HampshireLegal THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE HAMPSHIRE LAW SOCIETY | DECEMBER 2023
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
New CPD Program Happenings in Hampshire Council Member’s Report
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PUBLISHER Ian Fletcher Benham Publishing, Aintree Building, Aintree Way, Aintree Business Park, Liverpool L9 5AQ Tel: 0151 236 4141 Fax: 0151 236 0440 Email: admin@benhampublishing.com Web: www.benhampublishing.com
Contents 05 President’s Review 07 HLS Contacts 08 CPD Programme
ACCOUNTS DIRECTOR Joanne Casey SALES DIRECTOR Karen Hall STUDIO MANAGER John Barry MEDIA No. 1946 PUBLISHED November 2023 © 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 The Hampshire Incorporated Law Society welcomes all persons eligible for membership regardless of sex, race, religion, age or sexual orientation. All views expressed in this publication are the views of the individual writers and not the society unless specifically stated to be otherwise. All statements as to the law are for discussion between members and should not be relied upon as an accurate statement of the law, are of a general nature and do not constitute advice in any particular case or circumstance.
2024
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10 Happenings in Hampshire
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17 Junior Lawyers Division
18 Events 19 Help all Hampshire’s sixth form pupils achieve their best
21 20 Spotlight on the Committee
21 Council Member’s Report
Members of the public should not seek to rely on anything published in this magazine in court but seek qualified Legal Advice.
22 Notices/ Sits Vac 23 The Solicitors’ Charity 24 Lawcare 25 UPFRONT
COVER INFORMATION Image by Dieter Valerius on Meta.
Copy Deadlines 22nd February 2024 For the March 2024 edition
Advertising Anyone wishing to advertise in Hampshire Legal please contact Catherine McCarthy before the copy deadline. 0151 236 4141 catherine@benhampublishing.com Editorial Anyone wishing to submit editorial for publication in Hampshire Legal please contact Nicola Jennings before the copy deadline. administration@hampshirelawsociety.co.uk
24 Follow us on social media
INFORMATION The Return of HIPS, or something else
29 Book Review
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INTRODUCTION
President’s Review NOVEMBER 2023 in general. We have started preparing the lecture and social programmes for next year to incorporate all that has been learned as well as that which has been requested and notified to us.
Mo Aldridge
here we are the end of another year. Well It is also the end of my Presidency
and I am honoured to have served 2 years representing the members of Hampshire Law Society. I must of course thank the committee for their unwavering support and hard work. So much goes on in the background of volunteer organisations and committees and HILS is no exception. The dedication shown by my colleagues is remarkable and I am grateful for all the work that has been done by everyone. As I step down, I am able to look back with pride over what I consider to be a very successful 2 years. My focus when I started out in 2021 was to adapt HILS and drive our social media and engagement with our members and I believe that we have made a very good start on this and I am confident that the incoming President and continuing committee members will carry on that trend. Coming out of the pandemic and re-building the society and having a massive push on membership engagement has been at the heart of all our decisions and I am pleased to say I think we have achieved this. We have been able to offer our continued CPD lecture series, as well as augment this with more social activities and events. We have re-invigorated our social media presence and now regularly update and post about what we are doing and what is going on and we have seen increased membership response as a result, which is fantastic. Part of the Presidents role is to attend various functions as a representative of HILS but also to engage with the other neighbouring law societies. Throughout my time I have attended a variety of these events, some of which are social and some of which have been educational. HILS is a member of the Southern Area Association of Law Societies and through that we have a broader network of contacts and other like minded firms and individuals. This has been invaluable and we will continue to make use of those connections to enhance HILS offering to its members.
We are very happy to have partnered with Rachel Tombs of Orion Legal Marketing and have already seen great successes in events that we have organised through and with her. It is anticipated that with her involvement we will be able to offer even more opportunities and events as well as secure more sponsorship thus further enhancing what we can achieve. Many thanks to Rachel for her support and dedication to championing local law societies. HILS is also proud to have been invited to assist in the setting up of the Hampshire Pro-Bono Committee. Working with the Access to Justice Foundation, Citizen Advice, LawWorks, the University of Southampton Law School and others HILS will be championing probono activities and access to justice for all. If anybody is interested in volunteering for this endeavour or indeed on the HILS committee then please do make contact with us. We are about to begin a complete overhaul of the HILS website. We are very keen that this should be a valuable resource and as such we would welcome feedback and any ideas from our members as to what they would find useful. We want to strengthen the concept of HILS as a hub for legal jobs within Hampshire. We want to create a ‘jobs board’ which will contain details of all work experience, placement opportunities, summer jobs, training contracts, SQE opportunities and legal jobs from NQ’s to Partner level and all accounts and administration opportunities within the legal arena. To do this we again need your help. We need corporate members to let us know when they have vacancies and opportunities, we need individuals to encourage their employers to sign up to HILS and become involved. So much of the success of HILS depends on our membership. The legal landscape should be one of supporting each other and helping people rather than focused on competition and that starts with championing all firms and individuals in all walks of their legal career. I wish every success to the next President and look forward to the ongoing growth and development of HILS. Thank you everyone and here’s to a fun and lively 2024! ■
Mo Aldridge
President Hampshire Law Society
We have persisted in responding to Law Society consultations, ensuring that our members have their voices heard and that their comments make their way back to the national settings. We have attended the SRA, COLP and COFA conference and various AML conferences. We have followed updates in the codes of conduct and rule changes as well as the ever-shifting legal landscape HAMPSHIRELEGAL | 5
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HILS CONTACTS
Hampshire Law Society Contacts The following is an up-to-date list of committee members’ names and addresses and the sub committees to which they belong Hampshire Law Society are looking for new Committee Members. If you would like to join us please contact our administrator Nicola Jennings. The committee meet every other month either via zoom or at an office. It is normally a Tuesday at 5.45pm. We would love to welcome you to our Committee.
President Mo Aldridge Jasper Vincent 44 Queensway, Southampton SO14 3GT Tel: 023 8063 3225 maldridge@jaspervincent.com Vice President Tom Mitchell Trethowans Botleigh Grange Business Park, Hedge End, Southampton SO30 2AF Tel: 02380 820465 tom.mitchell@trethowans.com Deputy Vice President Kevin Richardson Biscoes Kingston Crescent, Portsmouth PO2 8AQ Tel: 02392 660261 krichardson@biscoes-law.co.uk Honorary Secretary Ian Robinson irobinson@hotmail.co.uk Honorary Treasurer Tom Mitchell Trethowans Botleigh Grange Business Park, Hedge End, Southampton SO30 2AF Tel: 02380 820465 tom.mitchell@trethowans.com
Immediate Past President James Gleisner Law Society Council Member Adrienne Edgerley Harris Shentons Star Lane House Staple Gardens Winchester SO23 9AD adrienneedgerleyharris@gmail.com Administrator Nicola Jennings Tel: 023 8044 7022 administration@hampshirelawsociety.co.uk Complaints Tom Mitchell tom.mitchell@trethowans.com Education & Training Tom Mitchell (Chair) tom.mitchell@trethowans.com Giles Hall Nicola Jennings Membership Michelle Hurst
Contentious Russell Evans (Chair) russell.david@yahoo.co.uk Kevin Richardson Non Contentious Matthew Robbins (Chair) mrobbins@jaspervincent.com Mo Aldridge Tom Mitchell PR (inc Social) Mo Aldridge (Chair) maldridge@jaspervincent.com Sarah Hallett Eliza Watts Naomi Taylor Regulatory Adrienne Edgerley Harris (Chair) adrienneedgerleyharris@gmail.com Ian Robinson Giles Hall Kevin Richardson
Follow us on Twitter @hampshirelawsoc Follow us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/ company/hampshireincorporated-law-society/ HAMPSHIRELEGAL | 7
CPD PROGRAMME 2024
CPD Programme 2024 BUILDING THE PERFECT LEGAL BUSINESS Tuesday 16 January 2024 | 12-2pm Via Zoom Simon McCrum qualified as a Commercial Litigation solicitor in 1990 at Pannone. His role gradually evolved into a marketing and management role. Simon is the author of the best-selling books, “The Perfect Legal Business” and “The Perfect Lawyer” .
your services • Methods to create new leads from your website and social media • How to avoid ‘leaky bucket syndrome’ and ensure you convert enquiries into clients • Why you need to keep in touch with your clients outside of matters • How you can cross-sell your services
SDLT
Give your business a boost for the New Year
Tuesday 20 February 2024 | 3.00-4.30pm Via Zoom
It’s never too early to start performing better as a business, but New Year is a great time to boost your firm and all the people in it.
Paul Clark has been a commercial property solicitor for over 40 years. He is an expert on many aspects of commercial property law and is a popular and engaging speaker.
