Shropshire Lawyer October 2023

LAWYER

THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SHROPSHIRE LAW SOCIETY

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SHROPSHIRE LEGAL NEWS

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MEDIA No. 1997

PUBLISHED

Autumn 2023 © The Shropshire Law Society Benham Publishing Ltd.

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© Benham Publishing.

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DISCLAIMER

The Shropshire 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.

Members of the public should not seek to rely on anything published in this magazine in court but seek qualified Legal Advice.

COVER INFORMATION

Photo of John McMillan, WMB Law, Criminal Law Solicitor.

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Editorial

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Poppy’s second chance at love

Poppy’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. ■

President’s Foreword Autumn 2023

Ihave the pleasure of inducing this quarters addition of the Shropshire Lawyer magazine and as President of the Shropshire Law Society, I could not be proud of Shropshire lawyers and I hope you enjoy reading about some of their successes in this publication. Once again, Shropshire lawyers have been out and about in the community helping charities and enriching Shropshire communities.

This magazine can only exist with your contributions to which I am so very grateful to those who contribute, so please do let me have any of your articles either as a one off or as a regular feature emailed to info@ shropshirelawsociety.com. I do hope you can all book a table for the Shropshire Law Society annual dinner on the 27th October at the Shrewsbury Football Club, the flyer is in this publication.

The articles in this addition really do capture Shropshire lawyers at their best, the cover feature with John McMillan from Wright & McMillan Bennett really do show that for many years Shropshire lawyers have had at their heart the Shropshire community and their legal interests.

It was a delight to join people on the Access to Justice legal walk up the Wrekin, it showed what a tight community Shropshire lawyers are and what a friendly bunch of people we are.

What an absolute delight to see that the reaches of Shropshire lawyers also have stretched their wings far-flung with the interesting article from Robert Adams of Wace Morgan Solicitors, it is important to remember behind the veneer of our legal profession that we are people and downtime is just as important as the office we hold.

I hope to see you all at the diner and very much look forward to seeing you in person to thank you for your contribution to Shropshire’s legal community. 

Danny Smith President of the Shropshire Law Society

Danny Smith

Your Committee

Danny Smith

PRESIDENT

PCB Solicitors, Cypress Centre, Shrewsbury Business Park, Shrewsbury danny.smith@pcblaw.co.uk

Lucy Speed VICE PRESIDENT

Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors, Chapter House North, Abbey Lawn, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 5DE lucy.speed@lblaw.co.uk

Victoria Pugh

TREASURER

Hatchers Solicitors, Welsh Bridge1, Frankwell, Shrewsbury, SY3 8JY, v.pugh@hatchers.co.uk

Robert Adams

Wace Morgan Solicitors, 21 St Mary’s Street, Shrewsbury, SY1 1ED robert.adams@wmlaw.co.uk

David Raymont

MFG Solicitors

Padmore House, Hall Park Way, Telford david.raymont@mfgsolicitors.com

Jenny Bromwich

Shropshire Family Law, 47 Whitehall Street, Shrewsbury, SY2 5AD j.bromwich@shropshirefamilylaw.com

Mark Turner

Aaron and Partners, Lakeside House, Oxon Business Park, Shrewsbury, SY3 5HJ Mark.Turner@aaronandpartners.com

Samantha Roberts

FBC Manby Bowdler, Juneau House, Sitka Drive, Shrewsbury Business Park, Shrewsbury, SY2 6LG samantha.roberts@fbcmb.co.uk

Samantha Millea

PCB Solicitors, Trevithick House, Stafford Park 4, Telford, TF3 3BA samantha.millea@pcblaw.co.uk

Charlotte Nutting

Roy Thornes Solicitors, Crossway, 156 Great Charles Street, Queensway, Birmingham, B3 3HN

CharlotteNutting@roythornes.co.uk

Gemma Williams

Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors, The Business Quarter, Eco Park Road, Ludlow, SY8 1FD Gemma.Williams2@lblaw.co.uk

Christine Rimmer

Hatchers Solicitors, Welsh Bridge1, Frankwell, Shrewsbury, SY3 8JY C.Rimmer@hatchers.co.uk

Hannah Harrison

NFU Mutual, Mutual House, Shrewsbury Business Park, Sitka Drive, Shrewsbury Hannah.Harrison@nfu.org.uk

Zoe Smith

ORJ Solicitors, Blount House, Hall Park Way Telford TF3 4NQ zoe.smith@orj.co.uk

Katie Hughes-Beddows

Aaron and Partners, Lakeside House, Oxon Business Park, Shrewsbury, SY3 5HJ

Katie.Hughes-Beddows@aaronandpartners.com

Hannah Fynn

Aaron and Partners, Lakeside House, Oxon Business Park, Shrewsbury, SY3 5HJ Hannah.Fynn@aaronandpartners.com

Nicola Davies

Agri Advisor, Glynton House, Henfaes Lane, Trallwng, Powys, SY21 7BE Nicola@agriadvisor.co.uk

Gemma Hughes

Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors, Chapter House North, Abbey Lawn, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 5DE gemma.hughes@lblaw.co.uk

Rachel Davenport

Clarke’s Solicitors 21 High Street , Newport, Shropshire TF10 7AT rachel.davenport@clarkeslaw.co.uk

Clio Announces Appointment of New General Manager, EMEA in Support of Regional Growth

Clio, the leading legal technology platform, today announced the appointment of Sarah Murphy as the General Manager of EMEA. In this role, Murphy will spearhead strategic growth initiatives and play a crucial role in empowering legal professionals through transformative technology solutions.

