Guildford offices but also its offices in London, Gatwick, Crawley, Horsham, Brighton and Hassocks. The firm continues to go from strength to strength through its mergers and lateral hires. The firm are established leaders in all areas of legal expertise, as recognised in the Legal 500 and Chambers publications, and as is further evidenced by the numerous legal awards they have won. DMH Stallard LLP are always looking for new talent to join their firm, so please do go to their website at www.dmhstallard.com to find out details of current vacancies.■

DMH Stallard Guildford Family Team

Training & Events Programme 2023

JULY 2023

06.07 | 12.00 – 2.00pm | Online Course | Family

ADVOCACY IN FAMILY LAW: A GUIDE FOR SOLICITORS

Stuart Barlow, Bhatia Best Solicitors

SEPTEMBER 2023

13.09 | 12.30 – 1.30pm | Webinar | Property

KEY CLAUSES IN RESIDENTIAL LEASES

Ian Quayle, IQ Legal Training

OCTOBER 2023

04.10 | 2.00 – 5.00pm | Course | PC

PRIVATE CLIENT UPDATE 2023: A REVIEW OF CURRENT ISSUES IN PRIVATE CLIENT PRACTICE

Professor Lesley King

Sponsored by Tower Finance & Finders International

11.10 | 12.00 – 2.00pm | Online Course | PC

PENSIONS AND LIFE POLICIES IN THE CONTEXT OF ESTATE PLANNING

John Bunker, Irwin Mitchell

Sponsored by Evelyn Partners

12.10 | 6.30 – 11.45pm | Social

SLS LEGAL AWARDS 2023

G Live, Guildford

NOVEMBER 2023

TBC | TBC | Social | Management

MANAGING PARTNERS’ EVENT

Venue TBC

02.11 | 12.30 – 1.30pm | Course | Property

ANTICIPATING AND NAVIGATING THE HURDLE IN ESTATE ADMINISTRATION

Kate Selway KC, Radcliffe Chambers

Sponsored by Southey & Co.

07.11 | 2.00 – 5.00pm | Course | Property

EASEMENTS AND COVENANTS – TIPS AND TRAPS FOR RESIDENTIAL CONVEYANCERS

Ian Quayle, IQ Legal Training

15.11 | 4.00 –5.00pm | TBC

ONLINE FORUM FOR PRIVATE CLIENT PRACTIONERS

Kieran Bowe, Russell-Cooke TBC

22.11 | 12.30 – 1.30pm | Webinar | Family

DEALING WITH LITIGANTS IN PERSON – TOP TIPS FOR FAMILY LAWYERS

Gemma Kemp, Penningtons Manches Cooper

30.11 | 6.00 – 10.30pm | Social

AGM 2023 & LEGAL BRAIN OF SURREY QUIZ

Venue TBC

DECEMBER 2023

07.12 | 12.30 – 1.30pm | Webinar | Business Skills

SUPPORTING SURREY – LEGAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT, HOW IT CAN HELP YOU?

Antony Smith, Legal Project Management

Sponsored by Pro Drive

SLS PRICING

Webinars & Workshops (1 hour):

Member Fee: Free of Charge; Non-Member Fee: £25+VAT (including notes and a copy of the recording)

Online Courses (2 hours):

Member Fee: £50+VAT; Non-Member Fee: £100+VAT (including notes and a copy of the recording).

Courses (3 hours):

Member Fee: £95+VAT; Non-Member Fee: £180+VAT (including notes, refreshments and networking).

All courses will be held at the TWM Offices, 65 Woodbridge Road, Guildford GU1 4RD

Social Events & Awards:

Details of fees will be announced with the invitations for each event.

MEMBER OFFERS

Buy one course (online or in-person) and get a second one of the same type half price.

Book one SLS Training course in 2023 and receive a second one at half the price. The two courses must be the same type of training and booked together.

Season Ticket

Book 4 or more courses (online or in person) and receive a 20% discount on those or any further courses booked in the same year. This offer does not apply to the Managing Partner’s Event or any other social events.

To redeem an offer, bookings should be emailed to elouise.enright@surreylawsociety.org.uk, or call Helen on 0333 577 3830 ■

For more information on all Surrey Law Society Training & Events, please visit: www.surreylawsociety.org.uk

Surrey Law Society Past President’s Championship Cup 2023!

On 15th June, Surrey Law Society members returned to the Daytona Raceway at Sandown Park for the 4th Past President’s Championship Cup.

We were again blessed by the weather and enjoyed a beautiful sunny evening ending with a fantastic sunset over the track. 45 drivers, totalling 15 teams, battled it out to make the podium in this year’s 1.5-hour endurance race. As expected, it was as competitive as ever with teams from many SLS members joining the fun, including first time entrants, Charles Russell Speechlys, Stevens & Bolton, Rose and Rose Solicitors, Nichols Marcy Dawson and Rosewood Solicitors. In the end it was Gordons Partnership’s team Gordini who triumphed, followed by Rose and Rose Solicitors, and in third, another Gordons team, Lightning McGordons. Just missing out on the podium with very respectable 4th & 5th place finishes were teams from Evelyn Partners and Landmark Information Group.

It wasn’t all about the racing though and those who came to spectate, enjoyed delicious woodfired pizzas provided by the fantastic Stoked Eats, drinks and networking, whilst also listening to the commentary from the team at Daytona. The evening concluded with our podium presentation to the winners by Mike Lacey from SLS patron, Evelyn Partners and a speech delivered by SLS Acting Vice President Dawn Lawson.

As always, we would like to extend our sincere thanks to the SLS patrons who sponsored this fantastic event, Evelyn Partners, Landmark Information Group, Tower Street Finance and Southey & Co.

A great evening had by all. ■

LEGAL AWARDS 2023 SHORTLIST

Sponsored By EVELYN PARTNERS

Thursday 12th October 2023 – G Live, Guildford

We are delighted to share with you the shortlisted nominations for the SLS Legal Awards 2023. The Surrey Law Society Committee would like to extend their sincere thanks to all members who made submissions this year, we were overwhelmed by the response and had a record number of entries.

2. LAWYER OF THE YEAR

Elite Law Solicitors

Howell Jones LLP

Peacock & Co Solicitors

Russell-Cooke LLP

Stevens & Bolton LLP

Stowe Family Law

GBH Law

Howell Jones LLP

Nichols Marcy Dawson LLP

Rosewood Solicitors

TWM Solicitors LLP

6.