It may be surprising though to see where the focus that I recommend should be. Lots of firms try to give their business a boost by getting a new website, starting new marketing campaigns, hiring new people, opening new offices, or offering new areas of work. I would do none of these – at least not until I had got the core business firing all cylinders and not until all the low-hanging fruit had been gathered in. There is a lot of easy, sustainable money to be made – and it’s not just all profit, it’s all cash. The question I’ll be looking at, therefore is whether your law firm is a successful firm of solicitors or a successful legal business.
ATTRACT, ENGAGE AND RETAIN MORE OF YOUR IDEAL CLIENTS Tuesday 6 February 2024 | 12-1pm Via Zoom Rachel Tombs was a practising Solicitor for 15 years before she set up her own marketing agencies focused solely on the legal industry – Orion Legal Marketing. Rachel’s deep knowledge of the legal sector combined with her business development and marketing expertise means she is perfectly placed to show law firms how to market their services in a way that attracts and retains the right clients. In today’s highly competitive legal marketplace, it can be hard to attract new clients and retain existing ones. If you wish to grow your legal practice you need to ensure you take every opportunity to generate new enquiries, convert them and keep them as longterm paying clients. In this presentation, we share some proven tips on how you can achieve this, and also the common pitfalls you should avoid. Areas covered include: • Defining your ideal client so you can clearly target them • How to stand out from your competition and differentiate
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SDLT UPDATE 2022
CONVEYANCING SEMINAR Thursday 7 March 2024 | 3.15-4.45pm Via Zoom Ian Quayle lecturer for 16 years for CLT amongst others and will be presenting the following: Bullet Points tba
PROBATE UPDATE Tuesday 12 March 2024 | 3.15-4.45pm Via Zoom Kerry Morgan-Gould Kerry is a Partner and Head of the Trusts & Estates Team at Ashfords LLP. Kerry has been qualified for 12 years. She advises private individuals, charities and trustees in relation to all matters arising out of contentious Wills, Trusts and Estates. In addition, Kerry also advises clients in relation to contentious Court of Protection matters. Bullet Points tba
DIVERSITY IN RECRUITMENT Tuesday 19 March 2024 | 12.30-1.00pm Via Zoom Rachel Atkinson, The People Choreographer® Rachel specialises in supporting organisations to help their people work with passion and purpose and help create places that people want to be a part of. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are at the heart of the service that Rachel provides.
CPD PROGRAMME 2024
CPD Programme 2024 (Cont.) Rachel has over 20 years’ experience in Human Resources and Senior Leadership roles, but as a non-traditionalist, prefers to refer to herself as a People Choreographer.
PRICING ZOOM: 1.5 hour lecture = £35.00 (Non Member £50.00) LIVE: 3 hour lecture= £90.00 (Non Member £130.00)
Bullet Points tba
CONVEYANCING Thursday 11 April 2024 | 3.00-4.30pm Via Zoom Richard Snape is a consultant with Davitt Jones Bould. He is a renowned speaker on all aspects of Real Estate Law and he lectures nationwide to a wide audience. Richard has a reputation for delivering practical advice in an entertaining and engaging way. Conveyancing continues to undergo major changes and the course will aim to look at the most important changes and their effect on the conveyancer.
UNCONSCIOUS BIAS Tuesday 23 April 2024 | 12.30-1.00pm Via Zoom Rachel Atkinson, The People Choreographer® Rachel specialises in supporting organisations to help their people work with passion and purpose and help create places that people want to be a part of. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion are at the heart of the service that Rachel provides. Rachel has over 20 years’ experience in Human Resources and Senior Leadership roles, but as a non-traditionalist, prefers to refer to herself as a People Choreographer.
For Zoom Lectures the link will be provided in the days prior to the event Handouts will be emailed prior to each lecture
TERMS & CONDITIONS All applications will receive a written confirmation of booking Payment can be made securely online or is required with the registration form. No places can be reserved without payment Booking is subject to availability of places Delegates may be substituted at any time with an appropriate additional payment for any non-members HILS accepts no responsibility for the views or opinions as expressed by the speakers, chairman or any other persons at the event
HILS reserves the right to alter the venue, programme and the speakers at any time Claiming the member rate remains the responsibility of the claimant however HILS will ensure that you are charged the appropriate fee once membership status checked
Your membership also entitles you to attend live and online seminars run by some of our neighbouring law societies – check the website for details.
Bullet Points tba
CONVEYANCING Thursday 20 June 2024 | 3.00-4.30pm Via Zoom Richard Snape is a consultant with Davitt Jones Bould. He is a renowned speaker on all aspects of Real Estate Law and he lectures nationwide to a wide audience. Richard has a reputation for delivering practical advice in an entertaining and engaging way. Conveyancing continues to undergo major changes and the course will aim to look at the most important changes and their effect on the conveyancer. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The programme will be updated once additional information is received from speakers. Information will be distributed via email and in the quarterly magazine.
HILS AGM Tuesday 5 December 2023 Venue: Kings Head, The Square, Wickham, Fareham PO17 5JN Followed by a 3 course Christmas Dinner at 7pm Tickets £35pp Time: 5.30pm (refreshments from 5.15pm) Kindly sponsored by
You can find more detail on each lecture on our website:
www.hampshirelawsociety.co.uk HAMPSHIRELEGAL | 9
HAPPENINGS IN HAMPSHIRE
The Churchers team participate in the Great South Run
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he Churchers team participated and finished the Great South Run on Sunday 15th October! We managed to raise a total of £1687 for our chosen charity which was Wessex Cancer Support. Thank you so much to all the runners and supporters for such a fantastic day! We are ready to sign up again for next year!
Lester Aldridge Achieves ISO 14001 Environmental Standard Certification
Lester Aldridge Welcomes Partner Sam Wylie to Bolster Real Estate Development Team
Sam Wylie
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ISO 14001 is a globally acknowledged framework for environmental management systems (EMS). This certification demonstrates that Lester Aldridge has established and maintains an effective environmental management system to reduce environmental impact and promote sustainability.
Sam Wylie has worked in the real estate industry since 2007, and his expertise spans a broad spectrum of property matters. He specialises in providing advice relating to the residential and commercial development of land, including option agreements, contracts conditional upon planning permission and promotion agreements. He also works with landlords to manage investment portfolios.
Implementing an ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) adopts a continuous improvement approach. It involves a systematic evaluation of the positive and negative environmental effects resulting from an organisation’s operations. This assessment allows businesses to prioritise changes and enhancements in the short, medium, and long term to minimise their environmental impact.
Sam commented on his new role: “LA has long had a strong reputation for being a market leader in offering clients a professional and value-added service. I feel my approach to law and business is well aligned to LA, and I am privileged to be joining such a fantastic firm and highly regarded team of experts.”
eading South Coast law firm Lester Aldridge is proud to announce that it has achieved ISO 14001 certification. This internationally recognised standard demonstrates Lester Aldridge’s proactive commitment to environmental management and sustainability.
Managing Partner at Lester Aldridge, Matthew Barrow, expressed his enthusiasm: “We are immensely proud to have obtained ISO 14001 certification, underscoring our dedication to environmental stewardship. This accomplishment reflects our ongoing commitment to sustainable business practices, and we will continue to seek opportunities to reduce our environmental impact.” Lester Aldridge’s achievement of ISO 14001 certification reflects the firm’s commitment to corporate responsibility and sustainable business practices, focusing on making a positive difference in the legal industry and the community it serves.
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eading South Coast law firm Lester Aldridge is thrilled to announce the addition of Sam Wylie as a Partner in the Real Estate Development team.
Sam’s outstanding track record has earned him a loyal following among local and regional housebuilders, commercial property developers, and property investors in the Dorset and Hampshire areas. His in-depth knowledge of the regional real estate landscape and his passion for facilitating successful business outcomes are a testament to his reputation as a trusted legal advisor. “We are delighted to welcome Sam Wylie to the partnership,” said Matthew Barrow, Managing Partner at Lester Aldridge. “Sam’s experience, commercial approach and dedication to his clients make him a natural fit for our firm, and we look forward to his contributions in further enhancing our Real Estate team.”
HAPPENINGS IN HAMPSHIRE
Left to right: Elliot Leadbeater, Finola Whelan, Chris Bond and Scott Smid
Four Trainees Qualify at Lester Aldridge L
eading South Coast law firm Lester Aldridge is pleased to congratulate Elliot Leadbeater, Scott Smid, Finola Whelan and Chris Bond, who have qualified as solicitors. The four newly qualified solicitors completed their two-year training contract with the firm, spending four six-month placements in various departments across the firm. Elliot joined Lester Aldridge in 2021 and is qualifying as a solicitor into the Real Estate team based in Southampton. He said: “After a varied and enjoyable training contract, I am delighted to be qualifying into the Real Estate Development team at LA. I am looking forward to building upon my existing knowledge and continuing to provide the best possible service to our clients.”
