13 minute read
Krakow twinning
On the 11th March 2020, shortly before we were all
asked to self-isolate and all trips were cancelled, we had an important event which marked the twinning between the Westminster and Holborn Law Society and the Krakow Bar Association. This important ceremony took place in the official residence of the President of the Law Society of England and Wales, which is a beautiful early 18th Century house just off Chancery Lane.
We were delighted to have distinguished visitors from Krakow, Murcia and Bilbao join us. We extend our thanks to Aleksander Gut of the Krakow Bar Association, who attended in place of Pawel Gieras, Dean of the Krakow Bar Association and to Kinga
Konopka of the Krakow Law Society for representing the Krakow Bar Association at this event. We also wish to extend our thanks to Silvia Gimenez, President of FBE, Sergio Marco and Kataryzna Wasowicz of the Murcia Bar Association and Izaskun Azpitar, of the Bilbao Bar Association for attending. We were indeed lucky that this event took place when it did; only a week later and we would not have been able to welcome these colleagues and friends.
The WHLS has twinned with various law societies and bar associations within Europe, such as Berlin and and this was an important opportunity to strengthen and emphasize the connections we have in Europe, which are more important than ever, particularly following Brexit.
We heard William Longrigg, the key note speaker, speak about the importance of such relationships. He emphasized how these connections mean so much to all legal associations throughout the world. As the former President of the International Academy of Family Lawyers, he was able to emphasize the value that lawyers all over the world place on their relationships with one another.
Because the event took place only shortly before a lockdown was announced, guests were not able to shake hands or embrace one another – even after the symbolic signing of the twinning agreement, where the traditional handshake was replaced with an ‘elbow-shake’. It was nevertheless a very enjoyable event, which included a delicious lunch at Middle Temple.
Moore Blatch and Barlow Robbins to merge
Combination creates new Top 100 regional powerhouse with significant specialisms including private client, property and personal injury
Leading UK law firms Moore Blatch and Barlow Robbins
have agreed to merge, creating a new regional powerhouse firm with a significant geographic footprint across the South East. The merger has been approved unanimously by the two firms’ respective partnerships.
Set to begin trading as Moore Barlow from 1 May, the new firm will comprise 70 partners, 272 lawyers and legal professionals, and a total staff of nearly 500 across six UK offices. Moore Barlow will have a combined turnover of almost £40 million, putting it well within the roster of the UK’s top 100 law firms. In terms of clients, Moore Barlow will be focused primarily on meeting the needs of private individuals & families, owners and managers of fast-moving organisations and businesses, and people whose lives have been affected by serious accidents or negligence. Each of these groups require relationship-oriented legal advisors who are dedicated to helping them find the best path through complex, difficult or stressful situations, a focus and approach which will set Moore Barlow apart in the marketplace. At the heart of the firm’s proposition will be a singular focus on people, both when it comes to clients and the firm’s 500-strong workforce across the UK.
Bringing together both firms’ respective and highly complementary areas of expertise, Moore Barlow will boast some of the largest and most comprehensive teams of legal advisors in areas such as private client, clinical negligence and residential property, among others. The firm combined will have offices in Southampton, Guildford, Woking and Lymington, as well as two locations in London (Richmond and the City). It will also be the sole UK legal advisor within Ecovis, an international network of more than 7,500 lawyers, accountants and consultants with capability around the globe.
Ed Whittington, managing partner of Moore Blatch, commented:
“There is a unique opportunity to bring together the absolute best of our two organisations – both outstanding firms with deep regional roots, strong areas of specialism, and dedicated teams of exceptional talent. By combining our respective and highly complementary areas of expertise within a culture of excellence and support, we will be one of very few firms with the breadth, depth and resources to meet all the needs of our core client groups. Moving forward with a clear vision and building on a shared set of values, Moore Barlow is poised to become a national leader in our chosen fields.”
Helen Goatley, chairman of Barlow Robbins, added:
“We feel strongly that the focus on people which lies at the heart of Moore Barlow will truly set us apart in the marketplace. For clients looking for a relationship-led service, we offer a strong commitment to achieving better outcomes for people, whether they are individuals, families, managers, leaders or entrepreneurs, and particularly those encountering opportunity, challenge or life-altering circumstances. Today’s top talent also want the right mix of a stimulating, rewarding career alongside a fulfilling work-life balance, an experience which we feel Moore Barlow will be uniquely suited to offer, and from which our clients can only benefit.” ■
Good luck Hannah
WHLS sends very best wishes to our
previous Junior Vice President, Hannah McCrindle.