“Sarah has had an enormous impact scaling our high-performing teams across the EMEA region in her role as interim general manager” said Ronnie Gurion, Chief Operating Officer at Clio. “She is a dynamic leader who lives and breathes our brand, and I’m confident she will continue to drive success for our customers, business, and teams. Her legaltech expertise will be critical as we continue to drive more value for legal professionals across the EMEA region.”

Since joining Clio in 2021, Sarah has played an integral part of Clio's regional operations, and go to market strategies. She recently led the launch of Clio Payments to the UK market, offering customers built-in payments functionality for seamless and effortless reconciliation of legal payments. Sarah has also driven the expansion of Clio's customer base in the EMEA region to more than 1,000 customers, which, along with new product updates and enhancements, has propelled growth of Clio's market presence substantially in the UK and Ireland. Today, Clio is used in more than 100 countries globally, including many countries throughout EMEA.

Sarah brings over two decades of sales and marketing leadership experience to her role at Clio. Prior to joining Clio, she held several leadership positions at Sky and served as Head of Marketing for both Scurri and Social Talent, gaining valuable SaaS tech industry experience. As General Manager, she will continue to drive customer-focused strategies and explore new opportunities where Clio can have impact.

“Since entering the UK market in 2013, Clio has shown an unwavering commitment to solicitors across the EMEA region with products specifically built to help them run their practices more effectively and efficiently,” said Murphy. “In my time as Interim General Manager, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to build this team to meet the demands of a flourishing legal market. The opportunity to scale our impact has never been greater. I'm looking forward to this next chapter with the support of our wider global leadership.”

As the new GM of EMEA, Sarah will lead the region from its EMEA headquarters in Dublin, Ireland. ■

Sarah Murphy will lead Clio’s EMEA organization as growth accelerates in the region

LANYON BOWDLER EXPANDS PERSONAL INJURY TEAM

AShropshire law firm has expanded its personal injury team with the addition of three new legal professionals.

Jo Kneller, Mandy Mason and Miriam Homer have joined Lanyon Bowdler’s personal injury team in Shrewsbury, adding “vital experience” to the department.

Jo Kneller has joined Lanyon Bowdler as a personal injury solicitor leading the firm’s Fast Track Portal Team, following time at a national law firm and then working for a firm specialising in personal injury cases.

Mandy Mason, a Chartered Legal Executive, is now supporting the personal injury team, having worked at the firm many years ago assisting managing partner, Brian Evans, in the litigation department.

Since then, she has been a personal injury claims investigator, working for insurers and within defendant claims teams.

Miriam Homer has just completed her training contract with Lanyon Bowdler and upon qualification will join the Shrewsbury team.

Dawn Humphries, head of personal injury at Lanyon Bowdler, welcomed Jo, Mandy and Miriam to the team. “The key to any successful team is having the right blend of people and skills, so I am delighted that Jo, Mandy and Miriam have joined us to add vital experience to the department,” she said.

“Mandy brings a wealth of knowledge, not only from her time investigating personal injury claims but also as a clinical hypnotherapist, and from many years of specialising in personal injury law.

“Jo followed an unusual path into the legal profession, having worked as a probation service officer before studying law and joining a national law firm where she acted for claimants in personal cases.

“I am delighted to continue to offer career opportunities to our trainees and wish Miriam every success with her new appointment.

“They are all excellent additions to the team and will help to further advance Lanyon Bowdler’s reputation as a firm which will always go above and beyond to secure the best possible outcome for our clients.” 

LOCAL FIRM APPEALS FOR HOMELESS DONATIONS

Businessman David Mermod is appealing to regional firms to help support homeless people in the community this Autumn.

David Mermod, owner of local property search firm, X-Press Legal Services Central, will be collecting items for the homeless throughout September, October and November in support of The Shrewsbury Ark, drop-in day centre.

David was inspired to launch the charitable collection having read of the recent closure of two homeless offices by charity Crisis, due to a fall in donations from the public.

“It’s a sad reality in 2023 that homelessness still exists and even more shocking that centres are closing because of a lack of community support,” commented David. “Working within the property sector, homelessness an issue that is always forefront of my mind particularly as the Autumn approaches.

“The Shrewsbury Ark does an incredible job of supporting homeless and vulnerable people locally and never turns anyone away. I am appealing to fellow local businesses and

their employees to gather their unwanted clothing, sleeping bags and toiletries and I will personally collect and deliver them to The Shrewsbury Ark over the coming months.

“We have a fantastic business community here and I’m confident that by pulling together we can make the winter months more bearable for everyone living in our region.”

Items David is appealing for include: three season sleeping bags, winter coats and accessories, comfortable clothing in small and medium sizes (plain leggings, joggers, jumpers, hoodies and t-shirts, rucksacks, deodorants, shampoo and toilet rolls.

Businesses with items ready to collect in Shropshire, Herefordshire, Powys, Coventry, North Warwickshire are invited to call David to arrange collection on: 0330 159 5365.

