In Touch The Official Magazine of Suffolk & North Essex Law Society
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Published by:
Editor Denise Head
Features Christine Kettle Advertising Simon Castell
Design Matt Wood - East Park Studio Accounts Tony Kay
Media No. 1111 Published May 2018
Contents 5
A Message from the President
6
From the Council Chamber
8
Suffolk Law Centre News Update
9
AGM & Quiz Night
10
The Five Worst Clients For Your Professional Services Firm
11
What’s the best way to start your new job?
12
Important Notice Re:GDPR
14
Looking for appropriate home care services is like travelling down a road paved with obstacles.
17
PRO/PLO Report
18
Eastern Legal Profession and Community Unites to Walk For Justice!
19
Deputy Vice President’s Seminar
22
The Law Society - Relationship Management
26
Practice Management Software: when is the right time for a change?
27
Teach to Nurture Talented Lawyers
30
Catch-all solution to in-house staffing problems: outsourcing
Legal Notice
© East Park Communications Ltd. None of the editorial or photographs may be reproduced without prior written permission from the publishers. East Park Communications Ltd would like to point out that all editorial comment and articles are the responsibility of the originators and may or may not reflect the opinions of East Park Communications Ltd. Correct at time of going to press. The appearance of advertising copy in this magazine does not constitute an endorsement of the individual advertisers by the Suffolk and North Essex Law Society.
Issue 15 Spring 2018
Suffolk & North Essex Law Society
EAST PARK COMMUNICATIONS Ltd. Maritime House, Balls Road, Birkenhead, Wirral CH43 5RE Tel: 0151 651 2776 simon@eastparkcommunication.co.uk www.eastparkcommunication.co.uk
Articles in blue are indepedant advertorials and not neccessarily the opinions of the Society
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3
Officers of the Society
Vice President Denise Head Bates Wells & Braithwaite, Ipswich Tel: 01473 219282 Fax: 01473 230804 Email: denise.head@bates-wells.co.uk Honorary Secretary Ivana Radovic Gotelee Solicitors, Ipswich Tel: 01473 211121 Fax: 01473 230387 Email: ivana.radovic@gotelee.co.uk
Honorary Treasurer Louise Cardwell Ashtons Legal Tel: 01473 261320 Email: louise.cardwell@ashtonslegal.co.uk Honorary Council Member Roger Buston Birkett Long, Colchester Tel: 01206 217335 Mobile: 07770 305 977 Email: roger.buston@birkettlong.co.uk. Joint PRO/PLO Fiona Bailey Louise Goodenough Haywards Solicitors, Stowmarket Tel: 01449 613631 Fax 01449 613851 Email: louise.goodenough@haywards-solicitors.co.uk Education & Training Officer Amanda Timcke Birketts 24/26 Museum Street Ipswich Suffolk, IP1 1HZ DX 3206 IPSWICH E-mail address: Amanda-Timcke@birketts.co.uk
Administrative Secretary Christine Kettle Whitegate Cottage Coddenham Green Ipswich IP6 9UN Tel/Fax: 01449760731 email: snels@topcopysec.co.uk
In March I represented the Suffolk & North Essex Law Society on a very cold and snowy day at the High Sheriff of Suffolk’s Annual Justice Service at St. Edmundsbury Cathedral. The service involves an enormous amount of tradition and more than a little pomp and circumstance, and I therefore made sure that I attended wearing solicitor’s robes (which I had to borrow from a fellow solicitor as I have not needed to wear such things for over twenty years).
Suffolk & North Essex Law Society
President Jon Armstrong Armstrong Family Law, Colchester Tel. 01206 848426 Email: jon@armstrongfamilylaw.co.uk
A Message From Our President
The service was attended by a wide variety of exotic dignitaries in ceremonial dress, including numerous barristers in wigs and gowns, Queens Counsel in long wigs and silk stockings, violet robed circuit judges, and red robed High Court judges. There was even a Supreme Court justice, resplendent in his more simple black robes with gold embroidery, as well as the Chief Constable, Lord Lieutenant and other civic dignitaries. However, probably the attendees who got the most attention were a Sheriff and his Deputy from Suffolk County, Massachusetts, and who I suspect thought that they were witnessing the quaintest thing that they had ever seen in their lives. The only disappointing thing about the service was how few solicitors were in attendance. I would encourage all of you to attend the service next year if you possibly can. We form the bulk of the legal profession and we really should be better represented at events like this, even if our attire is not so grand as others.
Jon Armstrong
President, Suffolk & North Essex Law Society
Dates for the Diary Monday, 18th June 2018: Chelmsford Legal Walk, 5.30p.m. Trinity Chambers, Moulsham St, CM2 9AH
Monday, 25th June 2018: Ipswich Legal Walk, 5.30 p.m. Christchurch Mansion, Christchurch Park, Soane St, IP4 2BE
Thursday, 28th June 2018: AGM & Quiz – at The Ipswich Hotel, London Road, Copdock, Ipswich IP8 3JD – full details will be e-mailed to Members.
Friday, 20th July 2018: Pétanque Evening - at the Hare & Hounds, East Bergholt, details TBA
Thursday, 20th September 2018: Free Seminar on Law Society’s involvement with international affairs, especially Brexit. 6.00 p.m. at The Sky Café, Finborough Hall, Great Finborough, Suffolk.
November 2018: President’s Annual Dinner – details TBA
Future Council Meetings: Monday 17th September 2018 Monday 5th November 2018 If you would like any specific items discussed by your Council, please notify our Admin. Sec. (snels@topcopysec.co.uk) to ensure they are included on the agenda.
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5
From the Council Chamber
SNELS Council Member Report Chancery Lane - May 2018
CM Brief
As Law Society Council Constituency Member for Suffolk and North Essex I represent SNELS and members generally both on TLS Council, the Council Members Conduct Committee (CMCC), and on the Law Society National Property Section (PS) Executive Committee and on the Conveyancing and Land Law Committee (CLLC) for PS.
CM Activity
Attended TLS Council on 13th – 14th April 2018. Attended PS Exec meetings 3rd May 2018 and CLLC 11th April 2018.
The next TLS Council meeting is on 4th – 5th July 2018 (including TLS AGM). The next CLLC meeting is on 6th June 2018. The next TLS PS Executive Committee Meeting is on 12th July 2018.
Summary TLS DVP Elections.
David Greene, Senior Partner, Edwin Coe, has been elected DVP TLS from the AGM in July 2018 and will become President in 2020.
Council Strategic Planning Weekend
The April TLS Council Meeting was engaged principally in workshops and group discussions, rather than the traditional format, to enable Council - with its new Board composition - to engage in a strategic discussion on the issues and challenges facing the profession, ahead of the budgeting process and the new Presidential year – and also to inform the shaping of the TLS business planning process for years 2-5 and to steer the priorities within our corporate and business plans over the coming years. Paul Tennant, TLS Chief Executive, talked Council through the purpose and outcomes for the weekend noting the aim that Council’s role should evolve to operate more strategically - and focus on setting the policy agenda and the future shape of TLS. Outcomes of the weekend sought were:
• To create a clear policy agenda to be delivered in year and identify issues for further discussion and consideration;
• To review and comment on the progress being made with the Member Offer;
• To discuss the Shaping of the TLS Future Programme - and provide a steer to the Board in planning the development of the Business Plan.
