Birmingham Law Society Bulletin May 2018 by Fraser Urquhart Media

BIRMINGHAM LAW SOCIETY

BULLETIN ONE PROFESSION

ONE REGION

ONE VOICE

MEET THE NEW PRESIDENT

INSIDE THE IVY

RESOLVING GDPR: PAY DISPARITY HOW DOES EUROPEAN SPRING BREAKS Your monthly update from the

Birmingham Law Society.

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THIS ISSUE

YOUR PRESIDENT I have had an incredibly enjoyable and busy year as Vice President. I would like to begin by thanking our outgoing President Andrew Beedham for his excellent leadership of BLS but also in particular of the officers’ team. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Andrew and he has ensured that my year as Vice President has been a training ground for this year. When I joined the officer’s team as DVP John Hughes, Andrew and I discussed the issue of continuity and having ongoing objectives which we would follow as themes. I am keen to take those forward in conjunction with the board strategy in order to keep the society’s focus on the following key areas:

Events. All the pictures from this year’s AGM.

Law Society News. What’s happening at West Midlands’ Practices, news and appointments.

Promoting Birmingham, Member engagement , Relationships, Expand membership, Celebration of the the bi-centenary.

14.

Best Practice. GDPR, from trials to tech and resolving unequal pay.

19.

Out of Hours. Take a spring break in Europe, heroes at Heals, chocs and pastel style!

I am very pleased to be supported this year by our Vice President Linden Thomas and am also delighted that Inez Brown takes on the role of Deputy Vice President.

In the lead up to the AGM, I was asked repeatedly how I felt about taking up the presidential role and whether I was apprehensive or nervous about the responsibility. My answer is that I feel very proud to have the opportunity but foremost that my overwhelming feeling is one of confidence: that is due to the immense support provided by the Board and staff of the society. We are fortunate to have an able, experienced chair of the Board in Eileen Schofield. Becky, Liz, Johanna and

Denise comprise our powerful office team who make the job of the President look effortless. A key issue in recent years, which will remain in focus, is the battle for access to justice. Successive governments have taken steps which have threatened the rule of law and the respect for the professionalism of solicitors and barristers. We at BLS refuse to be cowed by these threats but we recognise that this year is likely to bring further austerity measures and cuts to colleagues. We are consulting with our Bar members regarding the decision of criminal law specialists at the Bar to take action and refuse publicly funded instructions from 1 April 2018. We have responded to successive Government consultations warning of the impacts of what has become death by a thousand cuts. The Society must continue to be a voice for members whose survival is at risk. I anticipate that our colleagues involved in publicly funded work will feel it necessary to take further direct action this year. I know from personal experience that none of our members take that decision lightly given the impact it has on clients foremost but also the impact it has on them personally. I aim to bring the energy, spirit, optimism and belief I have in my work as a criminal defence lawyer to this new role. I hope those are qualities that will serve me equally in my role as an ambassador for the Society. I aim to do justice to the bi-centenary and hope we will all have a year to remember.

James Turner

Tel 0121 227 8700 info@birminghamlawsociety.co.uk www.birminghamlawsociety.co.uk @birminghamlawsociety Officers April 2018 - April 2019 President: James Turner Vice President: Linden Thomas Deputy Vice President: Inez Brown Joint Honorary Secretaries: Chaitali Desai and Sophie Samani Board of Directors 2017 - 2018 Chairman: Eileen Schofield Ex-Officio: Andrew Beedham Vice Chairman & Director: Prof.

Bernardette Griffin Finance Director: Ben Henry  Director: Dee Kundi Director: Tony McDaid Director: Laura Daly Director: Catherine Edwards Director: Caroline Coates Director: Regan Peggs Director: Victoria Duddles Ex-Officio: James Turner Contact c/o Birmingham Law Society

ADVERTISE HERE Bulletin is published by Fraser Urquhart Media. To advertise your business to Birmingham Law Society members call Fraser Urquhart Media on 0116 2533445 or email kevin@fu-media.co.uk Editorial enquiries to jason. hadden@stiveschambers.co.uk

Disclaimer: Copyright Fraser Urquhart Media. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means - electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publishers. Whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy in compiling this publication, the Publisher cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies, omissions, breach of copyright or otherwise since compilation. The Publisher cannot be held responsible for any material submitted to the publication, not excluding advertisements. The views expressed within this title are not necessarily the views of the Publisher. Acceptance of advertisements does not imply recommendation by the Publisher. © Fraser Urquhart Media 2018 www.birminghamlawsociety.co.uk 3

SOCIETY EVENTS

NEW PRESIDENT TAKES THE HELM IN SOCIETY’S 200TH YEAR

James Turner has been appointed president of Birmingham Law Society (BLS), 200 years after the organisation was founded. James is a partner at national law firm Tuckers Solicitors LLP, and manages the Birmingham office. A criminal defence specialist, James is a duty solicitor and higher court advocate. He is a member of the Legal Agency Peer Review panel, responsible for reviewing firms conducting publicly funded criminal defence work. Named president at BLS’s AGM, James succeeds Andrew Beedham, of Clarke Willmott, in the chair. A member of BLS since 2006, James chaired the organisation’s criminal law committee for five years, drafting and contributing to Ministry of Justice consultation papers affecting criminal justice; he became an officer of BLS in 2016. PROFESSIONAL OFFICERS FOR 2018/2019: President - James Turner Vice President - Linden Thomas Deputy Vice President - Inez Brown Hon. Secretaries - Chaitali Desai Sophie Samani NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS RE-ELECTED: Clive Read – VWV Denise Watkins – Gordon Jones & Co

4 www.birminghamlawsociety.co.uk

He said: “It is an honour to be taking on this prestigious role in such a milestone year. I will use it to raise the profile of the profession, to encourage new members to join the organisation and work to ensure we remain inclusive and relevant.” James will also use his year in office to raise funds for and promote two charities: Headway, the brain injury association, and the Jeff Astle Foundation, which supports those who have suffered head injuries in sport. Established in 1818 with 19 founders, BLS is now the largest regional law society in the UK, with more than 4,000 members drawn from law firms and barristers’ chambers across the Midlands. The organisation is holding a year of celebrations to mark its bicentenary. These kick-started in January with a judicial parade

and service at St Philip’s Cathedral. The annual Legal Awards were held in March. In May a specially commissioned book examining the history and influence of the city’s legal profession over the last two centuries will be published. A gala dinner is slated for October. Also appointed at the AGM were Linden Thomas, solicitor and manager of the Centre for Professional Legal Education and Research manager at Birmingham Law School, University of Birmingham, who becomes vice president; Inez Brown, partner and head of clinical negligence at Medical Accident Group, part of Harrison Clark Rickerbys, was named deputy vice president; joint honorary secretaries are Chaitali Desai, a solicitor at Weightmans LLP and Sophie Samani, associate at Shakespeare Martineau.

