President’s Foreword

INTRODUCTION

President’s Foreword Spring 2022

Welcome to the first issue of Shropshire Lawyer, our new quarterly magazine. The purpose of the magazine is threefold: First, to highlight the exceptional work that lawyers and support staff do throughout Shropshire week in and week out; second, to share some of the lighter sides of legal practice; third, to offer a forum for the sharing of news.

In the first issue, we have a fascinating and sometimes harrowing piece by Beth Heath about her work in connection with the Telford and Shropshire Maternity scandal. The five-year investigation by Donna Ockenden and her landmark report which has recently been released concluded that there were “repeated failings” at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust over 20 years which led to the deaths of 20 babies and nine mothers, and 1,592 clinical incidents. Beth’s plea is simply – that Mum is not forgotten.

There is a reflective article by Andy Howarth about a mental disorder which falls between the stools of several areas of legislation and Abi Murray gives new Trainees tips on how to survive your training contract.

On the lighter side, have a look at the hilarious piece by Mike Lim on the travails and triumphs of an IT guy, and browse the smorgasbord of wit and wisdom in our feature on Legal Twitter.

The news: as well as local firms rightly trumpeting the achievements of their staff, we have a report on Jess Phillips’ Q & A at the Mercure in Telford in March; an account of our Quiz night at the Mytton and Mermaid and the announcement of our forthcoming Legal Awards celebrating excellence in Shropshire.

We hope that this first issue will have something in it to interest, amuse and stimulate you. Please send in your own articles for inclusion in future editions. We want Shropshire Lawyer to reflect the whole breadth and depth of legal talent in Shropshire Telford and Mid Wales.

Finally, I want to personally thank all of our contributors to the magazine who have made the first edition so engaging, interesting, poignant and entertaining. I hope you agree.

Gemma Hughes

With all best wishes,

Gemma Hughes

President