Background
The world in which TLS operates is changing. As our members meet the challenge of change we too need to change if we are to be viewed as relevant by our members and to be fit for the future. Thus we need to appreciate:
The Profile of the Profession
The profile of the profession has changed over the period 2006 to 2016 (Annual Statistics Report and SRA MI data). • Growth in PC holder numbers is largely driven by growth in numbers outside private practice – private practice growth is slowing; • There is consolidation amongst firms – most notably in midsized firms; 6
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• Numbers of solicitors working in conveyancing and personal injury have declined - while numbers working in corporate finance, advocacy and banking are on the increase; • Some key markets, while still generating growth in turnover, appear to be offering fewer roles for solicitors or are at capacity for the existing number of firms (or insufficiently attractive for new firms to enter). These are: personal injury; residential conveyancing; criminal; and intellectual property.
The Future of Technology
Technological advances are being adopted in the sector at an accelerated pace. Artificial intelligence is being used for document analysis, document delivery, legal adviser support, clinical negligence claims analysis, case outcome prediction and public legal education.
Changing Skills
Changes in legal services delivery will require new skills and aptitudes of lawyers and different approaches to legal education and training. Technological unemployment in the legal profession is predicted by many, starting with routine jobs and individuals performing low-skilled, standardised legal work and, in the long term, moving up the value chain. The result of progress in Big Data and search, and the development and adoption of artificial intelligence systems in the sector, is likely to be fewer human legal roles overall and fewer generalist roles in particular, with new roles emerging such as legal process managers and legal technicians
Changing Roles
The earliest impact of technological advances will be felt most profoundly by entry level lawyers. Research by BCG suggests that legal-tech solutions could perform as much as 30-50% of tasks carried out by junior lawyers today. While adoption rates of these technologies by firms are currently low, that trend is unlikely to continue beyond the next five years. (TLS research indicates that 15% of large firms in the 2015/16 law firms’ survey reported replacing functions that were previously carried out by qualified solicitors, up from 3% in 2013/14.) In turn, the market will expect junior lawyers to perform work that cannot be outsourced or done by computers. In the short to medium term, therefore, new skills will be required in order for young lawyers to be market ready.
The UK Economy
Global and national economic business environments and the impacts of Brexit on the UK economy and our trade with other countries. Research Unit econometric forecasts suggest that growth in real turnover over the next three years in the sector is likely to be notably slower than in the past. Growth is forecast at 1.9% in 2018 and 2.7% in 2019, compared to 5% per year in the years before the 2008 financial crisis. This is mainly due a slowdown in the UK economy and a likely decline in housing transactions
Market Changes
Changes in the way buyers purchase legal services and their expectations, will continue to put downward pressure on price (consumer and business markets) and greater focus on service quality. New entrants and types of competition (such as the rise of the Big Four accountancy firms) will add to that pressure.
Political Agenda
Member requirement
Evidence tells us that members want clarity and assistance in order to be able to address the above: • to be recognised and valued as a solicitor and for the profession to be valued for its contribution to society and the economy; • to make optimal career pathway choices, learning and developing continuously through them;
• to deliver for their clients and employers by complying with regulation, staying on top of best practice, and proactively anticipating change; and • to keep up to date with relevant news.
Design Principles
An analysis of the internal and external environment has helped identify four ‘design principles’ that TLS needs to invest in and focus on as a matter of priority:
• Designing a model for a future Law Society - describing how TLS will engage effectively with members; and how TLS will organise and resource activities in order to maximise efficiency - and implement that design.
• Transforming TLS technology to be our platform for the future - so that TLS can deliver excellent digital products and services to members - and ensuring that TLS has the data needed to deliver digitally. • Becoming one organisation through embedding a culture code and values that help governance and staff work significantly more effectively together than in the past, and form an effective partnership style with key stakeholders
These principles will underpin a TLS five-year Corporate ambition and a TLS one-year Business Plan, and leads, in the interim to agreed statements of the Purpose & Vision both for TLS, and for Solicitors
TLS Purpose:
“To be the voice of solicitors, to drive excellence in the profession and to safeguard the rule of law.”
Vision for Solicitors:
“To be a valued profession delivering the highest quality legal services in the public interest and advancing the rule of law” Roger Buston - TLS Council Member SNELS, Bikett Long Office : 01206 217335 Mobile email
: 07770 305977
: roger.buston@birkettlong.co.uk
• Making membership essential by completing the work already begun on defining the future member offer and
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Suffolk & North Essex Law Society
Wider political agendas around funding the justice system and access to justice, online dispute resolution have tended to seek to reduce the role of solicitors in processes or make their participation more difficult. Meanwhile, regulatory reform continues apace, bringing another set of challenges around dealing with continual change as well as impacts of further liberalisation.
then continually reviewing and adapting the TLS offer to meet the changing world. Importantly, this includes significant development and expansion of the TLS education and training offer through innovative models of delivery.
Suffolk Law Centre - An Update Suffolk & North Essex Law Society
Launch Things have been incredibly busy since the fabulous launch of Suffolk Law Centre on the 23rd March. Thanks to Gotelees for the hospitality, everyone who attended and all who donated to our Crowdfunder. We are especially grateful to Suffolk and North Essex Law Society, to Birketts and East Anglian Chambers who have the honour of being founding patrons, having each donated £1,000 to us. Any other firm or company who want to support us in this way, there is still time before we make up a suitable plaque when we launch our new reception area this summer.
Clinics The Suffolk Law Advice Centre continues as before (though now one of the Law Centre projects will now be called Suffolk Legal Advice Clinic). Our Tackling Discrimination in the East legal casework project also continues and provides free legal advocacy for all victims of unlawful discrimination.
Suffolk Family Law Support Helpdesk We have now launched a new service for unrepresented litigants. Under the supervision of recently retired barrister Carol Parry Jones we have a small but dedicated rota of family lawyers staffing a Helpdesk every Wednesday at Ipswich
Magistrates Court for family court first hearings. It started this May and, from feedback from their first two sessions, has been a real hit with litigants, the Magistrates and ushers. We are not giving legal advice but information about what is to happen in court and explaining orders made by the court. The administration and modest overheads have been funded by the Litigants In Person Support Strategy administered by the Access to Justice Foundation. If any experienced family lawyers are interested in the Helpdesk or joining our excellent team in the family law clinic (which we have by appointment on Thursday after work) do contact us
Recruiting for Legal Aid Housing Lawyer Having got some start up costs we have applied for a legal aid contract in housing. We are currently recruiting a suitably experienced housing supervisor. As there has not been a legal aid housing practitioner in the County for quite a few years this may prove difficult; but we are hoping someone will relocate from London, attracted by setting up a new department and the joys of Suffolk. Do spread the word as the closing date for applications is 21st May.