NEW COUNCIL MEMBERS ELECTED:

STUDENT PRIZES:

Karen Bailey – Bailey Wright & Co Tobias Haynes – Waterside Legal Pardeep Lagha – Gateleys Stephanie Perraton – Squire Patten Boggs Bhavesh Prajapati- Weightmans Ian Shovlin – Higgs & Sons

ANNUAL AWARD OF PRIZES TO STUDENTS

AWARDS FOR 50 YEARS OR MORE IN LEGAL PRACTICE:

The Herbert Willison Prize - Sophie Elizabeth McCormick and Charlotte Bell. The Peter Nicholls Prize - Arianna Sharma

John Brian Burn – Admitted - 11/01/1968 John Roger Edwards – Admitted – 11/01/1968

Gold Winner - Tamasine Carys Anne Broad Silver Winner - Samantha Joanne Bradley Bronze Winner - Claire Serena Bradford

UPCOMING EVENTS NETWORKING @ REVOLUCION DE CUBA 3rd May 2018 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Revolucion De Cuba 8 Temple Street Birmingham, B2 5BN ADVOCACY TRAINING 10 MAY 2018 10th May 2018 12:30 PM - 4:00 PM No5 Chambers Fountain Court Steelhouse Lane Birmingham, B4 6DR LAND REGISTRY - LOCAL LAND CHARGES 11th May 2018 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM St Philips Chambers 55 Temple Row Birmingham, B2 5LS LUNCH CLUB WITH... CAROLINE HILL 18th May 2018 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Hotel du Vin 25 Church Street Birmingham, B3 2NR NETBALL TOURNAMENT 22nd May 2018 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM Action Sports 76 Marsh Hill Erdington Birmingham, B23 7EY LUNCH CLUB WITH... JESS PHILLIPS MP 8th June 2018 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Hotel du Vin 25 Church Street Birmingham, B3 2NR IT’S A KNOCK OUT 15th June 2018 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM Bassetts Pole Sutton Coldfield Birmingham, CRICKET TOURNAMENT 4th July 2018 9:00 AM- 6:00 PM Moseley Cricket Club Streetsbrook Road Shirley Solihull, B90 3PE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY UPDATE 2018 4th July 2018 12:30 PM - 4:00 PM Clarke Willmott 138 Edmund Street Birmingham, B3 2ES BIRMINGHAM LAW SOCIETY GOLF DAY Please book early to avoid disappointment. 30th July 2018 1:30 PM - 9:00 PM Ladbrook Park Golf Club Poolhead Lane Tanworth in Arden Solihull, B94 5ED FAMILY CHARITY DAY 12th August 2018 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM The Priory Edgbaston Birmingham,

DEBATING COMPETITION WINNERS: University of Law Luna Li Eleanor Hammond Charlotte Reeves THE BOARD 2018/2019 : Chairwomen - Eileen Schofield, Schofield & Associates Vice Chair- Professor Bernardette Griffin Ex Officio – Past President- Andrew Beedham, Clarke Willmott LLP Membership Director- Caroline Coates, DWF

Marketing Director- Laura Daly, Irwin Mitchell LLP Learning & Development Director- Catherine Edwards, BPP University Finance Director- Ben Henry, Jonas Roy Bloom Marketing Director- Dee Kundi, VWV Director- Tony McDaid, No5 Chambers IT Director- Regan Peggs, Regan Peggs Solicitors Ex Officio – President- James Turner, Tuckers Birmingham Law Society are proud to work in partnership with our sponsors:

FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT 6th September 2018 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Goals Birmingham Star City Unit 31, Watson Road Birmingham, B7 5SA 200TH ANNIVERSARY BICENTENARY GALA DINNER 4th October 2018 6:30 PM - 11:30 PM International Convention Centre Broad Street Birmingham, B1 2EA LINKEDIN FOR SOLICITORS, FEE EARNERS AND TEAMS WITHIN LAW FIRMS 2018 (OCTOBER SESSION) 17th October 2018 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM TBC www.birminghamlawsociety.co.uk 5

SOCIETY NEWS HIGGS & SONS’ PEAKY CLIMBERS TAKE ON 3 PEAKS CHALLENGE An intrepid group of legal professionals are taking on the daunting National Three Peaks Challenge this summer to raise much needed funds for Dudley Mind. The 10 colleagues from Black Country law firm Higgs & Sons have dubbed themselves ‘The Peaky Climbers’, in a nod to popular BBC gangster drama Peaky Blinders which filmed many of its scenes at The Black Country Living Museum. Katie Willems, a solicitor in the Corporate Team at Higgs, said the challenge to raise funds for Dudley Mind – Higgs’ Charity of the Year - had attracted volunteers from across the team. “I have always wanted to do the National Three Peaks Challenge, and when I

suggested we do something for Dudley Mind I was overwhelmed by the support from colleagues. “There are lawyers, non-lawyers and partners taking part, with Nick Taylor, our Head of Corporate, volunteering to drive the minibus! “We have set ourselves a target of £3,500 which is quite steep (excuse the pun) – but probably reflects how deep we need to dig to complete the challenge!” The Peaky Climbers will attempt to climb Ben Nevis, Scafell and Snowdon all within the space of 24 hours on July 6 and 7. They are currently in training for the task, and aiming to complete as many training sessions together as a team. Training is being held across the Midlands at locations including the Long

Mynd, Castleton and the Malvern Hills. Those donning peaky caps and taking part are pictured from from left to right: Nick Taylor (minibus driver), Jamie Partington, Rachael Watkins, Jenny Bridgwater, Jordan Hollingsworth, Katie Willems, Jade Williamson, Laura Hackett, Craig Thomas, Richard Griffiths and John Heaton. Katie added: “If anyone is able to donate to help us reach our fundraising goal for a fantastic cause, please spare two minutes by visiting our Local Giving page at www. localgiving.org/fundraising/peakyclimbers/ and, on behalf of the whole team, thank you very much in anticipation of your generosity and support.”

MEMBERS’ MORTGAGE FEE DISCOUNT The mortgage market has recovered from the shock of the financial crisis and is now more innovative and competitive than it has been for a number of years. This can offer particular opportunities for members of the legal profession, as some lenders place additional weight on your expected career path, which may result in you securing special terms whether it be a first time mortgage or re-mortgaging existing properties. There are a number of crucial points 6 www.birminghamlawsociety.co.uk

to emphasise when you are seeking mortgage advice suggests Lianne Flello, Senior Mortgage Planner at Redbourne Professional Mortgages. Decide if you want to do it yourself, although be aware that some lenders do not make all their products available direct to members of the public. If you decide to use a mortgage broker ensure they are fully Independent – some that state “whole of market” are not necessarily Independent and may not deal with some of the main lenders. It is often possible to secure better terms for higher earning professionals, allowing you to borrow up to 5 times your income in certain circumstances.

Mortgage offers cannot be made subject to you also buying the lender’s own home insurance or insurance products – better terms for these can be found through an independent financial adviser. Redbourne Professional Mortgages is a fully independent and impartial mortgage broker, specialising in advising members of the legal profession. As part of their ongoing sponsorship of the Birmingham Law Society they are offering a £100 fee discount for all new mortgages arranged for Law Society members. To find out more call Lianne on 01527 888 990 or email her: lianne@redbournewm.com

If you own residential property and you suspect you might not be up to date with all of your compliance, give us a call and we will review the details, pro bono. Your role in the legal profession demands that you cross every t and dot every i, but the demands of your job probably mean you just don’t have time when it comes to your property. It’s what we do every single day and we are known for being particularly hot on this issue. Don’t take the risk, don’t make assumptions. Let us check for you and put your mind at ease. Give us a call today and arrange a quick review; we will provide the coffee at your convenience. Ask for Nicola Fleet-Milne or Anton Foster. 0121 366 0456

SOCIETY NEWS

BOOK REVIEW: THE SECRET BARRISTER: STORIES OF THE LAW AND HOW IT’S BROKEN With my first days in the Crown Court fewer than 12 months behind me, this book at once describes the terrible present of the criminal justice system and prescribes methods by which it can be fixed writes Jason M Hadden. MBE.

