Central London Lawyer May 2024

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PUBLISHER

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Joanne Casey

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Catherine McCarthy

STUDIO MANAGER

John Barry

MEDIA No. 2052

PUBLISHED

Spring 2024 © Benham Publishing Ltd.

LEGAL NOTICE

© Benham Publishing.

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

DISCLAIMER

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

Photo: The Law Society's Hall, Chancery Lane, London.

26th July 2024

For the Summer 2024 edition

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

Editorial

Members wishing to submit editorial please send to:

Editor in Chief: Kene Onyeka Allison. Editorial Board: Lotus Kimona, Anamitra Mukhopadhyay, Anita Winsome, Sarah Bradd and Emma Webb

The President’s Foreword

MAY 2024

As a young wide eyed and enthusiastic undergraduate at the University of Leicester (admittedly a good few years ago!), the academic text ‘Academic Tribes and Territories’ by Tony Becher was thrust into my hand.

That classic text explores the different tribes within higher education, and academic cultures. As law students we walk the well-trodden path of the ‘socialization of becoming a lawyer’. On that journey we develop our own – often tight knit – network of friends and professional colleagues. That socialization, and the development of those networks (or tribes) will continue throughout your professional career, and you should seek to nurture inclusive and diverse networks. We need to remember to support each other, and to help others rise when we rise, and to not forget the individual, and often, hard journeys that we have all taken to get where we are, and to have the confidence to dream of where we want to be.

One of the things that I am most proud of about the Westminster and Holborn Society (and there are a many) is our reputation in the UK and internationally of being an inclusive, pro-active and welcoming local law society. We want to do what we can to help our members, and I want to reiterate that we are open to listening to all of your ideas about how we can add value for our members. Whether that is hosting though provoking discussions (such as the recent excellent event organized by Suzanna Eames and hosted by corporate member firm Farrer & Co) which explored the modern parent working in law; hosting

a speed mentoring event or taking part in international visits (including conferences hosted by our friends at the FBE), or taking part in our many active committees - we want to make sure that all of our members are able to develop, grow and influence.

We want to ensure everyone feels able to contribute and get involved, whether they are part of our growing student membership, or our active junior lawyers to those experienced partners. We want our members to always have a seat at the table, and if there is not enough room at the table, then we will get a bigger table.

I could eulogise all day about our incredible officers and our committees, and I want to express how profoundly grateful I am to all of them for their hard work and effort in ensuring that our members are part of our tribe and helping us to expand our membership. It is crucial that we all spread the good news of what the Westminster and Holborn Law Society does, and the value that it brings, so that we can expand our tribe event further. Thank you.

Very best wishes. 

Phil Henson President Westminster & Holborn Law Society

Phil Henson

WHLS OFFICERS

Philip Henson President

Philip Henson is a Partner and the Head of Employment at ebl miller rosenfalck. He, and their growing team of employment lawyers at the firm, represent employers and senior executives. He is a Council Member of the Law Society of England and Wales.

Outside of a busy work and active family life, Phil also produces award winning short films. He has recently finished a script for a dark comedy called Viking Funeral which is in pre-production. He is also a jury member of the British Short Film awards, and is also developing several children’s story books which are at various stages of development.

Nicola Wainwright Vice President

Nicola Wainwright is a specialist clinical negligence solicitor with more than 20 years’ experience. She is a Partner and Head of Clinical Negligence-London at JMW Solicitors LLP. 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 been ranked in Chambers & Partners legal directory for 14 years and has been described 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. She was at Leigh Day for 20 years before joining JMW.

Nicola is a member of the Law Society Clinical Negligence Accreditation Panel and an Association of Personal Injury (APIL) Senior Litigator. Nicola sits on the Westminster & Holborn Law Society CSR and Pro-Bono Committee. She is also a member of FOCIS (Forum of Complex Injury Solicitors), and the Association of Women Solicitors, London (AWSL).

Suzanna Eames Deputy Vice President

Suzanne is an Associate at Farrer & Co specialising in a broad range of private family law matters, including divorce, complex financial remedy cases, children matters, financial claims to support a child, jurisdictional disputes and pre-nuptial agreements. Suzanna was previously DVP of WHLS in 2020/2021 and is looking forward to getting stuck back into the Society again. In 2021 – 2022, Suzanna was the Chair of the Junior Lawyers Division of the Law Society.

Kene Onyeka Allison Editor in Chief

Kene is an in-house solicitor at Mizuho International plc, a Japanese investment bank. She is dual-qualified in England & Wales and Nigeria. Her areas of specialisation are Debt Capital Markets and Derivatives. She volunteers in different capacities with different organisations with the aim of improving ethnic and minority diversity.

Nicola Rubbert Immediate Past President

Nicola qualified as a solicitor in 2013 with a boutique firm in the City that specialised in advising Japanese corporate clients. She has experience in-house and in private practice, focussing on employment, data protection and commercial law. Nicola is a Council Member of The Law Society of England & Wales, representing the constituency of City of Westminster and a member (and former Chair) of Westminster & Holborn Law Society’s Education & Training Committee. She is also a former Chair of London Young Lawyers Group, a Liveryman of The City of London Solicitors’ Company and a Freeman of the City of London.

WHLS EDITORIAL TEAM

Kene Onyeka Allison

Kene is an in-house solicitor at Mizuho International plc, a Japanese investment bank. She is dual-qualified in England & Wales and Nigeria. Her areas of specialisation are Debt Capital Markets and Derivatives. She volunteers in different capacities with different organisations with the aim of improving ethnic and minority diversity.

Sarah Bradd

Sarah is a current trainee at Charles Russell Speechlys and has been a member of CWHLS since 2019. She enjoys contributing to the Central London Lawyer magazine and assisting the editorial team. In her free time, Sarah enjoys going on holiday to explore new places, eating at restaurants and watching films at the cinema.

Lotus Kimona

Lotus works as a Paralegal in the matrimonial department at a law firm in Liverpool. She has various experience across different areas of commercial law but decided that Family Law is her preferred specialism. She has recently relocated but continues to support the editorial team remotely.

Anamitra Mukhopadhyay

Anamitra is a solicitor within JMW Solicitors LLP’s Commercial Litigation and IP departments. Anamitra advises clients across various sectors on a variety of matters including IP infringement issues, contractual breaches and civil fraud. Prior to entering the world of law, Anamitra completed a History degree and has a passion for the subject. Aside from History, Anamitra’s other love in life is music. She is a keen singer and enjoys performing.