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AGM & Quiz Evening The Constable Suite at The Ipswich Hotel, London Road, Copdock, Ipswich, IP8 3JD
Suffolk & North Essex Law Society
Thursday, 28th June 2018
5.30 p.m. Tea and Coffee 6.00 p.m. AGM 6.30 p.m. Quiz
Tickets ÂŁ10.00 per person to include wine and buffet or ÂŁ50.00 for a team of six.
Guest: Simon Davis, Deputy Vice-President of the Law Society
A formal invitation and Agenda will be sent to Members by e-mail at the beginning of June, but to book your tickets for the Quiz now please e-mail our Administrative Secretary, Christine Kettle, at snels@topcopysec.co.uk
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9
Suffolk & North Essex Law Society
The five worst clients for your professional services firm Over my career I have learnt a few hard lessons and one of the most valuable is when to say no to a potential client. Unfortunately, when you are starting out, in a recession, when you change firms or become a partner you are at your most vulnerable to the ‘preying’ client. However, these clients can be the hardest to ditch and there tends to be a painful post mortem to the work. I would always say trust your instincts and if you have concerns about the client take a second opinion and be prepared to say no. So who are these ‘parasitic’ clients? 1. The “expert” The expert is the client who makes it very clear from the initial call or meeting that they know it all. They are the expert in your field and they are seeking your services for convenience. They will also make it clear that, as they already know it all, they expect a heavily discounted fee. Put simply they won’t value your expertise or experience. Once engaged they will lean on you at every opportunity.
3. The serial litigant This is the client who has a history of suing their advisers. Beware as they are typically the most charming client.
4. The rude client Strong or difficult clients are fine. Difficult clients expect excellent service and will respect you making your views known and being prepared to stand up to them. Rude clients however should not be tolerated and particularly if they are rude to your team.
5. The “coming tomorrow” client These are the clients who don’t deliver on time. It will be evident from the start when they don’t return the signed engagement letter. They will then fail to send in crucial paperwork such that you will be working late nights and weekends to meet known deadlines and then, guess what, they won’t pay the fees when they are due. Fortunately, the majority of clients are great clients and if treated well will be loyal clients and a pleasure to work for.
2. The “wink wink, nudge nudge” client This is the client who is looking to bend every rule and will be seeking to push you beyond your professional boundaries. Beware however, if you make it clear where your boundaries lie they will instead try and hide their actions from you. Be careful you are not unwittingly caught out. Fiona Hotston Moore Forensic accounting partner & accredited expert witness Ensors Chartered Accountants M: 07770 642 491 | E: Fiona.hotstonmoore@ensors.co.uk | @hotstonmoore Member of NIFA & The Academy of Experts 10
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By Fiona Hotston Moore – Ensors Chartered Accountants
Suffolk & North Essex Law Society
What’s the best way to start your new job?
It is common to feel excited and nervous about the prospect of starting a new job. There’ll be new faces and names to learn, you may not know what to expect and you’ll need to get to grips with a new workload and boss. Here are a few tips for making a good start in any organisation.
Before you start
First things first, do you need to recharge before starting your new job? Consider taking a few days off before you need to show up all full of enthusiasm and smiles on your first day. You may need a physical and mental break.
Be sure to contact your line manager and ask them how you should prepare. Is there any material you should read or are there any forms to complete to save time on the first day? Make sure you confirm what time you need to start on day one and who you need to ask for.
Get to know your teammates Having lunch with your new colleagues during your first week is a great way to get to know people in a relaxed environment. At the very least, spend a few minutes each day getting to know everyone as they will help get you assimilated. Just make sure you don’t devolve into gossip - stay positive about the company and your manager at all times. Most importantly enjoy it! A new start is always a challenge and should also be a positive step in the right direction for your career. Clara Rose – Legal Careers Consultant www.clararoseconsultancy.co.uk 020 3286 7884
First day Without wishing to put a downer on your first day, our advice is to take things easy. Don’t push too hard - being enthusiastic is good, being bullish is not. Smile lots and go with the flow contently. There are some more practical considerations too. Quickly get hold of the telephone numbers for the IT Helpdesk and the HR department - you will definitely need them! Also, don’t be shy about asking where the toilets are and where you can make a cup of tea.
Your new boss
Need a house clearance or valuation advice?
To make sure you get off on the right foot, ask your line manager how they like to be communicated with, i.e. do they want you to drop by their office or do they prefer email? It’s important to ask this question early on so there are no misunderstandings at the beginning of your most important working relationship. Don’t assume that all managers like to be communicated with in the same way.
Check in regularly with your manager to start with. Seek immediate feedback to your first completed assignments so you can make any necessary adjustments for future work. This shows your manager that you are open and willing to improve. Checking in will also help you define how quickly you are expected to work. Also, ask your boss for introductions to people in the other departments that you will probably work with in the future. You can do this under your own steam, but your manager will appreciate the courtesy of you asking.
We can organise the whole process including transport for you. Call our auction centre manager, Geoffrey Barfoot, to talk through how we may be able to help you.
Clarke & Simpson Auction Centre, Campsea Ashe, Nr Wickham Market, Suffolk IP13 0PS t: 01728 746323 www.clarkeandsimpson.co.uk www.snels.org.uk
11
IMPORTANT NOTICE RE:GDPR The new General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into effect on 25th May, 2018. To help comply with GDPR consent requirements, we need to confirm that you would like to receive content from us. We would like to keep all our Members up to date with renewal status, training courses, newsletters, social events, etc., and important updates as part of your Membership. If you would like to opt in, and have not already done so, please send an e-mail as soon as possible to our Admin. Sec. at snels@topcopysec.co.uk Thank you!
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Looking for appropriate home care services is like travelling down a road paved with obstacles. Angela Gifford, MD. Able Community Care Ltd.
A relative or a friend is approaching the stage where it is likely that some care support will be needed. Talking it through about what form this support should take and then finding a care agency to provide the service sounds simple enough. The reality is likely to be different. There are several excellent voluntary organisations that offer information about the care sector but unless you have one in your area or can research their websites on the internet or on others such as NHS Choices, you may find it difficult.
The process for many is often described as ‘frustrating and time consuming’. This is especially the case for working people as most of the care sector, including social services are not weekend friendly.
Libraries may have some or no information, or it will be hard to locate unless you ask. There are no standard leaflets which are universal. (There used to be one for NHS Continuing Care, but this is no longer freely available).
Having a care service means that it must be paid for. Depending on financial circumstances this may be State funded or partially State funded. If the State is going to fund all or part of a care package and is going to contract with an agency this will take time to become reality and in the interim a person may have to make their own arrangements.
Regardless of where the information is found it is likely that finding the right care package is going to take time.
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If a person is funding their own care, then they need to locate a care provider to support their needs. It might be thought that in a city or urban area this would be easier than in a rural location, but this is not necessarily the case. In city and urban areas there will be more providers but also more people to support. Many care providers have one main customer, their local council. This may mean that though they could provide the support asked for, it may not be at a time of choice, a person may have to have several, different care workers coming in or simply they may not be able to help. Hourly care, shift care, night sitters, night sleepers, ‘pop in’ 15-minute visits, 24-hour care, live-in care, specialised care, domestic care and companionship care, will all be available but not in every locality. The cost of care services can be different for the same type of care package from different providers. Contrasting the financial rates charged for weekdays, weekends, night times, bank holidays, having employed care workers or self-employed care workers as provided by Introductory agencies is not always easy to do as some providers will want to make an assessment visit first and will not offer a ‘ball park’ figure. To make the journey a little easier before the time of need, the advice is to investigate what is available in the local area, download details, ask for brochures and put the information in a safe place.
