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solo Aut
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www.spg.uk.com
• YourguidetoTheCriminalFinancesAct2017
• IntroducingtheLawSocietyPresidentJoeEgan
• PaulPhilipdiscusseskeyaspectsofRiskOutlook
• FivemarketingmistakeswithFacebookandhowtoavoidthem
• GoodbyeEmploymentTribunalfees
• SPGAnnualConference20th–22ndApril2018
Andmuchmore....
2 Solo - Autumn 2017 www.spg.uk.com
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P316-01 Solicitors PI advert 0617.ai 6 21/08/2017 14:33:39
WelcometoourautumneditionofSOLO.Asalways,Ihopeyouhavean
interestingandinformativeread.
AnimportantfeatureofmytermasChairhasbeenseekingtore-engagewithourmemberswiththepurposeofbuildingonourvaluesandaims.Wewereformedasanorganisationtoprincipallysupportsolicitorsinsolepractice,toinspireandtopromote.Change,Ibelieve,isinevitableandessentialforgrowth.Itisourintentiontocontinuetosupportyouaswemeetthechallengesahead.
OurrelationshipwiththeLawSocietycontinuestogrowfromstrengthtostrength.AtthestartofMarch2017,IhadaproductivemeetingattheLawSocietywiththethenincumbentLawSocietyPresidentMrRobertBournsandBarbaraBecclesfromthesmallfirm’sdivision.
On24thMarch,SPGwasinvitedtotheannualdinnerofTheCommerceandIndustrySolicitorswhichwasheldattheSavoyHotelwhereImetwiththeCEOMrBillGraydonandothersolicitorsfromtheorganisation.WealsocontinueourpositiverelationshipwiththeSRAandIalsometwiththeExecutiveDirectorforExternalAffairs,JaneMalcolm.
Inspring,wesubmittedaresponsetotheconsultationonthemodernizationoftheITprogramfortheSRA.Wewerealsoparticipatedasexhibitorsattheannuallegalexhibition(LegalEx)inLondonattheendofMarch.
TheSPGwasalsoinvitedtoaParliamentaryReceptionheldbytheSRAintheHouseofCommonsWestminstertogetherwithotherBAMEchairsduringwhichtheSRAinvitedustoprovidethemwithinput
andfeedbackfromourgroupsontheirworkintheprofession.
IhopeyouwillfindthatinthisissueofSOLO,wecontinuetofindpracticalandinformativewaysofhelpingyou,ourmemberstoexcelatwhatyoudo.
OurAnnualGeneralMeetingwasheldon29June2017.ThiswascombinedwithanetworkinglunchreceptionforourmembersattheLawSocietyreadingrooms.ThemembersjoinedinthankingRupertScraseforhistimeandserviceontheSPGexecutivecommitteeinvariouscapacitiesincludingasvice-Chairman,ChairmanandastheTreasurer.
ItwasapleasuretohaveanappearanceatthemeetingbythethenincumbentLawSocietyPresident, Mr.RobertBourns,whosaidafewkindwordstoourmembers.Amongstotherthings,themembersinattendancewereimploredtoconnectwiththeSPGandbringfreshideasofhow
FROM THE ChAirwomAn
www.spg.uk.com Solo - Autumn 2017 3
“We aim to remain relevant to all our members...”
4 Solo - Autumn 2017 www.spg.uk.com
SPGcanbestcontinuetoserveandworkforsolepractitioners.IwanttousethisopportunitytoaskyouasSolePractitionerstotakethisrequestonboard!Weaimtoremainrelevanttoallourmembersandtofacilitatethis,wehaveelectedanewRegionalGroupCoordinator–PennyRabywhohasalreadymadecontactwithsomeregionalgroups.Pleaseengagewithher.
Thank you to outgoing committee members
Wewanttothankouroutgoingcommitteemembers,IanLithmanafoundingmemberoftheSPGretiresthisyear.HehasservedconscientiouslyandtirelesslyasanExecutiveCommitteememberandLawSocietyCouncilMemberforseveralyearsrepresentingsolepractitioners.Also,wethankSueCarterwhoservedtheSPGasanExecutiveCommitteememberforseveralyearsandasaLawSocietyCouncilMemberfor8yearsretiringfromthelatterrolein2014.WealsoextendourthankstoShakInayatwhoservedaschairofLondonregionalgroupandTinaAttenboroughfortheirserviceandtimeontheSPGexecutivecommittee.
IwanttotakethisopportunitytowelcomeournewTreasurerKemMasinbo-Amobiwhohasfittedinseamlesslyintotherole.Wewishyoumanyyearsofsuccessintherole.
Welcome to our SPG Co-ordinator
WealsoformallywelcometheSPG co-ordinator-CharleyMasaratiofByword.ShehasbeenworkingveryhardbehindthescenesandisatremendousassettoSPG.
PleasealsojoinmeincongratulatingourHonorableSecretaryCliveSutton,whohastakenupthepositionasthesecondLawSocietyCouncilMembertojoinLubnaShujawhoisonhersecondterminthepost.
AtthispointIwanttothankMillerfortheirongoingsupportoftheSPG.Afterinterviewinganumberofinsurancebrokers,SPGmaintainsacloserelationshipwithagroupofindividualinsurancebrokerspreviouslyworkingthroughPrimeProfessionsbutnowincorporatedintoMillerInsuranceServicesLLP.
Asyouknowtheirsupportenablesustocarryouttheimportantworkwedoonbehalfofsolepractitioners.TheteamatMillerhasworkedcloselywithTheSolePractitioner’sGroupsince2000.Fromsolepractitionerstart-ups,MillercanprovideahelpfulguidetohelpyoubetterunderstandthePIprocess.TheyalsocanassistyouwithyourPIrenewals.OurconfidenceinMillerissuchthatwehaveonoccasionrequestedadviceformembers’professionalindemnityinsurancedifficultiesandtheyhavealwaysbeenwillingtoprovideanyassistancerequired,forwhichwearethankful.
Finally,pleasekindlynotethatwenolongerusetheofficefacilitiesatRegusincentralLondonbutallpostalcontactwithSPGcanbesenttoourregisteredofficeaddressordirectlytomeaschair.
BestWishes
Kemi [email protected]
www.spg.uk.com Solo - Autumn 2017 5
SOLICITOR SOLE PRACTITIONERS’ GROUPMeet Your Executive Committee 2017/2018
ChAirWoMAn Oluwakemi MosakuEmeraldSolicitorsTheOldCourthouse1ThePaddockChathamKentME44RETel:[email protected]
KemiwascalledtotheNigerianBarasabarristerandsolicitoroftheSupremeCourtoftheFederalRepublicofNigeriain1989andadmittedasasolicitoroftheSupremeCourtofEnglandandWalesin2004.ShehasavariedworkexperiencewhichincludesworkingintheimmigrationdepartmentoftheHomeOffice,privatepracticebothinlegalaidandprivatelyfundedmattersintheUK.Herlastrolewasheadofimmigrationdepartmentinafirmbeforesettingupasasolepractitioner.ShespecialisesinImmigrationandHumanRightsLaw.Shealsoundertakesfamilylawworkandlandlordandtenants.OutsideofworkKemiisatrusteeinathrivingcharityandenjoysspendingtimewithherthreesons.Shealsoenjoyskeepingfit,music,networking,readingbiographiesandcurrentaffairs.
ViCE-ChAir Tahira ShaffiMikhaelLaw197RochdaleRoadBuryLancsBL97BBTel:[email protected]
Tahirahasbeenapracticingsolicitorfor20years.Shesetupasasolepractitionerafterbeingmaderedundantin2010.ShehasfoundtheSPGtobeanextremelyhelpfulpointofcontactonsomanyissueswhichareaffectingthewholeprofessionwhilstpayingparticularattentiontotheneedsofSolePractitioners.Tahiraunderstandsthatbeingasolepractitionercanbealonelyexperiencebutnetworkingwithlike-mindedindividualsmakesallthedifference.SheisgladthatthereisanindependentbodyoutsideoftheLawSocietythatisworkinghardtolookafteritsmembersinterests.TahiraisbasedinBury,GreaterManchesterwheresheliveswithherfamily.Shehaslotsofinterestsoutsideofthelawincludingpolitics.TahirawaspreviouslyanLEAschoolgovernorandhasstoodasacandidateinthelocalelectionsandispassionateaboutcivicdutyandputtingsomethingbackintothecommunity.ItisalottojugglewithbutTahiraisproudoftheworkoftheSPGbecauseshebelievesinbetterrepresentationforSolePractitioners!
honorArY TrEASurEr Kem Masinbo-AmobiKMASolicitorsSaracensHouse25StMargaret’sGreenIpswichSuffolkIP42BNTel:[email protected]
KemqualifiedasasolicitorinNovember2002underthetutelageofMrMartinMears(formerPresidentoftheLawSociety).Kemhasovertwelveyearscommercialexperiencegainedinavarietyofdemandingandchallengingenvironments.Kem’semploymenthistoryincludestimespentatsomeofthemostprestigiouslegalfirmsinSuffolkandNorfolk.Akeengardener,KemhascompletedtheRHSLevel2CertificateinHorticultureandherotherhobbiesincludereading,travellingandcookingintrue“Nigella”fashion.
honorArY SECrETArY Clive SuttonCliveSuttonSolicitor3TheOldPrintWorks85bHighStreet,LymingtonHantsSO419ATel:[email protected]
ClivehasbeenasolepractitionerinLymingtoninHampshiresinceleavingapartnershipin1998.Hespecialisesinlitigationcoveringmostaspectsofprivateandcommercialwork.HisotherinterestsareasChairmanofhislocalAmenitySocietyinLymingtonandTrusteeoftheNewForestCentreMuseuminLyndhurst.HehaspreviouslyservedasChairmanofthelocalCitizensAdviceBureauandChurchwardenandintheearly70sasaResidentMagistrateintheSeychelles.ClivehasbeenactivelyengagedonbehalfofSPGoverthepast17years.HeisnowoneoftheGroupstwoCouncilMembers.