Anita Winsome

Anita is an LLM student specialising in Comparative & International Dispute Resolution at Queen Mary University of London. Her interests include domestic & international arbitration, competition law and intellectual property rights. She is a qualified lawyer in India and is a licensed member of the Bar Council. Her favourite pastime activity includes exploring the beautiful cafes, museums or the parks at South Kensington.

Emma Webb

Emma Webb is a recent first class LLB Graduate and Editorial Assistant. Emma is embarking on a career in the legal and media industry. Currently, she serves as a Communications Executive for Small Business Britain and an Editorial Assistant at Legal Women Magazine where she combines her passion for law and her talent for communication.

International Committee Update

I n January, Philip Henson and Sara Chandler attended the Opening of the Judicial Year in January. Sara gave a speech on Judicial Guidance for Judges in England and Wales. In March Philip and Sara also attended the Barcelona Bar climate change conference, and an International Legal Brunch focused on the topic of artificial intelligence. [To read more about this event, please read our separate article at page 14].

The next General Congress of the European Bars Federation (FBE) will be held in Malaga from 6-8 June, and registration is now open. Members can sign up using this link. The Congress will be focused on the future of the legal industry, with topics such as artificial intelligence and gender equity in the profession up for discussion. We are delighted that it has been agreed that we will sign a twinning agreement with Frankfurt Bar at the event.

From 12-14 September, the FBE’s International Young Lawyers’ and Law Students’ Human Rights Oratory Competition will be held in Strasbourg. Junior Lawyers up to 10 years PQE are eligible to enter, and WHLS can enter 2 candidates into the competition.

In March, the International Committee hosted a social event at the historic Devereaux pub. The pub first opened in 1677 is said to have been a favourite haunt of Sir Isaac Newton amongst others! The event was a success and attendees had a great evening socialising together.

If you are interested in the international work of WHLS, please contact the Secretary: Arisa.Terada@farrer.co.uk.

International Committee, WHLS 

MEMBERSHIP

TIME TO RENEW!

It was wonderful to see so many of you at our Annual Black Tie Dinner at the House of Lords. This was just one of the fantastic WHLS events held during the past year.

Membership is the cornerstone of our organisation and we rely on your subscriptions to be able to offer our events and magazine. The Society membership year runs from October to October and 2023-24 annual subscriptions are now due. If your details have not changed, kindly pay the invoice sent by email. If you have changed employers or if your status has changed, please fill out a membership form so that we can update your details. If you are not yet a member you can easily join by completing the online form at www.cwhls.org. uk on the Join Us page and following the payment instructions.

For enquiries regarding Corporate Membership, please email cwhlawsoc@gmail.com. If you are an individual member, please consider approaching your firm about Corporate Membership.

There are many benefits to joining our vibrant and welcoming group of legal professionals. What sets us apart from other societies is our links to regional and international legal organisations. We are a part of the Fédération des Barreaux d’Europe and are twinned with the Paris, Berlin, Milan and Barcelona bar associations, to name a few.

Other benefits include numerous professional development and networking events, many of which are free for members; a free subscription to the Society's quarterly magazine, Central London Lawyer, and the opportunity to contribute articles; the opportunity to share your ideas and develop leadership skills through involvement in our committees; a voice on the national Law Society's Council through the election of local Council members; and invitations to events with other law societies and legal organisations across London, Europe and internationally.

We greatly appreciate your past support and look forward to your continued participation in our Society. All members have a vital role to play in our continued success. We welcome new members so please spread the word about our Society to friends and colleagues. And we hope to see you at our next event! 

SAVE THE DATE

Future Events

• Speed Mentoring Event 6 June

• London Legal Walk 18 June

Dear Westminster and Holborn Law Society Members and Supporters,

We're excited to extend an invitation to join us for the London Legal Walk on June 18th!

This annual event brings together legal professionals, organizations, and supporters to walk 10km through the heart of London to raise funds for vital legal services.

By joining our team, you'll not only have the opportunity to make a tangible impact in supporting access to justice for those in need, but you'll also enjoy a fantastic day out, networking with fellow professionals, and promoting the important work of our organization.

Let's walk together to make a difference and create positive change in our community.

Sign up to join our team on the walk by sending us an email to cwhlawsoc@gmail.com

SPECIALISTS IN THE ANALYSIS OF ROAD TRAFFIC COLLISIONS

Providing tailored solutions for the investigation of incidents involving

“Finding your tribe, building your professional network”.

Adanna Ezechukwu

I was always a dreamer. From the age of 15, I knew I wanted to be a lawyer (of some sort). I knew that I wanted to help people. I understood that I was a great public speaker and debater, and I was very confident in that. I dreamt of courtrooms, I watched all the crime documentaries, I also did very well in my A-Levels, achieving the highest grades in my cohort.

But I soon realised, that my successes were limited without networking.

I then went to university, focussed on reading, and being the best academic that I could be. But that yielded little results. Yes, I attained the grades, and was awarded numerous awards and Scholarships…

… but my successes were still limited without networking.

When I came out of university, the cliché phrase that we all hear: “Your net-worth is your network” began to dawn on me. Being academic was not enough, striving to be independent at the expense of community was futile, and the false ideology that seems to be engrained within every crevice of society that “I can do this by myself” was proving to not yield many results. I came to the lifealtering conclusion that:

True success starts not only with competence, but by intentional relationship building.

I’ll give you three reasons why:

1. “I can do it all by myself” is self-limiting: In my short career, I have never been more energised, more focussed and more passionate about law. This is not because I have had many achievements. But its because I’ve had conversations with those who have a lot more experience, a lot less experience and, those who are in similar positions to me. Every conversation has the power to change the trajectory of your life. This is, by no means an exaggeration, but a beautiful reality about the power of networking. One sentence can change everything. One idea can make millions. One piece of advice that you give others, can significantly change their perception of themselves and those around them. Expanding your professional network leads to more inspiration and more focus. You can pick up the pieces from somebody else’s story and make it your own.

2. Learning is key for growth: Social media is ever-changing. With the rise of AI and increasing technology, there is not much room for real learning. I’m talking about the ‘learning’ that nobody does

for you (sounds weird to say that!). The ‘learning’ that is not quick. The ‘learning’ that does not pop a question into an AI generated machine, which articulates opinions, matters and conversation in an impressive way. What constitutes real learning is that which is acquired through study, experience or teaching. When you expand your network, you automatically open yourself up to learning from real people, with real experiences. Your horizons stretch. Now I am in the working world, I realised that the world is so vast, and university was a bubble. In University, I was dealing with theories and coursework (which, in my opinion, was needed). But speaking to people in different fields, with a ton load of experience transcended theory and helped practicalize essential skills needed to be the best I could be. Do you see the difference? Communication with others from the vast fields, provides hands on learning that helps you grow.