Chris has worked in the legal sector since 2016. He said: “I think I’ve really benefitted from the collaborative working environment at LA, which has allowed me to work closely with partners and gain experience in complex matters throughout each of my seats. I’m looking forward to continuing my work in the Residential Property team and taking on the additional responsibilities of a fully-fledged fee earner.” Managing Partner Matthew Barrow, who also completed his training contract at LA, commented: “I am delighted to congratulate our four newest solicitors on their qualification. They have all worked exceptionally hard to get to this point, and I look forward to seeing how their careers develop at our firm.”
Finola joined the firm as a paralegal in 2018. She said: “I am delighted to have crossed the finish line of my training contract! It’s been a pleasure working across the firm in a wide range of practice areas and getting to know each of the teams. I am excited to hit the ground running as I qualify into the Tax, Trusts, Wills and Probate team.” Scott started his training contract with LA in 2021 after working at a ‘big four’ accountancy firm. He commented: “I thoroughly enjoyed the variety of my seats and the work I was able to undertake during my training contract at Lester Aldridge. I am excited to start the next chapter of my legal career with the Dispute Resolution team.”
Matthew Barrow HAMPSHIRELEGAL | 11
HAPPENINGS IN HAMPSHIRE
Why a unified narrative for Hampshire is the key to devolution
Peter Taylor
Paris Smith today released a special report on how to unlock Hampshire’s potential
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aris Smith today released their white paper, ‘Unlocking Hampshire’s Potential’, which uncovers the key to successful delivery of a unified narrative for Hampshire.
Southern Gateway – In the absence of, or in conjunction with, a devolved mayoral power, a lobbying group with a strong voice is needed. Hampshire is the UK’s Southern Gateway and this needs to be emphasised both at home and abroad.
Peter Taylor, Senior Partner at Paris Smith:
Solent Freeport – A long-term plan is needed to ensure transport infrastructure is available to support the Freeport zone. Businesses that open within the zone must provide high skill STEM jobs that add value.
“Hampshire’s diverse assets provide the ingredients for a compelling story. However, it is vital that stakeholders speak with one voice to attract and retain investment. The findings in this report provide a roadmap grounded in the insights of local leaders. I am grateful to the many contributors for sharing their expertise; together we can build on this momentum to champion the county’s immense potential regionally, nationally and internationally.” The report engaged with a diverse group of stakeholders representing government, local industries and non-profit organisations, to identify the key opportunities and challenges facing Hampshire’s economic growth and development. The report makes clear that collaboration and balance will be key in capturing the public and private sector imagination – and ensuring that the county continues to thrive for generations to come. Promotion of Hampshire’s many attractions must receive equal weighting to deprivation issues, where external economic and political support is needed for levelling up. The report concludes that fallout from Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic, combined with the cost-of-living crisis and the competition for levelling up funds, means that complacency isn’t an option; the time to act is now. Ross McNally, Executive Chair of the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce: “We’re all looking at the same mountain but from different perspectives. Just think how powerful it would be if we could all work together.” The key recommendation of the report is to aim for devolution. A strong mayoral office and infrastructure will provide the necessary central leadership, putting Hampshire on the map with external stakeholders, while promoting internal progress. In the wait for devolution, the report outlines the steps that will be required: Levelling up – There is an imbalance between funds heading to the North and South of the country. This needs to be redressed with a sustained campaign that focuses on Hampshire’s strong Return on Investment. 12 | HAMPSHIRELEGAL
Maritime, transport, green technology and defence Hampshire should encourage hubs that leverage off existing strengths, such as the maritime industry. Initiatives such as the Solent Cluster, organisations like the National Oceanography Centre and hubs along the M3 corridor will help establish a selfsustaining environment while providing a strong foundation for attracting foreign investment. Skills & education – Gaps exist, particularly at the school level. Support in STEM and vocational subjects will help nurture talent and attract high value industries. Greater collaboration is needed between businesses and educational bodies to build appropriate curriculums and invest in local programmes. Culture, tourism & lifestyle – A joined up, county-wide approach (including an LVEP bid) is needed to push the tourism agenda, retain cruise passengers and make Hampshire an attractive place to visit and live for high value workers. Greater investment into housing and retail are required. The report can be downloaded for free: www.parissmith.co.uk/ whitepaper2023 Contributors to the white paper: Aaron Butson, Assistant Principal, Havant & South Downs College, Alastair Welch, Regional Director for Associated British Ports, Alice Kloker, Stakeholder Engagement Manager at the National Oceanography Centre, Carey Moore, Senior Manager, NatWest Group, Southampton, Claire Whitaker, CEO Southampton Forward, David French, CEO University Hospital Southampton NHS, James Cretney, CEO Marwell Wildlife, Julian Gray, PWC Regional Market Leader for the South East, Laura Read, General Manager of the Westquay shopping centre, Professor Mark E Smith, President & Vice-Chancellor of the University of Southampton, Matthew Wragg, CEO international recruiter, Gattaca, Roy Humby, Hampshire County Council Leader, Ross McNally, Executive Chair, Hampshire Chamber of Commerce, Stef Nienaltowski, CEO Shaping Portsmouth.
HAPPENINGS IN HAMPSHIRE
Wannops LLP is expanding its presence across the South W
est Sussex & Hampshire law firm Wannops LLP is expanding its presence across the South by merging with two historic Hampshire firms. One of the longest established legal firms in Hampshire based in Fareham, with origins traced as far back as 1785, Brutton & Co have agreed to become part of Wannops LLP. Brutton & Co specialise in Company, Commercial & Development Property, Residential Conveyancing, Private Client and Charity matters. Furthermore, historic firm Saulet Townsend based in Portsmouth, have also agreed to become part of Wannops LLP. Saulet Townsend specialise in Company, Commercial Property, Residential Conveyancing, Private Client and Litigation matters. The two mergers will provide further career progression and development opportunities as Wannops continue to recruit teams and individuals from across the region. James Brotherton, Managing Partner at Wannops LLP, said: “Brutton & Co is a long-standing firm with an excellent reputation. I started my legal career there, and so am personally delighted to come full circle and welcome Brutton & Co into the Wannops family.”
“I have known John Saulet & Robin Townsend for many years and so look forward to working with them and their team. Their experience and knowledge of the Portsmouth market will be very beneficial to the business.” “These mergers increase our presence across Hampshire where we remain ambitious to grow Wannops further.” Hilary Tyler, Senior Partner at Brutton & Co commented “I have known James for more than thirty years, so welcome the opportunity to be working with him again. We are pleased to be joining another long established local firm after some years of discussion.” John Saulet and Robin Townsend, directors at Saulet Townsend said “we are very pleased to join with Wannops, an ambitious and expanding solicitors’ practice. This will help to establish them among the leaders in the legal world on the South Coast.’ With a target completion date of late September 2023 for both deals, this will take Wannops LLP to more than 100 people and become their sixth and seventh offices.
Jasper Vincent Solicitors Introducing Louise Blacker
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asper Vincent are happy to announce the appointment of Louise Blacker. Louise is a qualified Solicitor and previously worked as a high street practitioner in Milford-on-Sea. Louise is local to the area and in recent years she has been working as the Administrator for her local parish, where she remains an active volunteer within along with her husband and children. Louise has joined our Waterside Office in Holbury. “I am really looking forward to working locally having lived here for 14 years and despite the reported dip in the Conveyancing market, this always picks up and I am delighted to join Jasper Vincent Solicitors with its excellent reputation for client care”. Louise can help with any aspects of Conveyancing including: • Sales and Purchases • Transfers of Equity • Equity Release • Remortgages and Legal Charges • Shared Ownership • Independent Legal Advice inconnection with residential property matters Louise Blacker HAMPSHIRELEGAL | 13
HAPPENINGS IN HAMPSHIRE
Laura Trapnell joins Trethowans Laura Trapnell is already well known in the region, having led the Commercial and IP/IT team as a Partner at Paris Smith for many years. Her reputation and expertise in intellectual property law and in technology law adds strength to an already formidable line-up. Laura’s practice covers all aspects of intellectual property and technology law for multinationals through to SMEs and individuals. She advises businesses on the lifecycle of their intellectual property from creation through to disposal and exit, including ownership issues, IP audit and strategy, protection and exploitation, and enforcement. The Trethowans technology team is headed by Partner Julian Hamblin. He is a vice-chair of The International Bar Association’s technology law committee and is a member of the Society for Computers and Law. Both Julian and Laura are ranked as leaders in their fields in Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500. Julian Hamblin and Laura Trapnell
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aura Trapnell joins Trethowans to create one of the largest specialist TMT and Intellectual Property teams in the South.
Trethowans has continued its growth with the appointment of specialist intellectual property partner, Laura Trapnell, to join its TMT (Technology, Media, and Telecommunications) and Intellectual Property team, strengthening its position as one of the largest teams of its kind in the South of England.