While working as an officer, Hannah developed and approved the new designs for our website and logo, organised our banners, acted as our IT adviser and much more.
Enormous thanks are due for Hannah’s invaluable contribution and it’s great news that she and family are well-settled in their new home in Clitheroe.
Hannah also has had a gorgeous baby girl and is starting work at Stewarts solicitors in Leeds.
Good luck with the new job and the challenges of starting a new position from home. ■
Moore Barlow. Even more together…
In May 2020, Barlow Robbins and Moore Blatch joined forces to become Moore Barlow. Bringing together the legacy of our past, but looking to the future — our new law firm offers you more. More expertise & knowledge. More solutions & outcomes. More locations & coverage. Visit moorebarlow.com for further information.
Earlier this year Sinclair Gibson established a dedicated
Family Office Services Group, to provide a range of personalised services to families, their offices, trustees and other advisers that complement the firm’s specialist private client work.
The Family Office
Whilst family offices are nothing new, their popularity has grown significantly within the last ten years; a trend that is likely to continue. It has been estimated that there are now more than 10,000 family offices worldwide, with the vast majority in Europe.
With the legal, regulatory and tax environment continuously changing, the management of a family’s affairs requires a considerable amount of effort and expertise, often involving multiple jurisdictions and professional advisers. Naturally, families are increasingly looking for all of their affairs to be managed under one roof.
Family offices can now be found in a range of settings, including law, accountancy and investment firms. The term itself denotes many meanings and typically extends beyond the traditional wealth management of a single family.
The Services
To balance the safeguarding and growth of wealth for future generations with the immediate needs of current generations, requires an in-depth understanding of, and close relationship with, each family. Family offices are said to have a “helicopterview” of the family’s situation as well as a deep personal knowledge of their historic affairs.
The role of the family office is extremely varied, ranging from dayto-day administrative tasks to sophisticated succession and tax planning. The services offered by our group, although principally driven by the needs of the family, fall into the following categories.
Trust Administration and Governance The administration of family and charitable trusts can be onerous. Our trust administration and governance work includes conducting trustee meetings and implementing trust distributions and other decisions, as well as all aspects of HMRC tax compliance work, including the preparation of income, capital gains and inheritance tax returns.
Probate and Estate Administration Executors and administrators of a deceased’s estate undertake significant responsibilities in their role. Our group deals with the administration of estates comprising both domestic and foreign assets and provides advice relating to trusts in the UK and overseas in order to obtain the relevant grant of representation. We have the capability and expertise to deal with estate accounting and the tax affairs for the period of administration. Working closely with the private client team also provides seamless post-death planning where opportunities exist of which the group has extensive experience in its implementation and dealing with any allied reporting requirements. Our litigation department assists the group in relation to any disputes arising in the context of estate administration.
Accounting services Effective tax planning often involves the establishment and maintenance of complex structures which have specific accounting requirements. In addition to the accounting services described above, there is a significant network of both onshore and offshore accountants and fiduciaries with whom we work to ensure that where required and appropriate, the preparation of accounts and submission of relevant documentation to HMRC and Companies House, as well as the relevant authorities in other jurisdictions, is identified and dealt with.
Investment Management and Strategy Liaison Our group has a strong referral network which enables us to assist with the selection of investment consultants and managers, and liaise with them as necessary in relation to ongoing strategy, monitoring and review.
Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney (‘LPAs’) Well-drafted testamentary documents ensure the correct succession plan is implemented and may enable substantial tax savings through the careful use of relevant reliefs and exemptions on death, and/or the creation of flexible ongoing trusts. LPAs are also an important part of family planning that can reduce family conflict at critical times.
The Group
The Family Office Services Group at Sinclair Gibson is headed by Angela White, who has over 25 years of experience in trust management for wealthy families as well as probate and estate administration.
The group works hand-in-hand with the private client team, but also liaises with the firm’s family and litigation departments in order to deliver services across a broad spectrum.