With locally owned offices throughout England & Wales, X-Press Legal Services is an independent property partner specialising in data and e-conveyancing. To find out more about X-Press Legal Services Central and the expert property searches they supply, please call 0330 159 5365 or visit Profile - XPLS (xpresslegal.co.uk) 

David Mermod

LAW FIRM EXPANDS CLINICAL NEGLIGENCE TEAM IN SHROPSHIRE

Shropshire law firm Lanyon Bowdler has expanded its award-winning clinical negligence team with the appointment of three new staff members - and a dog.

Solicitors Martin Hood and Sophie Bridges have joined legal support assistant Nicole Smith as the latest additions to the firm, along with Nicole’s sight assistance dog Shai - Lanyon Bowdler’s first four-legged member of the clinical negligence team.

The expansion comes at a very busy time for the clinical negligence team and is necessary to meet an increase in the ongoing demand for the firm’s services.

Beth Heath, a partner and head of the clinical negligence team, said: “I would like to welcome Martin, Sophie and Nicole to Lanyon Bowdler who are all valuable additions to the team. “Lanyon Bowdler has a proud reputation to maintain within the field of clinical negligence and it is important to ensure we are always able to meet the needs of our clients - people who are going through some of the most difficult times of their lives.

“We are receiving more enquiries for our services all the time and are particularly busy at present as clients seek the justice they deserve.

“Our latest appointments to the team will help us deliver on our client-first commitment and ensure we are always able to provide the highest level of service expected of us.”

Martin Hood joined the firm in May and was previously deputy head of clinical negligence at a Liverpool law firm for a number

of years. He has extensive experience in cases involving brain and spinal cord injury, as well as fatal cases.

He is accredited on the Law Society’s Clinical Negligence Panel, and was the chief assessor of that panel for three years from 2015.

Martin also sits part-time as a judge in the First-Tier Tribunal, where he is assigned to the Health, Education and Social Care Chamber.

Sophie Bridges joined in April and is based in Shrewsbury. She studied criminology and sociology at the University of Liverpool before completing the Graduate Law Conversion at the University of Birmingham.

Following completion of the Legal Practice Course, Sophie qualified as a solicitor in 2015.

She deals with a variety of cases including delays in diagnosis and missed or wrongful diagnosis, surgical errors, fatal claims including stillbirths and neonatal deaths, spinal injuries, obstetric claims, brain injuries, psychiatric cases and cancer cases - including delay in diagnosis.

Sophie was previously chairperson of Wolverhampton and Black Country Junior Lawyers Division.

For advice about any clinical negligence or personal injury case, contact Lanyon Bowdler by visiting the website at www.lblaw.co.uk 

The Lanyon Bowyer Clinical Negligaence Team

SHROPSHIRE LAWYER AWARDED ‘GOLD STANDARD’ ACCREDITATION

An experienced solicitor at Lanyon Bowdler in Shropshire has been recognised with national accreditation for their expertise in legal support for older and vulnerable clients, their families and carers.

Kate Lawson is now a fully-accredited member of Solicitors for the Elderly, the organisation setting the standards for the highest quality legal advice in specialist areas, such as wills, powers of attorney and elder abuse.

To achieve accreditation, lawyers are required to undertake assessment to demonstrate solid understanding of the specific needs and considerations required when safeguarding and protecting older clients’ interests.

Kate said: “I am delighted to have achieved ‘gold standard’ accreditation in an area of law which requires a real human touch in conjunction with sound technical knowledge.

“I have always prided myself on being approachable and friendly, and able to explain complex legal matters in simple terms to clients who can be particularly vulnerable.

“This accreditation from Solicitors for the Elderly will hopefully give extra peace of mind to my clients and their families that I will always work to the very highest professional standards.”

Lakshmi Turner, Chief Executive of SFE, said: “When it comes to planning ahead for later life, getting the right advice is essential.

“An SFE-accredited lawyer is an expert in this area of the law and understands the wider, often sensitive, issues around health, care and family that may need consideration.

“SFE lawyers understand the issues affecting older and vulnerable clients and follow a strict code of practice with respect and dignity at its heart.

“Ultimately, choosing an SFE lawyer means you’ll be guided through this complex and sensitive area of law and will enable you to lay solid foundations to protect you and your loved ones in later life.”

To find an SFE accredited lawyer near you go to: http:// www.sfe.legal 

Kate Lawson

It was a delight to meet members of the JLD division of the Shropshire Law Society who gathered at Chester University’s Guildhall in Shrewsbury where I was able to provide an insight into the advantages and the disadvantages of referring clients to other solicitors within a firm and providing my experience of training and the future of law firms and in particular within Shropshire law firms.

SHROPSHIRE LAW SOCIETY’S PRESIDENT DANNY SMITH ATTENDS THE SUMMER NETWORK EVENT FOR THE JLD SOLICITORS

It was encouraging to see so many solicitor apprentices at the event, their questions were far reaching, and it was also particularly promising that firms like FBC have invested so heavily in the legal education of so many young people with the strategy of keeping Shropshire talent within Shropshire. It was also good for the Shropshire Junior Lawyers Division to speak to each other before and after the event and share their experiences of their training journeys.

I wish them all every success in their future legal careers and hope that they remain in Shropshire for many years to come.