BEAUTIFUL BIRMINGHAM This year, the Birmingham Civic Society presents ‘The City Beautiful’, a programme of special events and activities taking place across the city to celebrate 100 years of the society. Thanks to support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, and to mark this milestone for the organisation, the Birmingham Civic Society has arranged a whole host of walks, tours, and other celebrations. Events and activities in ‘The City Beautiful’ programme include; Sunday 10 June, 1pm Civic Picnic (Soho House). Pack a picnic, join the festivities and receive a warm welcome as the society celebrates its 100th birthday. Saturday 2 June, 28 July & 22 September, 10am City Centre Walking Tour. A fun and fascinating walking tour of Birmingham city centre with Blue Badge Guide, Ian Jelf. Saturday 7 July, 5pm-7pm Divine Beauty Concert (Birmingham Cathedral). A programme of great cathedral anthems inspired by the stained-glass windows. Sunday 16 September, 2pm Edward Burne-Jones Walk Birmingham Cathedral’s Heritage Manager tells the story of one of the city’s bestknown artists through the sights and sounds of the city centre. Saturday 17 November, 10am The Suffragette Movement in Birmingham (The Council House, Birmingham) Women’s historian Nicola Gauld provides a fascinating account of the suffragette movement in Birmingham from key individuals to historic events. The Society has a proud record of achievement in preserving and celebrating the city’s heritage. In the 1920s and 30s it raised significant funds to purchase and donate substantial areas of land to the city’s public parks. Later on the Society was also instrumental in preserving a number of familiar Birmingham statues, most notably those of Queen Victoria, King Edward VII, Joseph Sturge and Joseph Priestley. It was thanks to the Society that Birmingham Cathedral’s world-famous Burne-Jones windows were removed into safe storage at the outbreak of the Second World War. The cathedral was subsequently badly damaged by bombing during the Birmingham Blitz and so without the Civic Society’s intervention these superb works of art would have been lost forever. More recently, the society has planted over 70,000 trees through the Trees for Life programme and over 26,500 students have taken part in the Next Generation Awards. Find out more at www.birminghamcivicsociety.org.uk 8 www.birminghamlawsociety.co.uk

What is clear from the real but anonymised stories told by the Secret Barrister, is that ill thought out, cruel and short term cuts to the criminal justice system cause misery to victim and defendant alike. Described here is the case of Amy whose abusive partner, charged with inflicting her with grievous bodily harm with intent, had the case against him dismissed because the underfunded police and Crown Prosecution Service had failed to get the most basic of evidence. In another case, the prosecution failed to get a simple statement from a vulnerable elderly complainant which meant his defrauder went unpunished. Defendants suffer too, as the Secret Barrister makes clear, from institutional underfunding, incompetence and bias. Key evidence that would assist defendants is not obtained by the police, not reviewed by the CPS, and then not served on the defence without repeated applications if at all. The author points to the recent averted miscarriages but rightly bemoans that these have made the news mainly, it seems, because the defendants were photogenic and middle class. We should equally be concerned with the many other defendants who have been convicted without the full evidential picture being available to their lawyers. A subsidiary point made by the Secret Barrister is that the prosecution’s underfunding led them to miss a vital piece of evidence supportive of the prosecution in the unused material served on the defence. Of course, the defence did not raise this. The book is a depressing read. The criminal justice system is seen, the Secret Barrister suggests, as at once unimportant as a funding priority but easy to tinker with when populist urging demands. Sentencing policy being a case in point. Politicians make sentencing law without considering the consequences and then do not fund the court or prison systems to deal with the increased demands put upon them. There is some hope at the end, however, as the Criminal Bar Association and the Young Legal Aid Lawyers organised a crowdfunding campaign which will see all 650 MPs get a copy of the book. The practical solutions suggested at the end (public legal education, accuracy in reporting, and a societal awareness of the importance of the justice system) may start to improve. Otherwise, the case of James, at the back of the book, wrongly convicted after inadequate investigation and incompetent representation, is a fate facing many of us.

WIN!

We have a copy of The Secret Barrister to give away. For your chance to win tell us: Who wrote Rumpole of the Bailey? Email your answer to editorial@birminghamlawsociety.co.uk

OBITUARY: PHILIP EDWARD RICHARDSON him right and turning the error on himself, went on to say that it just demonstrated the importance of finding a solicitor who really knew what they were talking about.

There was no doubting his expertise as a broadcaster, it often led to his being asked to share his experience with others who were responsible for the profession’s public relations. At one such event in Chancery Lane he shared the stage with Rory Bremner making his contribution with typical good humour.

Philip was a man of many parts. A partner with Dawkins & Grey from 1971 to 2000 (when ill heath forced his very premature retirement) he was also Honorary Secretary of Birmingham Law Society, Public Relations Officer and President from 1990 to 1991. His good sense and humour meant he was the ideal person to be the public voice of the society. Phone-ins with the likes of Ed Doolan at BBC WM were, in those days, a regular feature. His reassuring manner meant he was able to help countless people and overcome any preconceptions that people had that solicitors were stuffy people. On one occasion he had given some incorrect advice on the intestacy rules. A caller rang in to correct him. He thanked the caller for putting

His deep love of classical music led him to take on the role of Director of the English String Orchestra from 1984 to 2003. He was also Honorary Consul for Belgium and The Netherlands for many years and President of Birmingham Consular Association from 1987 to 1989. He was honoured with the Chevalier of the Order of Orange Nassau (The Netherlands) and Knight Order of Leopold (Belgium). He championed the cause of young people and took great interest in Pershore High School where his four children Toby, Polly, Tom and Prue were educated. He was Chairman of the Governors of that school from 1988 to 2005 and in 2005 he officially opened the Philip Richardson Science Building, a lasting monument to his untiring support for the staff, pupils and their parents. Philip has left many legacies behind him but one for which he should be justly recognised is his appointment as the first Chairman of the Standards Committee in Birmingham City Council. This followed the report of the Committee on Standards

in Public Life which formulated the Nolan Principles. Working with the then Director of Legal Services, Mirza Ahmad, Philip developed a code which was adopted by the Council. He held the position until last year when he resigned for health reasons. It is in no small way down to him and his common sense approach to issues that despite robust debate in the Council Chamber and elsewhere, transgressions have been few and far between and dealt with appropriately. This is no mean achievement given that the Authority is the largest in the country with 120 councillors. Philip was never happier than when he could spend relaxing time with his family, his wife Corrinne and his four children. Apart from classical music he loved steam trains and had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the history of steam railways.

He was blessed with a wonderfully self-deprecating sense of humour. His late father who died in 1983 was an accountant as was his elder brother and it was with a wry smile that he read an obituary for his father in the accountants’ answer to The Bulletin. The Obituary went on for several pages with great detail about his father’s illustrious career, it was followed by a good half page devoted to the accountancy career of his brother, it ended with the words “his other son was a solicitor” but what a solicitor and what a remarkable man. 6 October 1945 – 7 March 2018 Judy Bonegal/Peter Wiseman

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BIRMINGHAM RANKS 4TH IN THE UK FOR EQUALITY Recent analysis by online home rental company Spotahome has unveiled Birmingham as the 4th most equal city in the UK and the 12th most equal city in Europe. The firm used the latest available data to rank major cities across Europe on a scale of ten for overall equality*. The results are based on information from key categories including income inequality, immigrant acceptance, the gender pay gap, wheelchair access, LGBTI friendliness, quality of life and political issues. Birmingham takes the top spot for the best wheelchair access (10.00) and also ranks highly for LGBTI friendliness (8.55) and male vs female labour force participation (8.23). However, it just misses out on being a top three UK city due to its low scores for gender income equality (2.85) and the number of women in political positions (1.67). London is the least equal UK city due to poor scores in the following categories: quality of life (2.59), the number of women in political positions (1.25) and gender pay gap (2.85). When comparing countries overall, the UK ranks 13th for equality in Europe and ranks

highly for immigrant acceptance, political rights and LGBTI friendliness. Alongside many other European countries, the UK scores poorly for gender pay equality (2.85). However, it is attempting to combat this longstanding and controversial issue.