Laura said: “I am delighted to be joining one of the most comprehensive TMT and Intellectual Property teams in the region. The team, and in particular Julian, are recognised for handling cutting-edge matters in the TMT sector and I look forward to complimenting the team with my own expertise in intellectual property and technology law.” Julian Hamblin, Partner, said: “Laura is a prominent and highly regarded intellectual property and technology lawyer. With 25 years’ experience she brings invaluable experience to our growing team. We are delighted to welcome Laura to the firm.”
Trethowans ranks highly in Chambers UK Guide 2024 T
rethowans has ranked highly once again in the Chambers UK Guide, with clients praising the “excellent service from Trethowans” and their “sound, sensible advice”.
The firm also received rankings in corporate/M&A, employment, licensing, family/matrimonial, litigation, real estate, personal injury and clinical negligence (claimant).
The firm, which has offices across the South, has seen 26 of its lawyers individually ranked, including Band 1 ranked Marcus Thorpe (Agricultural & Rural Property), Julian Hamblin (Information Technology) and Clare Carter (Clinical Negligence).
The corporate team, who were ranked for Corporate/M&A, received high praise from one client who said “Across the board their lawyers are excellent. They’re always attentive and have commercial acumen.”
Building on the firm’s strong performance in previous years, Trethowans this year saw its Agricultural & Rural Affairs and Banking & Finance teams recognised for their excellent client work by achieving top tier status as they were ranked Band 1 in The South for the first time.
The rankings come after Trethowans was recognised earlier this year by Chambers as a leading firm for Private Wealth Law and High Value Residential work in their High Net Worth guide.
One client said of the Agricultural team: “Their strength is in more tricky cases where we are looking to put up a robust defence. They are very well resourced in knowing the answers.” The Banking team is noted for having “exceptional knowledge of banking legal requirements” with one client commenting “The team can reduce complex transactions into very simple components, which simplifies the matter so that solutions can be structured and documented.” 14 | HAMPSHIRELEGAL
Chambers and Partners is a leading independent professional legal research company, delivering detailed rankings and insight into the world’s leading lawyers and law firms.
HAPPENINGS IN HAMPSHIRE
Dutton Gregory Solicitors Annual Quiz and Curry Night L
ast month Dutton Gregory Solicitors returned with their annual quiz and curry night in Winchester.
Now in its third year, the quiz was the biggest one yet, selling out and seeing 24 teams from businesses across Hampshire taking part. After a closely fought battle the Southampton Solent University Subpoena Coladas were able to retain their title by just one point. The night also included a raffle with prizes donated by local business, including a football signed by the Southampton Football team
which is going to be used to upgrade our sensory room. We thank Dutton Gregory for their continued support year after year in arranging such a fantastic evening.’ Jon Whettingsteel, Partner, Head of the Family Department at Dutton Gregory, and Quiz Master for the evening said, ‘It is amazing to see how our quiz and curry night has grown in just three years. We’re looking forward to next year’s event, and will need to find a bigger venue!’
The night raises funds for the Romsey Opportunity Group, a local charity which supports children with additional needs and their families. Due to the generosity of those in attendance the night also raised more money than previous years, a fantastic £3,729.15. Janine Hollands, Manager at the Romsey Opportunity Group said, ‘we were absolutely blown away by the amount of money raised,
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HAPPENINGS IN HAMPSHIRE
SPOTLIGHT ON PHILLIPS LAW Phillips Law: A Year of Triumphs, Growth, and Community Engagement
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s we bid farewell to 2023, Phillips Law reflects on a year filled with remarkable achievements, accolades, and a commitment to community service. Supreme Success in January: The year kicked off on a high note with a monumental triumph at the Supreme Court. Max Hope and Simon Arneaud achieved a historic overturning of a case, showcasing the litigation team’s expertise and dedication. Max Hope Crowned Lawyer of the Year: In May, Max Hope was honoured with the prestigious Lawyer of the Year award at the Hampshire Law Society Awards, recognising his victory at the Supreme Court. Sweeping Awards in July: July brought a wave of recognition as Phillips Law was crowned Professional Service Firm of the Year at the Central South Business Awards. The firm’s excellence extended to the Inspire Awards in North Hampshire, where Phillips Law proudly accepted the titles of ‘Business of the Year’ and ‘Winner of Winners.’ October Triumph for the Private Client Team: Adding to the firm’s accolades, the private client team secured the title of ‘Law Firm of the Year’ at the Wills and Probate Awards in October, underscoring Phillips Law’s commitment to excellence across diverse legal fields.
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Organic Growth and Leadership: Internally, Phillips Law has experienced organic growth, marked by strategic hires and the promotion of three talented individuals to the position of Partner. These advancements reflect the firm’s commitment to nurturing talent and fostering leadership. Charitable Commitment to St Michael’s Hospice: In 2023, Phillips Law dedicated time and resources to fundraising for St Michael’s Hospice, its chosen Charity of the Year. Staff members actively participated in volunteer days at shop distribution centres as well as organising charity quizzes, cake sales and participating in sporting challenges. The Basingstoke Half Marathon and 10k, where Phillips Law proudly serves as headline sponsors, emerged as a key fundraising opportunity taking the total money raised to close to £4,000. Community Engagement: At Phillips Law, we understand the importance of giving back. Our continued sponsorship of the Grange Festival’s charitable outreach initiatives has inspired young minds in local schools, introducing them to the world of art. Additionally, our partnership with the Basingstoke Consortium through the Step into Law days emphasises our dedication to supporting education and the next generation of the legal profession. As we conclude this remarkable year, Phillips Law remains steadfast in its pursuit of excellence, growth, and making a positive impact in the community. Here’s to a year of achievements and looking forward to 2024!
JUNIOR LAWYERS DIVISION
Update from the South Hampshire Junior Lawyers Division OUR RECENT EVENTS In the recent months we have hosted a networking event at Brewdog in Southampton. Here are some photos of the busy evening, with a good turnout and sponsor from Chadwick Nott. We were able to share our exciting future plans for SHJLD, and we were all able to discuss upcoming events and potential new ideas. This was a good opportunity to meet people face to face in a social setting. On the 23rd of November we hosted a further networking event in the vibrant Revolucion de Cuba in Southampton. This was another successful, collaborative and fun event, where we meet new people on every occasion and heard new updates and ideas. This was a collaboration event with us at the SHJLD and New Wave, which we hope to see many more exciting events with over the upcoming new year! The SHJLD have many exciting plans for events and collaborations over the next year Please contact us at membership.shjld@gmail.com if you are interested in becoming a member of the SHJLD! And be sure to follow our page on LinkedIn to register for future events and to see the photos and updates from these events, and details of future events, at South Hampshire Junior Lawyers Division
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EVENTS
HILS Halloween Competitions
Biscoes Solicitors with ‘Working the Graveyard Shift’ – Office Decorations
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his October saw the inaugural HILS Halloween Competitions. There were 2 categories:
Pumpkin carving – the best scary, humorous, ironic, scene or face carved into a whole pumpkin. A picture of the pumpkin before and after carving and a short video of the carving taking place had to be submitted. Office decorations – the best, funniest, most original office decorations. A before and after picture of the office and a short video of the decoration of the area had to be submitted. The Prize was a bottle of Champagne Louis Dumont Brut NV (75cl) and a box of Thorntons Classic Chocolates for the winner of each category. We received a large number of entries and very much enjoyed looking through them all and posting them to the various social media channels. It was great to see that people really had fun with these ‘challenges’ and that it generated so much interest. HUGE congratulations to our winners: Biscoes Solicitors with ‘Working the Graveyard Shift’ – Office Decorations Clarke & Son Solicitors with Ghosts of Manor House – Pumpkin Carving If you have any ideas of other competitions you would like to see HILS put on or you want to participate in our next competition then please email maldridge@jaspervincent.com for further details. Our next competition is a Christmas themed one and it is the best decorated Christmas Bauble or Gingerbread Person (2 separate competitions). Champagne and chocolates for the winners and plenty of fun to be had! 18 | HAMPSHIRELEGAL
Clarke & Son Solicitors with Ghosts of Manor House – Pumpkin Carving
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Image by Felicia Buitenwerf on Unsplash.com
Help all Hampshire’s sixth form pupils achieve their best The OUP Mentoring Programme is developing across the County
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n unsung aspect of the levelling-up agenda is the opportunity to assist underperforming pupils at school do better. At the primary school level, several charities already combine in the National Tutoring Scheme, to help more disadvantaged children get the results they merit at Key Stage 2. But what about their needs later on? In October 2023 the Office for National Statistics – ONS published more detailed data on school performance. It takes in count the diversity of pupils’ own backgrounds and experiences, and then it identifies how much individual schools actually add to the academic performance of pupils after they join. It also splits out the results of pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds, to see how often and how far they often underperform against their own academic peer group. The government website is a revelation: www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk Every school in Hampshire has a number of pupils who are able, but somehow lack the confidence, awareness and know-how to put themselves forward for the universities they deserve. Often it turns out they lack the social background, the role models and the friendship groups they need to help decide and motivate their next steps forward. The scale of this deficiency is significant: Hampshire could be producing 200 more (say) solicitors a year if only the disadvantaged pupils performed to potential. Every school also has a Directive from the Department of Education to focus on the needs of disadvantaged pupils, and the requirement for a Careers Officer to ensure that every pupil plans their own best next steps. Ofsted checks on these things.