Guest Speaker: Mickey Bushell MBE

ACCESS TO JUSTICE SHROPSHIRE LAW SOCIETY LEGAL WALK

It was great to see so many of you from the Shropshire legal community walking up the Wrekin to support the charity Access to Justice.

We were lucky with the weather which the rain held off right until the very end. Danny Smith, PCB Solicitors and President of the Shropshire Law Society walked the Wrekin to meet the walkers at the top where we really were blessed with the most amazing rainbow in the background. Sammie Millea of PCB Solicitors lead the walk and organised the same, what a fantastic job she did. There were solicitors from Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors, Clarkes Solicitors, PCB Solicitors and MFG Solicitors were there.

Whilst the walk was really enjoyable, I am sure we all could draw analogy from the strenuous climb up the Wrekin as to the difficulties clients have to access legal aid and in some cases all areas of law. It is particularly prominent in rural legal areas where increasingly legal talent is being driven towards cities, please do visit the Access to Justice website, https://atjf.org.uk/ where you can contribute to this fantastic charity that helps promote and guide service users towards accessing solicitors to service their legal needs. We made over £100.00 for this legal walk and I am so proud of all those that contributed and walked up the Wrekin with me and I hope that you will join me on future walks to support this charity. 

LEGAL SPECIALIST COMPLETES RURAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME

Alegal expert at a Shropshire law firm is celebrating after being among the first-ever graduates of a project to inspire future leaders in agriculture.

The Rural Leadership Programme has been launched by the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS), and Nicola Davies, of Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors in Shrewsbury, said it was a valuable experience.

“I was very grateful to have been selected to join the RWAS Rural Leadership Programme, which ran from May 2022 until the summer this year,” Nicola said.

“As a solicitor specialising in dispute resolution in agricultural matters, the course has given me an excellent insight into the farming industry as a whole.

“We met farmers, visited diversification projects and agricultural businesses, undertook leadership and media training and heard from a number of key people in the farming industry, including Senedd members.

“The course consisted of intensive residential sessions over the past year and it was a thoroughly enjoyable and useful experience.”

The programme was supported by the Glamorgan Feature County 2023 and the legacy of Norman Griffiths, starting with a residential session at the Royal Welsh Showground in September 2022.

The group then attended the Nuffield Farming Conference in Cardiff, before a tour of South Wales and Sussex including visits to farm shops, Knepp Estate and NFU Vice President David Exwood’s farm.

Nicola added: “The final residential session was really interesting, taking in a huge variety of agricultural businesses, including Gloucester Services Farm Shop, and then a tour of The Senedd for discussions with politicians about the challenges being faced by the industry.

“I am proud to be among the first cohort to successfully complete the 2022/23 Rural Leadership Programme and have already tapped into my experience when assisting clients with wide-ranging legal issues.” 

ALTERNATIVE HOLIDAY CHECKLIST’ FOR SEPARATED PARENTS

AShropshire-based lawyer has compiled an ‘alternative holiday checklist’ for separated parents to ensure all necessary legal consents are in place before taking a child abroad this summer.

It has been put together by Caroline Yorke, an associate solicitor in Lanyon Bowdler’s family law team, and is aimed at preventing problems occurring which could leave a child in distress.

“It’s a magical time of year for families to make wonderful holiday memories, but unfortunately many will need to comply with some necessary legal requirements to ensure everything goes smoothly while they are away,” she said.

“My alternative holiday checklist is relevant not only for separated families, where the parents of a child do not live together, but also for families where the parents are together and the plans for the child involve overseas travel without both parents.

“It is also important where the parents are separated or there are court orders in place to check the position since, if there are ‘hiccups’, the main person to be adversely affected is likely to be the child.

“A mother normally has parental responsibility, as does the father if he is married to the mother or registered as the child’s father. However, if there are court orders in place other people may have parental responsibility, so it is important to check.

“You may need permission from all holders of parental responsibility if you are planning to take the child abroadthis will depend on whether there are court orders in place and what sort of order it is. In some cases you don’t need consent for overseas travel for short periods.

Caroline Yorke

“If consent is needed it is preferable to get it in writing, even if the parents are still in a relationship but one parent is travelling alone, or grandparents are taking the child abroad, since immigration authorities will sometimes question the circumstances of the journey.

“Remember to take a copy of any court orders with you and if you are going to a country where English is not readily understood, consider getting an official translation of the order into the language of that country.

“Even if you have a court order and consent from other parental responsibility holders is not needed, it is preferable to at least provide them with some basic information about the holiday. And think about letting the child have a video call with the other parent while you are away - providing it is safe and in the best interests of the child to do so.”

Caroline added: “Regardless of whether you are holidaying abroad or in the UK, it is vital that your plans do not conflict with any court orders for the child to have contact with or spend time with other people. It would be in breach of the order and carry potentially serious consequences if your plans prevented that contact from taking place.

“If you anticipate any difficulty it is always sensible to seek early legal advice with a view to negotiating a variation of the plans to allow for holidays to take place.

“Thinking ahead and planning for any eventuality are essential in ensuring that you are complying with everything you need to - leaving you free to enjoy your holiday.”