From April 2018, it became mandatory for every company with more than 250 employees to publish its gender pay data on the government’s dedicated website to dissipate the pay gap.

THE LAW SOCIETY EXCELLENCE AWARDS ARE BACK The Law Society Excellence Awards are back for 2018 and are going to be the biggest and best yet. They showcase excellence demonstrated by outstanding firms and individuals across the legal profession in England and Wales.

This year your chances of recognition have increased, as several new categories have been introduced – including Law Firm of the Year for Small, Medium and Large firms, as well as Sole Practitioner of the Year. The new awards are specifically designed to champion the best and brightest firms of all shapes and sizes. DOES PEER RECOGNITION MATTER TO YOU TOO? ‘I would recommend that any firm thinking of entering the Excellence Awards should do it. It really can make a difference to how other people and organisations view you.’ Meg Kirby, Solicitor and Founder, Legacare – Highly Commended, Excellence in Pro Bono 2017 ‘I was absolutely delighted to win the award. It was particularly well-received being a criminal practitioner, because we certainly don’t do things to receive personal recognition but are driven by our desire to see that justice is done.’ Zoe Gascoyne, [at the time of her entry – 10 www.birminghamlawsociety.co.uk

Partner, Quinn Melville Solicitors] – Winner, Solicitor of the Year – Private Practice 2017 ‘I hope that my profile and recognition by the Law Society as Junior Lawyer of the Year will encourage people from diverse backgrounds to enter law and pursue their ambitions.’ Ahmed Aydeed, Director, Duncan Lewis Solicitors Ltd – Winner, Junior Lawyer of the Year 2017 GET INSPIRED You can now watch a selection of video case studies highlighting some outstanding entries from last year’s

Excellence Awards. We hope the shining stars from 2017 will inspire you to submit your own examples of excellent work for this year’s awards. DON’T MISS OUT You have until Friday 25 May 2018 to enter the Excellence Awards, which will take place on Wednesday 17 October 2018 at the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane, London. Submit your nomination before Friday 25 May 2018 at www.lawsociety.org.uk/ excellence-awards

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www.birminghamlawsociety.co.uk 11

APPOINTMENTS MURSILA SOHAIL & EMILY PARRY

TARA WRIGHT

Wallsall’s Enoch Evans LLP has recently welcomed a Senior Solicitor, Mursila Sohail to its Commercial Property team and newly qualified Solicitor Emily Parry to its Commercial Litigation team.

Irwin Mitchell Private Wealth has welcomed Tara Wright to its family team in Birmingham. Tara joins from Benussi & Co, having qualified in 2017. She previously trained at Irwin Mitchell Private Wealth’s Birmingham office under partners Nicola Walker and Clare Wiseman, who now heads the Birmingham family team and who is highly regarded in the West Midlands and London markets.

After graduating with an LLB in Law at London School of Economics and Political Science, Mursila has worked for over 17 years in the legal industry specialising in acquisitions, disposals, refinancing and landlord and tenant work. Mursila has excellent commercial experience.

Mursila will assist the team with all types of Commercial Property work, but in addition will be looking to expanding on the commercial work the firm currently Tara’s experience lies in advising clients on undertakes. high-value financial remedy matters, pre and post-nuptial agreements and civil partnership Emily Parry has successfully qualified as a Solicitor having begun her training dissolutions among others. Her client base is contract with Enoch Evans LLP in April 2016. Since then, she has fulfilled comprised of high-net-worth individuals and seats in a number of departments to gain experience in different areas of law families. including Corporate, Commercial Property and Civil Litigation. Tara joins an award-winning team: the outfit won Emily said, ‘I’m excited to be qualifying. It has been a tough learning curve but the Family Team of the Year award at the Family very rewarding and enjoyable. The whole firm has been very supportive and I Law Awards in December 2017. feel lucky to be joining such a warm and welcoming team.”

GDPR: TRACING AGENTS, PROCESS SERVERS AND INVESTIGATORS MAY PUT SOLICITORS AT RISK I am MD of Expert Investigations Group and have been in the industry for 18 years. I identified early on the pitfalls of such an unregulated industry and established a business model which is contrary to the norm. Except process serving EIG deal with all of our enquires with a national capability. Why set up a costlier business model? Because I found the industry substandard. I still do. The industry is failing the legal sector and putting these clients in reputational peril.

Are you aware of the extent to which Private Investigators (PIs) are unregulated? Do you know whether they have Professional Indemnity Insurance? That they can operate with a criminal record? That they can even pass your instructions across the country on an association model, often with no knowledge of the calibre of the person they pass the instruction to? There is no experience required to be an investigator, process server or tracing agent. 12 www.birminghamlawsociety.co.uk

Our GDPR research for our own readiness with 350 investigators, process servers and tracing agents shows that less than 25% have PI Insurance, their turnover is minimal, they work from home and have no investigative background. This also includes former Police who have moved into investigations. How many will be GDPR compliant? With no official body to regulate them, a prohibitive cost to have a cyber security policy, insurances, road map the data route, ensure implementation, asses sub-contractors compliance, will these individuals continue to trade without being compliant or take a step away from the industry. GDPR is the catalyst for change. Solicitors

want reputable, compliant and insured suppliers and I believe that any instructing Solicitor should seek copies of Insurance and GDPR policies for investigators, process servers and tracing agents. Praise to the Association of British Investigators who are educating members and validate PI and CRB checks on members, and the existing compliant investigators will be able to step into any void caused as result of GDPR compliance. Solicitors need to mitigate their risk for themselves and their clients, and unfortunately the nature of the change may require for an approved supplier list of compliant suppliers at the expense of the long-standing relationships which may currently exist. David Kearns, Expert Investigations Group davidkearns@expert-investigations.co.uk Tel. 02476 630498

OBITUARY: BILL BARKER

BEST PRACTICE

“Our industry needs a mindset change as not only has technology evolved but client’s expectations have risen ” .

huge benefits to the industry that my idea could deliver just became too much to ignore. I strongly felt it needed someone who really understood the day to day lives of lawyers to make these changes. This was four years ago and two months ago we were recognised by KPMG as one of the top 5 mobile start-ups in the UK. An extremely proud moment.

LAUREN RILEY

The solicitor, entrepreneur and ex Apprentice star on how she went straight from trials and in to tech. Is it really 8 years since I first set-out on my legal adventure? I often get asked about ‘my journey’ and what was my path to becoming a technology entrepreneur? To be honest, it’s probably not as colourful a story as some people might think. Ever since childhood, I’d wanted to be a lawyer. I studied law at Lancaster University and I secured a Post Graduate Diploma in Law from The College of Law and in 2010, I began my career as a trainee solicitor. I started specialising in family law and although I knew it was an area of the law that would put me through the mill emotionally, especially when dealing with cases involving children, nothing actually prepared me for the amount of time spent keeping everyone up to date. It really did come as something of a shock. I quickly understood why client communication was their biggest frustration. We now live in a world where it’s all about realtime communication so it’s human nature for people to want to know details of a case and its status at any given point. Yet, the daily battle us solicitors face balancing working on a case 14 www.birminghamlawsociety.co.uk

and keeping on top of client communication; what with the constant emails, phone calls, even letters going back and forth is rarely seen or understood. Witnessing and being part of this real world, working struggle was the point that my career took a turn. I was convinced there must me a simpler way for lawyers to communicate with their clients. There just had to be. Some kind of system that would not only save time but also money. And so the Link App was born. A multi-device, cloud-based, encrypted communication platform that allows solicitors to deliver updates to their clients instantly on their smartphone or via a web portal. I remember being told that I should be nervous about stepping back from the relative comfort of legal practice to venture into the tech industry, and I did think twice about it, after all there aren’t that many legal tech startups. Compared to financial service ‘fintech’, entrepreneurs had largely avoided our sector, presumably due to the legal world’s reputation for being slow to adopt technology. It wasn’t like I was desperate to be an entrepreneur or leave law either. But, the