For a free brochure please contact 01603 764567 or email info@ablecommunitycare.com www.ablecommunitycare.com
3P’s of Valuations: How many businesses have a partners’‚or directors’‚ agreement? I am sure most lawyers are for ever pointing this out to their clients, or bemoaning the lack of one when things go wrong. Well in the same way forensic accountants are always pointing out the lack of an independent valuation of that business is just as foolish, both at the time any agreement is signed or when it all goes wrong. These findings - from a recent studyi Take a standard partnership agreement. It will talk about the respective rights and responsibilities of the partners, who does what, and how to resolve problems etc. The first agreement will usually be fine financially because assets in a new partnership are usually, but not always valued. New partners joining may get a share of the partnership assets, but what are those assets worth?
Suffolk & North Essex Law Society
Probate, Partnership and Pre-nuptials
Finally who has seen a will that leaves the business to one party and other assets to other parties, and then somewhere in the wordy bit says something like “in recognition of Son 1 getting the business, Son 2 gets ¬£50,000” - arguments abound. Equally the IHT return on leaving any part of a family business requires a valuation, and you would be surprised how often the value of a business for probate gives a lower valuation because the deceased was key to the business, so just taking a balance sheet valuation will nearly always be wrong, usually to the detriment of the estate. Tim Vogel is an experienced Forensic accountant with a national reputation. He has appeared in courts ranging from Dereham Magistrates to the Court of Appeal. He founded The Chamber of Experts to sit alongside his busy accountancy practice and runs both from sunny Swaffham. 01760 725880, vogel@gybea.co.uk
It matters not only if things go wrong, but effectively the existing partners are selling a share of the partnership, and that has capital gains tax implications. They might not realise it but it does, and it may, indeed in my experience often is, actually a capital loss or gain to be reported on their tax return, and you cannot use the balance sheet value for this purpose. Likewise, we have seen recently a professional negligence case against an advisor who advised on a partnership agreement that gave each partner 50% of the partnership when the business came together when in actuality one set of assets was worth far more than the other. Business valuations need not be expensive. A ballpark valuation is likely to be less than a days work, and so typically costs a few hundred pounds. That can then save hours of argument years down the line. A recent case for a Norfolk partnership saw a partnership breakup where the agreement only spoke of the share of profits, but neither side had considered the split of capital assets, because nothing says that has to follow the profit share. A retrospective valuation of the two businesses that came together is perfectly possible, and that gives an easy starting point, but cheaper and better in the eyes of the court is a valuation done at the time, and ¬£500 at the time saves thousands later. Similarly valuations of a business at time of marriage are still proving useful on any subsequent divorce. Today I have been in Cambridge County Court sorting out a matrimonial case where one side, for unrelated reasons, had a valuation of the family business at or about the time of the marriage, and that has totally undermined the other side’s case for the value they have added to the business.
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PRO/PLO Report Suffolk & North Essex Law Society
Other events to look out for this year are as follows:•
AGM & Quiz – 28th June 2018 at the Ipswich Hotel, Copdock
•
Pétanque Evening – Friday, 20th July at the Hare & Hounds, East Bergholt;
•
President’s Annual Dinner - venue and date to be confirmed.
We look forward to seeing you at one of our social or training events, but in the meantime hope that you are all getting to grips with GDPR.
Since my last report, the President, Vice President and I, together with a selection of the SNELS Council members attended the Essex Annual Law Lecture. The evening was well attended by past and present students together with past and present Legal Practitioners. The subject was ‘The Lawyer as Political Actor’ and was extremely well delivered by the guest speaker Jolyon Maugham QC. Jo became a Queen’s Counsel in 2015. In 2016, The Lawyer featured him as one of only 10 members at the Bar in their ‘Hot 100’. He has been described by The Times as ‘one of the country’s leading Barristers’. Jo is the founder and Director of the Good Law Project, a not for profit organisation which uses the law to advance progressive values. He is currently pursuing litigation against Uber’s London entity to establish whether it is avoiding £200m per annum of Value Added Tax along with a number of judicial review cases around the governance of Brexit. This was the 30th Essex Annual Law Lecture and SNELS President started the evening off by awarding the SNELS prizes to two students of the Essex Law School. The evening finished by a most insightful dinner with a mixture of Law Students, Law School staff and SNELS Council Members. We hope to see many attendees at next year’s Annual Essex Law Lecture. Details of which will be added to our website early next year.
Notice to all STEP members: STEP are requiring all its members to log onto the STEP website and carry out the member declaration. This declaration confirms your understanding and consent regarding compliance with STEP policies and processes in relation to continuing professional development, codes of conduct and disciplinary rules. Failure to acknowledge these declarations may lead to your STEP membership being invalid. If there is anything anyone would like raised with SNELS or the Law Society please do not hesitate to email me, louise.goodenough@haywards-solcictors.co.uk.
We are also looking forward to our Deputy Vice President’s seminar to take place on Thursday 20th September 2018. Arrival is at 6.00 p.m. for drinks & nibbles, seminar starts at 7.00 p.m. The venue is Sky Café, Finborough Hall, Great Finborough, Suffolk. Speaker is Mickaël Laurans, Head of Law Society International. Subject is Law Society’s involvement with international affairs, especially Brexit. Please come and support this extremely informative seminar.
www.snels.org.uk
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Suffolk & North Essex Law Society
Eastern Legal Profession and Community Unites to Walk For Justice! The local legal profession and advice sector are joining forces at the Chelmsford Legal Walk on the 18th June and at the Ipswich Legal Walk on 25th June 2018. The Legal Walks have attracted the support of the whole of the legal profession across England and Wales. The Legal Walks are an after work sponsored walk and are 2 of 40 similar events that raisefunds for local legal advice charities. Teams from local law firms, chambers and in-house legal teams will come together with local judges and members of the community to support local advice services, such as Citizens Advice Bureau and Law Centres. Both events are organised by the Eastern Legal Support Trust (ELST). The ELST forms part of a network of Legal Support Trusts, working with the Access to Justice Foundation, to facilitate access to specialist legal advice for the poorest and most vulnerable people in the community. The organisations supported by the Ipswich Legal Walk make a huge difference to families facing homelessness, older people requiring community care, trafficked women and children, people with disabilities, those with mental health problems and many more. Vulnerable people like Mr. G Have suffered the most as a result of reduced advice services. Mr. G was the father of a terminally ill teenage boy. He had been refused respite care from the local authority, and in trying to continue to work and care for his son during his
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final months, was making himself ill. He sought specialist community care representation and his solicitor secured a package of respite care, which enabled him to be with his son as much as possible until he passed away. The Chelmsford Legal Walk is generously sponsored by Fisher Greenwood Jones and will be led by the local judiciary of the Essex community. Last year, the walk attracted over 100 walkers, raising nearly ÂŁ3,000. This year, we hope to attract more walkers and raise even more for local advice and legal support services such as the Personal Support Unit. The walk will formally start from Trinity Chambers at 5.30 p.m. and ends with a well deserved drink at the Cricketers Pub. The Ipswich Legal Walk is supported by the Suffolk Law Centre which has been supported by SNELS above and beyond! The walk starts from 5.30 p.m. from Christchurch Mansion and takes the legal community around the best sights Ipswich has to offer! The walk will be led by the Mayor of Ipswich, as well as local judges and supporters of Suffolk Law Centre. For more details on how to join the legal walks, please visit www.elst.org.uk/events
Deputy Vice President’s Seminar Suffolk & North Essex Law Society
Thursday, 20th September 2018 at The Sky Café, Finborough Hall, Great Finborough, Suffolk, IP4 3EF
6.00 p.m. – Drinks & nibbles 7.00 p.m. – Seminar
Speaker: Mickaël Laurans, Head of Law Society International Subject: Law Society’s Involvement with International Affairs, especially Brexit In the lead up to Brexit it should be highly interesting to see what the Law Society is doing. Please come and support this extremely informative seminar.