all, there’s the feeling these pupils don’t need brow-beating, they need attention. Enter the OUP Mentoring Programme a loose-knit network of volunteers that offers schemes of 1to1 Mentoring to selected sixthform pupils in schools across Hampshire. Each Mentor is allocated one or two pupils to meet for a 45 minute session once or twice a month. They give supportive commentary and discussion that is confidential, sympathetic and continuous over an eight month period, typically over the second year at sixth form. This is the time of transition, as horizons for the future open up, and several large and personal questions need to be addressed. The outcome is transformational. Pupils appreciate the chance to learn how to work through the issues they face. Mentors report huge personal satisfaction from the experience. And schools note steadily improving aspirations and outcomes over time, of these vulnerable students. Action: New volunteer Mentors are sought to fuel our growing network of operations. Typical Mentors are good listeners, with experience of passing exams, of professional progress, and of helping young people to succeed. Solicitors are particularly well-placed. And they need to give quality time, once or twice a month, to develop an effective partnership with the young people they serve. If interested, do contact Crispin Drummond, Chair OUS (Hampshire & IoW) on crispin.drummond@tiscali.co.uk
Unfortunately, the story ends there. There’s a lack of resources and know-how to convert this priority into effective action. Above HAMPSHIRELEGAL | 19
SPOTLIGHT ON THE COMMITTEE
Spotlight on the Committee Committee Member
Vice President HILS
Sarah Hallett
Tom Mitchell
Work Firm: Churchers Solicitors LLP
Work Firm: Trethowans LLP
Area of Expertise: Criminal defence
Area of Expertise: Commercial Property
What attracted you to work in the law: My father was a police officer and I was always knew I wanted to pursue a career in criminal law - I just ended up on the other side!
What attracted you to work in the law: I wish I could say it was something other than I just sort of fell into it as I studied Law and French at university and I was never going to be a French teacher. But having worked in the law for over 20 years I can safely say that I wouldn’t make a different career choice.
What is the most amusing / intriguing incident which has taken place on a case you have acted on: There are so many! I see all walks of life and it never ceases to amaze me the things that some clients do and say! What is your biggest career achievement: Becoming a partner - earlier this year What is your favourite part about being a member of HILS: The contact and connections with other lawyers locally Why do you think HILS is important: It is so important to support one another professionally – both locally and nationally. HILS, along with other local law societies, provides the opportunity to learn and socialise with one another. Personal Who inspires you: I am inspired by those from under privileged backgrounds that work hard to make a change - many people that I come across have hectic lives, and a less than impressive education yet many manage to overcome their hardships and work so hard every day to build themselves a better future. What was the last book you read: The Governor - written by the Governor of HMP Wormwood Scrubs. What is your favourite film: I LOVE The Sound of Music! What is the next place on your travel bucket list: I would love to hike to Everest Base Camp. Or run one of the UTMB courses - Maybe I will, one day! Name one item you cannot live without and why: Can I say my dog!? She is a springer spaniel cross collie and is absolutely crackers! I do a lot of running & she is the best running companion - it’s the only time I truly turn off from work. What is your favourite quote: Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’!
What is the most amusing / intriguing incident which has taken place on a case you have acted on: When acting on a commercial property sale a client made an off the cuff comment about there potentially being some radioactive waste on site and hoped this wouldn’t be an issue. Luckily the sale went abortive but not for that reason. What is your biggest career achievement: Qualifying as a solicitor back in 2002 and also to still be enjoying it in 2023 What is your favourite part about being a member of HILS: Trying to help and support local firms as well as interacting with fellow lawyers with similar goals. Why do you think HILS is important: HILS is here to support law firms but also the individuals within those firms which is needed as much now as ever given the continuing changing legal landscape. Personal Who inspires you: I don’t know their names, but when I was doing a 10k run I saw a couple who must have been in their 70s and they were both jogging and enjoying themselves. I thought that if I could be anything like that when I’m in my 70s then I would be delighted. What was the last book you read: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman What is your favourite film: Leon by Luc Besson What is the next place on your travel bucket list: Samarqand in Uzbekistan Name one item you cannot live without and why: Southampton FC season ticket as without this, until this season, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to be miserable every other weekend. What is your favourite quote: Not a legal one but Stephen Fry once said: “Books are no more threatened by Kindle than stairs by elevators”. I love books!
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COUNCIL MEMBER’S REPORT
ADRIENNE EDGERLEY HARRIS, Council MemberYOUR VOICE AT THE LAW SOCIETY
Council Members Report November 2023
Adrienne Edgerley Harris New Law Society President We welcomed our new President, Nick Emmerson, at the AGM in October. His three key themes for the year are • Our profession as an economic powerhouse Solicitors help power the UK economy by underpinning our international and domestic trade and being a core component of our international reputation as a great place to do business. • The value our profession brings locally by solicitor firms • The value our profession provides individuals within wider society. Mental Health and Neurodiversity The Law Society marked Mental Health Awareness Week in May by sharing content and stories on social media, in newsletters and other communication channels. It signposted to resources and support for individuals and for firms to create healthy workplaces. The then President produced an article in the Law Society Gazette which was well received, particularly the onus on taking collective responsibility for good mental health in workplaces. TLS also supported an event bringing together neurodivergent people in the legal sector and allies for Neurodiversity Celebration Week in March. Representation on Council There are currently 97 seats on Council, including mine, being the geographical seat for you in the South Constituency. In recent years, the terms of office for Council members has been limited to 12 years (three terms of four years)- a change supported by you as Law Society members and changes have been made to representation of work sectors and Special Interest Seats. Currently, there is debate about what expense payments, if any, should be paid to elected and appointed Council members which will be considered further at the December Council meeting. Review of Civil Legal Aid As many of you will have submitted tender for a new civil legal aid contract recently and are awaiting the outcome, you may be interested to know that the Law Society has been engaging with the Ministry of Justice since January 2023 on its review of civil legal aid. During the Spring and Summer, TLS has been conducting research through stakeholder workshops and the results will be published at the end of March 2024. It is commissioning its own economic analysis and submitting findings to the review. A consultation is expec TLS is calling on the government for: 1. Emergency investment injection while the review takes place interim increase for all fee levels to sustain the system. An interim increase of 15% for work undertaken at the early advice stage, would cost an estimated £11.3 million 2. A widening of the scope of legal aid – widen access to early advice to prevent problems from escalating;
3. Reduced bureaucracy – a more flexible approach to the contracts; and 4. Invest in recruitment and retention of staff – Law students do not see legal aid as a viable career option. The government must invest in the training of the future legal aid workforce TLS view is that the MOJ analysis does not go far enough- it does not look at the fees. TLS is proposing to produce a stronger evidence base to support its arguments to the MOJ and understand what investment is needed to make the provider base sustainable. It has a plan to fix the court backlogs and is influencing the National Audit Office commitment to invest (making a call for £11.3m). Meanwhile, it is continuing its campaign on legal aid and has a project for 21st Century Justice to modernise delivery of legal aid and solutions for those falling into the justice gap who are not eligible for legal aid and cannot afford a solicitor. CILEX regulation In October 2022 the LSB commenced an investigation into disputes and disagreements between CILEX and CILEx Regulation. In August 2023, the SRA launched its consultation on arrangements for SRA regulation of CILEX members. It closed on 22nd November. The consultation sought views on - A separate Code of Conduct for CILEX members to keep a clear line between CILEX lawyers and regulated legal professionals - Rules on how CILEX lawyers will be authorised to provide reserved legal services based on their specific expertise, on the basis that this will keep a separate career path for CILEX members - The SRA approach to their investigation and enforcement of CILEX lawyers - How the SRA proposes to regulate CILEX- ACCA Probate practitioners and the CPS Associate Prosecutors currently regulated by the CRL. TLS has responded challenging some of the assumptions and proposals and we now await the outcome of the consultation. A press release summarises the concerns as follows: • The SRA expects these changes will not affect the reputation and standing of the identity of the solicitor profession or the way it is regulated, despite an insufficient impact assessment. • To move only some of CILEX’s members to the SRA creates regulatory fragmentation. • The SRA takes no view on CILEX’s proposal to introduce the title of ‘SRA-Chartered Lawyers’, despite the risk of confusion this would cause for consumers when choosing legal services. The progress of this will be debated by Council over the coming months. If you have any comments to make, please let me know. ■
Adrienne Edgerley Harris
aedgerleyharris@shentons.co.uk 01962 844544 HAMPSHIRELEGAL | 21
NOTICES/ SITS VAC
DAC Beachcroft
Burley Geach Solicitors
DAC Beachcroft are seeking a