The Link App has opened so many doors. Yes, my stint on the BBC’s The Apprentice shone a light on me, but it’s through my work in this industry that I now regularly get asked to present at legal conferences up and down the country. Conference speaking is something I enjoy immensely. I love learning from others and really enjoy sharing my story and my thoughts on the importance of technology in law. I’ve now become involved in a Silicon Valley all-female Accelerator programme called The Women’s Start-up Lab. Eleven of us from around the globe are being guided through a 12-month accelerator programme by some of the best tech entrepreneurs in the world. It has been really inspiring to meet leaders from these companies, chew the fat and pick their brains. All of the opportunities that have come my way have reinforced my simple belief that I want to make a difference in our industry. I will always bang the ‘technology’ drum. Many law firms still fear it but I don’t understand why. Our industry needs a mind-set change as not only has technology evolved but client’s expectations have risen. The way we all communicate has changed. It really is time for our profession to embrace technology because together, we can show people the true value and hard work we are delivering to clients. It’s time for us all to put an end to those customer complaints, they can so easily be avoided. It’s time for us to be recognised for the good that we do. www.thelinkapp.co.uk

CITY PROFESSIONALS PROVIDE SMART THINKING FOR CHARITY CLOTHING DRIVE

Members of Birmingham’s legal community have raised over £400 for Smart Works, Birmingham - a charity that provides high quality interview clothes, styling advice and interview training to women in need. Over 40 women, including Partners, Associates, Trainee Solicitors, and HR professionals, attended an exclusive event held at Hotel du Vin by Snow Hill-based legal recruitment specialist Bygott Biggs to raise much needed funds and awareness of their cause. Ahead of the event, Bygott Biggs worked with the city’s law firms to organise clothing drives, with over 20 boxes collected from the likes of Shoosmiths, Gateley, Eversheds Sutherland,

Freeths and Trowers & Hamlins. Along with the prize draw and a chance to network, the guests heard from Laura Dalby (Regional Development Manager) and Rosemary Ashworth (Director of Operations) of Smart Works about how they are supporting and empowering women by styling them and providing them with interview clothing and training. There was also a style presentation from Suzy Fawkes of Hobbs (Grand Central store). Prizes were donated by Eversheds Sutherland, Shoosmiths, Gateley, Trowers & Hamlins, Benussi & Co, Bygott Biggs, Hobbs, Bobbi Brown, House of Fraser, The Alchemist, Hotel du Vin, and Naomi Owen of No 5 Chambers.

BRITAIN’S FIRST BLACK JUDGE CELEBRATED IN NEW PLAY Acclaimed theatre-maker Tayo Aluko will shine a spotlight on the fascinating story of Britain’s first black judge in a new play coming to the Belgrade Theatre on Saturday 19th May. Just An Ordinary Lawyer follows the true story of singer, cricketer and barrister Tunji Sowande who, after leaving behind his native Nigeria, first arrived in London in 1945 to study law and pursue his interest in music. In both endeavours, he proved remarkably successful, quickly rising through the ranks as a well-respected barrister to become not only the first black Head of Chambers in the UK, but also the country’s first (part-time) black judge. As the UK celebrates 70 years since the arrival of the Empire Windrush amidst controversy around the implementation of recent immigration policy, Just An Ordinary Lawyer’s exploration of charged subjects like imperialism, colonialism and black people’s struggles for freedom, justice and human rights at home and abroad feel particularly timely. Taking the form of an accessible and engaging “play with songs”, Just An Ordinary Lawyer offers a moving, insightful and riveting journey inside the mind of a man at once determinedly ordinary in his attitudes, and decidedly extraordinary in his achievements. Tickets are available to book now by calling the box office on 024 7655 3055, or by visiting www.belgrade.co.uk

Kelly Barker, Associate Director at Bygott Biggs commented:‘This has been an incredible evening for all of us for such a tremendous cause. We were blown away by people’s generosity and the firms and women really got behind the evening, the clothing drive and the charity. ‘As responsible corporate citizens, we are very passionate about finding ways to give back to the local community in which we work and to our industry. By raising awareness, funding and stock for the local branch of Smart Works we know we are helping to make a difference. We look forward to the next step in our partnership with Smart Works which will include interview coaching for the women who use this great scheme to help start and further their careers.’

BEST PRACTICE

UNEQUAL PAY? HERE’S HOW TO REMEDY IT. the effect of guaranteeing that female employees’ contractual terms are no less favourable than those for male colleagues (s69 EqA). DISCRIMINATION OR BREACH OF CONTRACT? The type of claim an employee would seek to bring depends on the benefit that they are seeking to have equalised. For example, take a contractual provision for a bonus awarded “at the discretion of the board”. If a female colleague is awarded less than a male comparator, this would not be a breach of an express contractual term. However, it may be discriminatory if the Board has exercised its discretion in a discriminatory manner.

The full-time gender-pay gap has been decreasing since 1975, however according to the Equal Pay Code of Practice there is still a 16% difference between men and women’s pay. April saw the first deadline by which employers with more than 250 employees had to publish figures annually, showing the gender pay gap in their workplace. It is hoped the requirement will encourage an ethos of transparency within the work place, and a focus on corporate values regarding equality. As a result of the reporting duties, employers and employees are more aware than ever of issues around pay. Here, Naomi Owen & Mugni Islam-Choudhury from No5 Barristers’ Chambers, set out a brief summary of how to seek remedy for unequal pay in the Employment Tribunals. (NB reference is made to a female claimant for ease of reference but the legislation protects both men and women.) TYPES OF CLAIMS All employees have a right to equal pay. There are however three routes by which a claim can be brought under the Equality

Act 2010(“EqA”). A difference in pay will potentially be discriminatory unless the employer can make out a valid defence: 1. A “Like Work” claim (s65(1)(a), (2), (3) EqA)– where a woman does the same or broadly similar job as a male colleague but is paid less.

So, where the benefit is non-contractual, an employee will generally claim discrimination rather than breach of contract. TIME LIMITS A claim for equal pay (in other words, the claim form ET1) must be lodged with the tribunal within six months of the date of the end of a woman’s employment. That means, if the woman is still employed, the clock has not started to tick.

2. A “Rated as Equivalent” claim (s65(1) (b), (4) EqA) – where a woman doing a different job to her male comparator is doing work “rated as equivalent” by a job evaluation study. For example, if a new pay grade system was brought in at work, and two jobs that had previously attracted different salaries now were regraded as equivalent, the past disparity could be discriminatory.

DEFENCES An employer may rely on one or more defences to pay claims, as follows:

3. An “Equal Value” claim (s65(1)(c), (6) EqA) – where a woman and man are doing different jobs, but a tribunal finds that the employer values their work equally by looking at factors such as effort, skill and decision-making. This generally requires a detailed consideration of all aspects of the jobs of the male and female workers in question.

2. The comparator that a female worker relies upon is not suitable and not a real comparator.

Employees are also protected by the existence of the “sex equality clause”. This clause is implied automatically into all contracts of employment and has

1. Pay is not equal because of a “material factor” (for example, geography or individual performance). This defence is set out at s69 EqA, which states that the material factor must not in itself be discriminatory.