Jessika Bhatti, Meadows Ryan Solicitors

Helen Clifford, Helen Clifford Law

Jon Creswick, Howell Jones LLP

Francesca Nash, TWM Solicitors LLP

Natalie Payne, Morr & Co LLP

Howell Jones LLP

Rosewood Solicitors

Elite Law Solicitors

KGW Family Law

Moore Barlow

Russell-Cooke LLP

Stowe Family Law

Elite Law Solicitors

Howell Jones LLP

Morr & Co LLP

Nichols Marcy Dawson LLP

Russell-Cooke LLP

Daniel Bolster, Peacock & Co Solicitors

Charlie Cobb, Meadows Ryan Solicitors

Charles Mellor, Creighton and Partners

Rebekah Sutcliffe, Clifton Ingram LLP

Howell Jones LLP

Morr & Co LLP

Nichols Marcy Dawson LLP

Peacock & Co Solicitors

Russell-Cooke LLP

JUNIOR LAWYER OF THE YEAR

4. EQUALITY & DIVERSITY CHAMPION

1. LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR

5. FAMILY LAW TEAM OF THE YEAR

3. EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR

8. PROPERTY LAW TEAM OF THE YEAR

7. PRIVATE CLIENT TEAM OF THE YEAR

9. SUPPORT TEAM MEMBER OF THE YEAR

Diane Algar, Howell Jones LLP

Ashley Burrow, Meadows Ryan Solicitors

Helen Farmer, KGW Family Law

Seana Murray, TWM Solicitors LLP

Gemma Woodroffe, Nichols Marcy Dawson LLP

10. TEAM OF THE YEAR

GBH Law Corporate Team

Howell Jones Elderly Client & Vulnerable Adult Team

Moore Barlow Contentious Trusts & Estates Team

Rosewood Solicitors Family Team

BOOKING IS OPEN!

Booking is now open for the SLS Legal Awards 2023, which will take place at our brand-new venue, G Live in Guildford on the evening of Thursday 12th October 2023.

The evening will see winners announced in the 10 award categories with all our shortlisted nominees recognised for their outstanding work in the past year. In addition, this year, we will be presenting a special Lifetime Achievement Award to be announced on the night to someone who has made an exceptional contribution to the reputation of the profession during their career as a solicitor in Surrey

The evening celebrations promise to be bigger and better than ever in our new setting, and attendees will enjoy a drinks reception, exceptional 3-course dinner, and fantastic entertainment, including our special guest speaker, Shaparak Khorsandi

Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate the exceptional work of the legal profession. We are delighted to be offering an early bird rate for bookings made before Friday 28th July, as well as a ‘Second Table’ discount, so the more colleagues you bring to celebrate this fantastic occasion the better!

Details on how to purchase tickets can be found at http://awards.surreylawsociety.org.uk or by contacting elouise.enright@surreylawsociety.org.uk.

We don't expect them to be available for long, so please don't delay in reserving your space!

ABOUT SHAPARAK KHORSANDI

Shaparak Khorsandi is a comedian, author, speaker and advocate for human rights.

Shaparak established herself as one of the UK’s finest comedians with her sell-out Edinburgh show, Asylum Speaker. Despite the basis for the show being her experiences as a child refugee fleeing Iran and terrorists attempting to murder her father, Shaparak’s sensitive yet witty exploration of these events created an instant comedy smash hit.

It also lead to the publication of her childhood memoirs, “A Beginner’s Guide To Acting English“, her best-selling literary debut, described by the Scotsman as ‘filled with laughter, wonder and compassion’. Emma Thompson said “This very funny, acute book also made me cry”.

Shaparak went on to publish her first novel, Nina Is Not Ok, which was described by the Telegraph as ‘moving, funny and shocking’ and received tremendous acclaim from critics and readers alike.

Shaparak’s career has taken her to all corners of the globe. She has appeared on countless TV & Radio shows, including: Live at the Apollo, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, I’m a Celebrity: Get Me Out of Here, Mock The Week, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, MasterChef, Have I Got News For You, QI, Pointless Celebrities, Question Time and Just a Minute, as well as her own show, Shaparak Talk.

With many thanks to our SLS Legal Awards 2023 Partners

Evelyn Partners

Landmark Information

Southey & Co

Actionstep

Groundsure

Guildford Chambers

Helen Clifford Law

OnPoint Data

Council Member’s Report

At the meeting on 17 January 2023, Council considered, amongst other things, the progress of the Society in relation to its profile in various areas both in public campaigning and in communication to members and agreed that both had been enhanced. The Annual Member Survey conducted in October 2022 produced 1,500 full responses and would be the subject of analysis to identify areas of value for the profession. The Society also achieved significant results in participation in legal actions on matters relating to costs assessment in legal aid cases and the extent of pre-retainer duties owed. The Society was also preparing for legal action against the MoJ in relation to the criminal law review. Council also discussed the SQE and the commissioning of research into the differential attainment of ethnic minority candidates. The Society needs input from members concerning any issues in relation to the SQE.

At the meeting on 29 March 2023, Council was informed that judicial review proceedings against the MOJ had been instituted regarding its decision not to increase criminal defence solicitors’ legal aid rates by the recommended minimum of 15%, asserting that this decision was both unlawful and irrational. The government’s response to the society’s pre-action letter failed to address the Society’s concerns about the collapse of the criminal legal aid sector as a result of years of chronic underfunding. Council also discussed the Illegal Migration Bill for which there had been no public consultation to ensure that the bill was workable, provided due process for those claiming asylum or was compliant with international law. The government had already conceded that the bill was not compliant with the European Convention on Human Rights. Council heard that there was progress on the roundtables set up to consider professional ethics with a range of firms, in-house solicitors and experts. The President had had meetings with senior civil servants, parliamentarians and others raising the profession’s concerns on court modernisation, criminal legal aid, civil legal aid and other matters. Council also approved the Society’s new high-level volunteering strategy called “Get Involved” and stressed the importance of member contributions from across the profession reflecting its diversity and the underpinning of the strategy that the Law Society is relevant, open, rewarding and makes a difference.

At the meeting on 10 May 2023 Council was informed that before the resignation of Raab, the MOJ had filed and served an Acknowledgement of Service and summary grounds of resistance to the judicial review proceedings relating to the refusal to increase criminal defence solicitors’ legal aid rates. The grounds of resistance were accompanied by a significant amount of supporting information not previously seen by the Law Society. A reply has been filed in response to that evidence and we await a decision on permission to proceed. Council

was informed that the Society had published milestone climate change guidance for solicitors which sets out how organisations could manage their business in a way consistent with transition to Net Zero. The guidance received positive coverage in the trade and national press, which shows the degree to which wider society are looking at us. This Guidance involved a working group and staff at the Law Society and incredibly hard work. The guidance produced is a world leader in this field. Council was also informed about a new venture called the “21st Century Justice Project”. This is a three-year policy development programme which aims to demonstrate the Law Society’s role in tackling some of the biggest problems in the justice system and increasing access to justice. Part of its work will be to improve access to justice for small businesses and individuals on modest incomes who were not eligible for legal aid. The first year of the Project would focus on the civil justice system as the part of the justice system these groups were most likely to have contact with. The challenge to the Law Society is to come up with something credible without appearing self-interested and to deal with the tensions between the interests of members and the interests of access to justice. Council welcomed the Project although expressed concerns over the erosion of legal aid fees, the absence of any recognition that in the future there will be a separate justice system in Wales and the need for the profession itself to contribute to solutions for example providing financial support to those providing frontline services or pro bono services.