PQE Associate 3-5+ years to join our friendly and dynamic Clinical Risk team in our newly opened Southampton office. This role presents an excellent opportunity for an ambitious and passionate individual to join an award-winning, progressive and highly specialised team. We pride ourselves on our supportive, approachable culture. We are trusted, appreciated as individuals and embraced as part of a team. At DAC Beachcroft, we don’t just accept your differences, we celebrate them. From bespoke solutions for our clients, to treating you as an individual. Our strength comes from your diverse ideas and bringing the ‘whole you’ to work. So if you’re good at what you do, come as you are. Our flexible approach means that we help our colleagues to be their best at work, while recognising that they have all sorts of different interests and commitments outside work. Our vision is to be leading business advisers, recognised for our insight and our outstanding commitment to clients, and for being the place where talented people want to work. Combine this with our supportive culture, and you have: a Life that Works. Location: Southampton Role Responsibility: • Handling a challenging but fulfilling caseload of defendant clinical negligence work acting for a variety of clients, which may include work for NHS Resolution, NHS Trusts, MDU, independent providers, and medical malpractice insurers. • Drafting legal documents, conducting face to face negotiations and mediation of claims, preparing cases for and adhering to court deadlines. • Engaging in direct client care, acting as first and primary contact for clients on a day to day basis, providing them with commercially focused legal advice, and adhering to their protocols and processes. • Making an appropriate contribution to non-fee-earning activity. You will be encouraged to participate in knowledge sharing, training, client seminars, writing articles for publication both for in-house and external publications, and business development. The Ideal Candidate • 3-5+ PQE Associate with experience in clinical negligence, personal injury, civil litigation, or insurance law. • Experience of an NHS Resolution or MDO panel firm would be desirable but is not essential. We want the best candidates no matter what their background is. • Strong technical and organisational skills to ensure a pragmatic and methodical approach to handling a variety of clinical negligence claims simultaneously, through an IT case management system. • A demonstrable ability to adopt a commercial perspective rather than an ‘academic’ approach to legal issues and to be highly client focused. • Team oriented and collegiate with a willingness to mentor, coach and supervise less experienced members of teams ABOUT DACB We are a leading international legal business with over 2,400 colleagues and a diverse range of capabilities. We act for the majority of the top 30 insurance and financial services companies operating in the UK. At DAC Beachcroft, we don’t just accept your differences we celebrate them. From bespoke solutions for our clients, to treating you like an individual. Our strength comes from your diverse ideas and bringing the whole you to work. So if you’re good at what you do, come as you are. We welcome direct applications and are happy to talk flexible working. If this opportunity sounds of interest to you, please make an application and submit your CV. Your application will be dealt with in the strictest of confidence.
Family Solicitor PQE 5+ years Location: Petersfield About the Firm Burley Geach Solicitors LLP is a leading provider of legal services with offices in Hampshire and Surrey with an excellent reputation for delivering legal advice tailored to the individual needs of our clients. Our well-respected family department is now seeking to appoint an experienced solicitor with a minimum 5 years PQE. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate a proven track record within family law and have an open and friendly approach with clients. Full Resolution membership is preferable. The Role: The work consists of all aspects of private family law, financial remedy, divorce, children matters, pre-nuptial and cohabitation matters with an emphasis on finances. The successful candidate will work independently but will be expected to contribute to, promote and develop the family team to ensure the continued success of this department. This exciting opportunity to further your career with a well-respected progressive firm comes with excellent long-term prospects and competitive salary package.
Application Email Address: nicola.mercer@burleygeach.co.uk
If you are interested in applying for this job, please send your CV with a brief covering email to ClinicalRiskRecruitment@dacbeachcroft.com
Missing Wills Brian George Sessions DOB 18/09/1932
DOD 07/09/2023
Address – 57 Park Lane, Bedhampton, Havant, Hampshire PO9 3HQ
Beryl Patricia Renel DOB – 18/03/1934
DOB – 18/05/1921
Address – Braishfield Lodge East, Braishfield SO51 0PS
Alan William Rice DOD – 04/08/2023
Address – Honeysuckle Cottage, 2c Sky End Lane, Hordle, Lymington SO41 0HG
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Esme Mary Kidd
DOB – 31/05/1932
Address – 28 Whitefield Road, New Milton
DOD – 15/12/2022
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Navigating Career Transitions in Law
Support is available for solicitors to navigate the jobs market to help them find a better future.
Helping solicitors follow the right career path A
solicitor’s career path can be a long one, with many twists and turns that can lead to more fulfilling work and greater success – but sometimes into a dead end. Solicitors working under stress and in situations that leave them overwhelmed and depressed can turn to us for support and understanding of what is needed to put them back on the right road. Our wellbeing service is available to those in the profession who will benefit from personal career coaching, helping them to confidently navigate the jobs market and find a new direction. Since 2014, 117 individuals have accessed expert career counselling and coaching services from our preferred supplier, Renovo. During the pandemic, more solicitors sought support with their career plans, whether it was another career in law, like Family Mediation, or a move away from law altogether. In particular, 2020 was a busy year, with 28 requests for support and expertise. Everyone spent more time at home during the Covid crisis and used the space to reflect on their lives, including all-important careers. Many discovered that what was important to them was to live a fulfilled and happy existence. For example, young solicitor Faye found herself at a low ebb, suffering from debilitating chronic fatigue syndrome and Long COVID, which meant she couldn’t work. She was supported by The Solicitors’ Charity and after a period of recuperation was interested in preparing to get back into the workforce. She was registered on Renovo’s three-month programme and found it improved her chances of enhancing her job options. She said: “My personal coach was great from the start; very accessible and we worked through various aspects that I needed to focus on. This made me identify my strengths and visualise what my ideal job might look like.” Before any job interviews, she had 45-minute sessions with her coach to work on the competency-based questions she was likely to be asked. “The experience was transformational; I secured a new post in a new area of law which was an amazing opportunity. I cannot thank The Solicitors’ Charity enough for supporting me and offering me the means to land this great new position!”
It’s usual for those contacting The Solicitors’ Charity to be supported by a range of services for a truly holistic approach, of which Renovo is a prime example. For instance, someone may come initially short term asking for help to get through a bad patch. Through building a relationship with our casework team, they may go on to benefit from a variety of support such as longer term mental health support for stress, alongside tailored career counselling. Renovo can support individuals with all aspects of career transition, whether that be finding and securing a new role, looking at consultancy or self-employment or considering a complete change in career direction. People on the programmes get access to flexible, personalised virtual career coaching along with access to a wide range of digital resources, including career profiling assessments, CV building tools, interview simulators and a series of online workshops on a range of key career transition and job search topics. Overall, there is very positive feedback from the solicitors that have been referred to the programmes offered by Renovo. Here are some of the comments from some of those benefiting from this specialist support: • “My coach was a guide, navigator, and advisor about the modern workplace. It had been 12 years since I last drafted a CV, and I had no idea how much they had changed.” • “Workfriend [the bespoke career transition and job search programme provided by Renovo] is an accurate label for this online facility. The various modules, subjects and video tutorials are modern, focused and easily understood. It is like having a complete toolbox at your disposal which you can use in your own time.” • “My confidence was at an all-time low when I was registered on the programme, but my coach really worked on resilience and restoring my confidence in myself and my capabilities.” We’re doing great things to make a real positive difference to legal professionals during their tough times. So, if you’re struggling, please get in touch. Thought leadership article by
Nick Gallagher
The Solicitors’ Charity CEO
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ARTICLE
Image by Ethan Sykes on Unsplash.com
Let the light in So many of us, in the depths of winter, get most of our light artificially from screens and desklamps. The shorter days and dismal weather drain us of energy, and you may not feel like leaving your house other than to go to work. If you’re working from home, it can be even harder to get motivated to get out. For some people, the lack of natural light means they suffer from seasonal lethargy, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and depression. Over the next few months, it’s more important than ever to let the light in and get outside as much as possible. Bright morning light can advance our circadian rhythms and suppresses melatonin – having an antidepressant effect. Being outside has a therapeutic effect, sunlight helps the body produce the immune-boosting vitamin D, and helps us to breathe more deeply, get more oxygen into our lungs and chase away the stress hormones of adrenaline and cortisol. We may wake up a bit grumpy, feeling the winter blues but as the day progresses we can begin to feel happier, especially if we have been outside. Humans have always known the importance of light to wellbeing. The light we get from the sun is crucial to survival. Celtic people believed they came out of darkness into light. Florence Nightingale instinctively knew that her patients needed light, air and a view - science now confirms that patients get better quicker if these are available to them. In 2013 a bookkeeper Oscar Kittilsen came up with the idea of erecting large, rotatable mirrors on the northern side of the valley in Gaustatoppen (Norway) what are called “solspeilet”, sun mirrors. Until then the residents spent half the year in the dark. We spend so much time indoors these days, especially during the winter months, so here are our tips to help you get out as much as you can. Top tips for letting the light in 1. Make sure you have appropriate outdoor clothes – if you’re warm and waterproof you’re ready for any weather!