3. The employee and her male comparator do not do like work. 4. The work of the two employees is not rated as equal by a job evaluation scheme.

OBITUARY: BILL BARKER

Bill Barker passed on the 3rd April 2018 following a long illness.

Bill joined Martineau Johnson in 1991, entering partnership in May 1992 to become head of the Firm’s Intellectual Property team. He became the youngest Senior Partner of the Firm in 2001, and subsequently Managing Partner in 2004, a position he held until 2013. He led the merger with Sprecher Greer Halberstam in 2011 to create SGH Martineau, which then merged with Shakespeares in 2015, forming 16 www.birminghamlawsociety.co.uk

Shakespeare Martineau.

Bill was closely involved in the creation of Multilaw, the top ten international legal network, and held a position on its Board until retiring from Shakespeare Martineau in 2016. During this time he also served a period as Multilaw chairman. Bill was a well-known member of the local professional and business community in Birmingham and will be much missed by his former colleagues and friends.

WEST MIDLANDS’ FIRMS RAISE CASH FOR CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL record £22,000 donation from Irwin Mitchell’s city centre office, after staff at the firm spent a year raising funds for the good cause after BCHC was voted for by staff at the office to be their Charity of the Year for 2017. The bumper donation, which is £3000 more than the staff raised in 2016, will help the 90,000 children and young people and their families who receive care from the UK specialist paediatric centre, each year.

Two West Midlands law firms have been raising money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity. Black Country law firm Talbots Law named the UK’s leading specialist paediatric centre as its ‘Charity of the Year’ and has already presented it with a £10,000 donation to help it deliver treatments, complex surgical procedures and cutting-edge research to young people up to the age of 16. Employees from across the company’s seven offices were invited to nominate their preferred good causes and, following much deliberation, the three most popular choices were put forward for a final vote that was made at the

business’ annual party. “There was a lot of personal stories of families and friends that have been helped and supported by Birmingham Children’s Hospital so the decision was a comprehensive one in the end,” explained Mary Mocklow, Chief Executive of Talbots Law. “We always kick-start the year of fundraising by donating an initial sum and then we hope to build on this through a host of different activities that will be organised by the firm and our employees. The emphasis is on getting as many people involved as possible.” Meanwhile the hospital is set to benefit from a

Martin McQueen, a partner from the law firm, nominated the charity to receive the firm’s support after his son Alex benefited from the hospital’s specialist care when he was struck down with Group B Strep Meningitis (bacterial) and went into septic shock just 18 days after being born. It was thanks to BCH’s KIDS emergency paediatric transportation service that Alex was able to receive the life-saving care before it was too late. Martin said: “Alex should have died. My wife Lindsey and I have no doubt that, without the amazing and immediate care he received, he wouldn’t be here today. By way of update, Alex celebrated 18 months in January and is now walking and very nearly talking. He is doing well and, although he remains under the care of BCH’s Neurology Team, is now a thriving little monkey - truly a fully-formed rascal.”

‘The story of Britain’s first Black judge

JUST AN ORDINARY LAWYER 19 May

BOOK NOW www.belgrade.co.uk *Tickets include a £1 booking fee. No booking fee applies if booked online.

from £15.50 *

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THE IVY OPENS IN TEMPLE ROW

The Ivy Temple Row has officially arrived in Birmingham. Open seven days a week, from dawn until dusk, the 135-cover brasserie is now serving an extensive all-day menu of breakfast, elevenses, lunch, afternoon tea, cocktails, weekend brunch and dinner. Located at the top of Temple Row, the brasserie exudes the familiar luxury of its sister restaurants, but with a focus on accessibility as well as sophisticated glamour. Whilst booking a table on a Saturday night is advised, the restaurant holds back a number of tables each day for walk-in diners, so those living and working locally can drop in at their leisure. Inside, The Ivy Collection’s signature green colour palette is contrasted with striking burnt orange banquettes and polished marble floors. Overlooking St. Philip’s Cathedral, the brasserie offers a private dining experience for up to 20 people in The Archer Room – named after the cathedral’s architect, Thomas Archer. Menus are all-encompassing, featuring a selection of modern British classics and internationally inspired dishes such as, The Ivy Collection shepherd’s pie, a truffle chicken sandwich and seasonal grilled fish, as well as light and healthy brunch options, delicious afternoon teas and an extensive cocktail menu. To reserve a table at The Ivy Temple Row, call 0121 725 2110

HEALS TOP TEN PIECES FOR SPRING

6 4

British furniture brand, Heal’s, is bringing new life into the home this season, with their beautiful new SS18 collection transforming your home into a blossoming oasis. Featuring elegant design in the form of the sophisticated Russell Pinch bed, and contemporary pattern by Myer Halliday for his stylish new textile range, the eye-catching collection boasts the best in luxury furnishings.

This season also sees firsts for many designer names, such as Matthew Hilton, who has turned his creative hand to crafting innovative light fixtures, for a minimal yet chic addition to the home. We’ve selected our top ten Heal’s heroes for SS18, so you can easily update your décor, spruce up dark corners, and freshen the home ready for the summer season. Visit Heals on the Level One, Mailbox or online at heals.com 18 www.birminghamlawsociety.co.uk

shelf, £169 6. Hexagonal vases by Ferm Living, available in six colours and siz 3 seater sofa in Dalno leather treacle, £2,499 9. Elgin wave print armchair, £9 £350; EOS garden side chair in white, £160, all by Matthew Hilton for Case

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL COMES BACK TO BIRMINGHAM 7

A brand-new UK arena tour of the incredible Cirque Du Soleil is to make it’s way to Birmingham this Autumn. OVO, a celebration of nature and co-existence, will bring its fun-filled production for the whole family to the city from the 3rd to the 7th October.

Having thrilled more than 5 million people worldwide since the show premiered in Montreal in 2009 as a Big Top show, OVO embarks on a journey, offering the same captivating production as the Big Top performances, but on a larger scale now.

1. Rainforest tableware by Mia Sarosi, from £28 2. Wallis bed in iced mint smart velvet by Russell Pinch, £1,899 3. Orb five light chandelier in black by Matthew Hilton, £349 4. Halcyon cushion by Collect Scotland, £49 5. Brunel coffee table/AV unit, £299; Brunel izes, from £27 7. Mistral 4 seater sofa in Terracotta varese velvet £2,849 8. Matera 999 10. EOS garden rectangular table in white, £530; EOS garden bench in white,

With a cast of 50 performing artists from 17 countries specializing in many acrobatic acts, OVO, meaning “egg” in Portuguese, is a headlong rush into a colorful ecosystem teeming with life, where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy and movement. When a mysterious egg appears in their midst, the insects are awestruck and intensely curious and it’s a case of love at first sight when a gawky, quirky insect arrives in this bustling community and a fabulous ladybug catches his eye. The latest show that’s sure to delight Birmingham audiences, Cirque du Soleil has brought wonder and delight to more than 160 million spectators in more than 400 cities on six continents and has close to 4,000 employees, including 1,300 performing artists from almost 50 different countries.  To get your tickets for the show at Arena Birmingham visit www.cirquedusoleil.com or www.livenation.co.uk. www.birminghamlawsociety.co.uk 19

OUT OF HOURS

CHOC’S AWAY! Chocoholics unite! Whether you’re nuts about nuts, crazy about caramel, bonkers for biscuits, or frantic for fruit, the chocolate bar of your dreams is finally within reach thanks to the The Grown Up Chocolate Company. We’re hooked on their range of reimagined chocolate bars we all loved as children that have been updated and made strictly adults only! With unashamedly indulgent creations like Very Naughty Nutty Nougat, Gorgeously Gooey Caramel Truffle Cups and our favourite Crunchy, Crispy Toffee trilogy which has a crunchy base of luxurious milk chocolate and rice puffs, a middle of gooey caramel topped with white chocolate biscuit pearls and enrobed in milk chocolate. All handmade, bars are produced using only the highest quality ingredients and their chocolate consists of 41% of pure cocoa solids so the most choosy chocoholic can chomp away. Bars cost £2.25 each from: thegrownupchocolatecompany.co.uk

