16 minute read
Members’ News
NEWS
West Midland law firm Kang & Co Solicitors has announced the appointment of Patrick Kelly as the firm’s new Practice Manager.
Patrick joins the Crime and Motoring firm, Kang & Co, with numerous years of operational and customer service experience in the West Midlands. Most recently, Patrick worked for Regus where he provided top-quality customer service to clients, both past and present, and potential new prospects. Patrick said: “Kang & Co Solicitors has a strong reputation in the legal industry and of being an active part of the community it serves with both local business sponsorships and charity fundraising activities. This translates into strong relationships with its client base and that was one of the things that attracted me to the role. I am delighted to have joined the firm during a time of innovation and growth, as the business now has established bases in Birmingham, London, and Milton Keynes”.
Manjinder Kang, founding Director at Kang & Co Solicitors, said: “Our close client relationships, built on reputation and the personal service we extend to every client is central to what makes Kang & Co different as a law firm. The practice manager role is central to making this possible by supporting the wider team and ensuring operations run smoothly. Patrick will be driving our firm forward by striving to improve and innovate. We’re delighted to welcome Patrick and look forward to his input moving forward.”
VWV APPROACH EXPANDS WITH NEW HIRE
VWV approach, the free law firm referral and support network operated by national law firm
VWV, have welcomed James Shepherd as Regional
Relationship Manager with the aim to expand the network’s reach.
VWV approach was launched in 2014 and has grown into a strong network of more than 150 firms, centred around VWV’s offices in London, Watford, Birmingham and Bristol and with some members further afield. As members of VWV approach, law firms can introduce their clients to VWV, with the reassurance of a non-poaching agreement and access to wider support and benefits, such as legal training. The network is actively looking for new law firms to benefit from the VWV approach arrangement and James’s recruitment reinforces VWV’s commitment to its relationships with law firm referrers. Evidence of the member firms’ trust in VWV has been seen since the first lockdown in 2020, with referral income up 30% in the period since then, demonstrating that the firms in VWV approach rely on them to help their clients when they can’t do so themselves. In small to mid-sized firms where the impact of coronavirus has been felt acutely, VWV approach has provided support in the form of regular updates and sharing of ideas on managing change caused by the pandemic.
James’s early career experience stems from his work with the Department for Transport and the Ministry of Justice, before joining the Law Society of England and Wales ten years ago. Outside of work (and lockdown permitting), James can often be found running, playing football, or fundraising to keep his local school on a stable financial footing as a member of its PTA committee.
ANTHONY COLLINS RELEASE FINDINGS FROM NEW SOCIAL IMPACT REPORT
Anthony Collins Solicitors has revealed the scale of its social impact during 2020 as part of its annual Social Impact Report which examines its work across sectors including housing, local government, charities, private individuals and social care.
Key findings include
• £1.4 billion raised from funding projects to build up to 7,000 new affordable homes
• £28 million compensation recovered for private individuals in clinical negligence cases
• Over £1.9 million worth of publicly funded work undertaken for those financially unable to access legal representation
• 384 vulnerable children supported to find better living arrangements
• 63 new charities registered
• 50 schools supported through the academy conversion process
As well as quantifying the social impact of its work, the report also details some of the critical support the firm has provided to its clients.
Peter Hubbard, senior partner at Anthony Collins Solicitors, said: “Publishing a Social Impact Report enables us to show how our legal services contribute to improving lives, communities and society. Many of our charitable clients publish similar reports and we believe profit-making businesses should do the same.”
THE NATIONAL WILL REGISTER JOINS THE PROFESSIONAL DEPUTIES FORUM DIRECTORY
The National Will Register is proud to announce that they are now listed in The Professional Deputies Forum’s Directory. The Professional Deputies Forum is the representative body for professional deputies.
Last year, The National Will Register embarked on a campaign to raise awareness to panel deputies and professional deputies about the important role that The National Will Register has when locating the Will for a person who lacks capacity to manage their own affairs so as to understand their previous wishes and feelings. The results of the campaign saw a 282% increase of Certainty Will Search COP being conducted in 2020 in comparison to 2019.