Managing partner Lucy Gibson says: “We pride ourselves on our particular approach to private client law. We are known for our highly personal and discreet service based upon long and close client relationships developed over many years. The formal establishment of the family office services group continues this culture. Our role in relation to particular clients whom we have advised through generations places us in a unique position to assess their continuing day-to-day wealth planning needs and the best means of ensuring the long-term stability and protection of their assets.” ■
Lily Hurley Solicitor
Angela White Director of the Family Office Services Group Sinclair Gibson LLP
Nicola Wainwright joins JMW Solicitors LLP, London
Nicola Wainwright is a specialist clinical
negligence solicitor with more than 20 years’ experience. She joined JMW Solicitors LLP in April 2020 as the first partner in the clinical negligence department to be based out of their London Office, which opened in May 2019.
Nicola had previously spent 20 years at Leigh Day in London, the last 14 of which she was a Partner.
Nicola specialises exclusively in clinical negligence claims for patients arising from medical treatment that has gone wrong, or from a failure to provide medical treatment. She has expertise in a wide range of claims, but particularly those that are complex or that result in severe, life changing injuries.
Nicola has acted in many high value cases for clients who have suffered brain injuries, including children injured at birth or due to infections, such as meningitis, and adults who have suffered neurological injuries during surgery or as a result of a delay in diagnosis of disease, such as encephalitis. Nicola also acts for clients who have suffered other types of injury, including gynaecological injuries and those arising from delays in diagnosis of diseases and sepsis. Nicola acts for the families of those who have died. She regularly assists bereaved families with inquests, including Article 2 inquests, into their loved ones’ deaths.
Most recently, Nicola successfully settled a claim for a 9-yearold-girl who had suffered permanent brain damage due to the misuse of forceps during her delivery at West Middlesex Hospital. She also secured a six figure sum of compensation for a 75-year old man who suffered brain damage during sinus surgery and successfully concluded a claim for a lady who suffered spinal injuries as a result of poor mental health care which left her unnecessarily suffering symptoms of psychosis and depression.
Nicola is described in Chambers & Partners legal directory as a ‘highly experienced lawyer who achieves great results’ for clients. Clients describe her as ‘incredibly empathetic and understanding’ and as ‘having great communication skills’.
Nicola qualified as a solicitor in 1997 after training with Pictons. She specialised in personal injury and clinical negligence at Davies & Partners, Birmingham before joining Leigh Day in 2000, since when she has specialised exclusively in clinical negligence.
Nicola is a member of the Law Society Clinical Negligence Accreditation Panel and an Association of Personal Injury (APIL) Senior Litigator. She is currently the Co-ordinator of Apil’s Special Interest Group on Procedure.
Nicola is a member of FOCIS (Forum of Complex Injury Solicitors), the Westminster & Holborn Law Society and the Association of Women Solicitors, London (AWSL). She sits on the CSR and Pro-Bono Committee of Westminster & Holborn Law Society. Through these organisations Nicola helps fight for access to justice for all and for equality and diversity. ■
Kutter Walters
Kutter Walters Legal Costs Limited is based on an
approachable structure and aims to be considered as an extension of your firm, rather than simply an outsourced service. The company started in 2012 with just 2 local clients and has steadily grown since, with a large client base which spans the UK. Our experienced team provides ongoing advice throughout a case and guidance to help manage your costs from the outset.
We specialise in a number of areas of Costs, including; Inter Partes, Legal Aid, Solicitor Client, Court of Protection, Advocacy and Mediation.
Kutter Walters strongly believes in the ongoing provision of Legal Aid. We have a team of dedicated Legal Aid costs experts who are ready to advise you on how to maximise profitability from your cases. CCMS has changed the way in which legal aid costs are claimed and our team is at the forefront of changes to the evolving system.
We have structured fee plans to ensure continuity across your cases and billing processes. We keep our charges transparent and competitive, and include our charges for consideration.
In light of the ongoing Coronavirus emergency we remain accessible and are fully prepared to continue our provision of our services and are happy to discuss your needs.
To speak directly to our team, please call 01273 569 650. The Head Office is based in Brighton and Hove and we provide our services to firms across the UK. You can also visit our website www.kutterwalters.co.uk for more information.
We at Kutter Walters Legal Costs Limited are proud sponsors of the President’s Dinner. ■