3. One can reach 1000 but two can reach 10,000: I love this quote. It comes from the Old Testament in Deuteronomy. It’s a true depiction of the potent impact that coming together does. One person can have a great idea, but it takes a team to make it manifest. If you want to go far, go together.

It would not be sensible for me to speak about building your network, without speaking about the deadly ‘imposter syndrome’, fear of rejection and embarrassment and its effect on meaningful conversations. I hold weekly mentoring sessions, and these topics seem to be a common denominator.

For me, I used to shy away from conversations because I had a stammer when I got nervous. My fear was, in my opinion, a stumbling block for the advancement into the next stages of my career. A motto that has stood by me since I started my networking journey is: “If somebody tells you no, nobody dies”. As silly as this may seem, it is truth. It is a reminder that “no” is not final, its simply redirection. “Failure” is not really failure, it’s a reminder that you are on a long journey with different stages. To effectively build a network, you must get out of your own way and have difficult conversations, branch out and break the barriers.

You will be shocked at the person you become and who you meet along the way. 

Adanna Ezechukwu Barrister (Unregistered)

King Charles III announced as new Patron of The Solicitors’ Charity

The Solicitors’ Charity Chair, Ginny Cannon (pictured), is delighted to learn that King Charles III will be the Charity's new Royal Patron

The Solicitors’ Charity is delighted to learn that King Charles III will be its new Royal Patron.

Following His Majesty The King’s Accession in September 2022, a major review of more than 1,000 Royal Patronages and charity Presidencies was undertaken. To mark the first anniversary of Their Majesties’ Coronation, the conclusions were shared with The Solicitors’ Charity this week.

Queen Elizabeth II was patron of 492 organisations, while King Charles III was affiliated to 441 and Queen Camilla 100. Following the review, just over 830 have been retained by the king and queen or passed to other members of the royal family.

The Solicitors’ Charity is honoured that His Majesty has accepted the patronage of The Solicitors’ Charity. The late Queen Elizabeth II was the Charity’s previous Royal Patron.

The Solicitors’ Charity has been supporting solicitors since 1858. It provides comprehensive support to improve the wellbeing of solicitors, helping them to overcome life’s challenges.

Chair, Ginny Cannon, said: “We are honoured and thrilled that His Majesty The King is to become our Royal Patron. Royal patronage is a huge endorsement of the vital services we offer to solicitors and the positive impact we make on the lives of the people we help.

We are delighted to welcome His Majesty as Patron of the Charity.”

The patronage was announced by the Royal Household to mark the first anniversary of the Coronation. The Solicitors’ Charity was told that King Charles III was “delighted” to accept the role.

Royal patronage endorses the work of more than 800 charities retained by Their Majesties and Members of The Royal Family, including military organisations, and professional and public service bodies in Britain and the Commonwealth. It allows their achievements and valuable contributions to society to be more widely recognised and promoted.

Find out more about the Charity’s work at: thesolicitorscharity.org 

The Solicitors’ Charity provides comprehensive support to improve the wellbeing of solicitors, helping them to overcome life’s challenges.

People approach the Charity for help for all sorts of reasons - because of struggles with the cost of living and money management, ill health, disability, distress through domestic violence, and anxiety, often caused by work-related stress or lifeconnected trauma.

Q.1. Please tell us a bit about you and your background.

Professional - https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-ayodejidigitallawyer/?locale=en_US

Founder of E-PDP, European Privacy and Data Protection

https://e-pdp.eu/

I work closely with different embassies and governmental departments.

Personal -Runner (10K and half marathons). Keen photographer. Mother. Wife (married to a Catalan). Human mother of 2-yearold chihuahua (my first dog, ever). Barcelona Football Club supporter since 1988.

Fluent in Spanish and Catalan.

Regular conference speaker on data protection and e-evidence. One of my favourite events was where I was able to exchange views and experiences with former telecommunications officer of the White House.

Since the pandemic I have trained Judges in Sofia, Bulgaria, spoken in Prague, Frankfurt, and Munich.

Q&A with Patricia Ayodeji

On any given day I can switch from speaking, writing, drafting, negotiating in English, Spanish, and Catalan without any difficulty.

I converted my English Degree into a recognized Spanish degree through the Open University (UOC) mostly in Catalan (with references to jurisprudence in Spanish).

I am currently studying (in Spanish) a Masters in Compliance with the Barcelona Bar Association and I am looking to make a move to a unique in-house head of compliance position in an international company.

2. Being dual qualified is very unique, how did you find the process?

Yes, its unique. It’s important to stand out in this profession.

The most daunting aspect about the process was having to do it in Spanish and Catalan.

To practise as a lawyer in Spain, a civil law jurisdiction, I needed to get my English law degree officially recognized by the Qualifications Division of the Spanish Ministry of Education. This involved a lot of paperwork (e.g. application with a certified copy of the document attesting my identity and nationality, certified copy of the academic transcript of the studies completed, inter alia, the official duration in academic years of the study plan followed, subjects taken and hours etc).

So far in 2024, I have spoken at a Technology and Law event in Barcelona held by the Academy of European Law (ERA) in Barcelona on social media as digital evidence, and in Data Focus held by Insig2 Ltd., in Zagreb, where I spoke about the EU AI Act.

Depending on where I am, I present in Spanish, Catalan, or English.

I learnt Catalan via the Consortium for Language Normalisation which offers free courses in Barcelona.

Spanish. I have never thought about it, but the truth is that I have never formally studied it. I learnt by listening, doing language exchanges, and speaking at every opportunity. There came a point, around the two-year mark, where I decided to stop translating into English in my head and to think directly in that language).

Let’s not underestimate living in a country and needing to do even the most basic things in the national language, as a driving force for learning.

In my case a favourable decision was dependent on the prior completion of studying twelve additional legal subjects including constitutional law, in a Spanish University, with a time limit of four years to complete. I opted to finish all in one year and start to practice in my own right as soon as possible.

Once the degree was officially harmonized, before pursuing my activity as a lawyer I was required to register in the Bar Association corresponding to the area in which I would establish my only or principal professional location.

Once registered I was able to practice law with the same rights and obligations (without any restrictions) as Spanish nationals, using the Spanish professional title of Abogado. (lawyer) bound by the same professional, administrative, ethical, and legal regulations and standards that define and govern the profession in Spain.

I am entitled to practice in Spain as self-employed lawyer or salaried lawyer in the whole of Spain.