Free to Members Booking: By e-mail to Administrative Secretary at snels@topcopysec.co.uk
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Suffolk & North Essex Law Society
There’s something in the pipeline... The Law Society CON29DW
What makes the CON29DW unique?
With the abundance of conveyancing reports on the market, it’s good to know that the Law Society introduced the CON29DW in 2002 to promote a consistent approach to property-specific drainage and water information.
When speaking to clients we find that the CON29DW is usually the drainage and water search of choice. It is the ONLY search that:
With 23 questions and two accurate Ordnance Survey maps showing assets and pipes, it ensures that property buyers get a consistent and thorough drainage and water search regardless of where the property is located in the country.
• includes TWO separate maps to illustrate the position of both drainage and water assets
This standardisation of property information is very much in line with the Government’s current proposals for improving the homebuying process as it helps to reduce uncertainty and unnecessary delays.
• includes answers to ALL 23 Law Society copyrighted questions on drainage and water
• does NOT infer or insure against answers to Law Society questions • does NOT refer customers to a different source of information • provides FULL protection to residential property buyers • provides effective REDRESS for homebuyers in the case of incorrect information
Our new-generation CON29DW Despite the thoroughness of the report, the Geodesys team is constantly speaking to homebuyers who have not understood the implications of identified drainage and water issues. Bearing this in mind, we set ourselves a challenge of ensuring that Geodesys’ version of the CON29DW offers the best possible information and explanation to conveyancers and buyers. We come across examples every day where a property’s value and enjoyment have been affected by related issues – so we felt it was important to paint a picture of why this could be the case.
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When will it be available? The new-generation CON29DW from Geodesys is now live! For more information and to arrange a product presentation, please contact: Chris Kitchener Account Manager 07764 987 023.
Suffolk & North Essex Law Society
The redesigned CON29DW provides this information upfront, ensuring that the homebuyer is empowered either to proceed with confidence or to make further enquiries of the seller. As a result, it’s much less likely that a deal-breaking issue will emerge later in the process.
CON29DW – about to make the conveyancer’s job even easier The redesigned CON29DW from Geodesys launches this April with the following key features: • a new crystal-clear front-page customer dashboard highlighting information on key questions • clearer identification of potential issues on the dashboard • easy-to-use interactive navigation so it’s easy for users to retrieve relevant information from the details in the report • two formats: interactive PDF and usual print format • improved information on drainage and water legislation • an updated ‘plain English’ guide explaining how specific issues could affect value and further development • a new design created by industry experts
Geodesys. About to get even better. www.geodesys.com
www.snels.org.uk
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The Law Society, Eastern contact details Relationship Manager: Jack Dunkley
Suffolk & North Essex Law Society
Email: jack.dunkley@lawsociety.org.uk
Relationship Management
Hello and welcome to the Relationship Management report for the East. We hope you find the report useful and encourage you to share it with your members and colleagues. If you have any comments or suggestions regarding the future development of our monthly report, please let us know.
What’s on our members’ minds? Our relationship management team gathers ongoing insight into the types of issues and topics that are very much at the forefront of members’ thoughts. In this issue we discuss some of these areas and highlight how we are providing our members with targeted support. Read more here: https://www. lawsociety.org.uk/Support-services/ Regional-support/Articles/insights-fromengagement-with-members/
Exclusive feature: The pursuit of happiness Would you consider your firm a happy place to work? Do you think your people feel the same way? Or do you focus on success, at the exclusion of happiness? Nick Jarrett-Kerr, writing for the Law Management Section - our community for partners, leaders and practice managers in legal businesses - explains how to make your law firm a great place to work. Read more here: http://communities. lawsociety.org.uk/law-management/ magazine/april-2018/the-pursuit-ofhappiness/5064748.article
More about the Law Management Section: http://communities.lawsociety.org.uk/ law-management/
Bar action - impact on solicitors The Law Society is aware that in some parts of the country solicitors are coming under pressure from the court where counsel has declined to act in a Crown Court matter. We are re-circulating the link to our guidance, which sets out the ethical, contractual and practical issues arising from this situation. The guidance has been updated in response to a note that was circulated by the Northern Circuit Judges. We are reviewing the note further in light of recent events, and are taking legal advice on solicitors’ rights and obligations in the face of demands from the courts. 22
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Please get in touch with us by email if you are facing a situation which you believe is not covered by the guidance.
https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/News/ Stories/guidance-where-counseldeclines-to-act-in-crown-court-matters/
GDPR: A guide for law firms To support you as you work towards compliance, the Law Society has produced ‘Preparing for the GDPR: A guide for law firms.’ Based on the Information Commissioner’s Office’s ‘12 steps to take now’, each chapter explains the context of each element of the regulation, suggests points to consider in the context of law firms, and provides a checklist to work through. Read more here: http://www.lawsociety. org.uk/support-services/practicemanagement/gdpr-preparation/ preparing-for-the-gdpr-a-guide-for-lawfirms/
Could you be our next Excellence in Client Service winner? The Excellence in Client Service award is one of 22 Excellence Awards to choose from this year. If you place a strong emphasis on client care, here’s an opportunity for you to receive the recognition that you deserve. Need inspiration? One of our 2017 success stories, Manchester-based Croftons, describes its client service approach and the benefits the firm has enjoyed from its Excellence Awards commendation.
See all category criteria here: https:// www.lawsociety.org.uk/support-services/ events/excellence-awards/categoriesand-criteria/ Nominate now here: https:// excellenceawards.lawsociety.org.uk/ tlsea/frontend/reg/tRegisterEmailNew.cs p?pageID=4411&eventID=8&tempPerso nID=69272
News David Greene wins Law Society presidential election David Greene, senior partner at Edwin Coe, has won the Law Society of England and Wales 2018 presidential election. He will become deputy vice president at the AGM on 5 July.