For more advice, contact Caroline on 0800 652 3371 or visit www.lblaw.co.uk 

"HALF A CENTURY OF EXCELLENCE: CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF A SHROPSHIRE CRIMINAL LAW SOLICITOR"

Introduction

In the world of law, experience is often considered the most valuable asset a legal professional can possess. It's a rare achievement to find a solicitor who has dedicated five decades to the pursuit of justice, especially in a highly specialised field like criminal law. John McMillan, from WMB Law recently celebrated the remarkable career of a solicitor who has spent 50 years specialising in criminal law, offering insights into their journey, contributions to the legal field, and the evolving landscape of criminal justice.

A Journey Through Time

Embarking on a legal career half a century ago was a vastly different experience compared to today. The legal landscape, technology, and societal norms have all evolved significantly. Our seasoned solicitor began his journey in an era when typewriters were cutting-edge technology, and legal research often meant digging through dusty volumes of case law in dimly lit libraries.

Over the years, he has witnessed sweeping changes in criminal law, from landmark court decisions to legislative reforms. The solicitor's dedication to staying abreast of these changes and adapting his practice accordingly is a testament to his enduring commitment to excellence.

Unwavering Commitment to Justice

Criminal law is a field that demands unwavering dedication to upholding the principles of justice. For half a century, Mr McMillan has been a stalwart defender of these principles, representing clients facing a wide range of criminal charges. From minor offences to high-profile cases, he has consistently striven for equitable outcomes.

Mr McMillan's expertise extends beyond the courtroom. They have been instrumental in mentoring young legal professionals, sharing their knowledge and insights to nurture the next generation of criminal defence lawyers. Their contributions to the legal community have not only benefitted clients but also elevated the standards of the profession as a whole.

Adapting to Modern Challenges

The legal landscape is in a constant state of flux, and the challenges faced by criminal law practitioners have evolved with it. Mr McMillan's ability to adapt to modern challenges, including the digitalisation of legal processes and the complexities of cybercrime, showcases his resilience and commitment to staying at the forefront of their field.

As technology continues to reshape the world, Mr McMillan's expertise in navigating the intricate nuances of digital evidence and data privacy has become invaluable. Mr McMillan's adaptability serves as an inspiration to all legal professionals seeking to thrive in a rapidly changing environment.

Mr McMillan has been at the forefront in tackling government 'money saving' changes with the centralisation of remand courts. A constant feature in the press highlighting those cases of injustice.

The Theatrical Art of Advocacy

While the legal profession is often associated with sober and measured arguments, Mr McMillan brings a theatrical flair to the courtroom. Mr McMillan's advocacy was not just about presenting facts and arguments; it was about crafting a compelling narrative that resonated with everyone present.

Through Mr McMillan's theatrical delivery, he has a remarkable ability to make complex legal issues accessible to all, creating a profound connection between the case and the emotions of those in the courtroom. This unique approach not only makes him a formidable advocate but also leaves a lasting impression on all who witnesses his performances.

The Drama of the Trial

Trials are often likened to theatrical performances, with Mr McMillan as the lead actor. Our celebrated solicitor understood this analogy better than most. His courtroom theatrics, combined with their in-depth legal knowledge, makes for unforgettable trial experiences.

Mr McMillan’s theatrical delivery brings an element of drama to every case. It wasn't just about winning; it was about engaging the audience, making the law come alive, and ensuring that justice was not only done but seen to be done.

A Legacy of Impact

I have had the honour of co-defending with Mr McMillan which is an experience I will never forget and have been profoundly lucky to have been able to continue his company with his experience alongside.

Mr McMillan started the company McMillan & Bennett which evolved into Wright, McMillan & Bennett or WMB Law as traded. One of Shropshires oldest law firms delivering the service of criminal law.

Conclusion

Fifty years in any profession is a remarkable achievement, but in the field of criminal law, it's a testament to an unwavering commitment to justice, a dedication to personal growth, and a passion for defending the rights of individuals. John McMillan's legacy of theatrical advocacy and trial skills serves as a beacon of inspiration for legal practitioners and a reminder that the pursuit of justice can be as captivating as it is profound and a noble and lifelong endeavour.

As we celebrate Mr McMillan's extraordinary career, we also look forward to the continued impact they will undoubtedly have on the world of criminal law in the years to come.

Here's to the next chapter in the storied career of a solicitor who has dedicated half a century to the pursuit of justice and excellence in criminal law. 

LEAP and WillSuite support Free Wills Month with free subscription offer

In 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 

BUYING LEGAL SOFTWARE MAHESH PATEL’S WAY

Learnings from our ‘How to buy legal software: the must dos and don’ts’ webinar

Duringour 24th March webinar, hosted by Quill’s Managing Director Tom Wormald and Regional Sales Consultant Jo Poole, Mahesh Patel from Stenfield Solicitors shared his recent experiences of navigating the software buying process and choosing Quill.

Set the scene. Tell us about Stenfield Solicitors

I founded Stenfield in 2004 as a London-based multi-disciplinary practice. In 2016, I was joined by Alpesh Patel and opened a branch in Norwich. Between us, Alpesh and I have 50 years’ sector experience. Coupled with our fee earning team, we’re able to offer a comprehensive range of services to national and international clients from our twin-site business.

Why did Stenfield move into the software buying scene?

