President’s Report

Following what was, by any standard, not the year I had imagined my Presidency would be, I am delighted to report that I have been re-elected for a further 1 year term. I am incredibly proud of the dedication of the NNLS committee members during these difficult times. During the last year we have been able to make membership for the 2020-2021 year free for all law firms. This means that we can continue to support you all with a fantastic programme of CPD events, many of which are at no additional cost. In addition, we have been able to donate funds for the ongoing and vital work that Norfolk Community Law Service undertakes; work that is also made possible by local lawyers providing pro bono advice to those most in need.

Over the last months, law firms of all sizes have had to adjust, reflect and adapt to providing their services to clients and have now moved on to consider what the longer term future holds for them. Will this mean more remote working? How will teams be managed in that environment and how will their well-being be effected. Some larger London firms have already announced that they have no intentions of requiring staff to return to the office and I suspect that the flexibility of remote-working is here to stay.

Our region has already very sadly experienced lawyers and support staff facing redundancy. If any of you are affected by that, please do reach out to the committee and we will do everything we can to help. I am aware from contact with other firms and recruiters that the jobs market is far more buoyant

than many had feared and I hope that those who have faced redundancy are able to find a new future elsewhere.

Finally, with some positive news appearing regarding largescale vaccination programmes, our thoughts turn to what might be a more normal/new normal existence in 2021. With that in mind, we’re continuing to put on a full programme of CPD events and hope to have some social events later in the year. Here’s hoping to seeing all of you in September 2021 for the Annual Dinner.

Wishing all of you a very healthy, safe and happy Christmas and New Year.

Thomas Bailey

President, Norfolk & Norwich Law Society