Help wanted in locating possible will – Diane Evans deceased

The Society has received a request for help from Stephens Scown solicitors who have been asked to look into the affairs of Diane Margaret Iris Evans deceased. Here is the text of a letter written by the firm to Society Secretary Richard Ennis. If anyone has any information please contact Stephens Scown direct.

“Dear Mr Ennis,

I write further to our recent telephone conversation. I have been instructed by the son of Mrs Diane Margaret Iris Evans to deal with the administration of her estate. Mrs Evans died on 7 February 2011 at Springfield House Nursing Home, Codsall. We believe that Mrs Evans died intestate, but we would be nonetheless grateful if you would check with the members of Wolverhampton Law Society whether they hold a Will for the deceased.

The deceased lived for most of her life in the Wolverhampton area and her last address (prior to the move to the nursing home) was Mimosa Lodge, Histons Hill, Codsall, Wolverhampton, WV8 2EW.

The deceased was born on 18 May 1919 and was named Margaret Iris Rowley. However, we understand from the deceased's son that she did not like her given names and consequently adopted the name Diane or Diana (which she used interchangeably). The deceased enjoyed three long-term relationships during her life, though we do not believe she was formally married in every case. However, she nonetheless appears to have adopted the surnames of her three partners and may therefore have instructed your members under any one of the following aliases:-

1. Diane (or Diana) Margaret Iris Rowley;
2. Diane (or Diana) Margaret Iris Smith;
3. Diane (or Diana) Margaret Iris Evans; and
4. Diane (or Diana) Margaret Iris Wilde.

If any of your members have any records relating to the deceased I would be very grateful if they would contact me on 01392 210700 quoting reference EVAN328.1.2.
Many thanks for your assistance.

Yours sincerely

Robert Marshall

Solicitor
For STEPHENS SCOWN LLP
Private Client
Ext.240
DDl: 01392 429240”

New Officers elected at AGM

It was all change at the Wolverhampton Law Society AGM on 7th April as we welcomed our new President Alex Thompson, Vice President Guy Birkett and Joint Social Secretaries Charlotte Chlode and Laura Jones .

Alex is pictured below with out going President Nick Wynn- Williams handing over the Society’s badge of office.

Alex and Nick

Guy

On behalf of the wider membership Nick paid tribute to the support that out going Social secretaries Alison Westwood and Tracy Davies had provided to the Society over the past 10 years or so.

Richard Ennis and Guy Ruddock remain in office as Secretary and Treasurer respectively.

Jasvinder Sanghera - Raising awareness of domestic violence and honour based abuse and providing support to victims of forced marriages

Bilston and District Soroptimists have organised an event at which Jasvinder Sanghera will speak about the need to raise awareness around the above detailed topics.

Herself a survivor of a forced marriage Jasvinder Sanghera has written about her experiences in works such as "Shame" and "Daughters of Shame". She is recognised as an Ambassador for Peace by the Womens Federation of World Peace and is Director of the charity Karma Nirvana whose aims are to support all victims of honour based abuse and forced marriage.

Jasvinder also acts as an expert advisor to the Courts in cases of forced marriages and honour based crimes.

For details of the event and how to order tickets please see the attached flyer and order form.

Please click image to enlarge

Society golfing team seeks revenge in annual outing against Accountants

Friday 16th September will see the latest in the annual series of gargantuan golfing showdowns between members of the Society and local Accountants. Readers will remember that a certain “frisson” was injected into last year’s event after the victorious Accountants were accused of gloating about their narrow victory.

In issuing a “call to arms” Wolverhampton Law Society Vice President and Golf Captain Guy Birkett said:-

“ I appeal to all golfing members of the Society who would like to take part to contact me whatever their ability. With a very mixed standard and handicaps varying from 5 to 28 the event is a great day out for all participants regardless of their golfing prowess.”

In what some will see as a provocative move Birkett went on to say:-

“ Unlike our opponents the Society has a proud tradition of fielding teams drawn exclusively from our membership”.

Commentators believe this refers to allegations that last year the Accountants fielded at least one “bandit banker”. An investigation subsequently revealed that the participant’s father rather than the participant himself was an Accountant. It is feared that uncertainty about eligibility criteria could yet intrude upon this year’s event. Rumours that golfing legend Tom Watson might be offered Honorary membership of the Society so that he could play in this year’s event at Oswestry Golf Club were today described as “completely without foundation” by the Society’s Press spokesman.

Crazy football provides comic relief

Member firms of Wolverhampton Law Society took part in a recent tournament to raise money for Comic Relief.

Council member Paul Kettle reports:-

“On 17th March 2011, Wolverhampton Junior Lawyers Division organised a charity football tournament which was held at Aldersley Stadium. 14 frankly shambolic and amateurish outfits took part with an (un)healthy turn out from firm's across Wolverhampton and the Black Country. Even some renegades from Birmingham turned up! After a hectic round of matches held on two pitches when the 14 teams, wheezed, coughed, spluttered, dived, fouled and generally floundered their way through 3 x 10 (gruelling) minute matches each, 4 hardy bands of brothers scraped through to the semi finals and ultimately 2 teams who were in all probability made up of chaps who were part-time lawyers (aren't we all to an extent) and full-time footballers (which we all certainly aren't after last night's showing) progressed to the final.

Those two teams were from Higgs & Sons Solicitors and No.5 Chambers and they (literally at times - come on chaps, it's a charity do!) fought it out for 10 bitter minutes with No.5 emerging as winners! Congratulations! Not actually lawyers though are you... Disqualified I say!!!

And now to the serious... Thank you sincerely to all the teams who gave up their time to play and paid their entrance fee which went into the charity pot.
Thank you too to those teams who raised additional sponsorship money and who bought scratch cards on the night. Wolverhampton Junior Lawyers Division are delighted to say that the amount raised so far is well in excess of £1,000!!! This is a great effort, we're all sure you'll agree, and more can be raised. In order to add to add your contributions to this healthy fund please contact tournament organiser Ben Thorne.”

Notice of AGM meeting April 2011

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Notice is hereby given that the 164th Annual General Meeting of the Wolverhampton Law Society is to be held at Linden House, Tettenhall Road, Wolverhampton, at 3.00pm on Thursday 7th April 2011 for the following business to be transacted

AGENDA

1. Apologies
2. Approval of the Minutes of the 163rd Annual General Meeting held on the 29th of April 2010
3. Consideration of the Annual Report of the Council for the year ended 31st December 2010
4. Consideration of the Accounts of the Society for the year ended 31st December 2010
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 any other Donations
12. The Role of the Wolverhampton Law Society – ongoing discussion
13. Any other business

Richard Ennis
Honorary Secretary
Wolverhampton Law Society