In technology terms, I’d describe myself as an early adopter, having used practice management and legal accounting systems since the 1990s in their rudimentary forms. Covid highlighted some serious limitations with our pre-Quill system, primarily relating to speed issues dialling in remotely and uploading files.

While our software search was focused on making our business more efficient day-to-day, when we started researching the marketplace, other background troubles moved into the foreground, namely scalability, support and cost. While we mainly sought to address the requirement for a web-based rather than on-premise application, it was an opportunity to resolve all our software niggles at once. The quest for a replacement system began in earnest.

One of the first stages in procurement is engaging your internal stakeholders and conducting a thorough review of current positioning to inform next steps. Did you embrace this philosophy?

Initially, the two co-directors – that’s me and Alpesh – decided change was imperative. We then consulted internally by asking our fee earners and support staff for their feedback on our incumbent system and wish lists for our replacement software. As a rule, fee earners don’t like change, however, they were dissatisfied with what we had. As such, employees were responsive to change and forthcoming about their requests in equal measure.

Quill’s ‘Legal Practice Management Software Buyer’s Guide’ was invaluable in drilling into our pain points, identifying role-specific concerns and formulating pertinent questions to progress along the buying journey.

With so many flavours of similar software from so many seemingly similar suppliers, how did you locate and choose your vendor?

Quill correctly describes the legal technology space as a minefield to navigate. Our first port of call was the Law Society

recommended software suppliers list. We devised a long-list of five providers, whittled down to a shortlist of two based on three not having integrated accounts modules designed for law firms, saw demonstrations of the two viable options and selected Quill. Another prized Quill resource is its ‘Legal Practice Management Software Scoping Checklist’ to begin productive dialogues with software houses, steer sales personnel away from their script and narrow down your search with pinpoint precision. This document became our ally.

Essentially, the MyQuill solution ticked all the right boxes, both functionality wise and support related. We now have the tools we need to manage matters and accounts with ease, backed by insightful financial information to manage our successful and growing business, at a cost that better suits our budget.

Much can go wrong during negotiations. How did you avoid the common mistakes law firms have a tendency to make when negotiating?

You’d imagine lawyers are cautious and careful when signing contracts. The opposite is true. It’s not unusual for solicitors to fall into the trap of being rushed into making a hasty decision and signing an ill-fitting finance agreement which they later come to regret.

Own the process by working to your timescales, double checking the terms and conditions, keeping your eyes wide open and, even, thinking about the future by knowing your exit strategy before you enter into the new partnership.

Trusted and reputable suppliers will be happy to give you complete visibility and sufficient time to make an informed decision as well as answer every query you throw their way.

What closing advice would you give to those embarking upon a software swap-out project?

Use all resources at your disposal, not just Quill’s ‘Buyer’s Guide’ and ‘Scoping Checklist’, but also your people, knowledge and experience – the combination of which is extremely powerful throughout the decision making and change management phases.

Look at Quill and its MyQuill solution. A 45-year history, 11,000 users, raft of online reviews, rich-yet-simple functionality, complete practice management system created especially for law firms can’t be wrong. We stand by our decision to go with Quill. We’re sure you would too.

Watch webinar at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMLH9xNAt6M4

Mahesh Patel Director, Stenfield Solicitors

Mahesh Patel

EXTRA REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR DIVIDENDS AND PAYROLL FROM THE 25/26 TAX YEAR.

HMRC are making changes to regulations that will impact owner-managed businesses and employers. These changes will come into effect from April 2025 and are aimed at enhancing the collection of financial information and ensuring better compliance with tax-related matters. Below, we provide an overview of these changes:

1. Dividend Disclosure Rules (Effective April 2025): Starting from the tax year 2025-26, new rules regarding dividend disclosure will be enforced. Individuals associated with owner-managed businesses will be required to use their self-assessment tax return to segregate their dividend income from their own companies from other sources of dividend income. They must also specify the percentage share they hold in their own companies.

HMRC will request specific information through the SA102 form, including details about the value of dividends received and the percentage shareholding in a close company where the individual serves as a director.

2. Reporting Employee Working Hours:

Employers must provide detailed information about the number of hours worked by individual employees using real-time information through PAYE reporting commencing from April 2025. This change has been introduced to improve Government support for the labour market.

Chris Speakman

3. Purpose and Objectives:

It is essential to note that these changes have been initiated as part of broader efforts to combat tax evasion and enhance compliance. HMRC aims to achieve better compliance, particularly after investigations were delayed due to the pandemic.

4. Scope and Limitations:

While these changes are significant, HMRC has scaled back some of its initial plans after consultations in 2022. Notably, they have abandoned the collection of data related to employee job titles, precise working locations, and specific details about office and factory locations. The Government has committed to taking a measured and proportionate approach to data collection, focusing on readily available information to customers and avoiding unnecessary administrative burdens.

5. Penalties for Non-Compliance:

Failure to comply with these legislative changes may result in a penalty of £60.

We understand that these changes may raise questions and concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require further clarification or guidance on how these changes may affect your business.

You can contact us through our website, wrpartners.co.uk/ legal or by calling 08000 664 664. 

Chris Speakman Audit Director at WR Partners

Expert Financial Services Tailored for Legal Businesses

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At WR Partners, we have assembled a dedicated team of professionals with a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges faced by legal businesses.

