Welcome to the first electronic edition of the Wolverhampton Law Society Newsletter. I hope that you will find the new format more user friendly than past paper versions.
This initiative follows on from meetings that Council held at the turn of the year at which Senior Partners from local firms were invited to come up with suggestions aimed at raising the profile of the Society both amongst its members and within the local community. In raising it’s own profile the Society believes it will also raise that of the Solicitors’ profession in Wolverhampton and surrounding areas to the mutual benefit of all members.
The Newsletter will endeavour to provide topical material of interest to the wider membership along with information about the initiatives and events that the Society is involved in on your behalf. It is intended to publish on a Quarterly basis but we will also use the Newsletter to circulate members with Press Copy when it is submitted.
The “blog” format has been chosen for ease of publication. We have made the blog “open” so that there is wider access to it. For this reason we have disabled the usual “comments” facility found on blogs so as to avoid the need to have a Moderator which would be too resource intensive.
Our Press Officer is acting Editor and we welcome suggestions for content in future editions along with articles for possible publication. Our editorial policy will be to focus on matters of interest to the wider membership and the public. As such, Press Releases and Advertorial Copy aimed at promoting individual member firms will not be eligible for publication.
I hope that you will all find something of interest in this first edition and thank you for taking time to have a read through it.
Nick Wynn-Williams (President)
Saturday, 27 March 2010
Wolverhampton Solicitors face grilling as difficult questions are asked of the profession.
Used more to dishing out cross-examination, for once, Solicitors were on the receiving end of a barrage of questions as members of the Wolverhampton Law Society and their guests competed in their annual Charity Quiz in February. Held at the Wombourne Leisure Centre the event has been a firm favourite amongst members and their guests for over 10 years now.
A dozen or so teams took part raising more than £ 500.00p for the charity Shelter which helps homeless people.
President of the Wolverhampton Law Society Nick Wynn Williams said “It’s a great opportunity for members of the local Solicitors’ profession and their guests to get together for a light-hearted bit of fun and all in a good cause. Helping the homeless is particularly important as the chill winds of both winter and recession bite hard.”
Speaking of the contestants Nick added “Although some of our legal eagles do take the quiz quite seriously the majority are doubtless relieved that no one runs the risk of having to do bird if they give the wrong answer!”
By the way we are reliably informed that if you ever have the misfortune to be asked the question “Guilty or Not Guilty?” then the reply “Pass!” is not an option!
A dozen or so teams took part raising more than £ 500.00p for the charity Shelter which helps homeless people.
President of the Wolverhampton Law Society Nick Wynn Williams said “It’s a great opportunity for members of the local Solicitors’ profession and their guests to get together for a light-hearted bit of fun and all in a good cause. Helping the homeless is particularly important as the chill winds of both winter and recession bite hard.”
Speaking of the contestants Nick added “Although some of our legal eagles do take the quiz quite seriously the majority are doubtless relieved that no one runs the risk of having to do bird if they give the wrong answer!”
By the way we are reliably informed that if you ever have the misfortune to be asked the question “Guilty or Not Guilty?” then the reply “Pass!” is not an option!
Hall Pratt and Pritchard-The Presidents letter to the Express and Star
Dear Sir
The members of the Wolverhampton Law Society are truly saddened by the demise of Hall Pratt and Pritchard solicitors as reported in the Express & Star. Established in 1772 the firm was nearly 100 years older than the Society itself and had been an integral part of the professional landscape in Wolverhampton for generations.
The year in which the firm was founded saw the start of Captain Cook’s return expedition to the South Seas and Britain still had a governor in New York. During the ensuing period of over 200 years it made a valuable contribution to the local community helping both businesses and individuals manage their legal affairs.
In recent times the firm faced difficult challenges which the Partners sought to address with a degree of commitment that would have befitted their forebears. It ultimately succumbed in the face of the on-going Recession.
In a letter to me as the President of the Wolverhampton Law Society Senior Partner Jonathan Ritson said:-
“Hall Pratt and Pritchard was established in 1772 and I have lived breathed and slept the firm for my entire working life.
