Congratulations from the Editor

The Executive Committee would appreciate it if other SP members with experience of issues in the above areas would share them with us to better inform the reports we are preparing in these areas. Please contact me initially at jo@spg.uk.com.

Access to Justice A pilot scheme was initiated in June 2022 in six county courts, Bedford, Luton, Guildford, Staines, Cardiff, and Manchester for all small claims except for housing disrepair and personal injury cases.

Instead of a consumer having a small claims trial, cases are being determined on paper whether the parties’ consent or not. The majority of these claim would be made or defended by litigants in person and in the absence of an oral hearing there is no judicial support to assist them to ensure an equality of arms.

There is no right to apply to set aside a paper determination under this pilot scheme, only the right under CPR 52.3 to apply for permission to appeal. Those who are unable to express themselves clearly on paper or identify the correct legal principles will be disadvantaged under the current rules and, if permission is granted, an Appeal, is only a review of the court below’s decision, not a rehearing.

Although it is only claims with a low value currently coming under the pilot scheme there is little doubt that claim value will be increased over time.

Engagement with Members We continue to maintain contact with our members via Mail Chimp notifying you of seminars, consultations and other items that may be of interest you.

The SPG website’s members private interactive forum is now live and can be accessed here www.spg.uk.com/forum

As it is a private member only forum, you will need to first register to access it. Members can engage with each other and access useful information in their areas of practice as well as other areas.

Committee Attendees If any SP member would like to attend the National Executive Committee meetings as an observer, please contact me at joanna@spg. uk.com and I will arrange it for you.

Joanna Connolly SPG Chair

For the Solicitors Sole Practitioners Group the appointment was particularly welcome as Lubna, a solicitor of 30 year standing, is a sole practitioner and knows so well what it means to deal with legal work as well as all the administrative responsibilities of being in private practice. It was obvious from her inauguration that Lubna is liked and respected, and the Group takes real pride in her appointment. We will do all we can to support her. Lubna has been a member, past Chairman and staunch supporter of the Solicitors Sole Practitioners Group for many years and we are all delighted to see her take office. We congratulate her and look forward to working with her and seeing her ambitions achieved. Justice, ethics, diversity and the rule of law are at the centre of her agenda for the year ahead. It is no easy time to take on the presidency as Lubna acknowledged in her speech last Wednesday. She spoke eloquently and with a clear plan which I am sure she will implement with determination.

On Wednesday 12 October Lubna Shuja took over as the 178th president of the Law Society of England and Wales. She made history as the first Asian and the first Muslim solicitor to be elected to the role. She is also the 7th woman president in 178 years of the presidency.

before the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and she was a Tribunal Clerk. She was always a pleasure to work with and was well regarded by advocates and Tribunal Members alike.

Little did I know that a couple of decades later I would be joining fellow members of our Group in congratulating her as Law society President, wishing her every success and above all an enjoyable and memorable year. Lubna said she was proud to be President and on behalf of us all can say that we share that sense of pride with you.

I first came to know Lubna many years ago when I started to appear regularly as an advocate David Barton Editor