Local Law Society Bulletin – 25 June 2024
Welcome to your quarterly update from the Law Society. Discover the latest developments, news and updates from across the Law Society. Please share the information enclosed with your wider committees and members where appropriate.
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Local Law Society Townhall in-person attendees, 9 May 2024, with National Law Society Office Holders and The Rt Hon Victoria Prentis KC MP.
Explore our three key asks of the next government
As we enter a key moment in British political history, the Law Society will continue to be extremely active in emphasising the importance of the sector and the significant challenges it faces. It is imperative that the next government recognises the economic potential of legal services while protecting access to justice.
We stand ready to work with the next government to build on the success of our profession, harness economic growth and put respect for the rule of law at the heart of policymaking.
We have produced guides and tools to help our members get involved. Read our vision for the British justice system in our three key asks of the next government.
Take part in our special general meeting
Our Council has called a special general meeting of Law Society members following the receipt of a requisition from 100 members. This follows changes relating to guidance affecting conveyancing, including the TA6 property transaction form.
The meeting will take place at 2pm on Tuesday 23 July at our headquarters in London, and online.
To attend the meeting, you must be a Law Society member and complete a registration form no later than 9am on Monday 15 July. Further information, including supporting statements and the list of 100 members, can be found on our website.
INFLUENCING
Getting your voice heard: how can I engage with my local candidates?
With the general election on the horizon, the coming weeks will see political parties and parliamentary candidates engaging with constituents and canvassing in their local areas. Now is the opportune moment to ask your local candidates about their justice policies and to give them statistics and suggestions.
As your professional body, defending the rule of law and championing your interests are at the core of our work. Explore our guide on how you can ask your local candidates about their justice policies
MEMBERSHIP ENGAGEMENT
Nick Emmerson’s visits to the Southwest this summer
Last week, Law Society president, Nick Emmerson, ventured to the Southwest (with only minor train delays!) as part of our ongoing regional engagement programme. In Truro he met with senior leaders at a roundtable organised by Cornwall Law Society, and engaged with junior lawyers and our in-house members. In Exeter he met with representatives from Exeter University and engaged with law staff before heading to Devon and Somerset Law Society’s Annual Dinner. It was then on to Plymouth for a tour of the Law Clinic at Plymouth University, followed by an in-depth discussion with staff, students and local practitioners about the future of legal aid.
In early July, Nick will be in Bournemouth and Southampton. We look forward to continuing our series of presidential visits into 2024-25.
RESOURCES FOR YOU AND YOUR MEMBERSHIP
Technology in Professional Services (TiPS)
We are supporting the government-funded TiPS project which is being run by Lancaster University with Oxford Brookes. TiPS is working with law firms and accountancy practises with various levels of digital adoption experience, but especially those who are considering technology adoption but are unsure about which technology to use, how to use it, and whether it will be of benefit.
They are recruiting firms to receive free training and support to adopt key technologies such as Microsoft 365 Power Automate. Apply now – deadline 6 September 2024. Visit their website to find out more about the project or email technologyaccelerator@lancaster.ac.uk
Local Law Societies’ Townhall meeting resources from 9 May 2024
- Key Policy and Public Affairs Updates: Reframing Justice; 21st Century Justice Project (including recent interim report from April 2024); criminal and civil legal aid; Legal Needs Survey (information and full report)
- Artificial Intelligence Programme: Government response to AI White Paper; LSB’s AI strategic plan; Law Society response to government’s white paper
- The Institute for Apprentices and Technical Education’s trailblazer group on solicitor apprentices, co-chairs: Kerry Gilbert and Michelle Tunney both of whom are happy to be contacted.
Upcoming events and webinars
- FREE: How to prepare for a Solicitors Regulation Authority visit, Wednesday 26 June 2024
The SRA may carry out a visit to your firm with little or no notice for various reasons, such as a thematic review on a compliance issue, a forensic accounts investigation or an AML visit to check compliance. Attend this interactive online roundtable chaired by Paul Bennett with speakers Frank Maher and Susanna Heley to receive essential compliance information and guidance for law firm leaders and managers. - Recognising and managing vicarious trauma, Wednesday 3 July 2024
This online classroom is aimed at all solicitors who find themselves adversely affected from continuous exposure to clients who have experienced trauma. This session is designed to help you recognise vicarious trauma and provide practical tools to support you in managing the trauma. - Effective supervision – supervising trainee solicitors, Thursday 11 July 2024
The heightened emphasis on workplace culture by the SRA demonstrates that firms who do not take steps to proactively address unhealthy cultures could face regulatory action. This masterclass has been created based on the SRA guidelines for supervisors and focuses on empowering you to effectively support the performance and wellbeing of your trainees, as well as promoting your personal effectiveness and resilience. - FREE Well-being: Being a trainee…building blocks to a successful and rewarding career, Thursday 19 September 2024
This free online classroom with Q&A is aimed at equipping trainee solicitors to develop strategies for a healthy practice and rewarding legal career. The session will provide you with tools to promote resourcefulness and self-care whilst dealing with the competing demands of being a trainee solicitor. - Law Society Property Conference, Wednesday 16 October 2024
Connect with your colleagues, learn from industry experts and stay up to date with the latest developments in residential and commercial law at our biggest property event of the year.
This conference is part of our Law Society Property Week which offers exclusive benefits to conference delegates. Limited early bird discounts are available – book your place today!
“Nasty wills are still valid wills”: discover our bite-sized Member Talks series
See the latest clip from our Member Talks video series which discusses Contentious Probate, the formalities of the Wills Act, testamentary capacity and the judgments of the latest disputed wills cases. Other recordings available cover Inheritance Act Claims, executor removal and proprietary estoppel claims.
Our Member Talks videos are available in full for our Private Client Solicitors Section, along with a wealth of resources including discounts on events and webinars.
| SAVE THE DATE: Local Law Society online Conference, 24 September, 2pm-6pm
Please save the date for our virtual conference for Local Law Societies which will take place on Tuesday 24 September, 2pm-6pm. This is an exclusive, complimentary, event for office holders, committee members and staff of Local Law Societies, local JLD office holders and committee members and Law Society Council Members. More details will follow in due course. |
Have you recently had your AGM? Let us know!
If you have recently had your AGM and have not yet provided updated contact details for your Office Holders and any other key contacts that you’d like looped in to all Society news, events and Forums for Local Law Societies please let us know by emailing Talia.Hussain@LawSociety.org.uk