A deputy has a duty to act in the best interests of the person who they are appointed to act on behalf of which includes taking into account the person’s past and present wishes and feelings, and any relevant written statement made by that person when they had capacity. Having this knowledge of the contents of the Will and/or codicil(s) means they can act in the best interests of the person.
A Certainty Will Search will help you to identify if any unknown Wills exists and demonstrates that adequate measures have been taken to consider the wishes and intentions contained in any unknown Wills written by the person. A Certainty Will Search searches for Wills that have been registered on The National Will Register and for Wills that have not yet been registered.
HOW TO UNDERSTAND IF A WILL OR LATER WILL EXISTS
A Certainty Will Search is an important part of any one of the following undertakings:
• applying for Statutory Wills, ascertaining of the existence of any unknown Will(s) prior to the creation of a Statutory Will and be satisfied that the Will presented is the last Will, • completing Court of Protection form COP1a Annex A: Supporting information for property and financial affairs applications, will require information regarding the location, the executor details and a copy of the Will;
• completing COP1c Annex C: Supporting information for a Statutory Will, codicil, gift(s), deed of variation or settlement of property, will require information and submission of all previous and existing Wills, search before ticking location of Will ‘not known’ for example
• replacing a removed deputy for reasons for example, of financial misfeasance, and overseeing the ongoing matter with the highest level of due diligence
• ascertaining the full extent of the assets of P’s assets in order to properly safeguard them
• ascertaining the importance of P’s relationships with family and friends
• protecting gifts, and making appropriate investments,
• preventing potential adverse outcomes by being aware of the contents of the Will and /or codicils
As a Deputy or attorney, you can conduct a Certainty Will Search for Court of Protection matters by visiting The National Will Register website or through The National Will Register and Official Solicitor website.
www.nationalwillregister.co.uk
We are delighted to announce that Lubna Shuja, who is a Birmingham solicitor and a member of the Birmingham Law Society Council, has been elected Deputy VicePresident of the Law Society of England and Wales. She took up her new role at the Law Society AGM on 14 October 2020.
Lubna is due to become the VicePresident in October 2021 and then will be President of the Law Society in October 2022. She will be the first Asian President since the Law Society was set up in 1825 and only the 7th female President in its 125 year history.
Lubna has her own firm, Legal Swan Solicitors, based in Birmingham. She is a sole practitioner specialising in professional discipline and regulation. She is also a mediator dealing with civil and family disputes. Since March 2018 Lubna has been the Chair of the Law Society’s Membership and Communications Committee as well as a member of the Law Society Board. She has been a member of the Law Society Council since 2013 representing the interests of sole practitioners.
We congratulate Lubna on her new position and very much look forward to working closely with her over the coming three years. She is keen to hear from members on any issues that they may wish to raise and can be contacted direct on Lubna.Shuja@lawsociety.org.uk.
NEWS
INTRODUCING THE NEW BIRMINGHAM SOLICITORS’ GROUP 2020/21 COMMITTEE!
The new committee includes: Bal Atwal (Chair), Marissa Jacquet (Vice Chair), Natalie Ming (Secretary), Alex Morris (Treasurer), Neena Sangha (Liaison Officer), Kiran Munawar (JLD Rep), Orjeta Neli (CSR Rep), Jennifer Jenkins (CSR Rep), Jas Atwal (Events Officer) and Kate Marrs (PR Officer).
Find out more about the new committee and the BSG events on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter and sign up for free membership on their website: www. birminghamsolicitorsgroup.org.
Bal Atwal - Chair
Bal is a qualified Solicitor specialising in Real Estate. He trained at Trowers & Hamlins and qualified at DLA Piper, both in Birmingham. Bal was previously on the committee as PR Officer. As the new Chair, Bal leads the committee and will continue to help raise the profile of the organisation in the region. Bal played competitive rugby throughout his studies and represented Birmingham at county level. Bal enjoys watching sport, in particular following the UFC and boxing.