Since I entered the Barcelona Bar, rules have changed and anyone wishing to have their qualification recognized would be required to complete all the pre-requisites indicated and in

addition be required to complete specialized training (internship) period of two years plus a one-year master’s degree in access to the legal profession or training course in access to the legal profession. There may also be other issues I am unaware of following our withdrawal from the EU.

3.What are your four top tips for building your professional network?

Go to events and actively engage. It’s Important to be yourself. I am always fore and foremost, me. Never network with a view to selling your services. It’s about building long-lasting relationships. My experience shows that services are contracted once trust has been established and this sometimes takes time. Don’t pitch. Ask questions.

Only give out business cards to those who ask for them rather than forcing them on to anyone who is polite to take them. The only reason I still have business cards is that some people are old school and prefer them. Personally, I think a better option is to learn to use the QR Code to your Linkedin profile.

Build multidisciplinary contacts for future collaborations and long-lasting effective business relationships.

Join different associations. I joined the British Chamber of Commerce in Spain, and eventually became a member firstly of its Barcelona Regional Committee and then elected as a member of its Governing Council. I also joined Spanish Association of Directors (AED), and eventually became a member of one of its Social Participation Committee. Format of committee activities: Director Debates for meetings, workshops)Talent Circle (Dinners- with top referential professionals outside the business sphere, e.g., artistic, literary, scientific, or culturalSocial -Volunteer (platform giving AED members the opportunity to help third parties with difficulties via their skills & capabilities as directors. Visits to companies).

4. How do you maintain your professional network? Actively networking. I’m passionate about it. It has bought me both long term friends and clients.

Client referrals on both a national or international basis. Having a foot in two jurisdictions always results in collaborations as I can’t physically be in two places at once.

Attending conferences both as a speaker and attendee, to reconnect. It I am taking part a conference albeit on a national or international level I am always sure to let my contacts know in advance.

Publications in social networks such as LinkedIn (I have a profile since September 2010) helps my contacts stay abreast of what I am currently focused on. Visuals. Simply seeing my name with my face helps contacts remember who I am and what I have to offer. It works.

Occasional business brunch, or dinner just to catch-up and keep building relationships.

All my family live in the UK. I always try to touch base with contacts in my network and combine seeing the family with business meetings in London on my longer visits.

5. What do you think stops people from building a network?

Character (introverted, shy). Some people are simply scared.

Some people think that it requires a lot of time to build and maintain networks with no guaranteed business coming out of it. Networking and its results are what you put in it. It is never a waste of time.

6. What advice would you tell your younger self and why?

Don’t be afraid to go against others’ perceptions of me.

Be my authentic self without worrying about trying to fit in.

Persevere and trust in my judgment. Being told by a middleaged male career advisor at school that given my somewhat humble background I should limit myself to jobs I could do such as being a secretary, was the catalyst of my determination to prove others wrong. At the time I told him that rather than being a Secretary, I was determined to have one. I did.

Don’t worry you will become the owner and creator of your destiny.

Your hard work and passion will pay off and open doors which seem to be shut.

The change from wanting to be a cartoonist to an architect and then finally from the age of 15, to being a lawyer would all help me to become the lawyer I am today. Starting from representing various types of artists (my creative side), to negotiating a contract for the most iconic symbol (my love of architecture) in Barcelona and the most visited landmark in the whole of Spain, lead to my decision to re-qualify in Spain, were aspects which formed part of my destiny. In fact, my love of Barcelona was what made a difference to me being offered by training contract in a city firm because the Partner also had a love of Barcelona. All was and continues to be connected. Curiosity didn’t kill the cat; it made the cat.

Don’t be afraid to try new things and push yourself out of your comfort zone. It will help differentiate you. ■

Patricia Ayodeji DUAL QUALIFIED COMMON LAW AND CIVIL LAW LAWYER

Lawyers making a difference on climate change

Barcelona in the Spring is a delight as the blossom in the trees begins to show. President Philip Henson and International Committee member Sara Chandler travelled there to attend the European Bars Federation (FBE) conference on climate change and the law, and a working brunch on artificial intelligence, between 14 and 16 March. This conference provided a great opportunity for networking.

The first day began with a meeting of the twinned bars, where reports were given by over 20 bars on their concerns and activities. Philip raised the concern of the threat posed by the UK government to the rule of law and the independence of judges and lawyers in the UK, which surprised WHLS’s colleagues from other European bars. Sara reported the upcoming visit to ClujNapoca for the “Taste of Law” conference from 16 to 18 May. Other bars reported their various activities, including training and exchanges for young lawyers, and guidance on the use of artificial intelligence and upholding the rule of law. The International Bar Association delegate reported on their study of the impact of the legal profession in Mexico. This was followed by a reception with speeches of welcome and an opportunity to meet more of the delegates, not only from all over Europe but also from North Africa, Asia, and North America.

The next morning, Philip was on the first panel of the day in the working session entitled “Climate Change: the transition from programmatic to binding obligations”. Philip gave a speech about a case in the Employment Tribunal, which he warned could have an impact on employers who disregard their employees’ concerns over climate change, as the case showed that concern over climate change can be held to be a protected belief under the Equality Act 2010. Speakers included a member of the New York Bar, the Taipei Bar Association, the Paris Bar, and the Union des Avocats Internacional. In the second session of the day, entitled “How climate change is affecting the legal profession and climate litigation”, speakers ranged from the International Bar Association, the Vice President of the American Bar Association, the Spanish National Bar, the Union des Avocats Internacional UIA, the International Association of Young Lawyers, and the President of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe. Those members

of WHLS who went on the legal visit to Barcelona will remember the library of the Bar Association, which houses some of the oldest documents in Europe. Philip was given a tour of the library by a member of the Barcelona Bar, a dual qualified English solicitor. In the evening, Philip and Sara attended the gala dinner held in the Barceloneta, a quayside restaurant specialising in seafood. It was an opportunity to network in less formal conditions than the conference.

On the final day, the conference became less formal and more focused on discussion. The Barcelona Bar Dean welcomed all to the legal brunch, and all delegates were given the opportunity to participate in a discussion on artificial intelligence. This legal brunch was organised as a follow up to a legal brunch held in 2023, in which artificial intelligence and its impact on the work of the legal profession was also discussed. Sara raised the issue of digital poverty in the UK and its impact on access to justice for people who are excluded from internet provision, either by lack of connectivity, or lack of access to hardware, software or the internet. The greatest concerns held by delegates about artificial intelligence were the threat it poses to cyber security and how it will change the jobs of future lawyers.