Sushila AbrahamSAbrahamSolicitors290aEwellRoadSurbiton,SurreyKT67AQTel:[email protected]
SushilahaslivedinSurbiton,Surreyforovertwentyyears.Shedecidedtostartherownpracticelocallybecauseshewantedtoofferqualityandcaretothelocalcommunity.Shealsowantedtobefreefrompressuretooverchargeclientsinordertomeettheprofitandbillingtargetssetupbysomeofthebiggerlawfirms.SheismarriedtoMatthewabarrister,andtheyhaveonesonwhohasalsoqualifiedasabarrister.Inadditiontobeingwifeandmother,runningherpracticeinSurrey,andherroleontheSPGExecutiveCommittee,Sushilaisalso‘CllrSushilaAbraham’,havingbeenelectedasLib-DemlocalcouncillorintheBoroughofKingstoninaby-electioninFebruary2013andthenre-electedinMay2014.SushilawasalsoPresidentofSurreyLawSocietyandwaselectedasLawSocietyCouncilMemberforSurrey.SheisalsoaBoardmemberoftheMembershipBoardattheLawSocietyandaTrusteeofICLRrepresentingtheLawSociety.Sushilaisaverycommunitymindedpersonandhadruncookeryclassesforlocalschoolchildren,whichshecalled“Suzie’sKitchen”,believingintheimportanceofteachinglifeskills.
6 Solo - Autumn 2017 www.spg.uk.com
Joanna ConnollyJoannaConnollySolicitors33CheadleAvenueLiverpoolL133AETel:[email protected]
JoannaConnollyspecialisesintheareasofConsumerCredit,ContentiousProbate,andInsolvency.JoannaisasolicitorwithHigherRightsofAudiencewhoisqualifiedtorepresentclientsasanAdvocateinthehighercourtsinEnglandandWales.ShewaspreviouslyHeadofConsumerCreditLitigationatMSBSolicitorsandhashadextensivelitigationexperiencebothatCountyCourtandHighCourtlevel.JoannahadconductoftheleadConsumerCreditActHighCourtcaseCareyvHSBCBankPlc[2009]EWHC3417(QB)aswellascasesintheCourtofAppeal.
Moses AjayiSlade&FletcherSolicitors1stand2ndFloors348aCamberwellNewRoadLondonSE50RWTel:[email protected]
MoseswasadmittedasaBarristerandSolicitoroftheSupremeCourtofNigeriain1987.HehasalsobeenadmittedasaSolicitoroftheSupremeCourtofEnglandandWales.MosesisaSolepractitionerandspecialisesinHumanRightsandImmigration.Heisalsoengagedingeneralcivilandcriminalmattersonaprivatefeebasis.Inhissparetimeheenjoyssailingandhasparticipatedinmanysailingeventsaroundtheworld.Healsoenjoysdiscoveringnewplacesandspendingtimewithhisfamily.
hEAd of MArkETinG Sub-CoMMiTTEE & PAST ChAirMAn Sukhjit AhluwaliaAveryEmersonGloucesterHouse335GreenLaneIlford,Essex,IG39THTel:[email protected]
Havingworkedinsomeofthemostprestigiousbankingandconsultancyorganisations,Sukhjitoptedtoprovideamorepersonalonetooneserviceandbelievedthatthiscouldbebestdonethroughhisownpractice.HehasbeenbasedinGoodmayesinIlfordsince2003.Inhisprivatelife,Sukhjitlikestogetinvolvedinanumberofcharitableactivities,workingwithorganisationtoassistpeoplefromallbackgroundsandagesinreachingmoralexcellenceeitherintheirprivatelifeorintheirprofessionalcapacity.Whilstheisquiteashyperson,Sukhjithasbeenpartoftwodocumentariesexploringthechangesthathavetakenplaceinthetraditionalarrangedmarriageprocess.Hischildrenarestillyoungandtakeupagreatdealofhistimebutwhenhedoeshavetimeforhimself,Sukhjitlikestosit,readagoodbookandwatchtheworldgoby.
Veena BansalAshbournesSolicitors225KentonLaneHarrowMiddlesexHA38RPTel:[email protected]
Rahil ChaudhariArlingsworthSolicitorsLtd145IslingwordRoadBrightonEastSussexBN29SHTel:[email protected]
SrA LiAiSon LEAdHamish McNairMcNair&CoEBCHouse,RanelaghGardensLondonSW63PATel:[email protected]
HamishisbasedinFulham,London.Havinginitiallyspecialisedincopyrightandtrademarkwork,bothintheCityandNewYorkCity,hispracticenowincludesconveyancing,willstrustsandprobate,aswellaslitigation.Marriedwiththreechildren,whenHamishisnotintheofficeorinvolvedinSPGmattersheenjoysopen-airswimming,sailing,overnightbikerides,andalsohasapassionforthetheatre.
www.spg.uk.com Solo - Autumn 2017 7
SoLo EdiToriAL TEAMJosephine DuchenneDuchennesSolicitorsHassettHouseHassettStreetBedfordMK401HATel:[email protected]
JosephinebecameaSPin1997andworksinBedford,specialisinginfamilywork.ShehashadavariedcareerworkinginLondonandtheHomeCountiesdoingcommercialwork,thenmovingtocivillitigation.Marriedwiththreechildren,sparetimeisoccasionallyspentlearningartssubjects.SheisabigfanoftheOpenUniversity.Otherhobbiesincludemusicandwalking.
Dorcas FalodeDFSolicitors791SidcupRoadLondonSE93SBTel:[email protected]
DorcasisaSolepractitioner,athomeandabroad.Sherecentlycelebrated10yearsofbeingaSPwithofficesinLondonandLagos.ShefliesinandoutoftheUKonaregularbasisdealingwithavarietyofcases.ShespecialisesinImmigrationLawdealingwithentryclearancecases,familyreunion,visitors’andstudents’visaapplications.Thepracticealsodealswithfamilyandeducationcases,givingavoicetotheweakanddefenceless.Dorcasismarriedwithfourchildren.Whensheisnotbusyattendingtoclients,sheworksasacounsellor,nurse,cook,taxidriver,tutorofherfouryoungadults.Shelovestotravelandfindsshoppingverytherapeutic.
SPG WEbMASTEr David HindeHindeLawLtd71–75SheltonStreetLondonWC2H9JQTel:[email protected]
Davidisadisputeresolutionspecialistwithover20years’experiencedealingwithcivilandemploymentlawmatters.AfterreadinglawattheUniversityofLondonhetrainedandqualifiedintheCityofLondonworkingatleadinglawfirmsbeforestartinghisownnichepracticeasasolepractitionerbasedinCoventGarden.ActingforindividualsandSMEcompanieshehasdealtwithawide-rangeofcasesrangingfromjudicialreviewintheEuropeanCourtofJusticetocontractandpropertydisputesintheHighCourtandCountyCourt.HeisamemberoftheEmploymentLawyersAssociationandspeaksFrench.Marriedwithasonwhokeepshimverybusywhennotintheoffice,heisalsoaschoolGovernorofhislocalPrimarySchoolandenjoysreading,cyclingandthecinema.
hEAd of ConfErEnCE Sub-CoMMiTTEE & rEGionAL GrouPS Co-ordinATorPenny RabyPennyRaby&CoHarmonyHouse7-9ChurchStreetPershoreWorcestershireWR101DTTel:[email protected]
PennyhasbeenaSPspecialisinginfamilylawfor20years,workingwithherhusbandMikeaForensicAccountantondivorcecasesinvolvingbusinessandcomplexassetandincometracing.ShewonWorcestershireFamilyLawyeroftheYearawardin2014andwasnominatedfortheNationalFamilyLawMagazineFamilyLawFirmoftheYearfor2015.Shehasappearedonradioandtelevisionand,withMike,hastouredtheirnetworkingpantomime‘SnowWhiteandtheSevenSmallBusinessPeople‘internationally,includinganotableperformanceatthe2016SPGConferenceinPrague!