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2. Take a lunch break and get into the light whatever the weather. It doesn’t have to be an hour, or even at lunchtime if that doesn’t suit your working pattern but try to get out in daylight hours wherever possible. You will always feel better for going outside. 3. Open your curtains and window in the morning even for just a few minutes to let a blast of cold air in. 4. Try and work near a window if you can. 5. If you have a garden or balcony go outside a few times a day for a few deep breaths of fresh air. 6. Take work calls/meetings outside where possible if there’s no reason you can’t be walking and talking. 7. Make a plan to get out every weekend. This could be a trip out to the beach, or something much closer to home. 8. Get a SAD light which replicates daylight and can boost your mood. 9. Put fairy lights up, light candles, practice the Danish tradition of hygge at home to get through the long winter months. When darkness is illuminated by a few little flickering lights it seems more bearable. If you are finding things difficult LawCare is here to listen. We provide emotional support to anyone working in the legal sector. You can call our confidential helpline on 0800 279 6888, email us at support@lawcare.org.uk or access our live webchat and lots of information on out website: www.lawcare.org.uk
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UPFRONT INFORMATION –
The Return of HIPS, or something else? Whenever I see postings form any of the many property industry groups involved, I see comments from conveyancers dreading the return of HIPs. As it has now been 13 years since they were abolished, there are many in practice now who do not remember the chaotic way in which they were brought in over a period of years by one Government, only to be scrapped in a moment by the next regime.
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he principle of the new rumblings remain the same – buyers having more information about the property they are interested in, getting valuable information about it upfront before they even appoint a conveyancer, saving much time, money and angst later in the process. For a while, during HIPs, search companies worked for Estate Agents and provided all of the usual search reports for them to show and provide to prospective purchasers. The fact, that in anything other than a booming market, those searches got out of date and needed to be re-commissioned, costing everyone double the costs, and taking double the time, is the inconvenient truth. And that is why they were binned so promptly by David Cameron. The new “groups” I refer to are numerous: HBSG – The Home Buying and Selling Group who pressurise DHLUC (the new Department including Housing and its many (revolving door) Ministers), OPDA – Open Property Data Association (whose purpose is to set Data standards across the other groups) DPMSG – Digital Property Market Steering Group (a GOV.UK group of all parties involved including HMLR) There are more. I recently attended the DPMSG Conference, which was very much seen as an HMLR event, as they organised it mostly. I have to say that I left very disheartened and fearful for the future of property information. The day was introduced by the Home Buying and Selling Group, whose representative said three times how these groups have been talking to the “wrong people”, or not talking to “those on the ground”, sadly so very true.. I was nodding my head furiously as I have tried to liaise these groups over many years only to be rejected at every turn. For some, they just don’t see the value in 30 plus years’ experience in searches for free, for others I am not a sponsor, so I don’t get a seat. That is my little rant, but you will now see the importance of such an approach by the people deciding (or wanting to decide) the future of conveyancing. In the onstage panel forum, the person chosen to represent searches was someone who has never done a search in his life, but he was from a sponsor.
I described the way things are going at the conference over lunchtime to another delegate as being “like a Lego car”, he laughed and asked me to explain. So I did: “The car looks lovely when it is unveiled, but the people cutting the ribbon and proudly unveiling this shiny masterpiece have absolutely no idea that a lot of the bricks used are either broken or have faults. But al the right shapes and colours are in the right place, so surely… But, they push the car to great applause. The wheels fall off.” And here’s why the whole project is flawed, only in relation to the Local search, there will doubtless be many, many other parts, but I will stick to what I know: 1. There is an assumption that the upfront searches will all be in the pack and updated at a click of a mouse instantly via the HMLR Local Land Charges Register. That Register has taken 5 years to get to 25% capacity, by current trend graphs, it will complete in 2037. 2. That Register is deeply flawed. In just the 70 (out of 317) Council areas, there are dozens of errors reported by search companies, mostly ironed out before the conveyancer has sight of the raw data. 3. The Register is only LLC1. That is the front page of a search, not even half of it. It does not include refused planning applications, pre-1974 conservation areas which also affect trees, highways adoption extents, footpaths, and much more, crucially Building Regulation History. I am an SRA approved trainer on Local Land Charges Searches (the only one), and I spend 2/3rds of my training time on how CON29 and LLC1 cross-reference each other. An HMLR LLC1 on its own is a complete waste of £15 before anything else is started. Because the people involved have blindly marched on without talking to the right people, my big fear is that we face a future where there will actually be no upfront information, because there are either huge holes in what is needed (CON29), or the data sources (HMLR LLC) are incomplete (2037?) or not to be relied upon, that we will see the American model of “insure it and be damned.” They want to save time, money and help the consumer. They risk destroying a system which has protected the consumer since 1974.
Local, Drainage and Environmental Searches are, obviously, the staple three documents that companies like HW provide to conveyancers. Can these be included in upfront information?
Andrew Prismall
Well, I would say that the drainage and environmental searches can survive pretty much all transaction lengths, but there is a big problem with including a Local Search (LLC1 and CON29) upfront. There is the obvious time lag for starters, the upfront pack can be ready within 24/48 hours, but the delays caused by Council Departments, mean that the Local Search could take upto 20 working days to complete.
Andrew Prismall is also Chairman of the independent search companies trade body (IPSA) and sits on various HMLR working groups, as well as being a member of other property organisations such as The Conveyancing Association. The views in this article are his own.
Managing Director of HW Conveyancing Searches
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LEAP and WillSuite support Free Wills Month with free subscription offer
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n support of Free Wills Month this October, LEAP, the forward-thinking legal practice management software provider, and its integration partner WillSuite, are offering a free month’s subscription to WillSuite’s will writing software*. This offer will enable LEAP’s existing estate planning customers to take part in Free Wills Month and draft wills quickly and easily. Working seamlessly with LEAP, the WillSuite solution enables solicitors, will writers and estate planners to draft wills easily in plain English with clauses maintained by a panel of TEP-qualified lawyers. Using data held in LEAP and guided by questionnaires, LEAP customers can utilise the WillSuite integration to produce wills, lasting power of attorneys and supporting documents quickly and efficiently. Free Wills Month takes places twice a year and was launched by a group of charities, including the National Trust, British Heart Foundation and Marie Curie, to offer members of the public aged 55 and over the opportunity to have their simple Wills written or updated free of charge by using participating solicitors in selected locations across England and Scotland. “We’re very pleased to be working with the team at WillSuite to help our clients support the Free Wills Month initiative this October,” explains Craig Matthews, Director of Lifetime planning at LEAP. “Free Wills Month offers a fantastic opportunity for members of the public to ensure their Wills are up to date and their wishes are respected. Our integration with WillSuite greatly streamlines the will writing process, which saves both the solicitors and their clients a huge amount of valuable time.” Further benefits of WillSuite include: Mirror Wills with ease: Once the first version has been completed, user create the mirrored will in seconds using the mirror function.