Read our press release: https://www. lawsociety.org.uk/news/press-releases/ greene-wins-law-society-presidentialelection/
New Local Law Society guidebook launched Have you started familiarising yourself with the new Local Law Society guidebook launched last week at the Presidents’ and Secretaries’ conference? If not, don’t worry as over the coming months we will be highlighting aspects of the guidebook. We begin by focusing on how to make the most of local media, and how to write to your MP. Read more: https://www.lawsociety.org. uk/Support-services/Regional-support/ Articles/get-the-most-out-of-your-locallaw-society-guidebook/
Small Claims Reform We have produced an infographic setting out what a claimant may need to navigate if small claims reforms go through and solicitors are removed from the process of bringing low value personal injury claims following road traffic accidents.
Members are invited to share the infographic via social media and to provide it to clients directly should they deem it appropriate.
Download the infographic: http://www. lawsociety.org.uk/news/press-releases/ lords-collision-with-new-whiplash-bill/
Appeal rules against seller’s solicitors in crucial Dreamvar liability case Solicitors representing fraudulent property vendors should share responsibility along with those
representing the duped buyers for any resulting losses, the Court of Appeal has ruled in a widely awaited decision. Read more: https://www.lawgazette. co.uk/law/appeal-rules-against-sellerssolicitors-in-crucial-dreamvar-liabilitycase/5066119.article
The SRA has given the go-ahead for an unregulated business to start employing solicitors to advise its clients. Read more: https://www.lawsociety. org.uk/news/press-releases/solicitorsregulator-sidesteps-oversight/
Practice Notes Changes to the evidence requirements for legal aid funding in Private Law Family cases (domestic violence gateway) This practice note is essential reading for all legal practitioners, legal support staff and frontline advice workers dealing with those affected by domestic abuse and child abuse.
Read more at https://www.lawsociety. org.uk/support-services/advice/ practice-notes/changes-to-the-evidencerequirements-for-legal-aid-funding-inprivate-law-family-cases/
Outcomes-focused regulation
This practice note includes detailed advice on outcomes-focused regulation and provides an overview of what this is. It also includes the issues practitioners may wish to consider in light of its implementation.
Open consultations and responses
Reconsideration of Parole Board decisions: Creating a new and open system Open consultation:
Publication date: 28 April 2018 Response date: 27 July 2018
Read more: https://consult.justice.gov.uk/ digital-communications/reconsiderationof-parole-board-decisions/
and clients. Their Compensation Fund proposals are designed to make sure financial support is focused on those most in need of help.
Read more: http://www.sra.org.uk/sra/ consultations/access-legal-services.page Read our member briefing on the PII consultation:
https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/policycampaigns/articles/the-sra-2018-piiconsultation-law-society-briefing/
Events across the regions Greater London, South East and East: •
In-house division annual conference, London (13-14 June)
Proposal to amend the Tribunal Procedure (First-Tier Tribunal) (Health, Education and Social Care Chamber) Rules 2008
•
https://events.lawsociety.org.uk/ ClientApps/Silverbear.Web.EDMS/ public/default.aspx?tabId=37&id=19 81&orgId=1&guid=c0d60260-494746e5-bf49-462145223636
Open consultation:
•
Private Client Section annual conference 2018, London (29 June) https://events.lawsociety.org.uk/ ClientApps/Silverbear.Web.EDMS/ public/default.aspx?tabId=37&id=205 9&orgId=1&guid=f9944b5f-32ff-474c97b7-14a22858f734
Publication date: 22 March 2018 Response date: 14 June 2018
Read more: https://www.gov.uk/ government/consultations/proposal-toamend-the-tribunal-procedure-first-tiertribunal-health-education-and-socialcare-chamber-rules-2008
SRA - Protecting the users of legal services: balancing cost and access to legal services
Details of all other events are available on the website.
Open consultation:
Contact your relationship manager for more information: https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/supportservices/regional-support/
The SRA’s PII proposals intend to give firms more flexibility to choose the right level of insurance to suit their business
The Law Society, 113 Chancery Lane, London, WC2A 1PL. Tel: 020 7242 1222
Closes: 15 June 2018
TRACKING STUDY INDICATES STEADY RISE IN LEGACY GIVING 09 APRIL 2018 – LONDON, UK – Over a quarter (27%) of charity donors are preparing to leave a charitable legacy or have already done so (up from 23% in March 2009), according to the latest consumer tracking figures from Remember A Charity. Only 9% reject the prospect of making a legacy donation, down from 13% when the consortium’s tracking study began in 2009.
The research also indicates that awareness of legacies is growing, with just 12% of those surveyed saying they are unaware of the option of donating to charity through their Will (down from 17% in 2009). Rob Cope, director of Remember A Charity, says:
“Legacy behaviour and attitudes are really starting to change. While we are likely to see some fluctuation year-on-year, now
View other events: https://events. lawsociety.org.uk/
with nine years of comparable data, we can see a sustained shift in public attitudes towards legacies. This echoes findings from Legacy Foresight and Smee and Ford, showing longerterm growth in the number of gifts in wills and charities benefitting, as well as the amount given. “Bearing in mind that only 6% of people that die currently leave a legacy, even a small percentage increase can make a big difference in terms of charitable returns.”
The research, carried out by nfpSynergy, looks at the attitude and awareness to legacy giving among 1,000 UK charity donors aged 40+ on a scale ranging from rejection to action .
One in six (16%) of the over-40s questioned in 2017 say they have written a charity into their will (the second highest figure on record behind its peak of 17% in 2015) and 11% say they are preparing to do so (up from 7% in 2015 and 9% in 2016). A further 13% say they are contemplating it.
Cope adds: “It’s an exciting time for the sector, but with more and more charities coming into the marketplace, there is even greater need for organisations to invest in this area of fundraising and ensure they can continue to rely on such a vital income stream.” For more information see Remember A Charity’s new Impact Report at www.rememberacharity.org.uk www.snels.org.uk
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Suffolk & North Essex Law Society
Solicitors’ regulator sidesteps oversight
Read more: https://www.lawsociety.org. uk/support-services/advice/practicenotes/outcomes-focused-regulationoverview/
Suffolk & North Essex Law Society
We always have lovely cats looking for loving homes. We rescue 200–300 cats every year. No cat is euthanased except on veterinary advice. We feed the cats a variety of wet food and biscuits and they are kept in heated accommodation, either in large individual pens or a shared area with an outside compound for exercise. Please leave us a gift in your will. Friars Orchard, The Street, Little Whelnetham IP30 0UH Bury St Edmunds
01284 388455 www.burystraycatfund.co.uk Untitled-1 1
22/05/2018 09:57
The legacy of Amersham.
Suffolk’s Owls. Broken, battered and bewildered.
Will you remember the survivors? In 2008, Redwings gave a home to 66 survivors of the horrors of Spindle Farm, one of our largest rescues. Ten years later over 50 are still living at the Sanctuary – just like little donkey Esther. A gift in your Will can help us care for survivors like these for decades to come.
Please remember Redwings
Every year the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary at Stonham Aspal cares for a wide range of wild owls and other birds of prey from all over Suffolk & North Essex suffering from a variety of injuries, ailments and traumas. Our mission is to get them back into the wild, fit & flying free. Please make a donation to the cost of maintaining the Suffolk Owl Sanctuary and the hospital, rest and recuperation services we provide for our native wildlife. A gift in your Will can make all the difference to our helping those who cannot help themselves. Thank you.