Please feel free to discuss any of these issues and any other issues with Sushila Abraham or myself. ■

Alastair Logan OBE, LL.B Council Member for the Surrey Constituency

Alastair Logan OBE

The Law Society Report

UK-Swiss deal creates opportunity for lawyers and law firms

On 14 June, an agreement was signed between Switzerland and the UK that included mutual recognition of professional qualifications, including legal qualifications. This recognition will continue indefinitely beyond 2024, something which the Law Society has welcomed as positive news for solicitors, law firms and the wider economy.

Switzerland is an important market for UK legal services exports. The deal, which exactly reflects the Law Society’s recommendations, confirms and extends indefinitely the current provisions for UK lawyers operating in Switzerland, giving them the permanent right to requalify in Switzerland after three years of registration and practice, without having to complete a Swiss law degree or sit any local exams.

Law Society President, Lubna Shuja, said that ‘the agreement provides a clear, transparent and proportionate requalification path for lawyers in another jurisdiction, which the UK can use as a blueprint for more ambitious commitments in trade negotiations with other countries.

‘This deal will benefit not only our members but also the wider economy. Legal services facilitate all international business transactions and provide crucial support to UK and multinational firms wanting to export. The sector consistently generates a trade surplus. In 2021, net exports of UK legal services stood at £5.4bn.’

Read more at https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/contact-orvisit-us/press-office/press-releases/uk-swiss-deal-createsopportunities-for-lawyers-and-law-firms

Memorandum of Understanding signed

The Law Society of England and Wales, the Bar Council of England and Wales and the Bar Council of India have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation and legal exchange in light of the opening up of India’s legal services sector to foreign lawyers.

In a MoU signed on Monday 5 June, the Bar Council of India committed to the implementation of its recently announced regulations to permit the practice of home jurisdiction law by English and Welsh lawyers and law firms in India, on the basis of reciprocity.

The MoU formalises an agreement reached in March this year between the Law Society of England and Wales and the Bar Council of India. The signing ceremony was hosted jointly by the Law Society of England and Wales and the Bar Council of England and Wales.

Millions more eligible for legal aid lifeline

On 25 May, the Ministry of Justice announced the outcome of its legal aid means test review consultation, which will see over six million more vulnerable people eligible for legal aid. Changes include raising the gross income threshold for civil legal aid for a single person from £31,884 to £34,950 and removing the £545 monthly cap on allowable housing costs. The upper gross income threshold for magistrates’ court representation will rise from £22,325 to £34,950.

Widened eligibility for civil and criminal legal aid is an important step in the right direction, and something the Law Society have long been pushing for. We are also pleased that the government listened to our concerns on how the original proposals disadvantaged single parents.

The Law Society have stated that all the thresholds need to be increased regularly with inflation as without this, the cost-of-living crisis will mean more and more people will fall back through the justice gap. Law Society President Lubna Shuja has said that the generous eligibility will only make a meaningful difference if people are able to find a solicitor. The Law Society’s legal aid desert maps and duty solicitor heatmaps show how serious the crisis in legal aid provision is, with swathes of England and Wales having no access to face-to-face civil legal aid, and ever-dwindling policy station duty solicitor schemes.

The Law Society will continue to push for greater investment in civil and criminal legal aid provision.

New Law Society Board chair

Amerdeep Somal is to succeed Robert Bourns as Law Society Board chair, and will take up the role on 1 January 2024.

Amerdeep brings a wealth of experience to the role. As well as having experience as a solicitor, she is the complaints commissioner to the financial regulators, a judge of the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal, and sits on the Board of the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman. She is also the chief commissioner for the Data and Marketing Ombudsman.

The Law Society’s Board is our key oversight body, made up of Council Members, senior executives and independent members. You can find out more about the Board and how we are governed at https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/about-us/our-governance/. ■

Beth Quinn

Key Account Manager, The Law Society

Beth Quinn

BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Why are human rights relevant to businesses? The Law Society says: “The ramifications of legal liability in relation to human rights violations are crystallising with new cases being brought every day. The need for law firms to advise clients on business and human rights is increasing. And law firms themselves need to look at their own obligations as businesses.”

The history of business and human rights: most people think of human rights in the context of the protection of individuals from threats by the state and attributing to the state the obligation to secure the conditions that are necessary for people to live a life of dignity, respect and safety. Globalisation, the problems of which were highlighted most recently in our minds by the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, was an issue that the United Nations (UN) started to examine in the 1990s. Initially the driving force was because of issues relating to multinational corporations operating globally and seeking more robust and enforceable rules to protect foreign investors and intellectual property. Also, and initially separately, the protection of people and the environment became international and national issues.

In 2000 the UN Secretary-General launched a UN Global Compact1 as a platform to engage companies in the support of universal values as an adjunct to promoting and amplifying businesses and to make positive contributions to the many pressing needs of the world’s societies. Dr John Ruggie was appointed the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to address the issue of business and human rights. On 16 June 2011 the UN Human Rights Council unanimously endorsed the Guiding Principles (GP) that had been formulated by Dr Ruggie. It was the first authoritative guidance that the United Nations had ever issued on how to meet the complex global challenges of business and human rights. It was also the first time that the Human Rights Council, or its predecessor the Human Rights

Commission, had ever endorsed a text on any subject that the governments of UN member countries had not negotiated between themselves.

The Guiding Principles 2 : These build on the recognition that at a global level corporate conduct is shaped by three distinct government systems. The first is the system of public law and governance, domestic and international. The second, is a civil governance system involving social compliance mechanisms. The third is corporate governance which internalises elements of the other two. The GP prescribe paths for strengthening and better aligning these governance systems in relation to business and human rights and to create a mutually reinforcing dynamic that produces change.

For states the focus is on the legal obligations they have under the international human rights regime to protect human rights abuses by third parties, including businesses, as well as policy rationales that are consistent with and supportive of meeting those obligations.

For businesses, the GP focuses on the need to manage the risk of involvement in human rights abuses beyond compliance with legal obligations that vary across countries in their applicability and enforcement. This requires acting with due diligence to avoid infringing the rights of others and to address harm where it does occur.