Copy LPAs saving time: If creating a Health and Wealth and Financial LPA at the same time, for the same parties, users can create one then copy the data across to create the other. Combine the above: WillSuite’s powerful mirror and copy functionality means two wills and four LPAs can be drafted by completing just two questionnaires. LEAP customers can sign up to WillSuite this September by enabling the WillSuite App on LEAP Marketplace and benefit from the offer in October. *On registration to WillSuite, the first month’s subscription is free. This offer is available to existing LEAP customers that do not currently have a WillSuite subscription. About LEAP LEAP Legal Software has been helping small to mid-sized 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. HAMPSHIRELEGAL | 27
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Clio Unveils Its Most Expansive Product Update Yet
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lio, the leading provider of cloud-based legal technology, unveiled a significant set of updates at the 2023 Clio Cloud Conference, focusing on centralisation, connectivity, and increased efficiency for legal professionals. These updates include streamlined payment processing, enhanced client interactions, mobile app improvements, and expanded matter management and client communication capabilities, all within Clio's trusted centralised platform, serving over 150,000 legal professionals globally. "This year, we have focused on centralisation and connectivity throughout our platform, helping legal professionals to bring more of what they do into Clio," said Jack Newton, CEO and Founder of Clio. "By creating more efficient connections to clients and colleagues, Clio provides the essential tools they need to foster strong relationships, increase profitability, and run a healthy, thriving practice. Each update we've unveiled this year is rooted in the desire to move legal professionals up the value chain and make Clio work harder for them across one versatile platform." Key updates tailored for UK firms include: Clio Grow: Introducing automated workflows for streamlined document and email creation and client intake. Clio Manage: Offering enhancements such as visual matter stages and templates for simplified matter creation. Email Integration: Seamless integration with Gmail and Outlook for sending emails within Clio Manage. Mobile App: Significant improvements for case management, document uploads and billing, on the go. Clio Payments: Revolutionising payment processing with multiple payment options, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, BACS bank transfer, and flexible instalment plans for clients and law firms. To learn more about how Clio can help your law firm, check out clio.com/uk. ■ 28 | HAMPSHIRELEGAL
BOOK REVIEW
Sinclair On Warranties And Indemnities On Share And Asset Sales 12th Edition
Private International Law In English Courts
By Robert Thompson
By Professor Adrian Briggs KC
A PROMISE MADE IS A DEBT UNPAID’: THE SIMPLIFICATION OF A RANGE OF COMPLEX ISSUES RELATING TO WARRANTIES, NOW IN THE NEW TWELFTH EDITION OF THIS DEFINITIVE TEXT
HOW DOES PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW WORK IN ENGLISH COURTS POST-BREXIT? READ THE DEFINITIVE WORK ON THE SUBJECT: NOW IN A NEW SECOND EDITION FOR 2023
An appreciation by Elizabeth Robson Taylor MA of Richmond Green Chambers and Phillip Taylor MBE, Head of Chambers, Reviews Editor, “The Barrister”, and Mediator
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es, fundamentally a warranty is a promise. Or, as Robert Service, ‘the Poet of the Klondike’ once wrote: ’a promise made is a debt unpaid,’ thus summing up with stunning simplicity, the essence of warranties. Well, he was a banker, wasn’t he? And a Scottish one to boot. Not surprisingly, he left the gold and the cold of the Klondike for retirement on the French Riviera, mainly financed, it is said, by the royalties earned from that slender and wildly popular volume of verse of his, entitled ‘Songs of a Sourdough.’ A lot more recently, it has also been pointed out that a warranty in an insurance policy, for example, is a promise by the insured party that the contractual statements made therein are true. However, the almost infinite variety, scope and complexities of warranties and their attendant legalities would fill a book -- and that is precisely why ‘Sinclair on Warranties and Indemnities on Share and Asset Sales’ has become, over the decades (since the eighties at least) the definitive work of reference on this often-abstruse topic. Now it has arrived in a new twelfth edition from Sweet and Maxwell and, as General Editor Robert Thompson explains, it ‘reflects the changes in law, conventions and practice’ that have occurred since the previous edition published in 2020.’ Certainly, the past three years of upheaval -- caused primarily by the Covid-19 pandemic -- have wrought profound changes indeed, hence the utility of this book, which as the title indicates, focuses on warranties and indemnities on share and asset sales. The book is nothing if not broad in its scope. In particular, a key chapter for those needing information on share sales offers pertinent information and advice, including analysis of the remarkably broad range of individual warranties which are discussed under a broad range of categories, including accounts... finance... trading and contracts... environmental... employment... and pensions. ‘Assets’ of course comprise an interesting category that encompasses Intellectual Property rights, and IT systems, not to mention Covid 19 insurance and money laundering. The book, as the author points out, ‘is intended to be a practitioners guide, rather than academic treatise,’ containing as it does, ‘insights from both a purchaser and vendor viewpoint’ while at the same time stressing the insights and techniques needed for informed and ultimately successful negotiation, in an area of law in which ‘knowledge is power.’ The book’s research resources are therefore useful, if not essential, including extensive tables of cases, statutes, and statutory instruments. And for easier navigation, there is a detailed table of contents, four appendices and an index of over twenty pages. Also, digital access to precedent content is now provided on the eReader platform (ProView). As a practitioner’s guide to this unarguably complex area of law, this book certainly excels. ■
2nd Edition
An appreciation by Elizabeth Robson Taylor MA of Richmond Green Chambers and Phillip Taylor MBE, Head of Chambers, Reviews Editor, ‘The Barrister’ and Mediator
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he publication of this new edition of ‘Private International Law in English Courts’ from Oxford University Press, part of the Oxford Private International Law Series -- is nothing if not historic when you consider that the first edition was published eight years ago in 2014.
Since then, the world in general and the United Kingdom in particular have had to tackle one upheaval after another, starting with the Brexit vote in 2016, the impact of which was exacerbated by the dismaying and disruptive effects of the Covid 19 pandemic. But, as is pointed out in this latest edition of this important and authoritative work of reference, it is Brexit, which (as expressed in the Series Editors Preface) confronts us with the necessary task of ‘re-surveying and re-building the landscape of the conflict of laws in England and Wales.’ In addition, that the book’s erudite author Professor Adrian Briggs KC has undertaken ‘the role of chief surveyor painstakingly charting the shoreline to see what the receding tide of European legislation has left behind and seeking to build around it with the materials... offered by our own constitutional order: shattered statutes, complex rules of procedure and an ever-growing mass of cases.’ And he does it very well indeed. With these bewildering realities in mind, how does one cope? Or, in the words of Professor Briggs, ‘how... does it feel to have taken back control?’ Obviously, there is no simple answer out there to this conspicuously complex -- and by now, oft repeated -- question. Indeed -- and obviously, there is a multiplicity of answers to a multiplicity of questions linked to the complexities of this issue. What this book does is to provide practitioners with the insights, the guidance and the techniques needed to function successfully within the new landscape of international law. This new edition, says the author, aims ‘to show and explain how private international law works in English courts, using the jurisprudence to help to paint, rather than to overwhelm, the picture.’ Certainly, this distinguished text delivers plain speaking, thought provoking and practical content. Copiously footnoted throughout, it features logical aids to navigation, including a detailed table of contents, (plus a summary of contents) and a fourteen-page index. Its twelve chapters cover every pertinent aspect of what an intrinsically complex area of law is, including: tools and techniques... jurisdiction... ancillary measures... foreign judgments... contractual obligations... noncontractual obligations... property... corporations... adults... children... and finally, arbitration. Also note the more than forty pages of tables of cases and of legislation. Practitioners in international law everywhere will no doubt regard this book as an essential purchase. ■ HAMPSHIRELEGAL | 29
ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
Poppy’s second chance at love P
oppy’s owner first contacted her local rehoming centre and said she needed to hand Poppy, a four year old Chihuahua cross, over to us as she had sadly recently been given a diagnosis that she had a terminal illness. She was advised to apply for a free Canine Care Card and nominate a Dog Guardian; someone she trusts to sign over the care of Poppy to Dogs Trust should she need it. She’d then be able to spend the most time possible with Poppy and feel reassured that she’d be given the best possible care at Dogs Trust when they could no longer be together. When Poppy’s Dog Guardian contacted us to advise that her owner was now receiving palliative care and that they needed to activate her Canine Care Card, Poppy was collected by Dogs Trust the very next day. After a vet and behavioural assessment we decided the best place for Poppy would be a loving foster home. We were able to advise the foster carers of all the information we’d been given by Poppy’s owner regarding her life, diet and routine to enable us to make this transitional period as stress-free as possible for Poppy. Within almost no time, we were able to find very affectionate Poppy a lovely new home for her second chance at love. Poppy’s story is one of many we come across at Dogs Trust.
Many owners are growing increasingly worried about gradually losing their independence or their health deteriorating. Dogs Trust want to offer owners peace of mind that we will be there at this difficult time to care for and rehome their four legged friends should the worst happen. Therefore we’re pleased to announce that we have extended our Canine Care Card service. Dogs Trust will care for your dog should you move into a care home, become seriously ill or pass away. For more information on our Canine Care Card service and how to register your dog please type in this link www.dogstrust.org.uk/ccc where you will find our online application form and more information on our free service. If you have any queries regarding the Canine Care Card please email CCC@dogstrust.org.uk or call 020 7837 0006 and we will be happy to help.
Who’ll keep her happy when your client’s gone? We will – as long as your client has a Canine Care Card. It’s a FREE service from Dogs Trust that guarantees their dog a second chance a life. At Dogs Trust, we never put down a healthy dog. We’ll care for them at one of our 21 rehoming centres, located around the UK. One in every four of your clients has a canine companion. Naturally they’ll want to make provision for their faithful friend. And now you can help them at absolutely no cost. So contact us today for your FREE pack of Canine Care Card leaflets – and make a dog-lover happy.
E-mail ccc@dogstrust.org.uk Or call 020 7837 0006
Or write to: FREEPOST DOGSTRUSTL (No stamp required) Please quote “334975” All information will be treated as strictly confidential. Service only available for residents of the UK, Ireland, Channel Islands & Isle of Man.
A dog is for life, not just for Christmas®
Registered charity numbers: 227523 & SC037843
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© Dogs Trust 2021
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