For more information please contact: The Suffolk Owl Sanctuary Stonham Aspal Suffolk IP14 6AT Tel: 0345 680 7897 • www.owl-help.org.uk
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WE MADE A PACT TO HELP ANIMALS I N 1995 A SMALL GROUP OF DEDICATED PEOPLE WITH AN ENORMOUS LOVE AND RESPECT FOR ANIMALS MADE A PACT TO HELP THEM. THEY SET ABOUT THE TASK OF RESCUE, REHABILITATION AND THE REHOMING OF THE UNWANTED AND ABUSED IN NORFOLK. NOW IN 2016 PACT IS THE LARGEST ‘ALL ANIMAL’ SANCTUARY IN EAST ANGLIA. PACT NOW CARES FOR OVER 1400 ANIMALS IN THE SANCTUARY AND IN 2015 MADE A DIFFERENCE TO ANOTHER 2200 LIVES OF ALL SPECIES HALF WERE WILDLIFE INCLUDING 580 BIRDS AND 550 HEDGEHOGS.
PLEASE WILL YOU NOW MAKE A PACT TO HELP ANIMALS WITH A LEGACY TO PACT? T he P ACT is als o be twe e n anim als and pe o ple as T he H e nry H allam T he rapy Ce ntre at the s anc tuary is de dic ate d f o r dis able d pe o ple and tho s e with e mo tio nal and le arning dif f ic ultie s to be ne f it f r o m a s anc tuary whe re the y c an inte rac t with anim als , and g ain o r re g ain c o nf ide nc e and s e lf - re s pe c t witho ut the ne c e s s ity o f c o ming into c o ntac t with many pe o ple . P ACT is als o ac kno wle dg e d to be t he be s t training g ro und f o r s tude nts o f anim al we lf are in the c o unty and e ac h y e ar we g ive wo rk e xpe rie nc e to 80 s tude nts f ro m lo c al s c ho o ls and ag ric ultural c o lle g e s .
PACT HAS A STRICT ‘NO KILL’ POLICY AND TRIES NEVER TO TURN AN ANIMAL AWAY BUT THE PRESENT FINANCIAL CLIMATE IS SUCH THAT WE ARE FULL AND THE ANIMALS DESPERATELY NEED YOUR HELP.
PACT ANIMAL SANCTUARY PEOPLE FOR ANIMAL CARE TRUST (PACT) RIVER FARM WOODRISING, HINGHAM, NORFOLK NR9 4PJ CHARITY REGISTRATION NUMBER 1154444 TELEPHONE 01362 820775 www.pactsanctuary.org
Suffolk & North Essex Law Society
Practice Management Software: when is the right time for a change? Mike O’Donnell, LawWare Ltd.
We all recognise the fact that software dates quite quickly. Practice management software is no different. It is often easier to hang on to your existing software because your staff are familiar with it and because change can be expensive and disruptive. So, how do you know when the system you are using is coming to the end of its useful life? Here are a few key pointers to help you decide if your software is a little long in the tooth.
“Sunsetting”.
Let’s start with the most obvious one. If you’ve received a “sunsetting” notice from your practice management software supplier, cancel Christmas! These notices usually mean that the current version of
your software will no longer be supported or upgraded. This happens for a variety of reasons, for example: a more modern software version or the buyout of your existing supplier by another company. Whatever the case, understand the position this leaves you in. Without support, you will be on your own when your systems go wrong or need amending. Without upgrades and patches, your software, over time, will become more vulnerable to hacks and security breaches.
Your software should also enable you to perform regular compliance audits and produce data effortlessly when inspections are due.
How accessible is your System?
Lack of integration.
Doubtless you will have seen the claim “fully integrated” on many software packages. This can mean one single package or database managing your data or several packages and databases which slot together. If it is the latter, the real question to ask is does lack of integration cost you time, effort and money? Creating and storing records in a case management system and then having to duplicate the effort to update your accounts package is inefficient. Don’t just believe what it says on the tin. If effort is being duplicated, it’s an inefficient system.
Is your system compliant?
Your system should be capable of easily handling various checks such as money laundering, ID verification and conflict of interest.
The latest round of data protection legislation has raised a new set of hurdles for law firms. Older or unsupported software is unlikely to cope with these challenges. However, it’s not just about data protection compliance.
In the modern world, what is the point of being restricted to your office desktop? Flexible working from home, office, court or client premises is a must. That means being able to access your data just as easily on a laptop, tablet and mobile phone as you can in the office. If your system restricts you to the office, you should consider a rethink.
In conclusion.
Deciding whether your existing system is up to par is one thing. Choosing a new one is quite another. When doing so, the points I raised above are well worth considering. However, there are two critical factors that should lead your search: 1. Will the new system lead to a better service and delivery experience for my clients? 2. Will the new system make my business more efficient? The two go hand in glove, but the former is the more important consideration.
Providing Life Retired Horses Charity Number 1106722
Our Aim The Heartbeat Home for Horses Limited is a registered charity, whose aim is to care for horses who otherwise would face a very uncertain future. Our aim is to provide a lifeline for these needy, homeless animals, allowing them to relax in comfortable surroundings in retirement, with lots of tender loving care.
Do you agree? Many hundreds of horses every year face an uncertain future when their careers come to an end. They come from all walks of equine life; exracehorses, riding horses, or ponies just being discarded when their ‘useful’ life is over.
To make a donation please contact us at: Heartbeat Home for Horses Brick Kiln Farm, Halesworth Road Heveningham, Suffolk IP19 0E 26
www.snels.org.uk
Your Legacy Large or small will make a difference to a horse needing to retire Every Pound Helps. Heartbeat horses are often large, 16hh+ it can be difficult to find a retirement home for them Heartbeat Horses are NOT re-educated, or re-homed, or adopted Heartbeat Horses retire to enjoy a good quality of life Heartbeat will not put a healthy horse to sleep We need to expand, due to the long waiting list of horses waiting to retire, or worse None of our staff are paid in our shops or farm. All the money raised or donated goes on the horses. 01986 798387 (Home) 07763562188 (Mobile) Email: woodyates@hotmail.co.uk web: www.retiredhorses.org.uk
WE DRIVE EFFICIENCY. WE INCREASE PROFITABILITY. END OF AD. With a proven track record stretching back more than 20 years, LawWare is one of the leading suppliers of Practice Management Software in the UK. Whatever size of practice you are, we have the experience and technical know-how to provide a fully compliant, flexible and easy to operate system that is specifically tailor-made for your business. For a no-obligation consultation with one of our local advisors, call 0845 2020 577 and we will arrange a time to visit your practice in person.