CounCiL MEMbErLubna ShujaLegalSwanSolicitors1stFloor,168HamsteadRoadHandsworthBirminghamB202QRTel:[email protected]
Lubnaqualifiedasasolicitorin1992.ShewasapartnerinahighstreetfirminWestYorkshireformanyyearsandthenstartedherownpracticeinBirminghamin2007undertakingmediation,familyandcivillitigation.LubnabecameaCEDRaccreditedMediatorin2005,andisdualqualifiedtoconductbothCivilandFamilymediations.Shehasdoneshuttlemediations(wherepartiesprefernottomeet)andalsotimelimitedmediations (2-4hoursduration).LubnaisalsoinvolvedwithvariousregulatorsandsheChairsanumberofDisciplinary/ProfessionalConductCommittees.SheisaLawSocietyCouncilmemberwheresherepresentstheinterestsofsolepractitioner.
8 Solo - Autumn 2017 www.spg.uk.com
Satnam VirdiSVLaw10BancroftAvenueLondonN20ASTel:[email protected]
Satnamspecialisesineducationanddisabilitylaw,includingexclusions,admissionsandSpecialEducationNeedsTribunaladvocacy.Heactsforparents,schoolsandlocalauthorities.Hisfirstjobwasasanelected,fulltimeVice-PresidentofCambridgeUniversityStudents’Union.Afterqualifyinginalargecommercialfirm,heworkedinaLondonlocalauthorityasHeadofLitigation.HeisalsoafeepaidFinancialOmbudsman.HehasbeenaSPforovertenyears,andisbasedinEastFinchley,London.
ConSuLTATionS orGAniSEr Martin T SmithOldCoachHouseOldRoad,LinsladeLeightonBuzzard BedsLU72RBTel:[email protected]
Martinwasadmittedasasolicitorin1975after5yearsarticlesandacquiredhissolegeneralpracticeinLeightonBuzzardin1985wherehehaspractisedeversince.MartinhasbeenamemberoftheSPGNationalExecutiveCommitteesinceitsinception(hebelievesthatonlyIanLithmanisstillan“original”).MartinliveswithhispartnerinLeightonBuzzardandwhenheisnotworking,heenjoysspendingtimewithher.Theyshareanumberofhobbiestogether,includingstampcollecting.
inTErnATionAL ArM Nicholas WoolfNicholasWoolf&CoSolicitors87ChanceryLaneLondonWC2A1ETTel:[email protected]
Nickwasadmittedasasolicitorin1979andwasajuniorpartnerintwofirmsinLondonbeforestartinghisownpracticeintheWestEndin1987.In2011hemovedontocreateanicheinternationalcommercialandfamilypracticeinChanceryLane.HeisaMemberoftheSolicitorsFamilyLawAssociationandhastrainedotherprofessionalsonfamilylawmattersandanti-moneylaundering.Nickismarriedwithfourchildrenandhehasarangeofhobbieswhichincludetravel,music,tennis,readingandphotography.
SPG Co-ordinATorCharley MasaratiBywordPOBox353UxbridgeUB100UNTel:[email protected]
CharleyistheownerofByword,aneventorganisingandadministrationcompany.Specialisinginlegaladministration,BywordhasclientsincludingtheEmploymentLawyersAssociation,AssuretyandEmploymentLawBarAssociation.BywordarealsoadministratorsoftheInstituteofDirectorsCentralLondonBranch.BywordaredelightedtoberetainedbytheSolePractitioners’GrouptomanagetheadministrationofthegroupalongsidetheExecutiveCommittee,theteamlooksforwardtomeetingmembersandcontributingtothegroup’ssuccess.
would you like to inspire your fellow Sole Practitioners?
SOLOisabi-annualpublicationwhichaimstoinformand supportsolepractitionersandisdeliveredin bothhardcopyanddigitalformats.
The SoLo editorial team welcomes contributions from our members. do you:
Haveacommenttomakeregardingrecentlegislation?WanttoupdateyourfellowSolePractitionerswiththelatestdevelopmentsinyourspecialistarea?Wanttoshareyouropinionswithfellowmembers?Wanttoshareaculturalexperience?
Thenwewanttohearfromyou!SOLOisyourpublication,producedbySolePractitionersforSolePractitioners.
IfyouwouldliketowriteanarticleforSOLO,orhaveanysuggestionsofcontent, thenpleasegetincontactby emailing [email protected] with details.
if you would like to advertise in our publication, or at the Conference, please contact
[email protected] for further details.
www.spg.uk.com Solo - Autumn 2017 9
THE CRIMINAL FINANCES ACT 2017 10YOU (AND YOUR BUSINESS) – WHAT YOU SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT BE DOINGNicholas Woolf and Sam Cheesbrough, Nicholas Woolf & Co
RISK OUTLOOK – AN OvERvIEW OF THE PRIORITY RISKS FACING SOLICITORS 12Paul Philip, SRA Chief Executive
SPG IN ACTION 15Martin Smith, Martin T. Smith Solicitors & SPG’s Consultations Organiser
12,000 WALKED FOR JUSTICE IN LONDON 16The London Legal Support Trust
HOW TO GET THE BEST DEAL ON SOLICITORS’ PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY INSURANCE 17Richard Brown, Head of Solicitors’ Practice at Miller Insurance
REGIONAL UPDATE 18Penny Raby, Penny Raby & Co & SPG’s Regional Co-ordinator
FIvE MARKETING MISTAKES THAT SOLICITORS OFTEN MAKE WITH FACEBOOK 19Rachel Tombs, Links2Leads
A NOTE FROM THE HONORARY SECRETARY 20Clive Sutton, Clive Sutton Solicitors & SPG’s Honorary Secretary
GOODBYE EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL FEES 21Kirsty Swan, Swan Craig Solicitors
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW PRESIDENT 22Joe Egan, President of the Law Society of England and Wales
WHY GETTING A GOOD PROFESSIONAL INDEMNITY INSURANCE BROKER COULD SAvE YOUR LAW FIRM MONEY 23Scott Thorne, Client Advisor at Miller Insurance
UPDATE FROM LAW SOCIETY 25Lubna Shuja, Legal Swan Solicitors & SPG’s Law Society Council Member
ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING REGULATIONS – FOUR PRINCIPLES TO GUIDE SOLE PRACTITIONERS THROUGH THE MINEFIELD 27Nicholas Woolf and Sam Cheesbrough, Nicholas Woolf & Co
Contents
SOLO JOURNALContributionstoSOLOarewelcome.EditorialorAdvertising–contact details are available on SPG’s website www.spg.uk.com.Editorial board –SukhjitAhluwalia,JoannaConnolly,JosephineDuchenne,DorcasFalode,OluwakemiMosaku&TahiraShaffi.ViewsexpressedinSOLOmaynotbetheviewsofSPG.SOLOiscopyrightedtoSPG.
diSCLAiMErThearticlesfeaturedinSOLOarenotasubstituteforlegaladvice.Informationmaybeincorrectoroutofdate,andmaynotconstituteadefinitiveorcompletestatementofthelaworthelegalmarketinanyarea.Articlesarenotintendedtoconstituteadviceinanyspecificsituation.Youshouldtakelegaladviceinspecificsituations.Allimpliedwarrantiesandconditionsareexcluded,tothemaximumextentpermittedbylaw.
10 Solo - Autumn 2017 www.spg.uk.com
YoU (AnD YoUr BUSinESS) – whAT YoU ShoULD or ShoULD noT BE DoinG BY NICHOLAS WOOLF, DIRECTOR AND PRINCIPAL, NICHOLAS WOOLF & CO,
AND SAM CHEESBROUGH, ASSOCIATE, NICHOLAS WOOLF & CO employees(orotherpeople“associated with”thecompany)whoaredeemedbytheActtohavefacilitatedthetaxevasion–yourcompanywillstillhavecommittedanoffenceundertheAct.
What is a tax evasion facilitation offence?
ThisdependsonwhetherthetaxevasiontakesplaceintheUKorabroad.
UK
1. beingknowinglyconcernedin,ortakingstepswithaviewto,thefraudulentevasionofataxbyanotherperson;
2. aiding,abetting,counsellingorprocuringthecommissionofaUKtaxevasionoffence(definedas(a)anoffenceofcheatingthepublicrevenue,or(b)anoffenceunderthelawofanypartoftheUKconsistingofbeingknowinglyconcernedin,ortakingstepswithaviewto,thefraudulentevasionoftax;
3. beinginvolvedinthecommissionofanoffenceconsistingofbeingknowinglyconcernedin,orintakingstepswithaviewto,thefraudulentevasionoftax.
On27thApril2017,theCriminalFinancesAct2017(“theAct”)wasgivenRoyalAssent.Part
3oftheAct,whenitcomesintoforceon30thSeptember2017,willcreatetwonewoffencesundertheheading“corporate offences of failure to prevent facilitation of tax evasion”,whichwillapplyinrespectofcorporatebodiesandpartnerships(whereverincorporatedorformed)andwillcovercircumstancesfacilitatingtaxevasionintheUKandoverseas.
how is the offence committed?