All WHLS members are welcome to join in the international events, including the legal visit and conference in Cluj-Napoca in May. A small delegation is going, and any further members will be welcome to participate, especially if there are lawyers who are also artists and would welcome the opportunity to exhibit and sell their work in Europe. The next FBE congress will be in Malaga from 6 to 8 June, and further information will be posted on FBE’s website.

Members interested in joining the International Committee should contact the secretary, Arisa Terada (Arisa.Terada@farrer.co.uk). 

Professor

Sara Chandler KC(Hon) Vice Chair International Committee WHLS Sarachandler.lawsociety@gmail.com

Philip speaking in his panel.

Group photo after the Legal Brunch

Legal English Course for Ukrainian Lawyers

In January and February this year, WHLS International Committee members Aleksandra Kowalska and Julia Splavska organised a Legal English course for Ukrainian lawyers living in London. The course was a pro bono project aimed at helping Ukrainian lawyers to gain new skills and improve their chances of finding a job in the legal sector.

Legal English and its specific terminology is not easy to translate and some expressions can be tricky for foreign lawyers who did not study law in English. Lots of words have a different meaning in everyday English and in legal English, and we also need to remember that there are differences between American and British spellings and pronunciation. Alex, who is a dual-qualified lawyer in Poland and the UK, understands that learning about all these nuances can be really challenging for foreign lawyers. She knows from her own experience what it is like to move to another country and work in a different legal system in a foreign language.

The pro bono project generated a lot of interest, with over 100 lawyers signing up for the Legal English classes. The course consisted of five sessions and covered the legal profession, civil procedure, client care and legal correspondence. The participants compared the legal professions in England, Ukraine and Poland and learnt about different types of legal practice. The participants also worked on specific vocabulary and expressions, such as “bundle” and “client care letter”.

Julia, who works as an Employment lawyer at Peninsula, shared her experience of dealing with Employment Tribunal cases. Alex shared her personal experience of cross-qualifying,

learning about the differences between legal systems and trying to decipher legal jargon used by English lawyers. The participants grasped that the disparity between the law and the legal procedure in Ukraine and England and Wales is not that significant, as most terms have Ukrainian equivalents.

Alex received feedback from participants that the emphasis in the course on correct pronunciation and tailored content for foreign lawyers was particularly appreciated. The participants also appreciated the wealth of knowledge presented; one individual noted their surprise at the amount of new information that they gained, despite prior exposure to English legal terminology. The participants appreciated the initiative and commitment to supporting Ukrainian lawyers in their journey of professional development.

This pro bono project was the third Legal English course for Ukrainian Lawyers run by Alex, and she previously organised courses with the Cracow Bar Association, for Ukrainian lawyers based in Poland. Alex and Julia are already planning the next project. 

Aleksandra Kowalska

Legal Counsel for a London charity & Founder of Alex Legal English

Julia Splavska,

Employment lawyer working for Peninsula

Aleksandra Kowalska

Julia Splavska

The Ukrainian Lawyers Association

The International Committee is delighted that Julia Splavska has recently joined us as a new member. Julia is a seasoned Ukrainian Employment Lawyer, who left Ukraine with her ten-year-old son just under two years ago. Julia presented to the Committee in December, on her experience of coming to the UK as a Ukrainian lawyer and of joining the Ukrainian Lawyers Association. The Association, which was set up by Nataliia Savonik, provides support and guidance to Ukrainian legal professionals seeking to establish themselves within the UK’s legal profession, after the challenges of war.

The Association is very active, and they have successfully provided their members with many opportunities since their establishment. They have collaborated with organisations such as Shell, the Law Society, Bird & Bird, Kennedys, Spilka and the University of Law, to provide their members with opportunities to develop their commercial and technical knowledge of the Law in England and Wales, and to connect them with legal recruiters and professionals. In February, International Committee member Aleksandra Kowalska ran a course on Legal English for Ukrainian lawyers. The Association also took their members to visit Parliament and, in collaboration with Spilka, on two tours of the Supreme Court, where some of their members met Lord Hodge and Lady Rose.

Julia’s reflections on her experience as an active member of the Association: “The most gratifying achievement for me is witnessing Ukrainian lawyers secure legal jobs in the UK, as it is my personal mission to showcase the exceptional calibre of Ukrainian professionals to UK employers.”

Looking forward, the Association plans to organise more events and provide more opportunities for its members to strengthen their knowledge of the Law in England and Wales. The Association is also seeking sponsors for the SQE exams to help them make qualification more accessible to their members.

To conclude, a statement from Julia: “I extend a warm invitation to each of you to join our events, cooperate with us, and witness the vibrant collaboration that defines our Association. Together, we can continue to break barriers, create opportunities, and build bridges between legal communities. Thank you for your

Julia Splavska, Employment Lawyer

Ukrainian lawyers in the Supreme Court in November 2023

JLD Spring 2024

Our purpose at the Westminster and Holborn Law Society’s Junior Lawyers Division is to support young law professionals by providing a forum to expand and grow as an aspiring/junior lawyer in the heart of London. The group aims to represent all law students, trainee solicitors, pupils and qualified solicitors and barristers up to 5 years PQE and is dedicated to creating a network of junior lawyers to provide a wide range of educational and social benefits.

On Thursday 11th April, we had the pleasure of hosting a legal careers panel event, drawing on the breadth of experience of two self-starters in the legal recruitment world: Robert Davidson, founder of Accordia Legal, and Maneesha Howard of Graff Search, an in-house legal recruitment specialist. Robert and Maneesha were joined by Charlotte Scoffin of Hanne and Co and Sophie Kay of Coram Chambers to talk about their young career journeys so far. Topics covered included: trends and opportunities in the legal market both private practice and inhouse; how to differentiate yourself in a competitive job market; the importance of professional networking; dos and don’ts of use of social media; common mistakes that trainees/bar pupils make; and balancing career goals with personal goals. We were very grateful to Charlotte’s and Sophie’s honest accounts of their career progression so far and we wish all the attendees the best of luck in their job applications.

Events such as these are highly beneficial for building your professional network, and in turn, developing your career in the long term. There are many events held by law societies in London and regionally that are directed towards providing educational and/or social opportunities to meet others of a similar mindset or who are practising the area of law you are interested in, as encouraging networking between lawyers. A good way to learn about these events is by joining a local law society near your place of work. You are bound to make new friends along the way too, a bonus.

Being a young professional in today’s legal market can be incredibly difficult, but also highly rewarding. Although it is important to have obtained excellent academic results and to be an expert in your field, it is also important to build your professional network. No time is too early to start making professional connections whether you are studying, seeking a training contract/ pupillage, or entering the world of qualification.

