3 minute read
Chris Skyner, MASS
Chris Skyner, Regional Co-ordinator for MASS, delves into the challenges of 2020 and MASS’ plan of action. Chris Skyner
QHow are you finding yourrole as Regional Coordinator forMASS? A It is an honour being elected as the MASS regional co-ordinator. It has given me ample opportunity to meet likeminded people, and share ideas and problems the profession faces in these uneasy times.
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QWhat would you sayare the main challenges that the industryis facing at the moment, and what are yourplans to help MASS tackle them? A The challenges that we face are The Civil Liberty Act and Whiplash Reforms, which will have an effect on the victims of road traffic accidents, and all companies that deal with these types of claims. The proposals will require the victims of accidents to act on their own without the help of legal advice. If the proposal suggested goes ahead, how the Litigant in Person can prosecute their claim via the portal, appears to be something that has not been taken into consideration. This will leave them open to case management companies, and if the matter is listed for a hearing, with a McKenzie Friend, then both parties would not be regulated. The courts have also been affected by the Ministry of Justice cutting back on the judicial time to deal with not only civil matters, but also other cases that go before the court. Many courts have closed and have been moved to a trial centre, Manchester being a prime example. The majority of the satellite courts have closed and have been moved to a central hearing centre. Many of the judges who sit in the satellite courts have retired, which in turn has caused a shortage of judges. My role as regional co-ordinator for MASS is to bring these issues to the forefront for, not only the members of MASS, but other firms and members of the Bar, so that everyone is aware of the difficulties faced by the Litigant in Person.
QWhat is yourcore aim as a regional representative? A My core aim as the regional representative is to bring these issues to the forefront for the members of MASS and firms and members of chambers on the Northern Circuit, so that everyone is aware of the difficulties faced by the Litigant in Person in the future.
QHow has yourrole as an In-House Advocate & Legal Advisor at Carpenters Group influenced yourwork with MASS, and vice versa? A My role as an In-House Advocate means I spend most of my time at the ‘coal face’ and experience the difficulties faced by members of the judiciary. I am able to keep my finger on the pulse and report their views to the management committee.
QHow do you ensure that the work that MASS produces stays relevant to the profession, and keeps members engaged and informed? A The work carried out by MASS is very important, and it does a lot of work behind the scenes in representing the interest of its members and the victims of accidents. MASS has been involved in meeting with the insurance industry and the government to ensure the reforms are sufficiently open and transparent, so much so that a letter sent to the previous Lord Chancellor was picked up by the insurance and legal press, and was addressed by Lord Keen. The management committee considers all the work carried out, and they are focused on the key issues of the day.
QWhywould you sayit is important for members of the profession to be part of a collective like MASS? A By being a member of MASS, you have an opportunity to network and share ideas and issues with other colleagues from other firms and learn from them. This is invaluable as the exchange of information and expectations helps with the day-to-day difficulties faced in the profession today.
Chris Skyner is the In-House Advocate & Legal Advisor at Carpenters Group and a Regional Co-ordinator for MASS.
