The President’s Foreword

INTRODUCTION

The President’s Foreword

Here we are at long last, on the other side of (most) restrictions, and basking in the summer drizzle! Isn’t it great to be meeting people again? That is, if you are lucky enough to step out of the house without being pinged.

I hope you are able to enjoy a summer break of some kind, especially if you have young children. It’s been such a rubbish 18 months that even loading up the car and sitting on the M5 for a couple of days hoping for Cornwall is a real tonic. If you can manage to maintain a basic level of civility with your family during the journey and dip your toes in the sea without losing any to frostbite, then you my friend have got this!

Get your rest in when you can as this is set to be a busy few months, with workers getting back into the office and furlough ending. Solinda Nyamutumbu’s article on page 15 explores the implications for employers of the ending of the scheme on 31 September and gives some very useful facts and timelines.

There is a lot packed into this issue of Central London Lawyer, covering WHLS’s involvement in international conferences, the new no-fault divorce law now coming out in April 2022 and many other very current subjects.

In “Disability Inclusion” on page 8, Anna Vroobel talks about having a disability and her experience sharing that information with her employer. She rightly points out that the term ‘disclosure’ in this situation “has negative connotations and suggests that disability is something that should be concealed”. Though she has been well supported at work, Anna knows that many people are fearful of their employer’s reaction.

We always want to hear from under-represented groups so if you would like to join the WHLS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, please get in touch. As Anna says “having disabled people present in leadership positions is an important way of role modelling and championing disability.”

Raising another very important topic in “Children in Police Custody” on page 23, Rishi Joshi highlights the fact that many young people are kept in custody at the pre-charge stage. He argues that “It is particularly in these cases where a child’s detention should be off the cards”, and calls for a change in policy to protect children from being institutionalised. It is so important that issues like these are brought to light, to safeguard the future for young people caught up in the criminal system.

I hope you enjoy reading this edition as much as I did. I find it inspiring to see so much activity, and how our colleagues seeking to work together, to change systems and policies that aren’t right, and to look out for people who need help. There is a new energy to our profession and our Society, and the pandemic has shown us what we can achieve under the worst circumstances. We have a lot more to do! ■

Have a great summer.

Paul Sharma

Paul Sharma

President

Westminster & Holborn Law Society