There are many resources available on social media on how to network effectively. Our advice is to ensure that the connections you make are meaningful – quality over quantity is key! To build a meaningful professional network, it is important to ensure that once you have met a person, follow up with an email or LinkedIn message. Suggest a video call or coffee/lunch for you to pick that person’s brain or to continue a conversation you began at the event you both attended. Further down the line, maintain contact by suggesting a short catch-up session. Reaching out, even if it is just to comment on recent topical news or to enquire

about something on your mind, is often always appreciated and helps build more worthwhile connections. Bear in mind, you may be a useful connection to the other person – it can work both ways!

Discover more about the Westminster and Holborn Law Society and our vibrant community by following us across our online platforms such as LinkedIn and Instagram. You could join one of our sub-committees and actively participate in the planning and execution of our diverse range of events, contributing your unique ideas and insights. Our calendar boasts a variety of engaging events, including our annual summer party, which took place at Goodenough College last year. The event featured an unforgettable performance by the brilliant saxophonist Marcello Cucco, captivating both new and familiar faces alike.

Another highlight in our annual lineup is the highly anticipated Autumn black tie dinner, typically hosted at the prestigious House of Lords. As preparations for these events are already underway, we eagerly anticipate welcoming a broad array of attendees. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to become a part of these exciting events and more. Join us today to expand your network and seize the chance to be involved in our dynamic community. Visit our website www.cwhls.org.uk to learn more becoming a member of Westminster and Holborn Law Society. 

Andrew Acquier FRICS FNAVA CHARTERED

ARTS SURVEYOR

Andrew Acquier FRICS FNAVA has been working as an independent valuer since 1982, specialising in fine art and antiques. Instructions for probate, divorce settlement, tax/asset and insurance valuations as well as expert witness work are regularly received from solicitors and other professionals.

Andrew has many years experience of compiling reports for litigious cases, several of which have necessitated a subsequent court appearance as an expert witness to argue quantum. Divorce valuations are a speciality, usually as Single Joint Expert. Work is carried out throughout the UK and abroad.

23 York Street

Broadstairs Kent CT10 1PB

Tel: 0207 353 6440

Mobile: 07787 518 861

Email: andrew@andrewacquier.co.uk

Website: www.andrewacquier.co.uk

LEAP introduces LawY, providing verified AI generated responses to Legal Questions

LEAP, the legal practice management productivity solution announces the launch of its partnership with LawY, a newly integrated AI legal assistant which is exclusively available to users of LEAP. LawY generates fast, accurate responses to legal questions posed by practitioners.

While generative AI can be extremely intelligent, precision and accuracy are paramount in legal matters. LawY uses AI to answer legal questions from an expanding legal knowledge base, that grows, improves and learns with each verified response. LawY employs a pool of experienced and qualified lawyers who act as verifiers eliminating any risk of error or misinformation. Differing from other AI tools the results produced within LawY include case law and references to support any findings.

“LawY not only reduces the research burden on practitioners, but also ensures that information produced is accurate and reliable and aligns with the rigorous standards upheld by legal practitioners.”

Gareth Walker, CEO, LEAP UK says:

“With LawY, LEAP users get instant answers to their legal questions with the added benefit of having the responses endorsed by genuine legal expertise. It is a powerful productivity tool that hastens legal administration, enabling those firms using our software more time to focus on delivering a top-tier service to their clients.”

Gareth continues,

“In the last year LEAP has invested time and money into developing AI functionality within the software, and the LawY integration is just the beginning of a list of exciting new AI features being made available over the coming months.”

"Boosting LEAP's AI capabilities helps users streamline legal tasks, especially useful for those on fixed fees. This investment frees up a lawyer’s time to focus on building strong client connections, offering better expertise to more clients, and ultimately, making more money."

This unique integration enables legal practitioners to deliver faster, more accurate responses and reduces administration efforts, aiding everyday tasks including:

Conducting legal research

Drafting letters and documents

Creating precedent orders

Preparing court documents

Reviewing case law or legislation

Drafting affidavits

Proof reading

Grammar checking

Summarising information

LawY is available as an integrated module to the LEAP user base immediately.

For more information, please visit: https://www.leap.co.uk/ integrations/lawy/ 

About LEAP

EAP Legal Software has been helping law firms to become more efficient and profitable globally for more than 25 years. LEAP is committed to consistently providing world-class legal practice productivity solutions and has innovation at the heart of its research and development so that users continually have the best possible experience.

Occupying a unique position in the legal software market, LEAP includes legal case management, legal accounting, document assembly, document management and legal publishing assets in one solution. Its software is designed to streamline tasks such as matter management, time recording document management, email management, automated forms, client accounting, billing, reporting and remote working.

For more information, please visit www.leap.co.uk/law

The Law Society’s Bicentenary: Celebrating 200 years

About the Bicentenary

In 2025 the Law Society of England and Wales will celebrate its 200th anniversary. This is a huge milestone in our history and an exciting moment to be part of.

Our bicentenary will be about feeling proud of the Law Society and the legal profession and celebrating our diverse community. We want to engage with members more than ever before and we want to demonstrate the impact of the profession on a public platform. Our 200 years will also be a moment to reflect – on where we are now, on how far the profession has come, and where it is headed.

To celebrate this, we are planning a year-long programme of activities and events, showcasing the past, present and future of the Law Society and the legal profession.

The programme has been in the making for the past year and has been developed in tandem with our members, including local law societies and Council members. The bicentenary programme’s guiding thematic principles have been identified with members through the practicing certificate fee member consultation last year.

What the year will look like?

The bicentenary celebrations will start in October 2024, in line with the opening of the new legal year, and run throughout 2025.

The bicentennial programme itself will draw together existing work across the organisation and create new initiatives specifically for the bicentennial year. These include activities such as:

• A digital exhibition showcasing the history of the profession.

• An enhanced Presidential roadshow with special events across England and Wales focusing on local stories championing solicitors and the profession. We will base this tour on a ‘history road map’, highlighting important stories from the past and present.

• Admissions ceremonies with a unique 200-year focus and feel.

• International receptions and webinars engaging the significant member community working outside England and Wales.

• A Gazette special feature

• Creation of an expert art advisory group to help us diversify our current portrait collection and plan how it can better reflect and engage the modern profession.

• Launch of the Reframing Justice report (read about the project and our Year 1 findings) alongside the culmination of our work on ethics and 21st Century Justice.

Alongside our confirmed events, we would also like to open 113 Chancery Lane to the public as part of the much-loved Open House Festival weekend and showcase our heritage and beautiful historic building.

