Council Members Report

REPORT

Council Members Report

We now approach the end of 2020 which has changed our lives and the way we work. Hopefully with the advent of a vaccine we can look forward to a better year next year. That does not mean that the damage this pandemic has done to all of us and our businesses will be easy to overcome but we are a resilient profession and are used to uphill climbs. Some of us may need more help than others so I ask that you look out for colleagues who may be finding recovery difficult and lend a hand if you can. Sometimes just listening is all that is needed. But reach out and make sure that you are there for those who need it.

We have a lost a friend and former Council Member John Perry who sadly passed away on 12th October 2020. John served Surrey as one of its Council Members for many years and sat on many of the Law Society Committees. We told him on his retirement how much his service to his fellow solicitors and contribution was valued. Due to the COVID restrictions his funeral took place on 6th November and SLS was represented by our President Nick Ball who was offered a place at the funeral because of John’s long membership of SLS and its predecessors.

It has been a very different experience taking part in virtual Council and Committee meetings and the AGM was held virtually, too, for the first time. We extend a warm welcome to our new President David Greene, Vice President Stephanie Boyce and Deputy Vice President Lubna Shuja. Simon Davis, the Office Holders and the whole team at Chancery Lane have done a great job helping the profession in these dark times and fighting our corner on a wide variety of issues.

As you are all aware, at the AGM there was a Motion before members to vote on the changes that my fellow Council Member had reported in the last SLS magazine. A timetable has been set and both Alastair and I continue to urge all of you to update your MyLaw Society in order for you to receive the ballot.

Please do look at the report from Alastair in the Autumn magazine. Please also check the SLS website for updates and also the dates for voting.

I know a number of you have been in contact with me in relation to preparing digital bundles for the court in family matters. I have been informed by the Policy Adviser-Modernising Justice at the Law Society that emails transmitted via the gsi (government secure intranet) network and other equivalent secure Government networks, can send, and receive from CJSM accounts. More information about signing up to this service is available at www.cjsm.justice.gov.uk. If you have any other queries, then please do not hesitate to contact myself or Alastair. I have also raised issues relating to delays in receiving the Grant of Probate and have been informed that HMRC and HMCTS are having ongoing discussions to see what can be done to alleviate delays.

The Law Society continues with its “Reset, Resilience and Recovery” campaign for COVID. So, if members have any specific views around the impact of COVID, we would like to hear from you. There are consultations on Modern slavery offences guideline consultation, Legal Guidance on Rape and Sexual Offences and the consultations close in January 2021. Please do get involved in consultations as it does help to hear from members.

If you have any matters that you wish to raise with the Law Society, please do not hesitate to contact me or Alastair. As we approach Christmas, I would like to take the opportunity of wishing all of you Good Wishes during this festive season and a prosperous and healthy 2021. Please stay safe and well. ■

By Sushila Abraham, Council Member

Sushila Abraham