I would like you to pass on my thanks to fellow Council members and other members of the profession locally for the friendship and support that they have shown me over the last 18 years and particularly at this sad and difficult time for my firm”.
It was reported in the Express and Star that the closure of this particular firm could herald the demise of smaller firms in the High Street. It was implied thereby that “big is beautiful”. With respect, this is not necessarily the case when it comes to the provision of local legal services. Indeed, within the legal sector there have been a number of very big concerns that have gone to the wall including some linked with so-called national brands.
I believe that we are fortunate in Wolverhampton to have a strong and diverse community of law firms which has proved to be most resilient despite the ravages of the Recession. As President I should know as I have the privilege to represent upwards of 50 such firms both large and small.
Yours sincerely,
Nick Wynn-Williams
President Wolverhampton Law Society
The members of the Wolverhampton Law Society are truly saddened by the demise of Hall Pratt and Pritchard solicitors as reported in the Express & Star. Established in 1772 the firm was nearly 100 years older than the Society itself and had been an integral part of the professional landscape in Wolverhampton for generations.
The year in which the firm was founded saw the start of Captain Cook’s return expedition to the South Seas and Britain still had a governor in New York. During the ensuing period of over 200 years it made a valuable contribution to the local community helping both businesses and individuals manage their legal affairs.
In recent times the firm faced difficult challenges which the Partners sought to address with a degree of commitment that would have befitted their forebears. It ultimately succumbed in the face of the on-going Recession.
In a letter to me as the President of the Wolverhampton Law Society Senior Partner Jonathan Ritson said:-
“Hall Pratt and Pritchard was established in 1772 and I have lived breathed and slept the firm for my entire working life.
I would like you to pass on my thanks to fellow Council members and other members of the profession locally for the friendship and support that they have shown me over the last 18 years and particularly at this sad and difficult time for my firm”.
It was reported in the Express and Star that the closure of this particular firm could herald the demise of smaller firms in the High Street. It was implied thereby that “big is beautiful”. With respect, this is not necessarily the case when it comes to the provision of local legal services. Indeed, within the legal sector there have been a number of very big concerns that have gone to the wall including some linked with so-called national brands.
I believe that we are fortunate in Wolverhampton to have a strong and diverse community of law firms which has proved to be most resilient despite the ravages of the Recession. As President I should know as I have the privilege to represent upwards of 50 such firms both large and small.
Yours sincerely,
Nick Wynn-Williams
President Wolverhampton Law Society
Taking the heat out of Divorce proceedings
The traditional “adversarial” approach to Divorce has long provided juicy reading material for the great British public. Remember the McCartney v Mills litigation - complete with allegations of media manipulation and lawyers getting a drenching in the courtroom when someone lost their temper? Doubtless a right rollicking read but somewhat unedifying for the participants. Surely there must be a better way to resolve matrimonial disputes? That’s what leading lawyers in the Midlands believe and to prove it they’ve put their weight behind a new approach called “Collaborative Law”. Not a particularly catchy phrase but one that should become more familiar over time. So what is “Collaborative Law” all about?
Nick Wynn-Williams President of the Wolverhampton Law Society and himself a trained Collaborative Lawyer said “ Collaborative Law offers parties involved in the break up of a relationship a constructive way of reaching a resolution of all issues between them including both finances and children. The parties are encouraged to come to an amicable agreement. To achieve this their legal representatives take on the role of a facilitator rather than the more traditional “hired gun” approach where the aim has often been to knock spots off the opponent.”
Within the Wolverhampton area a regional group of specialists has been set up which brings together Solicitors, Accountants, Independent Financial Advisers and other professionals who have both embraced the “Collaborative” approach and received in depth training in the field.