How you can support

We are keen to engage with our members across England and Wales to seek ideas and input for stories we might tell in a history of the profession. For this, we would like to understand the experience of regional law societies, particularly their experiences of celebrating similar milestones, and how they may wish to support the bicentenary programme.

We would be grateful to receive any ideas, be they significant solicitor stories from your region or milestones past and present. All ideas will feed into the research we are undertaking into historic and contemporary stories for the creation of our digital history and history road map.

If you are interested in finding out more, or would like to share information or a story of the profession in your area please contact amy.murat@lawsociety.org.uk ■

Amy Murat

, Bicentennial Programme Manager Law Society

From intake to invoice: How to extract full value from your legal tech investments

You may manage a legal practice, might be a client-facing feeearner, or you may keep the back office running smoothly. Whatever your role in your firm, you’re busy and your time is precious.

Technology has a big role to play in unlocking efficiencies for law firms and there are any number of options on the market. But how can firms maximise the impact these innovations offer?

The best way is to bring together disparate systems onto a single platform, enabling streamlined operations, efficiency gains, and risk reduction. From practice management to conveyancing, due diligence, company formations, legal accounting, and document management, the firms who can access all these tools seamlessly from a single place will give themselves a distinct advantage in productivity.

Imagine having access to a range of products and services in one location, accessible with a single login. This level of integration eliminates the time-consuming task of navigating through multiple applications and managing several suppliers.

The impact? Removing administrative bottlenecks and reclaiming precious fee-earning time.

The Future of Legal Tech

Dye & Durham’s new Unity® Global Platform is a next-generation solution that introduces an array of new applications and features—all accessible in a single, user-friendly platform.

Think of Unity® Global Platform as your single destination for everything you need to run a thriving legal practice, including:

• Practice & case management including legal accounting and billing

• Client Onboarding with full KYC/AML, Source of Funds, and integrated TA6 property information forms

• Due diligence searches

• Conveyancing workflow & data

• Automated forms, document creation & management

• Calendaring, task management, and time tracking

• And more

All of these essential applications are easily accessible by logging in at dyedurham.co.uk.

Step into the future of legal tech — and make sure you are getting the full return on your technology investment — with Unity® Global Platform.

Visit https://dyedurham.co.uk/unity-global-platform/to learn more or contact our team for an introductory discussion at salesteamuk@dyedurham.com ■

Discover the Key Trends Shaping the Legal Profession in 2024 with Clio

Clio the leading global provider of cloud-based legal technology, revealed the key trends shaping the future for lawyers in the Legal Trends Report. For solicitors, it is crucial to stay ahead of these trends to remain competitive and thrive. The report provides insights to help your firm grow from finance optimisation to AI integration.

KEY TRENDS FOR 2024 FROM THE LEGAL TRENDS REPORT:

Steady Growth and Collections

Law firms are experiencing steady growth, with increased utilisation, realisation and collection rates. On average, solicitors are working over 40% more cases and billing 70% more compared to 2016. However, collections have room for improvement; quick payment collection is crucial for success.

Online Payments

Implementing online payment options can significantly improve collection rates. According to the Legal Trends Report, firms using Clio Payments get paid twice as fast. Clio Payments, a secure payment solution, enables clients to make convenient online payments, resulting in faster collection times.

Cash Flow Management

“Lockup” measures the time it takes to receive payments for services rendered. The median lockup period is 97 days, indicating that firms have performed work that has yet to be billed

or collected. Cloud-based legal practice management software like Clio can automate administrative tasks and reduce lockup times.

Client Payment Delays

Both solicitors and clients share responsibility for payment delays. 41% of solicitors say clients don’t pay on time, and 24% said too many don’t pay at all.

However, clients tell a different story; 15% say they never received a bill, and 28% say they waited a noticeably long time to receive their bill. Strategies such as encouraging electronic payments and investing in AI-enabled payment systems can reduce friction and expedite payments.

AI and the Future of Law

AI-powered tools are already impacting law firms, making operations more efficient and competitive. Despite some hesitancy, lawyers are increasingly interested in adopting AI technology to enhance the quality of legal services and improve decision-making—71% of legal professionals who want to use AI plan to do so within the next year.

Want to learn more? Read the full Legal Trends Report now and embrace the future of law. Visit clio.com/uk/LTR. ■

Chris Cotterill

Acting as a trusted partner to review and advise on your company’s insurance risks and insurance requirements. Working with you to offer your clients a dynamic professional service.

Email: chris.cotterill@konsileo.com

Insurance Experience & Service Offer

I have 18 years industry experience with extensive knowledge of several insurance products listed below to name but a few, this list is not extensive.

• Professional Indemnity

• Cyber Liability

• Executor & Inheritance Insurance

• Office Insurance

• Management Liability

• Restrictive Covenants

• Group Healthcare

• Group Travel Insurance

Having experienced working for global companies and independent brokers. I bring the experience of working on complicated projects and offer that personal service as a specialist in this industry.

Solicitors Industry Experience

I have partnered with law firms as new startups and firms with over 100 years of experience. As well as the important Profesional Indemnity renewal. I willl work with the firms’ departments to promote risk management solutions such as;

• Cyber risk training and awareness.

• Provide insurance solutions for your commercial clients.

• Risk Management Services with The Strategic Partnership.

• Promote Executor & Inheritance insurance to reduce Probate claims on the Professional Indemnity insurance.

• Proud to sponsor local law societies.

• Working with law firms during mergers and acquisitions.

• Provide pro active claims services for all the policies we provide. 1 claim may trigger more than 1 policy.

www.konsileo.com

Solicitors and Law Firms Insurance News:

With 20 years within the insurance industry, specialist insurance broker, Chris Cotterill provides Solicitors and Law Firms with top tips and advice on insurance and mitigating potential risks. With extensive knowledge on compliance and risk management structures, Chris can provide all-encompassing risk advice for any business, especially those with a growing reliance on technology.

Insurance Renewals - What to watch out for:

Over the last 12 months I have experienced first-hand, where law firms have struggled to navigate a renewal process, often due to an oversight, the miscalculation of potential risks or inaccuracy within their renewal terms. Below are a few tips on how to avoid this from happening to you.

Do:

• Carefully select an insurance broker to navigate the complex renewal process with you. Someone who can provide a constructive roadmap to obtaining suitable and competitive renewal terms and explain why particular insurers have been chosen.

• Work on risk mitigation solutions using new technology and 3rd party consultants.

• Agree a marketing strategy with your broker, well in advance of the renewal. Don’t be tempted to remarket year on year.

