Editorial
From the President... It is a great honour to have been elected as President of the Hertfordshire Law Society for 2020. I am very much looking forward to representing the members of the Society with my fellow Council members over the coming year. I would like to open by expressing gratitude on behalf of the Society to our 2019 President, Judith Gower. Judith’s hard work throughout the year has ensured that our members have had a voice at both a local and national level. Those of you who were fortunate enough to attend the annual dinner were treated to a celebration the centenary of the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919, which paved the way for women to become lawyers for the first time. This provided a fitting focus for the evening, which reflected on the great pride Hertfordshire law firms should take in the progress which has been made in opening the profession to all of talent. I know that this work that we will continue to support.
events, brilliantly organised by Elizabeth Russell and Tom Axon amongst others. As someone who took a rather circuitous route to qualification, I appreciate just how tough it is to get started, so look forward to working closely with Penny Carey at the University of Hertfordshire and meeting with aspiring lawyers throughout the county. Finally, to finish with a plug, the annual dinner this year will return to Hatfield House on 11 June 2020. I hope to see as many of you there as are able to come. The evening is now an even more special occasion as the Society presents its awards to local practitioners, both new and experienced. Details of the awards and nomination forms will be available in the spring. With so many excellent lawyers, we look forward to the difficult task of choosing the winners. In closing, on behalf of Council and myself I wish you all a successful and prosperous 2020. Neil Johnson President Hertfordshire Law Society
I am extremely grateful to Jessica Moseley for taking on the role of Society Treasurer and Secretary and also to Stephen Hamilton on his election as Vice-President. I would also like to record the Society’s great indebtedness to our outgoing Honorary Treasurer and Secretary, Claire Sharp, and her secretary, Stacey Balkin, for the huge help they have given to the Society. As I commence my year of office, Law Society President, Simon Davis, is halfway through his term and will be succeeded by David Greene in July. Both have highlighted the challenges to ensuring access to justice for all, which many colleagues in Hertfordshire will recognise as court closures, reduced access to legal aid and the increase in those offering legal services (whether unregulated paid for services or lay representatives) take effect. As solicitors we have a great story to tell, not just with regard to the services we provide in furtherance of the rule of law, but also in purely financial terms. UK legal services contributed just under £28 billion to the economy in 2018 and ours is a jurisdiction of choice for many in business. As President, I will do all that I can, however limited that may be, to support Simon and David in their efforts to influence our new government’s policy on this vital social and economic asset. In addition to supporting the Law Society’s wider aims, I am also looking forward to meeting as many members of the Society at social and educational events. As Vice-President I have particularly enjoyed attending our Junior Lawyers’
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