For affected individuals and groups the GP serve as a basis for further empowerment through prescribed engagement with them by business enterprises as well as greater access to effective remedies both judicial and non-judicial.

In short, these principles must be protected by states, companies must respect them and those who are harmed must have redress. Core elements of the GP have been incorporated

Alastair Logan OBE

by numerous other international and national standard-setting bodies each with their own implementation mechanisms as well as by businesses and other stakeholder groups. Additionally, the GP have resulted in the provision of national complaint mechanisms in the adhering states concerning the conduct of multinationals operating in or from those states. ISO 26000 has been introduced which resulted in worldwide consultants able to help companies come into compliance. One of those adhering states is China. The European Commission has asked member states to submit national plans for implementing the GP and the Commission itself has issued additional guidance for several industry sectors and for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The UK was the first EU country to launch its national plan to implement the GP. The Plan, which was updated in May 2020, follows the same structure as the GP, which is based on the 3 pillars: duties of the state, expectations for business, and access to remedy.3 These developments illustrate a broad convergence around a common set of politically authoritative and socially legitimated norms and policy guidance for business and human rights and, whilst there is still much work to do, they provide a strong foundation on which to build.

There remain challenges. One of those is limited capacity and this particularly affects middle and lower income countries as well as small and medium sized enterprises. Capacity is not just a resource issue. Most companies still do a poor job of assessing and aggregating at corporate level the costs to themselves of getting things wrong which typically are rolled into local operating expenses and never attract the attention of senior management, managing boards and shareholders. Poor co-ordination, where one unit creates problems that another has to try and solve, are frequent. The challenge involves both the allocation of resources and institutional re-engineering.

Dr Ruggie points out that widespread uptake of the GP by a broad array of actors, which was the intention, brings its own challenges. There is a risk that some of the coherence and cumulative momentum provided by the GP may diminish unless they are reinforced. Another problem is that states are not generally required under international human rights law to regulate the extraterritorial activities of businesses domiciled in their jurisdiction. Nor are they generally prohibited from doing so provided there is a recognised jurisdictional basis. States need to become more proactive than they have been in the past. Governments are increasingly adopting domestic measures with extraterritorial effects to help prevent corporate related human rights harm abroad by requiring companies to conduct human rights due diligence as a condition for public support. This has led to governments imposing human rights reporting requirements on companies including their global operations. A growing number of national courts are agreeing to hear cases against companies for conduct by overseas affiliates because the parent company itself may have been negligent through omission or commission.

As Dr Ruggie points out states must specify clearly that international standards prohibiting gross human rights abuses potentially amounting to international crimes apply to all persons natural and legal. Such abuses may arise in areas where human rights regime cannot be expected to function as intended for example in conflict zones or similar sources of risk where typically there are allegations involving corporate complicity in acts committed by related parties.

“Corporate complicity is an emerging area of law – it is also an area where moral questions are as important as legal ones – at least until there is more legal clarity - of what is good practice,

what is right and wrong, fair and unfair. It extends from a situation where a company has knowingly funded, supported or benefited from human rights abuse to a situation where it has been a silent witness of abuse committed by others. Where do the boundaries of complicity begin and end? On one side there is law which tells us what can and cannot be done. But we must not stop where the law rests; in protecting human rights sometimes we have to go beyond the law, where there are values and principles which are worth fighting for. To give an analogy, there is currently no international consensus on the abolition of the death penalty.” 4

Starting in the 1990s in the US and using the Alien Tort Statute, a signature legal tool, Groups began to litigate these corporate cases. A long line of cases has followed since the first victory of the kind in Doe v. Unocal. Corporations that have faced such litigation include Shell, Chevron, and Caterpillar for gross human rights violations committed outside the US. Groups like The Center for Constitutional Rights in the US have initiated and supported efforts to ensure corporate accountability by filing amicus briefs in U.S. courts and contributing to corporate accountability efforts at the international level. The most recent litigation and advocacy efforts in this area have focused on the role of U.S.-based private military contractors in the unlawful killing of civilians by Blackwater in Iraq and in the torture of civilians at the infamous Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq.5

In July 2022 the UN General Assembly voted in favour of a resolution recognising the human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, the infringement of which prevents enjoyment of many other human rights. The responsibility to respect human rights applies to all business organisations. The GP’s therefore provide opportunities and challenge for the advice and services that lawyers give to their business clients. Mandatory due diligence proposals are currently pending in the UK and in many other states, including the EU where the current draft proposes mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence to EU and to non-EU companies whose annual sales in the EU single market exceeds certain financial thresholds. There are also emerging domestic laws concerning human rights abuses such as the Magnitsky laws and those relating to the seizure or prohibition of imported goods manufactured in a manner which involves forced labour. Stock Exchange listings in many countries require reporting of human right risks. These developments have caused dedicated business and human rights and environment social and governance (ESG) legal practice groups to be created in law firms.

Investors are increasingly using ESG factors to assess a company’s impact on stakeholders and the resulting harm to the company’s shareholders. The S (social) aspect is heavily engaged with human rights and the E (economic) aspect includes environmental issues that trigger human rights such as the right to life and the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. The G (governance) aspect includes verifying whether board oversight is sufficient to meet human rights and environmental commitments.

Litigation involving human rights and related environmental claims have been brought against multinational companies for alleged harm. In 2019 and 2021 the UK Supreme Court issued two landmark decisions ruling that a parent company may owe a duty of care to the claimants concerning environmental damage and human rights abuses caused by a foreign subsidiary, where the parent undertakes to supervise the company’s actions in question and fails to take active steps to ensure the subsidiary implements the parent’s policies and fails to take active steps to prevent harm. Other legal jurisdictions

such as Canada, Netherlands, Germany and France are following suit. Many countries including the UK have or are considering legislation to prohibit Strategic Lawsuits against Public Participation (SLAPPs) because these have been utilised in domestic jurisdictions around the world to protect companies against criticism of their human rights protection in relation to business operations particularly in mining, agriculture and livestock, logging and lumber and the palm oil sector. It is foreseeable that other cases relating to other human rights abuses will inevitably become the subject of litigation.

