CEO Report

CEO Report

SUMMER 2024

As we look forward to the summer months, I am pleased to share with you an update on the Society’s recent activities and future events. It has certainly been a busy time, with much achieved and lots to look forward to.

SLS Legal Awards 2024

We were thrilled to announce the shortlist for the SLS Legal Awards 2024 sponsored by Evelyn Partners. I would like to congratulate all the finalists and thank everyone for submitting nominations this year. The awards ceremony promises to be a fantastic evening, taking place on 3 October 2024 at G Live in Guildford. Detailed information on how to book and what to expect from the evening’s celebrations, including the names of all the finalists, can be found overleaf. We look forward to celebrating the achievements of SLS members together.

The Law Society’s Townhall at Chancery Lane

In May, Dawn and I had the privilege of attending The Law Society’s Townhall event at Chancery Lane, along with representatives from 34 other Local Law Societies. It was an enlightening day featuring a fireside chat with Attorney General Victoria Prentis, and updates from The Law Society on critical issues such as criminal and civil legal aid reforms, court delays, the 21st century justice project, and the Artificial Intelligence Programme. This event also provided an excellent platform to connect with other local law societies, sharing common challenges and celebrating recent successes.

ULaw Awards

Dawn and I were delighted to attend the final University of Law Awards evening at the Guildford Campus before its closure later this year. The event was a fitting tribute to the talented students whose remarkable achievements were celebrated. It was an honour to see such talented students acknowledged for their outstanding accomplishments and you can find more information on the evening later in the magazine.

LegalTechTalk

In June, I attended LegalTechTalk at the Intercontinental Hotel at the O2. This two-day event attracted 2,500 attendees, 300 speakers, and numerous exhibitors, all keen to stay abreast of the latest trends and technologies in the legal sector. I attended several insightful sessions, including discussions on the Death of the Billable Hour, Law Firm Leadership Challenges, and LegalTech Innovations. A standout session was Wirecard Whistleblowing: A Journey from Scandal to Safety with Pav Gill.

Employment Law Programme

Recently, I had a productive meeting with Nick Hawkins at Knights plc HQ in Weybridge. We explored exciting ways to revitalise our Employment Law activities. We have several plans in the pipeline and will be sharing more information soon. We welcome input from SLS members involved in employment law on how they can assist us with this initiative. Stay tuned for updates!

Training Programmes

Our training programme has continued over the past few months. We have hosted excellent webinars on a variety of topics:

• A Guide for Conveyancers: Navigating Properties Let on an Airbnb Basis in the UK

• Streamlining Probate: Minimising Delays and Maximising Efficiency During Wait Times

• Recognising Coercive Control: Understanding the Mechanisms of Abuse

• Supporting Surrey session with Evelyn Partners on Financial Planning Foundation

If you were unable to attend these sessions but are interested in their content, remember that as a member, you can request the recordings and associated notes for free. Additionally, our online courses have been well-received, and recordings can be purchased through the SLS Office. Courses offered include:

• Family Law Update 2024

• 5 Key Principles to Highly Profitable Delegation for Law Firm Owners and Partners

• Residential Conveyancing Update 2024

• Mastering Long-Term Care and Funding Challenges: How to Deliver the Best Advice in Private Client Practice

Social Events

On 26 April 2024, we hosted the Society’s inaugural Sailing for a Cure Legal Charity event. The brainchild of SLS President Dawn Lawson, the event was a resounding success, featuring a fabulous evening aboard the New Southern Belle on the Thames. Dawn's efforts in securing fantastic donations for the raffle and auction were rewarded by raising £2,500 for Cancer Research UK, an incredible achievement. More details on this event can be found later in the magazine.

Looking ahead, we are excited about our upcoming Past President’s Championship Cup on 4 July at Daytona Sandown Park. We extend our thanks to our event sponsors - Evelyn Partners, Landmark Information Group, Chadwick Nott Legal Recruitment, Finders International Probate Genealogists, and Pro Drive IT - and look forward to welcoming many of you to compete for the title of Surrey Law Society’s speediest firm!

Summer Break and Future Activities

As we approach the summer holidays, we will be taking a short break from our training and events. However, we are looking forward to a packed programme in the autumn, including the much-anticipated SLS Legal Awards. In the meantime, I wish you all a wonderful summer break and hope for some sunnier days soon!

With best wishes,

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