LawWare Ltd. 5300 Lakeside, Cheadle, Manchester, SK8 3GP Lawware.co.uk
Suffolk & North Essex Law Society
Teach to Nurture Talented Lawyers
The best law firm managers are great teachers. What sets them apart is their willingness to actively engage in one to one tutoring of their direct reports during the course of their work. This approach encourages the personal development of skills, and independence of thought and action. Unfortunately, most managers rely on more traditional approaches to developing and managing employees, such as formal reviews, personal development plans, external courses and business networking. Whilst some law firm managers may impart the odd nugget of wisdom, many do not consider teaching to be a core part of their job, expecting their reports to learn from other sources. Even a little bit of one to one teaching can produce great benefits. Employees look up to the boss to lead by example, and the lessons and advice that the law firm manager can impart will be more personalised and relevant than any external traditional management training programme. Teaching should be an integral responsibility of law firm managers.Embracing the role of teacher as a daily management responsibility builds trust, loyalty, competence, employee performance, and ultimately increases job satisfaction for both manager and employee.
Successful managers don`t wait for employee performance reviews, or client file review meetings to share knowledge and experience. They seize opportunities to teach others, in the knowledge that if you`re not teaching you`re not really managing. This doesn`t mean that managers need to constantly pummel their colleagues with unsolicited advice and guidance. Targeted
teaching is more meaningful and effective than generalised pontification. However, a key skill of a good manager is the ability to adapt their teaching style to suit the unique needs of the individuals in their team, and this includes an awareness of when and how to create teaching moments so that employees are receptive to being taught. Law firm managers want employees who are highly skilled, effective at meeting client`s needs, and accountable for their actions. Encouraging lawyers toregard teaching as a core competency for career development and advancement will help to create a culture of continuous improvement and needs to be reflected in reward schemes so that spending time teaching others is truly valued.
Whilst technical legal skills can be taught, above all else, employees learn more from modelling the behaviours of those who lead and manage them,so it is a given that managers should share and demonstrate not just legal knowledge, but the behaviours they expect of others to make sure that talented people reach their highest potential. If you require assistancewith any law firm management issue, please do not hesitate to get in touch. kwilliams@williams-wroe.com Tel: 0781 4499375 www.linkedin.com/in/kimberleywilliamswroe
IGNORANCE IS NO DEFENCE
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Catch-all solution to in-house staffing problems: outsourcing By Julian Bryan, Managing Director, Quill
Every employer knows that, at some point in their life, employees will be absent and depart their place of work. Such matters are not always possible to predict. That’s the main reason for the immense popularity of outsourced cashiering services as a more reliable alternative to inhouse staff. Businesses have a real fight on their hands when they’re understaffed because it’s unfair to expect other people to share their absent colleagues’ additional workload. The same argument applies when staff are departing. It’s a similarly tough challenge allocating sufficient time to the recruitment process. On top of pre-existing responsibilities, adequate attention should be given to the advertising, shortlisting, interviewing, selection and initiation processes. This is too tall an order for most companies. The preferred way to man a business is outsourcing. With this type of set up, staffing is constant. Typically, firms will be allocated a named cashier. Just like anyone else in employment, there will be occasions when this cashier’s off work. Unlike a traditional set up, however, an assigned deputy will pick up the workload until the cashier’s return. It’s seamless. No service interruption. Ever. Here we’re going to address some of the causes of absent and departing cashiers to demonstrate exactly what employers can find themselves up against…
1. Cashier retiring?
The combination of an increased life expectancy and government-introduced austerity measures mean that the state pension retirement age is now 67. In theory, while this is good news for employers, who get to keep valued employees for longer, in reality it’s actually possible to retire on a state pension as soon as age 55. It’s new pension reforms that are enabling people to build up bigger pension pots thereby giving them greater freedom to retire early.
2. Cashier resigning?
Retirement aside, there are multiple other causes of employees to quit their jobs in order to progress their career elsewhere. Staff turnover is a real issue for today’s employers, and a talent management strategy and succession planning are essential elements of a senior leadership team’s toolkit.
3. Cashier on holiday?
Holiday entitlements are typically around the 25-day mark of paid annual leave each year, often escalating with length of service. While holidaying employees don’t cause a notable problem for much of the year, there are peak holiday periods when it does, school summer months and Christmas amongst them. During these times, organisations are stripped right back to a core staffing structure. While staffing problems will be magnified in holiday season, all employers have to accept that staff members will request days off work in order to spend time with family and friends, most likely at the same time as other colleagues.
.4. Cashier on sick leave?
One thing that simply can’t be planned is sickness. Sometimes people do know in advance about scheduled operations or medical procedures that necessitate time off work. Largely not, though. The wide spectrum of illnesses has minor complaints and infections at one end to serious diseases and disorders at the other. Current reports estimate sick leave costs UK employers £29 billion a year in lost productivity, a figure predicted to maintain an upward trend because of factors such as an ageing workforce and rising mental health problems.
5. Cashier on maternity leave?
Statutory maternity leave entitlements are up to 52 weeks, the first 26 weeks being ‘ordinary maternity leave’ and the last 26 weeks being ‘additional maternity leave’. There are also fathers’ rights to bear in mind with paternity and shared parental leave obligations. It’s 2 weeks’ leave for the former, and up to 52 weeks’ leave between mother and father for the latter.
6. Cashier going part time?
The need to switch from full to part time working can be driven by many things including family commitments and health concerns. For employers, job sharing isn’t always the most desirable solution. Recruiting two part timers can be more costly than one full timer. There may not be enough workload to warrant appointing a part timer and full timer simultaneously. It’s a dilemma and one that’s aggravated by complicated employment legislation. I could go on and on… jury service, study leave, dependant leave, career breaks etc. The key message being the plethora of motives that exist, resulting in a deficient staffing structure and making it difficult to run a business efficiently.
What may be surprising to learn is that, although these are tricky to remedy with in-house solutions, they’re really easily solved with outsourced service support. Outsourcing can be instructed in all manner of ways. By and large, outsourcing is a permanent, full time arrangement. Less frequently, but no less effective, outsourcing is a temporary resource engineered ad hoc to help companies through what may be a slight rough patch or critical emergency situation. Outsourcing providers operate in similar ways with subtle differences in cashier allocation, cashier-firm interaction, software utilised and so forth. As a Quill client, you have a named cashier and deputy for the duration of your cover period. Our cashiers use our own legal accounting software, Interactive, and its echits functionality is the tool that closely connects your firm with its Quill cashier.
The biggest claim any outsourcing supplier can make, Quill included, is that we’re always available. Even if any Quill cashiers retire, resign, go on holiday, get sick, take parental leave or switch to a part time contract, there’s zero impact on you, the end user of our outsourced cashiering service. That’s because your deputy will cover instead and / or you’ll simply be assigned another cashier for longer term agreements. To you, this means no more short staffing worries. Instead you’ve got continuous cashier support, whatever your unique circumstances and however your requirements might alter over time. To find out more on Quill’s Pinpoint outsourced legal cashiering service, visit www.quill.co.uk/quillit, email info@ quill.co.uk or call 0161 236 2910.
Julian Bryan joined Quill as Managing Director in 2012 and is also the Chair of the Legal Software Suppliers Association. Quill is the UK’s largest privately owned legal software and outsourced legal cashiering provider with 40 years’ experience supplying outsourced services, legal accounts and practice management software to the legal profession. To contact the Quill team, call 0161 236 2910 or email info@quill.co.uk.
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0161 236 2910 info@quill.co.uk quill.co.uk/quillit
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