As the updated IBA Guidance Note on Business and Human Rights 6 reminds us the law is dynamic and what is considered merely unethical today could be unlawful tomorrow. Lawyers have the unique task of tracking these legal developments and advising clients on new laws and the best practice and norms that apply across supply chains and value chains of their clients. They have to ensure that their clients not only act lawfully but also meet consumer and community expectations which are shifting more towards transparency and sustainability. Businesses are realising that the management of human right risks is critical to their long-term sustainability and they will expect their lawyers, both internal and external, to advise not only on the black letter law but to act as wise counsellors in identifying and managing human rights risks and broader business risks and opportunities. Business and human rights is a growing legal practice area and clients are increasingly seeking advice on multiple binding and non-binding human rights standards that may apply to their industry, projects or business models. Law firms without credible business and human rights expertise will likely miss opportunities to serve their clients in a highly competitive international market for legal services. Some of the areas affected are environmental law, corporate governance and enterprise risk management, reporting and disclosure, mergers and acquisitions, finance, contracts, dispute resolution, and anti-trust and competition law. But business and human rights also affect other areas such as employment, labour, arbitration, tax law, intellectual property, mining law, insurance, bankruptcy law et cetera. All businesses are affected regardless of their size, sector, operational context, ownership and structure. Businesses include service providers such as law firms, architects, accountants and the like.

Law firms are part of a client’s supply chain. Law firms are subject to unique professional duties including the duty to preserve the confidentiality of client communications and the duty to provide unbiased and independent advice and services in the client’s best interest. As law firms are part of a client’s supply chain, clients will increasingly expect law firms to show that they, too, are respecting human rights and can identify and address the human rights risks that may be linked to the legal services they provide. As a consequence, there is a growing case for lawyers including corporate lawyers, law firms, internal and external counsel to take human rights into account in their professional activities and to understand how human rights and the environment affect their work. Due diligence laws are being proposed that would seek to incorporate these historically separate areas of law together. This in turn produces an increasing demand for legal advice and services in this area and an understanding of how it impacts on other legal practice areas. That in turn produces increased significant risk if it is not done. Mandatory due diligence already exists in the UK in relation to modern slavery.

Lawyers must be alert to the issue of “Greenwashing”. Greenwashing happens when a business/company makes an environmental claim about something the organisation is doing that is intended to promote a sense of environmental impact that does not exist. The green claim is typically about some form of positive effect on the environment. Greenwashing involves making an unsubstantiated claim to deceive consumers/clients into believing that a business or product is environmentally friendly or has a greater positive environmental impact than they actually do. Some businesses use greenwashing to capitalise on the socially responsible or environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing movement.

As the updated IBA Guidance Note on Business and Human Rights reminds us:

“This fast-changing landscape presents challenges including for lawyers and law firms in their capacity as businesses with their independent responsibility to respect human rights and the environment both in the management of the firm and in the legal services provided to clients. Lawyers play a unique role in advising their clients on how to conceptualise these risks and meet the various reporting requirements relevant to a company under human rights and environmental due diligence (in whichever way it is presented in domestic law), as well and in international and domestic law and work cohesively as a profession to facilitate the growing implementation of the GP’s across the world.”

And a final word from Dr Ruggie: “I suspect that many of you here today were surprised, as I was, by the results of the U.S. presidential election (when Trump was elected). I also suspect that many of you were surprised, as I was, by the results of the Brexit referendum. Perhaps we should not have been. As far back as January 1999 Kofi Annan warned, in a World Economic Forum speech, that unless globalization has strong social pillars it will be fragile and vulnerable—“vulnerable to backlash from all the ‘isms’ of our post-cold war world: protectionism; populism; nationalism; ethnic chauvinism; fanaticism; and terrorism.” He specifically appealed to the business community to step up and play its role in achieving a socially sustainable globalization.

Because if it does not work for all it works for none. ■

By Alastair Logan OBE., LL.B Council Member for the Surrey Constituency

1. www.unglobalcompact.org

2. https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/documents/publications/ guidingprinciplesbusinesshr_en.pdf

s4. https://www.amnesty.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/pol340012006en.pdf

5. https://ccrjustice.org/home/what-we-do/issues/corporate-human-rights-abuses

6. https://www.ibanet.org/document?id=English-Updated-IBA-Guidance-Note-on-Businessand-Human-Rights-role-of-lawyers-apr-23

The War for Talent: Managing Employee Costs in

Law Firms

Competition for talent has revived in the legal market after a brief lull during the pandemic, with pay levels on the rise. US law firms are still exerting pressure on the market, with newly qualified salaries hitting £170,000-£180,000 and other City firms are assessing how to compete at these levels, with other law firms experiencing the ‘ripple effect’ in their own market. However, our analysis of the accounts of the top 50 law firms for the 2021-2022 year suggests that law firms are managing these pressures effectively.

An optimistic outlook

The top 50 firms’ accounts filed at Companies House show that law firms largely kept staff costs under control for the year to Spring 2022. They rose 7%, but with headcount increasing by 4% for fee-earners and 3% for support staff, the average increase per head was much lower. Despite the headlines on associate salaries, there is no evidence that law firms were allowing the war for talent to get the better of their cost discipline.

However, this was a period of relatively benign inflationary pressure. The impact of the war in Ukraine on food and energy prices was only just being felt at the end of this period and the long-term impact was not yet clear, and central banks were only just starting to consider raising interest rates. The rapid acceleration in the subsequent months has prompted rising pay demands across the public and private sector and the legal sector has not been immune.

The hiring boom explained

Equally, these figures for the year 2021-2022 need to be viewed in the context of a reopening economy. In many cases, law firms had experienced low levels of staff turnover during the pandemic and as the future became more certain a number of individuals sought alternative firms to work at or, following the experience of the pandemic, left the legal sector completely. This led a lot of firms to enter the recruitment market to replace people who had left.

This hiring boom appears to have started in the 2022 calendar year with a surge in partner hires. A report from recruitment consultancy Edwards Gibson showed a near-record 480 partner hires completed in 2022, compared to an average of 441 partner hires per annum over the past decade.

Equally, there is evidence that UK law firms have been forced to respond to higher cost of living pressures and competitive threats later in 2022. Bird & Bird, for example, gave its new lawyers a 24% pay rise. Firms have also had to cope with a shift in lifestyle

expectations post-pandemic, with increasing demands for homeworking. There are reports of senior women looking to move to smaller firms for better treatment and shorter hours. As the world opened up post pandemic the balance of power between the firms and their employees shifted significantly in favour of the latter and is only now starting to be clawed back.

A boom in hiring, plus rising pay demands will have raised costs for law firms at a time when some will be feeling that demand for legal services looks increasingly fragile. Deal activity is struggling in the face of economic uncertainty, rising interest rates and stubbornly high inflation.

As such, higher costs could collide with weaker revenue growth in the year ahead. However, the accounts for the 2021-2022 year should give some reassurance that law firms are adept at managing their staff costs in different environments. They were not shy about taking decisive action during the pandemic and should ensure they continue to act should they come under further pressure in the months ahead.