Our suite of services is meticulously designed to address your unique financial needs:

WR Partners offer accounting, auditing and business services including; tax advisory, consultancy and payroll. wrpartners.co.uk/legal 08000 664 664

Hi,I'm Kate

AML breaches hit the headlines again. Is your law firm compliant?

This month HMRC published details of hundreds of businesses fined a total of £3.2 million for breaching anti-money laundering rules.

The high-ticket sums involved in property transactions puts the conveyancing sector in the high risk category – a fact not lost on insurers, with law firms that work on property transactions paying much higher professional indemnity premiums than those that don’t.

The good news is…we’re here to help with our comprehensive portfolio of the very best services and technology solutions to help law firms reduce risk and maximise compliance, while increasing the speed and efficiency of every process and transaction.

Avoid AML breaches with our Complete Compliance Solution

One of the ways we can help is through our Index Complete Compliance Solution, a service more and more law firms, not just here in Shropshire, but across the whole of England and Wales, are tapping into.

Having supported The Law Society on their Conveyancing Quality Scheme since 2021, we’re perfectly placed to advise and guide clients on the systems, processes and technology they need to have in place to not only avoid AML breaches but to be audit-ready for regulators.

Recently, the Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP) at a law firm we started working with in November summed up this service as being “a huge weight off our shoulders.”

I think your law firm would feel the same way.

Kate Bould Managing Director Index PI West Midlands

Case Study for our Index Complete Compliance Solution service

Actions:

Following a Free Compliance Health Check for our client, the report recommended implementing Digital AML and Source of Funds solutions, which we then did.

Outcome:

As a direct result, in October 2022, the client saved 9% on their PII renewal (nearly £7,000) versus their previous year’s premium.

Free On-demand Webinar Index with The Law Society

With our expertise in compliance, last month The Law Society invited us to host a webinar entitled Unknown Risks –A step-by-step Guide to Financial Crime Prevention.

Topics included:

• AML risk, ‘safe harbour’ solutions & ongoing monitoring

• Source of Wealth & Source of Funds

• Know your Client & Know your Business

• Running Sanctions & PEP checks on new & existing clients

• International & Domestic checks – when to use & risk explained

Watch now on The Law Society website: lawsociety.org.uk/events/recordings

My Legal Indemnity Shop save time & ensure compliance

Moving away from AML but still with compliance, our recent launch of My Legal Indemnity Shop from Index West Midlands has drawn rave reviews from users. The new comparison website for indemnity insurance lets you compare the costs and features of up to 4 quotes from major competing ‘A’ rated insurers, in less than 60 seconds!

Bespoke quotes are also available and there’s full support, via live chat, email, and phone from the specialist underwriters at DUAL Asset, who are our partners.

Timesaving isn’t the only benefit. My Legal Indemnity Shop also ensures your compliance.

By presenting a choice of quotes from different insurers, you’re providing your client with ‘fair value’ which cannot be construed as making a personal recommendation. Furthermore, all quotes come with a Disclosure and Demands and Needs statement.

Visit My Legal Indemnity Shop: indexwestmidlands.my-legal-indemnity-shop.com

My Legal Indemnity Shop

Our Services & Technology Solutions

We help law firms reduce risk, maximise compliance and speed up every process and transaction. Our fully compliant, best-in-class services and technology offer solutions for:

• Client Onboarding

• ID Checks

• AML with ‘Safe Harbour’

• Source of Funds Checks

• Searches & Enquiries

• Document Retrieval Service

• Title Indemnity Insurance

• Completion Checks

• Lender Checks

• AP1s

• SDLT

• CQS Compliance

• Cyber Essentials

Compare 4 quotes in less than 60 seconds & ensure your compliance

from Index West Midlands indexwestmidlands.my-legal-indemnity-shop.com

Follow us on LinkedIn

Our regional LinkedIn page highlights new housing schemes in our region with conveyancing opportunities, national and regional property sector news, invitations to our free and on-demand webinar programme and much more besides.

linkedin.com/company/index-wm

Until Next Time…

Best regards

3 TIMES POSTPONED TRIP AT LAST

Robert Adams (Solicitor and Partner at Wace Morgan Shrewsbury) and his wife Debbie have just returned from Peru and Easter Island after waiting from the best part of 5 years to go. Robert explained that the trip had been planned in 2018 and booked in 2019 and schedule for summer 2020. The pandemic intervened preventing then trip taking place until this year.

Robert and Debbie are passionate about their travels and this trip incorporated 2 distinct bucket list destinations. Robert had always wanted to do the 4 day Inca Trail walk through the Andes to end at Machu Picchu and Debbie had always wanted to go to Easter Island to see the Moai statues. “It made sense to do both together in view of the distances from the UK and the relative position of each to the other” said Robert, “although its all relative as Easter Island is actually 2,500 miles from Peru/ Chile coast which is the nearest point to it in the South Pacific”.