Don’t

• Ignore your claims experience. If there is a trend of claims in probate or large claims noted, then discuss with your broker how these are being resolved and what lessons have been learnt.

• Never leave it to the last minute. Hoping that you will obtain a positive claims experience a week before renewal, as this rarely ends well!

Raising Claim Awareness

Some of the more common claims for solicitors is ID fraud, to the point where the fraudster will meet you face to face with a fake passport. Some firms are also getting caught out in similar situations to the Dreamvar case in 2018. Even though you have known your clients for a number of years, solicitors further down the chain may not have the same strict ID checks that you have.

Some of the leading insurers have also noticed an increase in claims relating to Probate matters and may soon be overtaking conveyancing claims as one of the main risks to law firms. As well as training there are alternative insurance products for this type of work.

The Team at Konsileo

We are here to provide best advice on your firm’s insurance requirements. We work in partnership with compliance advisors and offer cyber risk tools to mitigate risks and raise awareness within your team.

• I will help with the completion of the proposal form to ensure that work splits are accurate and let you know what insurers are looking for on certain sections.

• Our close relationships with insurers let us know what firms they are looking for and where best to place your business.

• We can provide Cyber external scans to test your IT systems.

• Executor & Inheritance insurance to provide separate cover for Probate claims. ■

Chris Cotterill Client Director

07788601 5007 Chris.Cotterill@konsileo.com

Sarah's lifeline at a time of financial and emotional crisis

Britain’s cost of living crisis has left many families and individuals feeling the pinch over the past few years – and it may be surprising to hear that solicitors are no exception.

Busy mum of two Sarah worked as a solicitor for a local authority after qualifying in 2010, and then for the Law Society. While she and her partner were expecting her first child, she was made redundant and using the redundancy money and maternity allowance, the couple were just about managing to pay their bills when their baby daughter arrived.

In 2022, during the tail end of the coronavirus pandemic, Sarah returned to work part-time as a locum solicitor for another local authority – but six months later, she became pregnant again. That was the turning point for the family's finances. The maternity benefits given to a contracted solicitor weren’t enough and she soon realised there was too little coming in each month to cover the costs of her growing family.

As a legal professional, she was directed to The Solicitors’ Charity for support when using an online benefits calculator. “I was aware of the Charity through my earlier work with the Law Society, but never even thought their services would cover my situation,” she explained.

The Solicitors’ Charity helped Sarah find new work.

“I submitted an application and thought I’d never hear back. But instead, a caseworker contacted me and told me they’d be able to help me. It was a real lifeline during hard times.”

Sarah was financially supported for the duration of her maternity leave, including funding to pay for garage repairs when her car failed her. In addition to the short-term financial support offered, she also took up the offer of emotional help in the form of psychotherapy sessions.

It’s testament that The Solicitors’ Charity takes a holistic approach to individuals coming to them for support and recommends a package of wellbeing services to help people through challenging times.

Just before she started working again, she received additional support to help with her children’s nursery costs and the Charity also paid for Sarah’s practising certificate – without which she could not get another job.

“The Solicitors’ Charity gave me breathing space at a time when I was struggling to make ends meet,” said Sarah.

“I had been naive in thinking we could cope, but it was overwhelming. My caseworker really helped me chat through things and put me on the right road.

“I would urge anybody in the profession who has difficulties with the cost of living to make an application for support. Often talking about money is a taboo subject but the Charity isn’t judgemental or stuffy, they can really help you.”

Sarah’s fortunes have been turned around. She has started a new job and has a salary coming in again, her children are in nursery, the car is back on the road – and the bills are paid. Sarah was keen to tell her story as she was surprised at what varied and tailored support she has had from the Charity from financial wellbeing support, all the way to psychotherapy which helped her overcome the emotional challenges she faced.

“I’m telling my story to encourage others like me to seek help from The Solicitors’ Charity, I am very grateful to them,” she says.

Visit https://thesolicitorscharity.org/

‘The Solicitors’ Charity gave me breathing space at a time when I was struggling to make ends meet’

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

Six Weeks To Go - The Biggest Fundraising Event in the Legal Calendar: The London Legal Walk 2024** Celebrating 20 Years of London Legal Support Trust

“The London Legal Walk is not just a one-day event, but an organisation/partnership that aims to raise awareness about the growing need for access to justice and legal support for those most in need. It brings together thousands of people from the legal community, including solicitors, barristers, judges, law students and their families and colleagues. It is an opportunity for everyone to come together and make a difference in their local communities.” Bob Nightingale MBE, Founder & Head of Engagement and Relations at the London Legal Support Trust

The London Legal Support Trust marks two decades of unwavering commitment to justice and advocacy, demonstrating a pivotal role in addressing the growing need for free legal advice in London and the South East. Since its inception in 2004, the Trust has been at the forefront of combating the challenges posed by funding cuts, including legal aid, and the pressing need for unrestricted core funding.

Scheduled for Tuesday 18th June 2024, the London Legal Walk invites participants to join what has become the most significant fundraising event in the legal calendar. As the London Legal Support Trust embarks on its next chapter, it calls upon the legal community and the public to join forces in ensuring access to justice for all.

The London Legal Walk, the flagship event alone has raised an astonishing £10.5 million, directly benefiting those in need of legal support, and is poised for another record-breaking year, with over 9,000 participants already registered.

Thanks to an impressive track record of innovative initiatives, the Trust has notably impacted the advice sector. Collaborating with key funders and advice agencies, the Trust funds several programmes aimed at recruiting, training, progressing, and retaining a new generation of diverse workforce address the skills shortages in the advice sector.

Amid a persistent cost-of-living crisis, the Trust, along with its partners, remains a lifeline for many in difficult circumstances. The Trust for London’s Poverty Profile (2023) highlights that 25% of Londoners live in poverty after housing costs, illustrating the critical role of the London Legal Support Trust in the fight against poverty and injustice.

For more information about how you can support or participate in the London Legal Walk, please visit https:// londonlegalsupporttrust.org.uk/our-events/london-legalwalk-2024/ 

Improve your law firm’s productivity with LEAP Essentials

LEAP goes the extra mile to keep your firm constantly updated, ensuring you have the most accurate and timely information at your fingertips. Discover LEAP’s five essential features that will make your firm more productive and profitable:

Draft all documents and letters inside LEAP

Access a library of up-to-date court and government forms

Add your own documents to the library

Save time with Recurring Matter Templates

Unlock automation by entering all matter details in LEAP

Visit our website to find out more: leap.co.uk/content

Access a library of Up-to-date forms