JOIN THE REP FOR A COMPELLING SEASON OF DRAMA! The REP’s programme for this season promises shows that will have you belly laughing alongside some that will make you shed a tear, and in the case of The Wizard of Oz, a bit of both they hope. They’re focused on contemporary work this season with eleven new plays, six of which are world premières. There are some iconic names that The REP is honoured to be working with including Ian Rankin, who has written a new Rebus story exclusively for the stage, and also Alice Sebold, whose gripping novel, The Lovely Bones, has been beautifully adapted by Bryony Lavery. They also celebrate the best of Britain’s rising stars with new plays by Leo Butler, Anna Jordan and Penny Skinner. The REP strive to bring the best national and international theatre to Birmingham, there’s a fantastic bilingual Korean/English play Orange Polar Bear in the season alongside some extraordinary local talent such as the unique Stan’s Cafe and the glorious Janice Connolly, whose new productions they are premièring.

Championing and empowering a diverse range of voices is in The REP’s DNA and as always they’re thrilled with the number of female writers in their season. Several of the plays begin as an idea in someone’s head and they have watched them flow from page to stage.

In the spirit of a season that celebrates the new, The REP invite you to try one show that feels like a new step for you. Visit birmingham-rep.co.uk or call 0121 236 4455

LAWCARE HELPLINE ON HAND TO HELP LawCare supports and promote good mental health and wellbeing in the legal community throughout the UK. Their mission is to help the legal community with personal or professional concerns that may be affecting their mental health and wellbeing, and to 20 www.birminghamlawsociety.co.uk

promote understanding of how and when to seek help, without fear or stigma. They help all branches of the legal profession: solicitors, barristers, barrister’s clerks, judges, legal executives, paralegals, trade mark attorneys, patent agents, costs lawyers

and their staff and families and their support spans the legal life from student to training to practice and retirement. For high quality, free, independent and confidential advice that’s tailored to your circumstances call the helpline on 0800 279 6888 or visit www.lawcare.org.uk

23 AUG – 8 SEP

THE COMEDY ABOUT A BANK ROBBERY The dynamite new comedy from the creators of The Play That Goes Wrong

20 SEP – 7 OCT

18 – 27 OCT

By Ian Rankin Adapted by Rona Munro

Hugh Dennis, John Marquez and Lesley Garrett bring you the Christmas story as it’s never been told before

REBUS: LONG SHADOWS The new story exclusively on stage

THE MESSIAH

NEW SEASON OF COMPELLING DRAMA AT THE REP AUTUMN & WINTER 2018

Box Office

0121 236 4455

BIRMINGHAM-REP.CO.UK

birminghamrep @birminghamrep @therepbirmingham 30 OCT – 10 NOV

24 NOV - 13 JAN

The stage première of Alice Sebold’s world-famous novel adapted for the stage by Bryony Lavery

Follow the yellow brick road for the ultimate family adventure this Christmas

THE LOVELY BONES

THE WIZARD OF OZ

Registered in England 295910 Charity No.223660

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PASTEL PASSION Warmer weather and lighter nights introduce a subtle pallette of pastel shades and natural hues to your casual and your working wardrobe. 2

3 4

& 9

REINVENT R E F R E S H WITH A NEW WARDROBE... Many women do not know exactly what suits them and will become stuck in a rut. Seeking professional help and asking for advice on how to dress is not over indulgent, it is practical, time saving and in the long run prevents a lot of expensive mistakes. I don’t cut my own hair or resolve my own legal issues, I ask for help and this is simply what my clients do. Pay a professional to do a job they can’t, writes stylist Cleo Lacey. Finding a style that is right for you will not only boost your confidence and self-esteem but will also make you look younger, slimmer, happier and more 22 www.birminghamlawsociety.co.uk

1: Outfits by Zara. 2: Spiral Backpack In Apricot Marl £25 ASOS 3: Round Phantos Sunglasses £125 Ray-Ban 4: Peach Sweater £25 Criminal.5: Nantucket Chino £119 Ralph Lauren. 6: PS BY PAUL SMITH Green Jumper £85 Harvey Nichols. 7: Pink velvet tux blazer £135 Label Lab at House of Fraser. 8: Tie waist jacket £50 River Island 9: Hammond & Co Blue Suede Shoes £65

successful. If this is the year in which you want to feel more attractive and turn back the clock then help with your wardrobe is what you need!

Set aside half a day at the start of a new season to review and add to your wardrobe. I can guarantee from experience, that time spent doing this will be a worthwhile investment and pay dividends when later trying to decide what to wear on any given day. How many of you ladies have clothes in your wardrobe that you have never worn before, possibly still with the label on? Or how many of you wear the same outfit over and over again? This is completely normal, people wear 20% of their clothes 80% of the time. It is so true what they say, out of sight, out of mind. One of the first things that I will do with my clients is a wardrobe consultation; you don’t necessarily need to go on a shopping

spree to reinvent your wardrobe, and I don’t believe in wasting money on a load of new clothes. It’s about knowing what you’ve already got before knowing what you need! 1. Assess: look at the garments that are currently in your wardrobe and separate them into different types of clothing, season and lifestyle. Assess each individual garment and make sure every item fits you well, you may rediscover items that you have never have worn before or even knew existed! 2. Dejunk: this can be the painful part, getting rid of those items that no longer fit, and are tired or dated. This is where ruthlessness and honesty comes into play! 3. Renew: once you have organised your wardrobe try to mix and match items to create various different outfits for different concerns. If you struggle to do this it may mean that you need to update your wardrobe slightly, simply by buying items that complete whole outfits. Try adding accessories to create different looks. Key missing items in our wardrobes are the main reason we struggle to get dressed even though we have a wardrobe full of clothes. Try and identify what these are, write them down and that is your shopping list. For more style advice from Cleo visit www.demi-couture.co.uk

FEEL CONFIDENT IN YOUR APPEARANCE T: 0121 455 6974 or 0121 270 6085 M: 07885 752 638 E: info@yugen-clinic.co.uk W: www.yugen-clinic.co.uk

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DR JANE HOLLORAN Dr Holloran MBCHB MRCGP is a highly experienced GP who has been practicing medicine for over 20 years since qualifying in 1995 at University of Wales College of Medicine.

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SPRING B

CAN’T HOLD ON UNTIL THE SUMMER FOR YOUR NEXT GETAWAY? THERE ARE SOME GREAT EUROPEAN CITY B OF SCENERY. WITH FLIGHTS TO PORTO, VALENCIA, NAPLES AND STOCKHOLM RANGING BETWEEN TWO AND BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT…

EXPLORE PORTO Known for being one of the oldest European centres, Porto has a thriving historical core. Its hilly, cobbled streets and bohemian character give it its alluring charm, and there is no better time to visit than o in spring, t r o P when the temperature is mild.

is echoed in the cool cafés, hipster bars and general pace of life. Don’t leave without sampling Portuguese wines and tapas. With one of the biggest historical centres in the world, housing over 400 churches as well as the iconic gulf and Mount Vesuvius, it’s a wonder Naples hasn’t received more attention. It enjoys a mild southern climate and temperatures reach 18°C in spring, allowing you to stroll the city’s streets without layering up.