In collaboration with Law.com, Evelyn Partners analysed the latest set of filed accounts for the top 50 UK law firms for the year to 31 March 22

About Evelyn Partners

Equally, these figures for the year 2021-2022 need to be viewed in services group, created following the merger of Tilney and Smith & Williamson in 2020.

Evelyn Partners has a network of offices across 28 towns and cities in the UK, as well as the Republic of Ireland and the Channel Islands. Through its operating companies, the Group offers an extensive range of financial and professional services to individuals, family trusts, professional intermediaries, charities, and businesses.

For further information please visit: www.evelyn.com or contact your local Evelyn Partners office in Guildford on 01483 468888 ■

The Evelyn Partners Group of companies comprises Evelyn Partners Group Limited and any subsidiary of Evelyn Partners Group Limited as amended from time to time. Further details of the group are available at www.evelyn.com

Photo by Rodeo Project Management Software on unsplash.com

Join Surrey Law Society and Surrey Junior Lawyers Division at Pride in Surrey 2023

Members of Surrey Law Society and Surrey Junior Lawyers Division are excited to be celebrating Surrey's LGBTQ+ Community at this year’s Pride in Surrey, which is taking place in Reigate on 9th September.

We welcome you to a Meet and Greet breakfast kindly hosted by TWM Solicitors in Reigate, before we join the parade through the town ending up at the festival-styled event in Priory Park, which will include two stages, food and drink outlets, a funfair, community stalls and much more. Attendees will also find a Youth at Pride Zone, Local and National LGBTQ+ services and a Pride Plus VIP Area.

Attendance is free and you will be provided with an SLS/SJLD Pride in Surrey T-Shirt.

Reserve your place at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/pridein-surrey-tickets-663007151237?aff=oddtdtcreator ■

Programme

09:45 Arrival at TWM Solicitors, 40 West St, Reigate RH2 9BT

10:00 Breakfast Meet and Greet at TWM

10:40 Walk to Parade Meeting Point at Reigate & Banstead Borough Council (Town Hall)

11:00 Parade Begins

11:50 Parade Concludes at the Pride Event in Priory Park

Stay and enjoy the rest of the day

The Legal Services Board (LSB) has published a qualitative study on the experiences of 30 legal professionals from underrepresented groups trying to get into, feel part of, and succeed in the legal profession.

While not designed to be statistically representative, the sample included a mix of gender identities, sexualities, ethnic backgrounds, religious beliefs, socio-economic backgrounds, presence of health conditions, neurodiversity and disabilities. The testimonies in the study give voice to existing evidence of inequality and inequity in the profession and suggest there may be features, traditions and practices particular to the legal services sector that may hamper efforts to create a more diverse and inclusive profession.

Although the judiciary wields enormous power over individuals, its operations are alarmingly under-scrutinised, and judicial racial bias has previously remained largely beyond examination. The evidence in the report rang alarm bells about access to fair trials, hearings and tribunals as well as to equal professional development.

For example:

• Legal professionals in the study told us about a culture of working long hours to achieve certain billable hours, which might exclude some groups

• Needing to be perceived as the ‘right’ sort of person clients will expect to work with

• A lack of access to HR resources in some chambers or smaller firms

• Lack of flexibility in working practices and working in outdated and inaccessible physical environments.

The lawyers also shared stories of unethical and, in some cases, illegal workplace practices that created barriers to a successful career in the law, such as:

• Less prestigious universities being left off drop-down lists on application portals, leaving applicants unable to demonstrate

their higher education achievements

• Expectation to show a record of unpaid work experience despite working while studying or having caring responsibilities

• Denying flexible working requests that would help lawyers to manage health conditions or requiring them to take annual leave to attend medical appointments

• Lack of transparent policies and processes around pay, work allocation and progression

• Failure in certain circumstances to make reasonable adjustments in accordance with the Equality Act 2010, to ensure physical workplaces are accessible.

The practices cited showed examples of systemic barriers that require a change of mindset and culture across the profession as well as practices and policies that support inclusion.

Participants shared how these practices have impacted their wellbeing, productivity at work, career development, and ultimately their ability to deliver the best outcomes for their clients, reflecting negatively on the profession as a whole.

Matthew Hill, Chief Executive of the LSB, said:

‘We are committed to ensuring that regulation plays the fullest role possible in ensuring all legal professionals can thrive in their careers regardless of their background. The insights provided by this study highlight enormous opportunities to make things better by changing the way the sector does business. We hope anyone serious about inclusion in the legal services sector will use the research to tackle the barriers that lawyers face every day.’

The research will inform the LSB’s policy activity on equality, diversity and inclusion, and we will consult on a policy statement later this year to provide clear, updated expectations that aim to maximise the impact of regulation in creating a more diverse legal sector.

The research is available at: https://legalservicesboard.org. uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/The-lived-experiencesof-legal-professionals.pdf ■

LSB study suggests sector-specific, unethical barriers limiting progress on EDI in legal services

Finders International –Leading the World of Probate Genealogy

Q1. What does Finders International do and what services does it offer?

At Finders International, we are a probate genealogy company that specialises in tracing heirs to estates, properties, and assets worldwide. We offer a range of global research and support services, including locating missing legatees and beneficiaries all over the world, obtaining family documents, carrying out overseas bankruptcy searches, missing Will searches and handling the difficult aspects of overseas assets such as multi-jurisdictional share portfolios, as well as carrying out all important family tree verification work for Statutory Will Applications. Our clients include solicitors, estate administration professionals, and financial institutions in the private sector, as well as local authorities, coroners, and hospitals in the public sector.

Q2. What are the biggest highlights of Finders International's 26 years of existence?

Finders International was founded in 1997 by our MD, Danny Curran, in a small office in Southwest London. Since then, we have experienced tremendous growth, expanding to over 150 personnel across four offices in North London, Yorkshire, Edinburgh, Dublin, and Sydney. As an unregulated industry, we have always focused on raising the standards of our industry and have looked to self-regulate as much as possible. We are proud to be a founding member of the International Association of Professional Probate Researchers, Genealogists and Heir

Hunters (IAPPR), an international organisation representing elite firms across the world. Additionally, we have been honoured to be featured on BBC 1's Heir Hunters for five series and over 70 cases, as well as winning multiple awards, including Best Probate Research Firm of the Year at the Probate Research Awards for the past four years.

Q3. How has Finders International's appearance on BBC 1's Heir Hunters impacted business, and have you seen an increase in inquiries?

Our appearance on BBC 1's Heir Hunters has raised the profile of probate genealogy among the public and helped them understand a previously unknown niche area of work. We receive numerous inquiries from people interested in delving into their family history, and some of the stories they share are of real historical interest. Additionally, we have had stories relating to beneficiaries in the press, demonstrating the continued interest that the public has in their family history and how it ties into the world of probate genealogy.