The more constructive ethos behind Collaborative Law has already proved to have benefited children who often find themselves caught in the cross fire between warring parents and it also has the full support of the Judiciary. Family Specialist and High Court Judge Mr Justice Coleridge said: “I am a huge fan of the Collaborative Law Process which forces lawyers and their parties to rethink from scratch their whole mindset and approach to a dispute”
More details and a list of local solicitors who offer Collaborative Law can be found at www.resolution.org.uk
Nick Wynn-Williams President of the Wolverhampton Law Society and himself a trained Collaborative Lawyer said “ Collaborative Law offers parties involved in the break up of a relationship a constructive way of reaching a resolution of all issues between them including both finances and children. The parties are encouraged to come to an amicable agreement. To achieve this their legal representatives take on the role of a facilitator rather than the more traditional “hired gun” approach where the aim has often been to knock spots off the opponent.”
Within the Wolverhampton area a regional group of specialists has been set up which brings together Solicitors, Accountants, Independent Financial Advisers and other professionals who have both embraced the “Collaborative” approach and received in depth training in the field.
The more constructive ethos behind Collaborative Law has already proved to have benefited children who often find themselves caught in the cross fire between warring parents and it also has the full support of the Judiciary. Family Specialist and High Court Judge Mr Justice Coleridge said: “I am a huge fan of the Collaborative Law Process which forces lawyers and their parties to rethink from scratch their whole mindset and approach to a dispute”
More details and a list of local solicitors who offer Collaborative Law can be found at www.resolution.org.uk
If it ain’t bust then break it!
“91% of users felt that they received a good service”
“92% felt that their provider acted in their best interests”
“92% were satisfied with the outcome of their matter”
“Nearly all users said that they found it very or fairly easy to choose a provider”
“85% said that their provider kept them very well or quite well up to date with progress”
“…..personal contact was regarded as essential for progressing matters”
“Overall 86% of users said that they would be likely to recommend their provider”
The above-detailed quotations are from a research document commissioned by the Government which looks at Consumers’ experience of dealings with members of a certain profession. So at a time when “good” news stories are scarce why has there been no publicity? Could it be that the Government doesn’t actually like the findings of the survey? Maybe the answer is in the profession itself? Exactly who could these paragons of virtue be?
How about Surgeons, Nurses, Accountants……surely not Politicians or Bankers?
The answer controversially enough is Solicitors! An answer which the Government does not like at all because, of course, Solicitors as we all know are money grabbing “fat cats”. Which is why the Government is keen to “deregulate” the provision of legal services and to allow the likes of ……..the Banks to play an increasingly large role in their delivery. After all they have been conspicuously successful in their core business of banking haven’t they.
So in order to measure how wonderful its plans will be in practise the Government through the Ministry of Justice commissioned it’s “Baseline survey to assess the impact of legal services reform”*. Presumably, this was meant to give a benchmark of how dreadful Solicitors are and thereby provide a baseline against which to measure the advantages that the Governments friends in “big business” must surely bring to bear going forward. Looks like a rather tall order now. Exactly how will the likes of Co-op legal return even higher levels of satisfaction? But don’t worry Honourable Members as you well know “big business” is very good at convincing people that a mediocre service is in fact very good. Through the power of advertising and “brand” positioning the public can and will be duped into paying more for less. Now that’s what we call progress!
Seriously, how do we preserve the current high levels of service in the face of this folly? The answer is in the survey itself – if you need decent legal advice do what everyone else apparently does – ask friends and family who they would recommend. Good advice we think especially since you can safely assume that unlike “big business” they don’t trouser “referral fees” or “kick-backs. In fact they probably have your best interests at heart……just like your Solicitor.
* Ministry of Justice Research Series 3/10 March 2010 (Finch et al)
“92% felt that their provider acted in their best interests”
“92% were satisfied with the outcome of their matter”
“Nearly all users said that they found it very or fairly easy to choose a provider”
“85% said that their provider kept them very well or quite well up to date with progress”
“…..personal contact was regarded as essential for progressing matters”
“Overall 86% of users said that they would be likely to recommend their provider”
The above-detailed quotations are from a research document commissioned by the Government which looks at Consumers’ experience of dealings with members of a certain profession. So at a time when “good” news stories are scarce why has there been no publicity? Could it be that the Government doesn’t actually like the findings of the survey? Maybe the answer is in the profession itself? Exactly who could these paragons of virtue be?