Ifaperson,actingin“the capacity of a person associated with”thecompany(whichincludesemployees,agents,orotherpeopleperformingservicesfororonbehalfofthecompany,andisactinginthatcapacity)commitsa“tax evasion facilitation offence”,thenthecompanymaybeliableforanunlimitedfine.
Thisisastrictliabilityoffence.Thismeansthatitisnotpossibletoblameyourclients(ortheprovisionofinformationfromyourclients),eventhoughtheyaretheonescommittingtheprimarytaxevasionoffence.Norisitpossibletodistanceyourselffromyour
Abroad
1. conductwhichamountstoanoffenceunderthelawofaforeigncountry;
2. conductwhichrelatestothecommissionbyanotherpersonofaforeigntaxevasionoffenceunderthatlaw(definedasconductwhich(a)amountstoanoffenceunderthelawofaforeigncountry,(b)relatestoabreachofadutyrelatingtoataximposedunderthelawofthatcountry,and(c)wouldberegardedbythecourtsofanypartoftheUnitedKingdomasamountingtobeingknowinglyconcernedin,orintakingstepswithaviewto,thefraudulentevasionofthattax;and
3. conductwhichwould,iftheforeigntaxevasionoffencewereaUKtaxevasionoffence,amounttoaUKtaxevasionfacilitationoffence.
Remember,whilstthetaxevasionmayhavebeencommittedbyyourclients,andthattaxevasionmayhavebeenfacilitatedbyyouremployees(orotherpeople“associated with”thecompany),itisneverthelessyourcompanythatwillbeliabletofootthebill.
www.spg.uk.com Solo - Autumn 2017 11
toexpectthecompanytohaveinplace,or(b)thatitwasnotreasonableinallthecircumstancestoexpectthecompanytohaveanypreventionproceduresinplace.
Thegovernmentisrequiredtopublishguidanceastothetypeofpreventionproceduresthatoughttobeputinplace.Formalguidancehasnotyetbeenpublished.However,provisionalguidancepublishedinOctober2016statesthatsuchprocedureswilllikelybebasedonsixprinciples:
1. Riskassessment–exampleproceduresincludeoversightofriskassessmentbyseniormanagement,appropriateallocationofresourcestothedetectionandmonitoringofrisk,periodicreviewofrisks,andprocedurestoidentifyemergingrisks.
2. Proportionalityofrisk-basedpreventionprocedures–exampleproceduresincludereviewingandrefiningproceduresforeffectiveness,anoverviewofthestrategyandatimeframetoimplementpreventionpolicies,acommitmenttocomplianceoverprofitorbonuses,andmonitoringandenforcingcompliancewithprocedures.
3. Toplevelcommitment–exampleproceduresincludecommunicationandendorsementoftherelevantbody’sstanceonpreventingthecriminalfacilitationoftaxevasion,andinvolvementinthedevelopmentandreviewofpreventativeprocedures.
4. Duediligence–theprovisionalguidancestatesthatduediligenceproceduresshouldbeproportionatetotheidentifiedrisk,takingintoaccountthelevelofcontrolandsupervisionthatthecompanyisabletoexerciseoveraparticularpersonactingonitsbehalf,andthecompany’sproximitytothatperson.
5. Communication(includingtraining)–theprovisionalguidancestatesthatthenatureofinternalandexternal
Further,ithaslongbeentheruleinEnglandandWalesthatlegaladviceprivilegewillnotattachtoconfidentialcommunicationsthataremadeforthepurposeofcommittingacrimeorfraud(R v Cox and Railton [1884] 14 QBD 153).ThereisnoreasontosuspectthatthepositionwillbeanydifferentinrelationtothenewoffencessetoutintheAct.
What about if the offence isn’t committed by my branch of the company?
Englishlawdoesnotdistinguishbetweendifferentbranchesofacompany,andsoonebranchmaybeliablefortheactionsofanother,eventhoughthetwohavenoinvolvementwithoneanother.Bycontrast,subsidiarieswillusuallybeconsideredasseparateentities.
However,evencompanieswithsubsidiariesoughttobewary.Englishlawhastraditionallybeenveryreluctanttoliftthecorporateveil,andlookatwhoistheultimatebeneficialownerofacompany.However,recentregulationsinrelationtoothertopicalmatters(suchasanti-moneylaunderingandterroristfinancing)haveincreasinglyrequiredanexaminationofthecompanystructuretodeterminetheultimatebeneficialownersofanentity.Itispossiblethatthisapproachmayfilterthroughintogenerallawandimpactonthewaysubsidiariesareviewed.Whilstthishasnotyethappened,itisneverthelesspossiblethat,inthefuture,youmayfindyourcorporatestructurescrutinisedinordertodeterminewhoisrequiredtopayanyfines.
What should i do about it?
Inshort,itisnolongerpossibletoturnablindeyetothetaxarrangementsofyourclients,ortheactionsofemployees(orotherpeople“associated with” thecompany)whendealingwithsuchclients.
Inordertoavoidliabilityacompanymustbeabletoshoweither(a)thatithasinplacesuchpreventionproceduresasitwasreasonableinallthecircumstances
communicationmayvarydependingonthenatureoftheriskbeingaddressed,andthesize,business,andoperationofthecompany.Itsuggeststhat,forexample,internalcommunicationshouldmakeclearthecompany’szerotolerancepolicyforthefacilitationoftaxevasion.
6. Monitoringandreview–exampleproceduresincludeseekingfeedbackfromstaffmembersandlookingtootherfinancialcrimepreventionmeasures,formalisedperiodicreviewwithdocumentedfindings,andworkingwithotherorganisations,suchasrepresentativebodiesorotherorganisationsfacingsimilarrisks.
Itshouldbestressedthatthepreventionpolicythatsufficesforonecompanymaynotbeappropriateoradequateforanother.Itisthereforeimportantthatcompaniesobtainadviceandassistanceonthedraftingofsuchpolicies,soastoensure(sofaraspossible)thattheyareabletorelyuponthedefencesetoutintheAct.
IfyouwouldlikeNicholasWoolf&Cotoadviseorassistyouinthatregard,pleasedonothesitatetocallusat+44(0)[email protected].
©NicholasWoolf,DirectorandPrincipal,Nicholas
Woolf&Co,andSamCheesbrough,Associate,
NicholasWoolf&Co.
9thAugust2017
diSCLAiMEr
Thisnotecomprisestheviewoftheauthor
asat9thAugust2017.Thisnoteisnot
asubstituteforlegaladvice.Information
maybeincorrectoroutofdate,andmay
notconstituteadefinitiveorcomplete
statementofthelaworthelegalmarket
inanyarea.Thisnoteisnotintendedto
constituteadviceinanyspecificsituation.
Youshouldtakelegaladviceinspecific
situations.Allimpliedwarrantiesand
conditionsareexcluded,tothemaximum
extentpermittedbylaw.
12 Solo - Autumn 2017 www.spg.uk.com
riSk oUTLook – An ovErviEw of ThE PrioriTY riSkS
fACinG SoLiCiTorS PAUL PHILIP, SRA CHIEF ExECUTIvE
criminalsandchancers.Thisisperhapsunsurprisingascybercrimeisoneofthebiggestworriesforusall,inbothourprofessionalandprivatelives.TheOutlooksetsoutthattherehavebeenarecordnumberofreportsmadetousofcybertheftsfromlawfirmsinthefirstquarterofthisyear,withhousemovesthemaintarget.
Thisamountedtomorethandoubletheamountofreportsofcybertheftcomparedtolastyear,withtripletheamount(£3.2m)stolen.Overall,intheyearApril2016toMarch2017,wehaveseencasesinvolvingaround£11moflosses.
Aroundthreequartersofthetheftsinvolvesomeformofemailhackingfraud,wherecriminalsmodifyemailsandalterbankdetailssofundsgotothecriminal.Aroundhalfofcasesinvolvemoneybeingusedforhousemoves.TheNationalFraudIntelligenceBureauhasalsoreportedincreasedrisksinthisarea,withan85percentincreaseintheftofpropertydepositsin2016.Othertargetsforcybercriminalsincludeinheritancemoneyandalawfirm’sownmoney.
ThethreatsofcriminalsusingITtostealclient’sfundsisanever-increasingproblem.Itisimportantthat–ifyouhavenotdonesoalready–youdevelopaculturewherecybersecurityistreatedasaseriouspriority,andtakesensible
Itisafactoflifethatthereisriskineverythingwedo.Howeverhardweplanforalleventualities,thereis
alwaysthechancethatsomethingcouldgowrong.
Weknowthatthevastmajorityoflawfirmsandsolicitorsarecommittedtodoingtheverybestfortheirclients.Youprovideagoodserviceandmanagebothresponsibilitiesandriskscarefully.