Q4. What sets Finders International apart from other probate genealogy companies?

At Finders International, we believe that our commitment to excellence and our dedication to our clients sets us apart from other probate genealogy companies. We understand that dealing with estate and asset matters can be a difficult and emotional process, which is why we approach every case with

empathy, professionalism, and attention to detail. Our team of highly skilled researchers and support staff work tirelessly to locate missing beneficiaries, assets, and wills, ensuring that our clients receive the best possible service. We are also proud to offer a range of pro-bono services, helping people reunite with lost family members or reclaim family heirlooms. Additionally, as a founding member of the International Association of Professional Probate Researchers, Genealogists and Heir Hunters (IAPPR), we are dedicated to raising the standards of our industry and promoting best practices. Overall, our commitment to excellence, professionalism, and client satisfaction is what sets us apart from other probate genealogy companies.

Q5. What are your plans for the future of Finders International?

At Finders International, we are always looking for ways to improve our processes and better serve our clients and beneficiaries. Our plan for the future is to concentrate on improving our services by investing in new technologies and training for our staff.

We also recognise the vital role we play in helping legal professionals through the difficulties that can occur during the administration of an estate. We want to continue building strong relationships with our clients and help align the two industries of probate genealogy and legal practice by working together to promote best practices, ethical standards, and transparency. Overall, we are committed to remaining at the forefront of the probate genealogy industry, providing exceptional service to our clients and helping families around the world discover their past and secure their future.

If you would like further information on Finders International and the services they provide, visit their website www.findersinternational.co.uk, call 0800 085 8796 or email quotes@findersinternational.co.uk ■

INHERITANCE TAX VALUATIONS AND AUCTIONS

Ewbank’s specialises in providing clear market value inheritance tax valuations of the contents of properties both large and small in accordance with the valuation requirements of the Inheritance Act 1984. We are fully conversant with all the requirements of the authorities and can give comprehensive advice and support to those faced with the responsibility of being an executor or trustee, perhaps for the first time. A professional valuation ensures that values are less likely to be subject to detailed enquiry by the Tax Authorities; this assists considerably in hastening the process.

• Ewbank’s value fine art, antiques, memorabilia, classic and modern cars, collectables and collections of all types for the purpose of providing written valuations on an open market value basis in accordance with HM Revenue and customs guidelines.

• Good advice from professionals with strong knowledge of market values can help maximise sale proceeds to achieve the best results for the deceased’s estate and the beneficiaries where goods are being sold.

• The circumstances where probate valuation is required are often difficult and the team do their utmost to provide service with integrity, empathy and discretion.

• In addition to providing valuations, Ewbank’s can also arrange the clearance of any remaining contents from properties as required. The majority is recycled, re-used or donated to charity.

• All valuations are prepared under the valuation standards of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Red Book. Competitive fees are arranged by agreement in advance of accepting instructions and charges are discounted when instructions for sale are given.

• Ewbank’s was established in 1990 in Surrey and is a family firm with a global customer base, and clients from all over the world. Selling to buyers from over 70 counties worldwide. We hold specialist sales across all areas throughout the year.

01483

223 101

info@ewbankauctions.co.uk

www.ewbanks.co.uk

Navigating Climate Change: What Solicitors Need to Know

By Landmark Information

The legal landscape is undergoing a major shift as climate change becomes a central concern. In April, the Law Society issued guidance on how climate change impacts solicitors and their clients. This guidance highlights the wideranging effects of climate-related risks on legal practice and emphasises the need for solicitors to broaden their scope of consideration. Adapting to this far-reaching guidance poses a significant challenge for solicitors, who can expect sectorspecific guidance from the Law Society in the future.

The guidance is divided into two main parts, each addressing different aspects of climate change’s impact on legal practice.

Part A focuses on reducing the climate change impact of both law firms and their clients. Law firms are encouraged to assess their annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and set targets to drive them down. The ultimate goal is achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 or even earlier. Larger law firms are required to report their GHG emissions under the UK Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR) regime. This reporting primarily covers Scope 1 and 2 emissions, with the only requirement for Scope 3 being the reporting of business travel fuel usage. Additionally, the Companies (Strategic Report) (Climate-related Financial Disclosure) Regulations 2022 and Limited Liability Partnerships (Climate-related Financial Disclosure) Regulations 2022, based on the Task Force on ClimateRelated Financial Disclosures (TCFD), mandate businesses to assess and report on how climate change risks could affect their operations. To assist law firms in meeting these requirements and reaching net-zero goals, Landmark provides a dedicated sustainability team consisting of Net Zero and Climate Change consultants and environmental lawyers.

Part B of the guidance delves into the risks associated with climate change, both physical and transitional, and how solicitors should advise their clients on these risks. The guidance reaffirms wellestablished duties, including the duty of care, duty to warn, duty to disclose, and duty to uphold service and competence levels, within the context of climate change risks. Property lawyers, in particular, should be aware of the additional risks posed by climate change to properties. While solicitors should refrain from offering advice beyond their knowledge or qualification, they may need to engage in competent discussions with clients about climaterelated legal issues. The guidance recognises the importance of education and knowledge in determining when climate change advice is necessary, considering various factors such as transaction type, property sector, and client. Conducting a climate change search is also recommended as it helps identify the nature and potential changes in physical and transitional risks associated with a property. Solicitors must exercise professional judgment when deciding whether to commission a climate change report for a specific property transaction.

Landmark understands the importance of choice for solicitors in addressing climate change risks. It offers a range of support services, including sustainability training, online webinars, regional Law Society events, and the Landmark Academy. The Academy provides highly informative content to help lawyers enhance their knowledge and competency regarding climate change. Furthermore, Landmark provides solicitors with a product set that allows them to decide whether to obtain a climate change search. This approach aligns with the guidance’s emphasis on choice and recognises the need for a broader perspective on climate change risks, beginning with education and knowledge.

In summary, the Law Society’s guidance on climate change has significant implications for solicitors. To meet the challenges posed by climate-related risks, solicitors must take steps to reduce GHG emissions and work towards achieving net-zero targets. They should also be aware of the additional risks climate change brings to properties and be prepared to advise clients accordingly. Landmark is dedicated to supporting solicitors throughout this journey, offering tailored solutions and fostering knowledge and competency in climate change matters. It all comes down to education, knowledge, and exercising professional judgment in advising clients on climate change matters.

You can find out more by watching Landmark’s latest on-demand video ‘The impact of climate change on solicitors’ at https://www. landmark.co.uk/news-insights/webinars-events/the-law-societyguidance-on-the-impact-of-climate-change-on-solicitors-whatdoes-this-mean-for-solicitors-ondemand.

