From the President

At last, Spring has arrived and we can all take pleasure in the lighter evenings and the abundance of beautiful British wildlife emerging from winter. And whilst we continue to be concerned by the unfolding troubles affecting our friends abroad, we can take some comfort in the knowledge that our fight against Covid is largely won.

The year is already passing at an alarmingly fast rate. In January I attended the first meeting of the year of the Southern Area Association of Local Law Societies (SAALS) in Andover. Top of the agenda was the SRA consultation on closure of the Solicitors Indemnity Fund (SIF), with the deadline to respond to the consultation having closed on the 15th February. I am pleased to report that I responded to the consultation on behalf of the Hertfordshire Law Society and would like to take this opportunity to thank those members who contributed by getting in touch with their own representations. I do hope that many of you also responded on an individual and firm basis.

I ‘virtually’ attended the High Sheriff Awards in March where Lionel Wallace DL, the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, publicly recognised and rewarded thirteen Hertfordshire voluntary organisations. The annual Awards, now in their 27th year, celebrate the excellent work undertaken by charitable groups and individuals who have made a significant contribution to Hertfordshire’s communities.

On 24th March, on a rare warm and bright spring evening, I attended the ICAEW Beds, Bucks & Herts President’s Annual Dinner at St. Michael’s Manor Hotel, St. Albans. Unfortunately due to a massive power outage that affected the whole of St Albans the evening was cut short. However, whilst the light allowed I enjoyed a drinks reception on the terrace with members of the Beds, Bucks and Herts business community.

This nicely brings us on to our own Annual Dinner which we will be holding on the 9th June at The Old Palace at Hatfield House. This will be our first annual dinner since 2019 and so I hope, like me, you all want to make up for lost time! I would therefore ask you to ‘save the date’ and really hope that we can have a big, celebratory night and focus on the positives ahead of us. We will, once again, be presenting our inaugural awards with prizes being awarded for: • Junior Lawyer of the Year Award 2022 • Excellence in Client Services Award 2022 • Lifetime Achievement Award 2022 • Hertfordshire Law Society Community Engagement Award

I would therefore urge you all to put pen to paper and find time to send in your nominations by the deadline, which is 13th May 2022.

I will sign off with a request to all our members who believe they may have something to offer the Council. If you believe you could serve the Council in some capacity then please do get in touch.

Steven Hamilton

President of the Hertfordshire Law Society

Steven.hamilton@taylorwalton.co.uk