Butofcoursethelegalsectorissubjecttoallsortsofpressuresanditcanbedifficulttokeepuptodate.ThisiswhyweproducetheRiskOutlook.TheOutlookisakeytoolfirmscanusetoidentifyriskstotheirbusinessandmitigateagainsttheeffects.Itwasfirstpublishedin2013anditsformatofdescribingrisksandprovidingsupportingpapersonmoredetailedissueshasmadeitavitalresourcefortheprofession.
ThefifthRiskOutlookwaspublishedinthesummer,andoneofourkeythemesiskeepingclientmoneysafefrom
stepstowarntheirclientsabouttherisks.
new priority risk for 2017
Wehaveincludedonenewpriorityriskthisyear–questionableinvestmentschemes.Whilethevastmajorityofsolicitorsandfirmsactproperly,atinyminorityarefailingtoadequatelyprotectthemoneyofinvestors,mostofwhicharemembersofthepublic.
Inthelastninemonthswehavetakenactionincaseswherethepublichavelostmorethan£50mbyinvestinginquestionableschemesthathaveincludedtheinvolvementofasolicitor.Wehavepublishedarangeofwarningstomakesureeveryoneisawareofthisrisk.Pleasemakesureyoureadthemsoyoucanspotthesignsthataschemeisdoubtful.
OtherpriorityrisksintheOutlookincludeafocusonnotallowingindependenceorintegritytobecompromisedinlightofreportsthatsolicitorshavebeeninvolvedinsuspectcompensationclaimsforthelikesofpaymentprotectioninsuranceandholidaysickness.The“diversitydividend”forlawfirmsofbeinganinclusiveemployerisalsohighlighted.
WeknowthatmanyofyoufindtheRiskOutlookausefulresource.ThereisalinktoOutlookonourdedicatedsmallfirms
Paul Philip is CEO of the Solicitors Regulation Authority, a post he has held since February 2014. He was previously Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer of the General Medical Council (GMC) and has held senior roles in both the Legal Services Commission and the NHS.
“...keeping client money safe from criminals...”
www.spg.uk.com Solo - Autumn 2017 13
SonowI’dliketoaskmoreofyoutojoinourdedicatedITvirtualreferencegroup,Evolve.Theseareearlydaysintheprogramme,butdecisionsmadeintheformativestagesofanyprojectcanoftenbethemostimportanttaken.
Thisiswhyweneedyouattheheartofthiswork–tomakesurewhatwebuildhasyouinmind.Iwouldthereforeaskyoutotaketheopportunitytogetinvolved.LookattheEvolveoptions,chooseonethatworksforyou,sign-upandstartshapingthewaytheSRAdoesbusiness.
Youcandothisbygoing towww.sra.org.uk/getinvolved
Soit’satimeofchangeinthesectorandforus.Weallneedtoworktogethertokeepuptodateandfutureproofourbusinessesandthesector.Pleasedon’thesitatetoletmeknowwhatyouthinkandwhatmoreweneedtodo.
Articlesubmittedon17thAugust2017
section,anditisoneofthetopfivemostvisitedpages.
Asriskschange,developandemerge,wehopeyoucontinuetousetheOutlooktoprotectyourselvesandyourclients.
investment in iT and Evolve
SomethingelsethatischangingistheITweuseattheSRA.InvestmentinourITnowwillmakeiteasiertoworkwithusinfuture,aswellassavingcostsinthelongterm.Ourpriorityistoensurethatournewsystemsmeettheneedsofourcustomers–yourselves.
Sincepresentingour‘ModernisingourIT‘approachtotheSPGExecutiveCommitteeinApril,wehavebeenencouragingtheprofessiontogetinvolved.I’malreadyawarethatsolepractitionersarecontributingtobothamonthlypollandvolunteeringandtakingpartinusertesting.
Everything you need to run a small law firm.
Legal Practice Management Software
0843 713 0135 | [email protected] | www.leap.co.uk
As always there is a great deal of pressure being placed on sole practitioners, not only does the responsibility for running the practice fall on your shoulders, with the internet offering access to a such a choice of services it is essential to remain competitive and market yourself on a much wider scale. Often without the infrastructure of support staff business owners can find themselves spending hours each week on non-billable, administrative tasks.
LEAP case management software has been designed to allow sole practitioners to grow their profits, without the need to hire additional staff. LEAP is a business improvement solution designed to make you more money, providing everything you need to run a successful practice including a website.
Switching to a cloud based software provider will allow you to work more efficiently, you can continue to work wherever you are and whenever you want via the LEAP Mobile App. Your IT requirements will be simplified, reducing costs and need for support significantly. In addition, with Investment of over £5 million per year into R&D LEAP ensures law firms have access to the best software on the market.LEAP’s cloud based legal software solution provides everything your law firm needs to process probate matters efficiently and maximise profit margins.
LEAP were pleased to sponsor the Sole Practitioners Group Annual Conference in Prague last November and welcomed the opportunity to meet SPG members both old and new. For more information visit www.leap.co.uk or contact us on 0843 713 0135.
As a sole practitioner how can you increase your profit?
SPG A5 Advert UK - Jan 2017.indd 1 12/01/2017 09:53
14 Solo - Autumn 2017 www.spg.uk.com
IBP Ltd is one of three centres in England and Wales which have been awarded a Lexcel assessment licence by the Law Society. We have been a licensed Lexcel assessment centre for 15 years and have extensive experience in working with the legal sector.
Based in London, IBP work with a team of highly qualified, supportive Assessors from all areas of the country helping you to achieve accreditation. Our clients include sole practitioners, legal firms of all sizes and in-house legal departments from both the private and public sector working with them towards Lexcel accreditation. In doing so, we ensure that the process is cost effective, independent, objective and rigorously quality controlled.
What’s stopping you from becoming Lexcel accredited?“It costs too much!” When speaking to people at the last SPG conference, many were surprised at how little it costs for a sole practitioner or small law firm to achieve Lexcel accreditation. Just ask us for a free Lexcel Assessment quotation or book onto one of our comprehensive workshops for just £50.
“The Standard is too difficult to implement” We work with hundreds of practices year after year and it’s our job as a licensed Lexcel assessment body to know the Standard inside out. Through our extensive knowledge and experience, we will help you to gain the maximum benefit from working with Lexcel. Also, if you hold SQM for Legal Aid contract purposes and are thinking of changing over to Lexcel, you will find there are many overlaps.
“How does Lexcel help me and my practice?”Lexcel covers the main requirements that COLP and COPA have responsibility for – just for starters! There are many other benefits too, such as improving client service and attracting new business.
“Lexcel is like having an audit!”IBP have a friendly team of Lexcel Assessors and administration staff who are there to support you. Plus, there is no such thing as ‘failing Lexcel’!
“I won’t get a reduction in my annual PI Insurance if I have Lexcel”Actually, you should by just having Lexcel. Even if your insurance company doesn’t offer you a reduction for being Lexcel accredited, if you implement Lexcel and continue to meet its requirements, your practice will run more efficiently and client complaints will be minimised, which will result in less costs.
Contact us...Tel: 0800 612 3098Email: [email protected]
Find out more about Lexcel at: www.ibplegal.co.uk
www.spg.uk.com Solo - Autumn 2017 15
SPG IN ACTion
Martin Smith is leads and co-ordinates the Group’s responses to consultations.
Since the last edition of SoLo the consultations issued by the SrA have somewhat reduced in number and SPG has only felt it necessary to respond to one.
Thiswas“EnablingInnovation–consultationonanewapproachtowaiversanddevelopingtheSRA’sInnovationSystem”–yourExecutiveCommitteesubmittedaresponsetothispreparedbypastChairSueCarter.ThegistofSPG’sresponsewasthatwhilstthereweresuperficialattractionsintheSRA’sideasforinnovationtherewasarealriskofloweringofstandardstothepublicandthatsmallfirmsmightsufferbecauseofunfaircompetition.SueCarterhassinceresignedfromtheCommitteeafteralongperiodofservice.
TheLawCommissionhavealsoannouncedaconsultationonreformingtheLawonmakingofWillsandassociatedmattersapparentlytotakeaccount,inpartatleast,ofthecurrentdigitalera.Thiscloseson10November2017andCliveSuttonhasstartedworkontheGroup’sdraftoftheconsultationresponse.Couldanyoneinterestedincontributing,pleasecontacthimon [email protected].
IfanyreaderwishestoassisttheSPGExecutiveinrespondingtoaconsultation,especiallyoneonwhichthecurrentExecutiveCommitteemembershavenoexpertisee.g.criminallawthiswouldbeverywelcome.AnyenquiriesinthisconnectionpleaseaddresstotheSecretary.
Thisofcourseisinadditiontoanyresponsethesolepractitionermaywishtosubmitpersonally.
16 Solo - Autumn 2017 www.spg.uk.com
12,000 wALkED for justice in London
Willow’slifeandgivesherthesecuritysheneedstobeabletofocusonherwellbeing.
Cutsincivillegalaidandcouncilgrantshavemadeaccesstofreelegaladviceinthecapitalverydifficult.TherearefewerLegalAidfirmsinthehighstreet,someadvicecentreshaveclosedandothershavehadtoseverelyreducecaseworkstaff.