The webinar is specifically designed for solicitors as a tool to help them understand the guidance and its implications. The session covers two main areas of the guidance.

• Firstly, reducing the climate change impact of the law firm and its clients, which includes assessing annual carbon emissions and setting targets to achieve net zero by 2050.

• Secondly, the guidance examines climate change risks, including the duties of advising and warning clients about such risks.

Distinguished speakers are Kirsty Green-Mann, Head of Corporate Responsibility at Burges Salmon LLP, Professor Robert Lee at Birmingham University, and Simon Boyle, Environmental Lawyer at Landmark.

AGENDA:

• Summary of the Law Society Guidance and what this means for solicitors’ advice

• What’s the role that a law firm plays in reducing its carbon footprint and disclosing climate-related risks and opportunities?

• An overview of how Burges Salmon has implemented Net Zero

• Panel Discussion: What are the requirements for lawyers to fulfil the guidance and next steps for them

• Q&A ■

Pic by Shahbaz Hussain on Pexels

Why you don’t just need a Climate Change Report, but the Landmark Climate Change Report?

You will not only find physical risks included, flood risk, subsidence, heat stress and coastal erosion but also transitional risks such as EPCs.

A report that helps commercial real estate lawyers and residential conveyancers deliver extra value. It’s intuitive and keeps your clients up to speed on the short, medium and long term physical and transitional climate-based risks with advice and recommendations for a specific property.

For more information, please get in touch at www.landmark.co.uk/products/climate-change

More than 16,000 join The Solicitors’ Charity sponsored The London Legal Walk

T he 19th annual London Legal Walk took place on 13 June, with over 16,000 walkers taking to the streets, which makes it the most well-attended Walk in its history. The 10km Walk raises vital funds for advice agencies (in order) to offer access to justice for all, and the legal profession certainly showed their support.

Gathering in teams ranging from a few to hundreds, Carey Street was alive with excited walkers ready to take on the challenge and show their solidarity in the sunshine. There were also a lot of four-legged supporters and fancy dress to accompany walkers!

A solicitor from Hammersmith & Fulham Law Centre said: “What a brilliant event yesterday! So many people were walking it was definitely the biggest and best ever- everyone was saying what a fabulous day it was.”

Also on the Walk were lead walkers, the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Chief Justice and the Master of the Rolls, the Attorney General, the Treasury Solicitor, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the President of the Law Society and the Chair of the Bar Council, the vice President of CILEX, as well as other high-ranking judiciary.

Law Society of England and Wales President, Lubna Shuja, said: “It was wonderful to join so many others taking part in the London Legal Walk to raise funds for free legal advice charities. It’s inspiring to see the legal profession come together in huge numbers to show their support for such a worthy cause. It is important that free legal advice is available to vulnerable people who need it most. The funds raised by the London Legal Walk help to ensure there is provision for access to justice for all.”

The fundraising amount is currently at £825,000 and rising, which has surpassed last year’s total of £720,000. London Legal Support Trust are encouraging teams to keep fundraising, particularly when the need is greater than ever. 700,000 families in London are estimated to be living in poverty (Sustain report, 2023). Yet, while need is increasing, capacity is decreasing. Specialist advice agencies have been hampered by underfunding, as their costs have increased dramatically, and by reducing numbers of social welfare law specialists. This is due to a workforce shortage in the advice sector and challenges of recruiting new people into an underfunded sector.

This is why the funds raised from the London Legal Walk are so fundamental to the sector and have real-life impacts for those in need. The scenes on 13 June were testament to the power of collective action and working in tandem to respond to the changing social landscape.

If you would like to support London Legal Support Trust’s work in supporting access for justice, you can make a donation. You can also spread the word about this vital work and get involved with one of London Legal Support Trust’s upcoming events.

Where do the funds go?

With the rising cost-of-living and funding cuts, the funds raised by the Walk will be even more vital for securing the future of free legal advice agencies and the communities they serve. Many people are facing serious issues and are in desperate need of free specialist legal advice. Debt, homelessness, unemployment and domestic violence are all contributing to the hardship faced by many. We know accessing justice makes a difference to people’s lives – for example, LLST’s 38 Centres of Excellence alone helped 187,101 people last year. ■

A record number of solicitors joined The Solicitors’ Charity at this year’s London Legal Walk

Digital marketing for law firms: What it is and why you need it

When it comes to marketing your law firm online, many law firms struggle to find the right approach.

Should you start a blog or put yourself on social media? How much attention does your website need? Do you need to spend a lot of money and time to be effective?

It can feel hard to find the answers to these questions when times are good; in more challenging economic times, digital marketing can feel like even less of a priority.

While marketing budgets are often first on the chopping board, cutting out digital marketing is a mistake. Building a strong online presence is essential to surviving and thriving for all law firms.

Marketing helps firms stay front-of-mind among their target audience. If you’re seeking to improve (or begin) marketing online, here are some easy and low-cost tips to keep in mind.

Make sure your website stands out

A massive 96% of people who seek legal advice search

online

as their first port of call. As such, it is essential that your website is up to scratch and up to date when they come looking. Key things to pay attention to are: Is the site easy to navigate? Does it contain easy-to-understand language? Does it work well on a mobile phone?

Pay attention to your online reputation

Clio’s 2022 Legal Trends Report showed that client reviews are the most important factor when clients are considering hiring a law firm—substantially topping other major considerations, such as location, billing type, and office type. Incentivise positive reviews by asking clients proactively to review you. Be sure you make it easy for them to leave a review and build this step into your existing processes.

Embrace content marketing

Content is king when it comes to digital marketing. Creating regular content can help you to demonstrate your firm’s expertise, build trust in your firm, and increase your website’s position online. An easy way to start is by publishing a law firm blog, making sure you also share your articles across other channels (such as LinkedIn and Facebook).

Get your social media approach right

There are five cardinal rules when marketing your law firm via social media:

1. Avoid bragging or begging

2. Don’t forget about hashtags

3. Create curated legal content

4. Showcase firm activity outside of representation

5. Demonstrate your personality

Taking just these simple—and low-cost—steps can help your law firm to thrive. Want to learn more?

Clio’s ‘A Guide to Online Marketing for Law Firms’ expands on all of the above steps to give you a playbook for online law firm marketing without breaking the bank. Download the guide for free at Hampshire : clio.com/surrey-marketing ■

Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko on Pexels.

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. 

Discover why 1 in 3 SME law firms use LEAP

Unlike many other systems, LEAP is a true cloud solution that provides lawyers with 24/7 access to cutting-edge practice management, legal accounting, legal publishing, and document assembly and management in a single integrated solution.

Find out why over 23,000 legal professionals in the UK and Ireland are using LEAP and make the switch now.