“It was unbelievable experience in all respects – the itinerary was relentless but the scenery and spectacle was unforgettable”

“We started in Peru and had a few days acclimatisation at high altitude in Cusco before starting the Inca Trail, which is a 4 day trek to Machu Picchu covering over 30 miles in all. We are both keen walkers and we knew the trail was going to be hard and we trained hard beforehand (we included Snowden twice in the month before went). The trail is physically hard – the climb through the Andes made more difficult by the high altitude effect on your ever gasping lungs. However the physical trial is more than balanced by the majestic scenery throughout the whole route – huge mountains, interspersed by Inca sites (how did they manage to build this stuff up there?) eventually leading down through the cloud forest to Machu Picchu. When we arrived at the Sun Gate above Machu Picchu looking down on it at dawn as the sun crept over the mountains and onto the site I cannot deny it was not quite an emotional moment. A sense of beauty but

satisfaction in the personal achievement of having done the trail. In short to any one interested – if you ever get the chance to go - do it.”

“After the trail and a very short rest (1 day) we were off to Easter Island – a place of huge mystery and considered to be one of the remotest inhabited places on earth. It is famous for the Moai statues, which most of us will have seen photographs of. The island itself is idyllic – not in a desert island way as it doesn’t have many palm trees and white sand beaches. Its green and rolling – there were times when you could think you were in the UK (apart from the lovely temperature which was a comfortable and totally constant 20-25C degrees). The island is quite small (bit smaller than the Isle of Wight) and easily driveable around in a couple of hours. We tried to see as much of it as we could and visited most of the Moai sites including the quarry where the statues were carved out and where there dozens of incomplete heads and bodies. Until you get close to them the scale of them is something you have no idea of. The full size ones we saw were 10 metres plus tall and weighing 80 tons and ones incomplete in the quarry double that size. They are impressive to say the least and there is still no agreed version of how they were moved from the quarry where they were produced to their final resting place across the island (up to 9-10 miles away).”

“All very different from Peru and much less tiring! As memorable as Peru though but in a completely and mysterious way. “

“On our travels we encountered different people and cultures, all warm, friendly and genuinely pleased to see visitors to their countries after so long a period when the pandemic travel restrictions made life so difficult for them. The food throughout our trip was exceptionally good and see now why Peru particularly has acquired such a great culinary reputation worldwide. Ceviche and Pisco Sour are now household staples with us!”

All in all everything we hoped it would be and more – we will never forget it and it has whetted our appetite for a return visit to South America. 

Dead Womans Pass!

Early start day 3

Intepata – end of day 3

Winyawana – Day 3 evening

Peru in a nutshell!

Sun Gate looking down at Machu Picchu – sunrise day 4

Machu Picchu

End of the trail - day 4

Sunset dinner view in the South Pacific – Easter Island

Moai head in the quarry

15 statues at Tongariki

Moai at Tahai

Heads in the quarry

GREAT LEGAL WRITING

Lessons from Literature

By Max Barrett

AS WORDS ARE THE BASIC TOOLS OF ADVOCACY, ALL LAWYERS SHOULD READ THIS BOOK

PRIVATE INTERNATIONAL LAW IN ENGLISH COURTS

Second Edition

By Professor Adrian Briggs KC

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

Doeslaw link with literature? Yes, of course it does. Both are about words: words and their intrinsic power to influence when effectively used, bearing in mind that while good writing does influence -- great writing, for good or ill, exerts power.

As the author of this book, Max Barrett -- who is also a judge -- states very simply that ‘the law consists of words’ -- hence the necessity of cultivating a clear, lucid and “polished” writing style, especially when you consider the vast amounts of paperwork and documentation most cases require.

So if you’re a lawyer who writes well, get this book -- a recent publication from Globe Law and Business. It will inspire you to write even better, superbly well in fact. Or, if you’re already a superb writer (lucky you) you will be pleased to be reminded that good writing emanates from honesty and clarity of thought.

As you can immediately detect from the title, the focus of the book is less on “good” legal writing, than on “great” legal writing. And note the sub-title: ‘Lessons from Literature.’ As the publishers point out, the book provides lessons, mainly statements of opinion on the art of brilliant expression from a noteworthy selection of undeniably brilliant writers of the past whose work continues to inspire. And even if you may disagree in part with what some of them say, you cannot fault the way they say it, or indeed the quality of the advice they offer.

E. M. Foster, for example, offers advice on ‘writing and voice’, focusing on tone... vocabulary... rhythm and cadence... and much, much more. Other writers featured in this volume include D.H. Lawrence (yes, him), Guy de Maupassant, Thomas de Quincy, Thomas Hardy, Henry James, Robert Louis Stevenson, Anthony Trollope, William Hazlitt, Virginia Woolf and more besides. And if at this point you are asking why only one female author (??), your query will no doubt inspire another book.

Certainly, this book may well answer -- or inspire further debate -on the concern expressed by judges, for example, on the evidently deteriorating quality of written submissions by all too many lawyers of late -- barristers as well as solicitors -- and judges too, as we are reminded that ‘the “triple crown” of judgment writing is ‘clarity, simplicity and brevity.’ Note too, the appendix on 'Writing for the young and vulnerable.’

In all, the book presents readers, primarily lawyers, with a distinguished work of scholarship on a subject that is all too rarely discussed. The encouraging prospect is that this book will in general, raise levels of awareness, particularly in the legal profession, that words -- the basic tools of advocacy -- should be used wisely and well. 

An appreciation by Elizabeth Robson Taylor MA of Richmond Green Chambers and Phillip Taylor MBE, Head of Chambers, Reviews Editor, “The Barrister”, and Mediator

The 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.