Lawyersfromallcornersofthelegalprofessioncametogethertoraisefundsforthoseinurgentneedoflegalhelp.ThemostseniorjudgesandQCswalkedsidebysidewithlawstudents;corporatelawyers;highstreetsolicitorsandfront-linecaseworkers.Manyin-houselawyersfrommultinationalcompanieswillbewalking.
Sir Terence Etherton, the Master of the rolls said,
“We walked to raise funds for free legal advice charities supported by the London Legal Support Trust.
“The need for these charities has grown over the past few years while resources for their work have diminished.
“That makes the funds raised by the London Legal Walk more important than ever.”
President of the Law Society of England and Wales robert bourns said,
“The London Legal Walk is a great way for us to come together to support charities that provide legal advice day in, day out, helping a hugely
12,000people,themajorityofthemlawyers,walkedtoraisefundsforfreelegaladvice
servicesinLondonandtheSouthEastonMay22nd.700teamswalkedtogetherandraised£800,000topromoteaccesstojustice.ThismoneyenablesLawCentres,localCitizensAdviceandadviceagenciestocontinuetohelpvulnerablepeopleaccesslegaladvice.
Thosethattheadvicecentreshelpincludefamiliesfacinghomelessness,olderpeoplerequiringcommunitycare,traffickedwomenandchildren,peoplewithdisabilities,refugees,peoplewhoarefacingunemploymentandthosewithmentalhealthproblems.
VulnerablepeoplelikeWillowhavesufferedmostduringtherecession:
“Living with severe mental health problems is challenging. i didn’t know what i would do without my disability allowance. The local Law Centre has given me back my safety and security.”
Willowisayoungwomanlivingwithseverementalillness.Shehasspenttimeinhospitalbeingtreatedforacutementalhealthproblems.InspiteofthisherdisabilityallowancewastakenawaywhenshewasmovedtoPIP.Ahugedropinherweeklyincomeleftherinanemotionallydistressinganddesperatesituation.WiththehelpofherlocalLawCentre,Willowfoughtandwonanappealtoreinstateherdisabilityallowanceandapaymentof£2,500inarrears.Theextramoneymakesallthedifferenceto
diverse range of people, many of them vulnerable and facing frightening legal situations. And remember those least able to afford legal advice can often be in most urgent need of it. Solicitors and the wider legal profession are committed to helping them.”
Vicky Ling, Chief Executive of the Trust said
“We are delighted that the legal profession have again risen to the challenge and have turned out in even greater numbers than before.
“Free legal advice services change people’s lives, providing them with expert help to reduce debt, poverty and homelessness, and combat discrimination and injustice. LLST work with the charities we fund to ensure every pound raised goes as far as it possibly can.
Thank you to everyone who has supported the walk thus far, and please do continue to sponsor your friends, colleagues, family members and clients to help us break the fundraising record!”
ThE WALk WiLL TAkE PLACE on MondAY 21ST MAY in 2018.
WANTTOJOINSPG’[email protected]
www.spg.uk.com Solo - Autumn 2017 17
How to get tHe best deal on solicitors’ professional
indemnity insurance feeltheylacktheinformationtomakeaneducateddecisionaboutwhichinsurertochoose.
ItwouldbewrongtothinkthateveryPIpolicyisthesame.Theydifferonmuchmorethanprice:justaseverylawfirmisdifferent,intermsofitssize,businessmix,claimshistoryandriskappetite,sotooiseveryinsurer.
Two-thirds(66%)ofsurveyrespondentssaytheywantadviceonunderstandingtheirPIpolicyandonwhichisthebestcoverforthemtobuy.That’swhywebelieveit’simportanttohaveanexperiencedbroker,whodoesn’tviewbuyinginsuranceasaquicktransactionbutasapartnership,inwhichthebrokerisatrustedadvisorwhohelpsalawfirmtothrive.Yetlessthanathirdoflawyers(32%)wesurveyedsaidtheirbrokerunderstandstheirbusinessneeds.
responding to our clients’ Pi insurance needs
It’svitalthatyourlawfirmgetsthehelpitneedstobeabletonavigatethiscomplexmarket,aswellashowtopresentyourselfwelltounderwriters.Ifyourpracticeisnotconsideredtobea‘goodrisk’,forwhateverreason,thenyoumaystruggletogetprofessionalindemnitycover–andwithoutapolicyyoudon’thaveabusiness.
It’snotonlythepracticalchallengesofbuyingPIInsurancethatarekeepinglawfirmsawakeatnight.Cybercrime,employeefraud,employmentclaimsanddatalossareseenasbeingthebiggestriskstolawyersoverthenextfiveyears,accordingtooursurvey.Nowonderwhy73%saythathavingabrokerthatkeeps
Choosingtherightprofessionalindemnity(PI)insurancepolicyisoneofthemostimportant
decisionsalawfirmmakes.Everypracticeisrequiredtohaveone,butitissomuchmorethanacompulsoryhurdleforyoutotrade.Italsoprotectsyourbusinessifyouhaveaproblem.
Youdon’tevenneedtohavedoneanythingwrongforyourbusinessandassets–includingpossiblyyourhome–tobeputatrisk.Anaccusationofnegligenceagainstyourfirmcouldsparkalongandexpensivelegalclaimthat,ifyou’renotcareful,couldruinyourlivelihood.
Havingagoodpolicyandinsurerissoimportantbecause,morethananythingelse,itoffersyoupeaceofmind.
AtMiller,werecognisethateverylawfirm’sneedsaredifferentandmustbematchedwiththerightinsurerfortheirbusiness.Yetwealsounderstandthatthebreadthofoptionsforprofessionalindemnityinsurancecanbedifficultandconfusing.ThisiswhywecommissionedanindependentsurveyfocusedonfindingoutexactlywhatthepainpointsareforsolicitorswhenitcomestobuyingPII—andhowwecanbestsupportyou.
Providing clarity on professional indemnity insurance
Morethanthreequarters(77%)ofrespondentssaytheystruggletounderstandtheprocessofrenewingtheirPIinsurance.Thatsurprisesme,butIthinkit’ssomethingforwhichtheinsuranceindustrymusttakeitsshareoftheblame.Ithasfailedlawfirmsifthey
theminformedaboutthemarketisimportant,yetconversely,only13%saytheirbrokercurrentlydoesthis.
richard brown is head of Solicitors’ Practice at Miller insurance. he has over 35 years’ experience in the insurance industry. he specialises in professional indemnity insurance for solicitors registered in England, Wales and ireland, predominantly in the volume sector (ten partners and below) and with a focus on sole practitioners and leads the Miller team which looks after both solicitors and Council of Licensed Conveyancers.
T:02070312487E:[email protected]:www.miller-insurance/solicitors
18 Solo - Autumn 2017 www.spg.uk.com
REGIONAL ROUND UP
I amPennyRaby,aSolePractitionerbasedinPershoreinWorcestershirespecialisinginHighNetWorthandex–patriateFamilyLawcases,andIamdelightedtotakeupthereinsasRegionalCoordinator.IhavebeenontheExecutiveCommitteefor
sometime,andIalsoserveasConferenceOrganiser,sohavemyworkcutoutfortheforeseeablefuture!
Iammakingitmybusinesstogetroundalltheregionswithactivegroupstomeetourmembersandfindouthowwecanhelpthem,andtheycanfeedtheiropinionsandinformationintotheSPG.
IattendedtheCentralLondonGrouponthe19thJuly,whichwashostedmostgenerouslyby33BedfordRowChambers.AninformativetalkwasgivenbyrepresentativesfromtheSRA,andKateBakerfromInspiringspokeaboutCybercrimeandLexel,followedbynetworkingfortheSolepractitionersattending.Themeetingwasanexcellentexampleofthesortofinformative,businessgeneratingandadminboostinggroupeventwecanallbenefitfrom,andSukhjitAhluwaliaandDavidHindedeservegreatcreditfororganisingitatshortnotice.AnyonewishingtojointhisgroupshouldcontactSukhjitonSukhjit_Ahluwalia@ae-law.co.uk,[email protected],Secretary.
IaminvitedtotheBirminghammeetingoftheMidlandsGrouptobehostedbyNo5Chambersonthe11thSeptember2017.AnyMidlandSP’sinterestedtojoinusshouldcontactJerzyKamrowskionjerzy@renatasolicitors.com
IamlookingforwardtomeetingmembersintheEastMidlandsonthe14thSeptemberat10amuntil12noon,atoneoftheofficesofNelsonsSolicitorsintheregion.PleasecontactTinaAttenboroughforfinaldetailson [email protected].
AndIwillbeattendingthemeetingoftheSouthLondonRegionalGroupon22ndSeptember,at6pm,151RyeLanePeckhamLondonSE15.AnylocalmembersinterestedinattendingthemeetingshouldcontactAdjoaDjan-Krofaonadjoa@pishongold.co.uk.
