From the Chairwoman

Vienna is a beautiful and interesting city and our members, and their guests had time to both participate in the conference and also enjoy exploring all that Vienna had to offer. The Hilton hotel looked after us very well and members enjoyed its facilities.

The theme of the conference was Change in a Changing Profession and the speakers who attended addressed different aspects of this theme. Although there are changes affecting sole practitioners, with this comes new opportunities too.

The conference started with some uplifting songs from the very talented Adenike Adewale

Our keynote speaker, Deputy High Court Judge Margaret Obi, gave an inspiring speech about the need for more diversity in the judiciary as it is important to the rule of law, and gave our members useful tips to assist when making an application to become a Judge. The President of the Notaries Society spoke on the opportunities for our members in this often overlooked but interesting area of law.

Danny Seaman from Lockton talked members through the process of obtaining an insurance quote, and explained how Lockton are able to assist members in completing paperwork to ensure you get the best possible quotes.

Michelle Peters gave workshops on how members can grow their businesses with a further workshop taking place at the Top Table Event in November this year.

Charlène Gisèle gave members an inspirational talk on improving the home/work life balance and how important rest is to be maintaining and improving efficiency. I know SP’s will often work late into the night and at weekends, and I am as guilty of this as any.

Both I and the Executive Committee welcomed our members at the SPG’s 26th Annual Conference in Vienna which was held on 9th June - 11th June 2023. I would like to thank our sponsors, in particular our gold sponsor Lockton for supporting us in this.

Buki Mosaku gave a very thought-provoking talk on unconscious bias. Shaman Kapoor talked about his role as a barrister and dealt with the ripple effect of the Belsner case and the need for us to have our client retainers checked.

Top Table Event

Last year’s Top Table event was a great success, and our 2023 event will be even better.

This year’s Top Table Event is being held in the beautiful surroundings of the Hanbury Manor Marriott Hotel & Country Club in Ware, Hertfordshire, a Jacobean country manor five-star hotel.

At the event you will sit at the ‘Top Table’ and engage with heads of our regulatory and representative bodies, including the SRA, the Law Society, LeO and the Legal Services Board as well as key industry leaders.

Guests of members are welcome, and they will be able to enjoy the spa facilities offered by the hotel and explore the surrounding area as well as join us at the fun, informal dinner following the event

The member ticket price is all inclusive and covers all refreshments throughout the day, lunch, pre-dinner drinks, 3 course evening dinner with dancing, overnight stay (double room for single occupancy) and breakfast the next day. Guest tickets can also be purchased which will include overnight stay in your room, dinner seat, breakfast and use of facilities.

Members are already booking. You can book by visiting www.spg.uk.com/top-table-event-2023

As this event is a business event speak to your accountant about it being tax deductible!

Engagement with Regulators and the Profession

We are keen to promote the SP Brand and we continue to engage with our Regulators on issues concerning our members.

To this end, we continue to meet and engage with the SRA in particular on a regular basis.

We are currently addressing the issue of how best to deal with the unregulated sector and how best to increase consumer protections in this regard.

Solicitors Indemnity Fund (SIF)

This still remains an important issue for our members though there is no update at this time as the SRA are still seeking implementation in October 2023. We will continue to keep members updated.

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.

We will be contacting shortly you via Mail Chimp to obtain your views on the concerns you have including with the unregulated sector.

The SPG website’s members private interactive forum is 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, or are interested in becoming a committee member, please contact me at joanna@spg.uk.com

Joanna Connolly SPG Chair