Marissa Jacquet - Vice Chair
Marissa moves from our former Events Officer to Vice Chair this year. Marissa is a Commercial Property Associate at Grove Tompkins Bosworth. Marissa is also active in encouraging diversity and inclusivity within the profession and sits on the Equality, Diversity and Social Mobility sub-committee with the Birmingham Law Society. Marissa is also on the Young Professional Board of TAG Network West Midlands. When not at work Marissa can be found on the netball courts and plays in a number of social leagues.
Alex Morris - Treasurer
Alex stays on the committee this year as our new Treasurer, he joined the committee as the Secretary last year. His role is to control and manage the finances of the organisation. Outside of work Alex has a keen interest in football and has the unfortunate hobby of supporting Birmingham City.
Neena Sangha - Liaison Officer
Neena is an Associate in the Commercial team at Trowers & Hamlins LLP and stays on this year as our Liaison Officer where she represents our committee by sitting as a Council member at the Birmingham Law Society. She is passionate about equality and diversity and as Liaison Officer she is able to contribute to Council meetings every month and offer feedback on issues affecting junior lawyers in Birmingham. When not at work, Neena enjoys going to the gym, seeing friends and a good gin & tonic!
Natalie Ming - Secretary
Natalie is new to the committee this year and takes on the role of Secretary. Her role is to organise committee meetings, prepare meeting agendas and take minutes of the meetings. Outside of work, Natalie enjoys travelling and solving puzzles. She is also volunteering in a language centre and learning Korean for her Korea trip.
Kiran Munawar - JLD Representative
Kiran is new to the committee this year and takes the role of Junior Lawyers' Division Representative. She is responsible for being involved with the national JLD Committee to represent the BSG and its members. When not at work, Kiran enjoys baking, doing yoga and spending time with her family.
Orjeta Neli - CSR
Orjeta is an Associate in the Corporate team at Gowling WLG (UK) LLP and joins this year as a CSR Representative. When not at work, she enjoys going to the gym, baking, feeding her interest in philosophy and watching boxing matches (especially when Anthony Joshua is fighting).
Jennifer Jenkins - CSR
Jen is an Employment Solicitor at Browne Jacobson LLP and joins this year as a CSR Representative. Originally from Liverpool, Jen made Birmingham her home after qualification and is really enjoying getting to know the city and all it has to offer. When she isn’t at work, Jen enjoys the gym and is a big foodie who loves trying out new recipes and restaurants.
Jas Atwal - Events Officer
Jas is our new Events Officer and will be involved in organising events for our members throughout the year. Jas is a Corporate Solicitor at PwC and the creator of What The Lawyer, a platform aimed at making the legal profession more accessible. Outside of the law, Jas enjoys running, the gym, seeing friends and a good Netflix binge!
Kate Marrs - PR Officer
Kate is a solicitor in the Litigation and Regulatory team at Pinsent Masons, specialising in Regulatory following training at the firm. Kate joins this year as PR representative and her role is to manage all things social media and the website, helping to raise the profile of the BSG. In her spare time Kate enjoys travelling, volunteering, dancing, trying out Birmingham’s independents and socialising!
“I dared to stand up to get the red book. The seat was fair game and my submissions that I needed it back fell on deaf ears!”
@t1403
SHARE YOUR FUNNY WORKING FROM HOME EXPERIENCES TO WIN SOME FIZZ
LIving at work or working from home? Whichever way you look at it, for many of us commuting from sitting room to study is the new normal for the foreseeable future and we want to hear froim you about its high points and its downside. From needy pets demanding attention to half dressed partners stumbling into the background of your morning zoom call, send your funny anecdotes and pics (preferably not of your half dressed partner) to natasha @ birminghamlawsociety.co.uk and you could be in with a chance of winning a bottle of fizz! Stories and pics will be featured within the next issue of Bulletin and via the Birmingham Law Society’s social media pages.