UNWIND IN NAPLES

home to the Anton Dohrn aquarium. Also worth a visit is the neoclassical residence of Villa Floridiana, housing the magnificent National Museum of Ceramics. The beautifully landscaped land and botanical gardens surrounding the villa provide a haven away from the busy city streets. Visit Lake Agnano: what was once a lake on top of the Agnano volcano, is now home to steamy sulphur baths and picturesque walks. Take a trip to the Gulf of Naples, where you can admire the scenic beauty of the volcanic hills, the coastline and the Bay of Naples’ Islands.

Enjoy the fun atmosphere and fresh produce at the Mercado do Bolhão. If you’re feeling creative, take part in a workshop with local artists, where you can enjoy anything from tile painting and seat weaving to printing and glass fusing. A visit to Porto wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the Port wine cellars, where you can sample the city’s namesake. The southern neighbourhood of Ribeira, on the banks of the river Duoro, is the life and soul of Porto. Explore the maze of alleyways, plazas and tiled townhouses to discover some of the best restaurants in town, serving traditional cuisine with spectacular views over the river. Ribeira’s laid-back vibe 24 www.birminghamlawsociety.co.uk

Kick back and soak up the warm weather and sunshine in one of Naples’ green spaces. Stroll along the urban oasis of Villa Comunale, a leafy seaside strip dotted with gorgeous fountains and

From here you are within easy reach of Pompeii, the Herculaneum ruins and the Amalfi Coast.

BREAK

BREAKS AVAILABLE THIS SPRING TO GET YOU OUT OF THE UK AND TO A CHANGE THREE HOURS, YOU’LL BE ENJOYING YOUR NEXT HOLIDAY IN NO TIME FROM

A TASTE OF SWEDEN Whether you’re looking for the stylish modern minimalism this Scandinavian city is known for or the rows of painted wooden houseboats which line the cobbled waterfront, Stockholm has it all. With a backdrop of futuristic skyscrapers, a busy commercial heart and one of the world’s hottest start up scenes, Stockholm offers visitors the perfect collision of tradition and technology.

Stockholm

Across Stockholm’s 14 islands you will discover leafy parks, serene walking trails, delightful swimming spots and bustling bars and restaurants. Head east of the city and out into the captivating Stockholm Archipelago, a vast sea of around 30,000 islands, islets and rocks, each with its own unique appeal. Take a boat tour around tranquil coves and through the open sea, explore uninhabited islands and walk through dense, ancient forests and fields strewn with wildflowers. Stockholm’s

landscape is wonderfully unique and yearns to be explored. The cosmopolitan Swedish port of Gothenburg is often referred to as the capital’s bohemian cousin, but a recent revival has seen the city become one of Europe’s top weekend destinations.

biggest tourist’s hotspots and neoclassical architecture. Alternatively, try out the Paddan Tours that tour the city’s moat and canals, whilst providing a detailed history of the city’s construction and defence.

GO GO GOTHENBURG

GETTING THERE

Far from its ship-building days, Gothenburg today boasts quirky boroughs, tram-clattering streets, hip cafés and gorgeous green spaces. There is no bad time to visit this vibrant city and with the weather warming up, the streets come to life once again.

All cities are easily accessible by a direct flight from Birmingham Airport. Flights start in March with airlines including SAS, Jet2.com, BMI Regional and Ryanair.

Experience the real hustle and bustle of the city on Avenyn Boulevard. At one end of the boulevard stands the Gothenburg Museum of Art, and at the other, the oldest Gothenbur part of the city, g with a moat. Lined with glitzy boutiques, restaurants and bars, you won’t be short of options. Make sure to check out the side streets and street art jazzing up the walk. Hop on a kayak tour and paddle your way past the city’s magnificent sights. This is a unique and peaceful way to view some of the

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ADVOCACY AT WORK IN AFRICA

Birmingham Law Society worked in conjunction with the African Prisons Project (APP) to send four criminal lawyers to Uganda to share their expertise and help build capacity in free legal advice clinics within prisons. The clinics are staffed by prisoners who have undertaken a law degree whilst in prison. Supported by APP, these prisoners provide much needed legal advice and assistance to fellow inmates who have little or no other recourse to legal help. The volunteers, Kevin Saunders, Aadhithya Anbahan, Simon Mortimer and Mark Kelly provided invaluable assistance, working alongside prisoners and prison staff in Ugandan prisons during two to three week placements. Kevin Saunders, Barrister at St Ives Chambers talks about his experience with the project. In February of this year, I was afforded the opportunity to work alongside the African Prisons Project and the Ugandan Prison Service, in conjunction with Birmingham Law Society. My assignment was funded by ROLE UK. Both the African Prisons Project and the Ugandan Prison Service are committed to upholding human rights and delivering access to justice to prisoners. Uganda has inherited our adversarial Criminal Justice System. It follows that justice can only be served if accused persons are able to properly advance their cases and defend themselves at Court. Most people who appear before the Ugandan Criminal Courts are not represented by lawyers. But for the ambitious and ground-breaking work of the African Prisons Project, these persons would have little or no understanding of their rights and the legal process within the Criminal Courts. Working alongside Human Rights Project Officers, I was specifically engaged in the Lango region of mid-northern Uganda. I was instructed to review and improve the existing legal aid clinics in this region, with a view to reducing prison congestion. The assignment comprised an ambitious itinerary that sought to make efficient use of relatively little time. The final product of my assignment was the development of an advocacy package for Prisoners in rural regions that sought to address the fact that they are rarely represented at Court by Defence Lawyers. 26 www.birminghamlawsociety.co.uk

This package is imaginatively titled “How to talk and ask for things at Court: A Ugandan Prisoner’s Guide” (“The Guide”). The primary objective of the Guide is to empower prisoners by highlighting the fact that they are subject to an adversarial system of law and inspiring the prisoners to stand up and speak up for themselves at Court. The Guide was tested and developed by myself in advocacy workshops at rural prisons in Lira, Dokolo, Apac, Arocha, Oyam, Kole and Alebtong. The assignment further comprised attendance at Magistrates Courts and High Courts in Kampala and the mid-northern region in order to observe court process and procedure. I interviewed a number of Magistrates at different Court Centres and a High Court Judge, The Honourable Lady Justice Dr. Winfred Nabisinde. This assignment would not have been complete without engaging with the Prosecution. The comprehensive itinerary arranged for me by the Human Rights Project Officers also included meetings with State Attorneys who prosecute. I was fortunate to meet with the Officer in Charge at each of the prisons I attended. I was struck by the unwavering enthusiasm and support that was displayed by the Officer in Charge at each prison. It is apparent that the Officers in Charge of prisons in the mid-northern region share the objectives of the African Prisons Service;

they seek to uphold human rights and deliver dignity and hope to the prisoners. Perhaps, the attitude of the Officers in Charge was best reflected in a conversation that took between myself and the Officer in charge of Lira Main Prison, Maureen Niinsima, who described her prison in the following terms: “We are a family”. During the course of my assignment, it was not unusual for the Officers in Charge of each prison to participate in the advocacy training sessions that I was conducting and contribute in a significant and positive way. My experience of working with the African Prison Project was deeply rewarding. I only hope that I was able to impart as much knowledge and experience as I gained from this assignment in Uganda. Comparative law is a useful tool for any lawyer. In my view, our prisons in the United Kingdom could learn a lot from the Ugandan prison system, which is based on principles of cooperation and the restoration of hope and dignity. By the same token, the shortcomings of the Ugandan legal system are a salient reminder to us in the United Kingdom, that if we wish to maintain an adversarial Criminal Justice System, then there must be adequate funding for legal aid defence representation. www. africanprisons.org

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