IamintendingtosetupanewRegionalGroupforCotswoldsandAreaSP’s,ofwhomtherearemany! Docontactmeifyouareinterestedtojoin,orhostameeting,togiveatalk,andofcoursetohelpwithorganisation.
Andfinally–ifyouareinterestedinsettingupaRegionalGroupwithinyourownarea,thendoplease contactme.SPGmaybeabletoassistyouwithexpenses,venueandaspeaker.
August 2017
i can be reached on [email protected] or 01386 55114.
www.spg.uk.com Solo - Autumn 2017 19
AsaSolePractitioner,youareyourbrand.Prospectiveclientsoftenresearchalawfirmbeforedecidingtomakeanenquiryaboutaspecificservice,andtheywillstarttoformanopinionaboutyoufromlookingatyourFacebookposts.Prospectiveclientswillbelookingtoassessyourlegalknowledgeandwhetherornottheywouldliketoworkwithyou.Itisthereforewithinyourpowertotakecontrolofwhatyourclientssee,learnandbelieveaboutyou.
Itisalwaysagoodideatoemployaprofessionalphotographertotakesomegroupandindividualphotographsofyouatwork.Youcanusetheimagesacrossyoursocialmediasites,websiteandinotherpromotionalliterature.Clientsengagewithbrandsbecausetheybelieveabrandsharestheirvaluesandthereisa‘connection’.Socialmediaisthegatewaytothatconnection.
Athirdmistakerelatestothecontentofyourposts.Creatingcompellingcontentcanbeverytime-consuming,whichiswhymanySolicitorschoosetooutsourcethistask.Youneedtofindinteresting,relevantcontentintheformofanarticle,casereport,discussionetc.thatisrelatedtoyoursubjectarea.Muchofthiscanbetakenfromthenationalpressbutyoushouldaddasentenceortwoofyourown,promotingyourownviewpointandthenlinkbacktoyourfirm’sblogorwebsiteinordertopromoteyourbrand.
ItisafactthatFacebookpostscontainingimagesget2.3%moreengagementthanthosewithout,andphotosofpeopletendtoattractmoreclicksthanphotosofobjects.Howaboutsharingyourowntoptips,suchas“Top5ConsiderationsbeforedraftingyourWill”,alongsideanengaging,carefullychosenimage?Don’tforgetthatyouarelookingtobuildtrustandareputationasanexpertwithinyourchosenfield.
Until 2015, Rachel was a practising Solicitor with more than 15 years’ PQE gained
at both large city firms and smaller regional practices, overseeing much of the wider Business Development work that was undertaken at each firm. Rachel left practice to set up her own award-winning business, Links2Leads, which offers sole practitioners and high street law firms a comprehensive, insightful, outsourced and flexible Marketing and Business Development service.
Here, Rachel explains why Facebook is such a valuable tool for marketing your law practice, while also sharing her top 5 tips on the things to avoid.
ThefirstandbiggestmistakeisnothavingaFacebookpageforyourbusiness.Facebooknowattracts2billionmonthlyusers,itisthemostpopularsocialmediasitewith76%ofitsmembersloggingindailytosearchforindividuals,businesses,brands,news,jobsandsubjectsthataretrendingonline.
AlthoughyoumaythinkthatFacebookisjustasiteforindividualswhowanttopostpicturesofwheretheyhavebeenandwhattheyaredoing,itisactuallyaninvaluablemarketingplatformforattractingnewclientstoyourpractice,particularlyinrelationtoConveyancing,FamilyLaw,PersonalInjuryandWillsandTrusts.
AsecondmistakeisfailingtopostconsistentlytoyourFacebookpage.Ifithasbeenmonthssinceyourlastpost,peoplecouldassumethatyourpracticeisnolongeropenorthatyouaresimplyoutdated.PostingonFacebookatleastonceadaytakesamatterofminutesandyoucanevenprepareandscheduleyourcontentinadvance,therebysavingyourselfevenmoretime.
Afourthmistakeisnotmakingthemostofvideo,andspecificallyFacebookLive.VideoplaysanincreasinglyimportantroleonSocialMedia,havingbecomethepreferredwaytocommunicateanengaging,authenticandpowerfulmessagetoanyoneandeveryone.Itisquick,easyandinexpensivetocreateaneducational,informativeandinterestingvideothatcontainsanelementofQ&Aorintroducestheviewertoyourpracticeandwhatyoucanoffer.
AfifthmistakeisfailingtocapitaliseonFacebookAdvertising,whichallowsyoutopromoteyourFacebookbusinesspage,boostyourposts,advertiseseminarsandlinktoyourwebsite.Facebook’stargetingcapabilityisveryprecise,allowingyoutotargetusersbasedontheirage,gender,interests,connections,relationshipstatusandmuchmore.Ifyouhaveanemaillist,youcanalsocreatelook-alikeaudiences,whichtargetsotheruserswhoare‘similar’inanumberofways.Forasmallinvestmentof£150upwardsamonth,youhavetheabilitytoreachthousandsoflocal,potentialclientswhoallfitnicelywithinyouridealtargetmarket.
Therefore,itisagoodideatothinkabouthowyouwantthegeneralpublictoperceiveyourpractice.WillyourFacebookbusinesspageresembleacleansuitandacrispwhiteshirt,orwillitresembleanoldstainedjacketandanun-ironedshirt?ItisvitaltoinvesttherightamountoftimeandeffortintopolishingyourFacebookpresenceasitwillhelptodevelopyourpractice’sbrand,reputationandvisibilityonline.Canyouaffordnotto?
rachel Tombs,Links2Leads
Five marketing mistakes that SolicitorS often
make with facebook
20 Solo - Autumn 2017 www.spg.uk.com
A NOTE FROM THE honorArY SECrETArY
immediatelyafterthelastAGMtoelectKemiascontinuingchairmanuntilthen.AtthesametimeTahiraShaffiwasre-electedvice-chairmanandKemMasinbo-Amobiwaselectedournewtreasurer.
IntheabsenceofanyoneelsecontestingthepostofHonorarySecretaryIcontinueinthatpostthemoment.HoweveritiswiththeadmirablesupportofCharleyMasaratiofBywordwhowithherorganisation,isprovidingsecretarialservicesandwillprovidesupportservicesfortheconferenceonthefuture.
InreportingachangeofTreasurerIhavetogiveacknowledgementtothepreviousworkofRupertScrasewhohasheldthepostforthelastfewyearsandrecentlythroughdifficulttimes.Hehasresignedastreasurerandasexecutivecommitteemembertoconcentrateonhispractice.
TherehasbeenasmoothtransitiontoKemastreasurerbutofcoursealltheusualbureaucracyofchangingofaccountsandsignatureshastobegonethrough.
AlsoattheannualgeneralmeetingweacknowledgedwiththanksthelongserviceprovidedbyIanLithmaninmanyrolesincludingchairmanandrecentlynominatedLawSocietyCouncilmemberfortheGroup.ReaderswillknowofhisearlydaysfromhisanecdotesinSoloabout“articlesofclerkship”beforetheyreceivedthenon-descriptsoubriquetof“traineecontracts”.Herecentlycelebrated50yearsoflegalpracticeandhasservedtheGroupwithdistinctioninhisowncharacteristicway.
OtherswhohaverecentlyleftthecommitteeareSueCarterwhohasbeenaverylongtermmemberofthecommitteeandanex-chairmanandalsolongtimeCouncilMemberfortheGroup.
HavingstartedmynoteinthelasteditionbysayingthattheHonorarySecretary’sjob
normallyrunsverysmoothly,andthensettingoutalltheproblemsthatwehadoverthepastyear,Iamgladtoreportthatmattersaregettingbacktonormalagain.ThisfollowsanExecutiveCommitteemeetingheldatTheLawSocietyagainfollowedbyanAGMheldinthesplendidsurroundingsoftheReadingRoom.Thismaybesomethingwecan’taffordeveryyearbutonoccasions,possiblyatleastonceayearisimportantinmyviewforustophysicallyconnectwithourSociety.
Theexperimentofanautumnconference,whichbecameasuccessfulChristmasconferenceinPrague,willnotcontinueatthemomentandwewillreverttothespringconferences,whichseemtobemoreinkeepingwiththeexpectationofourmembersandtheleadtimerequiredfortheirpreparation.Theyneedanenormousamountofworkbyadedicatedgroupofpeople,andiftheyaretobeinthespringthatcanbedoneoverthewinterperiod,butiftheyaretobeintheautumnthenthathastobedoneoverthesummerperiodwhenonecannotexpectvolunteers,particularlywithfamilies,togivetheirtimeasfreely.
Onthatbasisthenextresidentialannualconferencewillbeontheweekendofthe20th,21stand22ndofApril2018andIhopeyouwillallbeputtingthatdateinyourdiaryandreservingit.
KemiMosakuwillcontinueaschairmanuntilthatconference.Thiswasconfirmedbyaresolutionoftheexecutivecommitteeeffective
WealsosaygoodbyetomorerecentcommitteemembersTinaAttenborough,ShakInyatandNaveenGalal.