AN INTERVIEW WITH NO5 BARRISTERS’ CHAMBERS NEW HEADS OF CHAMBERS
In an unprecedented step in its one hundred year plus history, No5 Barristers’ Chambers has announced the appointment of not one but two new Heads of Chambers. It is the first time the set will have joint heads, appointed following Mark Anderson QC having stepped down after completing his five-year term of office. We caught up with both Adrian Keeling QC and Johnny Jones QC to see how they’re settling into the position.
1. Two heads of Chambers, a collaborative approach. How do you see this benefitting chambers?
Adrian: Enormously. I have the greatest respect for Johnny and it is a real benefit, and pleasure, for us to discuss what we think is best for No5. We have different personalities and different approaches. I am passionate about the growth and development of Chambers and Johnny really cares about the nurture and development of its members. With a bedrock of respect and affection I believe that together we reach a better end result. And who doesn’t love two for the price of one?
Johnny: Two heads are always better than one. The Head of Chambers has to deal with many difficult and diverse issues and resolving those issues jointly will be of significant benefit to Chambers. The workload of Head of Chambers is immense and by having two, the workload can be shared enabling more time to be spent on each issue. Besides, if anything goes wrong, I can always blame Adrian for it.
2. What are your ambitions for No5?
Adrian: It sounds cheesy to say to “be the best”. But by that I mean not just the most successful professionally, but also providing the best environment to support and nurture our members and staff, and to be committed to be at the cutting edge of seeking out the best new talent regardless of background.
Johnny: To make No5 the most efficient, diverse, fair, and best set of Chambers in the country. But also, to make it a fun place to be, where my colleagues feel excited by the work they do and proud of the Chambers where they do it.
3. What attracted you to the law – did you dream of being anything else?
Adrian: I wanted to be a train driver. Part of me still does.
Johnny: I have always had a strong innate sense of justice and I like nothing more than sticking up for the underdog if they have been wronged. Law enables me to do both and so is very fulfilling.
On the way back from court having suffered a heavy loss, I have often dreamed of becoming many things, from being a professional surfer to owning a restaurant. However, as my wife has rightly pointed out, if I became a professional surfer I would starve, and if I opened a restaurant everyone else would. So, after a few more wise words from her and some medicinal drinks the law has always pulled me back.
4. Who were the biggest influences in your life?
Adrian: My father, Frank. He was born a miner’s son in the Black Country. He won a scholarship to Queen Mary’s grammar school in Walsall and an exhibition to Cambridge University. He could afford neither. He ended up a stock broker in Birmingham. He and my mother enabled me to grow up in a loving and comfortable home. But I have never forgotten how lucky that was. It makes me passionate about education, real financial support, and opening up our profession to all no matter what their starting point.
Johnny: I have been lucky enough to have a number of strong influences in my life, including teachers at school, my grandparents and other barristers in Chambers. Above all my parents have had the biggest influence on me. My late father taught me the importance of hard work, independence of mind and integrity. My mother taught me determination and the importance of carrying on, no matter what life throws at you.
5. What are your hobbies or interests outside of work?
Adrian: I am not sure food and drink are really a hobby, but I do love both, especially when mixed with good company. My other real love is travel. I have a particular fondness for South East Asia after spending a year growing tobacco in Philippine Islands in the 1980’s. I make it back there as often as I can. I am the vice president of the Anglo Thai society and have recently run an FCO sponsored project to support lawyers in Laos. And did I mention the food?
Johnny: I am not a bad runner but in more recent years I have become an enthusiastic, if rather unstable surfer. I love the freedom of being in the water and being overmatched by the surf of Devon and Cornwall not only puts life in perspective, but also reminds me of my limitations. Of all the midlife crises available, I couldn’t recommend surfing more highly. I also have a big family with 3 daughters and a hyperactive dog which keep me on my toes.