How about Surgeons, Nurses, Accountants……surely not Politicians or Bankers?
The answer controversially enough is Solicitors! An answer which the Government does not like at all because, of course, Solicitors as we all know are money grabbing “fat cats”. Which is why the Government is keen to “deregulate” the provision of legal services and to allow the likes of ……..the Banks to play an increasingly large role in their delivery. After all they have been conspicuously successful in their core business of banking haven’t they.
So in order to measure how wonderful its plans will be in practise the Government through the Ministry of Justice commissioned it’s “Baseline survey to assess the impact of legal services reform”*. Presumably, this was meant to give a benchmark of how dreadful Solicitors are and thereby provide a baseline against which to measure the advantages that the Governments friends in “big business” must surely bring to bear going forward. Looks like a rather tall order now. Exactly how will the likes of Co-op legal return even higher levels of satisfaction? But don’t worry Honourable Members as you well know “big business” is very good at convincing people that a mediocre service is in fact very good. Through the power of advertising and “brand” positioning the public can and will be duped into paying more for less. Now that’s what we call progress!
Seriously, how do we preserve the current high levels of service in the face of this folly? The answer is in the survey itself – if you need decent legal advice do what everyone else apparently does – ask friends and family who they would recommend. Good advice we think especially since you can safely assume that unlike “big business” they don’t trouser “referral fees” or “kick-backs. In fact they probably have your best interests at heart……just like your Solicitor.
* Ministry of Justice Research Series 3/10 March 2010 (Finch et al)
Friday, 26 March 2010
An invitation to the AGM and free CPD points
Click to enlarge Members are invited to attend the Society’s AGM which will be held at Linden House, Tettenhall Road, Wolverhampton on Thursday 29th of April. The AGM will be preceded by a free seminar entitled “SRA Visits:What Not To Do” .
Starting at 2pm the speaker will be Gary Christianson who is a Solicitor with wide experience in advising on both regulatory and general partnership issues. The seminar is an excellent opportunity for members to learn about how the SRA operates and it comes with free CPD points. The AGM will follow on at 4.00pm.
Notice of Annual General Meeting
Notice is hereby given that the 163rd Annual General Meeting of the Wolverhampton Law Society is to be held at Linden House, Tettenhall Road,, Wolverhampton, at 4.00pm on Thursday 29th April 2010 for the following business to be transacted
AGENDA
1. Apologies
2. Approval of the Minutes of the 162nd Annual General Meeting held on the 22nd of April 2009
3. Consideration of the Annual Report of the Council for the year ended 31st December 2009
4. Consideration of the Accounts of the Society for the year ended 31st December 2009
5. To consider the collection of membership fees
6. President’s remarks
7. Election of Officers of the Society for the ensuing year and the issue of the Office of President
8. Election of Members to the Wolverhampton Law Society Council
9. Election of two representatives of the Society to the West Midlands Association of Law Societies
10. Appointment of Auditors and Remuneration
11. Donation to the Solicitors Benevolent Association and Shelter
12. The Role of the Wolverhampton Law Society – ongoing discussion
13. Any other business
Richard Ennis
Honorary Secretary
Wolverhampton Law Society
AGENDA
1. Apologies
2. Approval of the Minutes of the 162nd Annual General Meeting held on the 22nd of April 2009
3. Consideration of the Annual Report of the Council for the year ended 31st December 2009
4. Consideration of the Accounts of the Society for the year ended 31st December 2009
5. To consider the collection of membership fees
6. President’s remarks
7. Election of Officers of the Society for the ensuing year and the issue of the Office of President
8. Election of Members to the Wolverhampton Law Society Council
9. Election of two representatives of the Society to the West Midlands Association of Law Societies
10. Appointment of Auditors and Remuneration
11. Donation to the Solicitors Benevolent Association and Shelter
12. The Role of the Wolverhampton Law Society – ongoing discussion
13. Any other business
Richard Ennis
Honorary Secretary
Wolverhampton Law Society
Thursday, 25 March 2010
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