REPORT
News from your Law Society Council Representative W
ith a few months of experience of attending Law Society meetings and speaking to staff there, I can tell you that there is a lot going on at The Law Society (TLS). The issue is that we don’t all hear about it. I will update you on the main pressing issues when they are released to me. I am finding my way around Chancery Lane, the numerous legal practice area committees and specialist committees with linked personnel, so I can take things up on your behalf. You are also welcome to email me on aedgerleyharris@shentons.co.uk if you have any questions. Engaging with us – a Hampshire President visit So, here’s some reassurance about helping you: those I have met from TLS are very mindful of the need to engage more with us, the members, and are enthusiastic about doing so. There is a policy in place to ensure you get the information you need when you need it and for bi-annual meetings to take place with local law societies. With this in mind, I have asked The President of The Law Society, I. Stephanie Boyce, to visit our area. I’m delighted to let you know that she has agreed to come to Hampshire to meet you. This will be in the afternoon and early evening of Tuesday, 3rd May. There will be more details in due course. Please hold the date.
Adrienne Edgerley Harris
Communication Key to better engagement between us and TLS is for TLS to have our current contact details. This sounds obvious. However, as the SRA holds your data, as opposed to TLS, it is not readily available for me and TLS to use and it would be most helpful if you could sign up to myLawSociety. Here is the link to register: www.lawsociety.org.uk/membership/ Responding to the SRA TLS has responded to two recent SRA consultations. The first is on the proposed closure of the Solicitors Indemnity Fund. The closure of SIF would mean that after the six-year run off cover that firms are required to have on closure, individual solicitors could be pursued for payment of any negligence losses. Whilst it might be easy to say, “my firm is not closing”, it may do so in the years to come after you have left or retired or it may merge with another organisation where the area of work you were doing is not taken on: you would then face potential personal liability. TLS has strongly opposed the closure of SIF planned for this September. The SRA’s conclusions will be published this Autumn – one hopes this will be before the planned closure date. You can read the full response on TLS website. The second consultation is on the fining powers of the SRA.
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The SRA proposed increasing their fining power from £2000 to £25,000. TLS has responded pointing out that the increased fees would exceed that which the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal can impose (and rarely does) and that the circumstances of the misdemeanour are relevant when considering a penalty. Again, the response can be read on the website. Criminal Legal Aid is also firmly on the Society’s agenda, following Sir Christopher Bellamy’s report recommending a minimum fee increase of 15%. Around 16 counties in 2021 had two or fewer duty solicitors aged under 35 – nearly double the number from three years before. We are waiting for the MOD’s response, which is due this March. Don’t forget, you can contact me on aedgerleyharris@ shentons.co.uk. ■
Adrienne Edgerley Harris To advertise in Hampshire Legal, please call Catherine McCarthy our Business Features Editor on 0151 236 4141 or email catherine@ benhampublishing.com.
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