IanLithman’sdeparturehasleftvacantthesecondpostforLawSocietyCouncilmembershipfortheGroup.Ihavebeennominatedforthatbytheexecutivecommittee,andasfromJulyandtheannualgeneralmeetingofTheLawSocietyIamyourcouncilmemberwithLubnaShuja,whoseadviceandguidancetodatehasbeenagreatsupport.
IwillbepleasedtojoinLubnainreportingtoyouinthenexteditionsofSoloastotheactivitiesofthemeetingsandactivitiesofTheLawSociety.IhavebeenfortunateenoughtobeabletojointheScrutinyandPerformanceReviewCommitteeoftheLawSociety.
FinallycanIsaythatformanyyearsIhavebeenChairmanoftheInsuranceSubcommitteeliaisingwithourpreferredbrokers,recentlyWillis,butnowMillerInsuranceBrokersthroughtheirrepresentativeRichardBrownwhohasbeenagoodfriendtotheGroupformanyyears.Duetothedeparturesofthepreviousmembersofthecommittee,KarenPurdyandnowRupertScrase,thecommitteenowcomprisesmyself,togetherwithNicholasWoolfandKemMasinbo-Amobi,thelatterinhercapacityastreasurer.
CanIencourageanyonewhowouldliketotakeaninterestintherunningoftheGrouptocometoanyofourExecutiveCommitteemeetingsasanobserverandthendecideiftheywouldliketobeformalmembersoftheexecutivecommitteewhichcanhappenbyaninformalappointmentbetweenmeetingsandwithaformalnominationattheAGM.Travelexpensesarepaidforallmeetings.
Clive Sutton HonorarySecretary
www.spg.uk.com Solo - Autumn 2017 21
A NOTE FROM THE honorArY SECrETArY
andthereforeemployershavebeenrelativelyrobustintheirpositionondefendingclaims,knowingthatinalllikelihood,theindividualemployeewasunlikelytopaytoproceedwiththeircomplaint.
ThetradeunionUnisonfirstappliedforjudicialreviewofthefeesintheHighCourtinFebruary2014butitwasdismissed.AtthetimetheCourtfeltthatthechallengehadbeenbroughtprematurelyandlackedrobustevidencetoshowthefeeswerepreventingaccesstojustice.Laterthatyear(December2014)asecondapplicationwasmadeandagainthiswasstruckout,onthebasisthattherewasinsufficientevidencetosupportadropinclaimssincetheintroductionofthefees.
MovingintotheSpringof2015,UnisonappealedthetwodecisionstotheCourtofAppealwhodismissedtheappealfindingthedeclineincaseswasunlikelytobeentirelyduetoClaimantsnotbeingabletopay.
Fastforwardtothepresent,andUnisonappliedforjudicialreviewattheSupremeCourtwho,on26thJuly2017,inaunanimousdecision,foundthattheEmploymentTribunalfeeswereunlawfulandquashedtheFeeOrder2013requiringfeestobepaid.Insodeciding,itwasheldthat:thefeeshadpreventedaccesstojustice;itwasindirectlydiscriminatory,puttingprimarilywomenatadisadvantage(asitwasfoundtherewasagreaterproportionofwomenthanmenhavingtopaythehigherfeeduetothemajorityofdiscriminationclaimswerebroughtbywomen);itwentagainsttheParliamentarylegislationgrantingemploymentrights;anditwascontrarytoEUlaw.
Where we are nowTheeffectoftheSupremeCourt’sdecisionisthatallfeespaidsincetheirintroductionon29thJuly2013must
Manywillhaveseeninthenews,butforthosewhomaynotbeaware,therehasbeena
landmarkrulingbytheSupremeCourtinR(Unison)vLordChancellor,thatemploymenttribunalfeesareunlawful.BeforeIembarkonwhatthismeansmovingforward,letmetakeyoubacktowhenitallstarted.
A potted historyEmploymenttribunalfees(fees)wereinitiallyintroducedintheEmploymentTribunalon29thJuly2013bytheFeesOrder2013(EmploymentTribunalandtheEmploymentAppealTribunalFeesOrder2013(SI2013/1893)).Thereweretwofeespayable(theissuefeeandthehearingfee),dependingonthetypeofclaim(TypeAandTypeB).Therewerealsoadditionalfeessuchassubmittingacounterclaim,applyingforarevieworandappeal.
Inaddition,subjecttotheclaimant’sfinancialcircumstances,therewasafeeremissionscheme,inrespectofeitherallorpartofthefee.
Ifthefeewasnotpaid(orremissionapplicationmade)theclaimwasrejected.
Judicial reviewsSinceJuly2013therehavebeenanumberofchallengesonthelawfulnessofintroducingfeesinrespectofitpreventingaccesstojustice.Putsimply,argumentswereadvancedthatemployeeswouldbefinanciallyputofffromraisingclaimsagainsttheiremployersbecauseofthecosttosue.
Indeed,thenumberofclaimsrapidlydroppedfollowingthefeeintroduction
bereimbursed.Equallyallfeesmovingforwardarenolongerpayable.Assuchtheemploymenttribunalserviceisalreadyupdatingtheonlinesystemtolodgeaclaimsointheinterimperiod,applicationswillbemadebypost.
Inpractice,EmploymentTribunalclaimsaregoingtoriseandwehavealreadyseenanumberofclaimscomethroughtheTribunalsysteminthelastcoupleofweeks.
AllclaimsbroughtinrelianceofthisdecisionhavebeenstayedbythePresidentsoftheEmploymentTribunalsinEnglandandScotland.ThisistoawaitthedecisionfromtheMinistryofJusticeandHerMajesty’sCourtServiceinrespectoftheimplicationsoftheUnisondecision.Thismeansthosewhowanttoreinstateclaimsthereweredismissedorstruckoutfornon-paymentofthefees.Needlesstosay,iftheseclaimsarepermittedtobereinstated,thelifeofanemploymentsolicitorisgoingtobecomeverybusy.
Inrespectofprocessingrefunds,theEmploymentTribunalsareworkingonthisaswespeak.Itwillbesomewhatofamammothtaskaspartoftheprocesswillbetoensurethecorrectpeoplearerefunded,astherearenodoubtclaimsinvolvingmultipleclaimantsandthosewheretheRespondentwasorderedtopaytheClaimant’sfees.WeareadvisedweshouldhearmoreinSeptember.
Finally,therewasdiscussionoverwhetherareplacementfeeregimewouldbeputinplace,i.e.afeerequirementalbeitonamuchlowervalue,however,thisisunlikelytohappenintheshorttermgiventheGovernment’spresentpositionwithaslimmajority.
kirsty SwanSwanCraigSolicitors
Articlesubmittedon17thAugust2017
Goodbye EmPLoYmEnT TriBUnAL fEES
22 Solo - Autumn 2017 www.spg.uk.com
An IntroductIon to the new PresIdentBy Joe Egan, President of the Law Society of England and Wales
partofatrulydemocraticsociety.Thefactthatsolicitorskeepanincreasinglycreakysystemgoingbyourgoodwillandprobonoworkwillalsobehighlighted.
Ouroutgoingpresidentregardedsocialmobilityasveryimportantandthattooisapriority.Iwasveryfortunate,although,likemany,didnotrealiseitatthetime,inthatallmyeducationwasfreeandIgotagrant.
Itismuchmoredifficult,ifnotimpossible,nowadaysforpeoplefrommykindofbackgroundtojoinourprofessionandIintendtobacktheworktheSocietyisdoingtoremoveanysuchbarrierstoentry.
TheLawSocietyexiststoserveit’smembersandIknowthatmanysolopractitionersarefocusedonissuesliketheGeneralDataProtectionRegulationandtheDataProtectionBill.
WehavealreadydoneworkonthesetopicswhichI’dliketohighlighttoyou–http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/communities/the-city/articles/whos-afraid-of-the-gdpr/
Thefirstjobofthepresident,italwaysseemedtome,istomakesuretheshipisgoingintheright
directionandisproperlyresourcedratherthantryingtosetitonsomenewcourseImightfancy.
Agooddealoftheworkaspresidentissetinstone.Apartfromchairingthefiveorsixcouncilgatherings,thepresidentisexpectedtoattendmanyothermeetingssuchasthemanagementandmembershipboards.AndeveryyeartherewillbeforeigndelegationswhichthepresidenthostsatChanceryLane,suchasthosefromChina,MalaysiaorIndiabookedinforthisautumn.
Theexportoflegalservicesisahugeandimportantpartofoureconomy–whichiswhytherolealsorequiressomeforeigntravel.InOctober,theInternationalBarAssociationconferenceisbeingheldinSydney.OthertripstoRussia,JapanandKoreaarepencilledin.Giventhepre-eminenceofthelawofEnglandandWalestheSocietyfeelsitisvitalthatwekeepahighprofileandnetworkatsucheventstoassistourlawyersinbuildingandservicingthesemarkets.
WhilstIhavenodesiretodivertstafforotherresourcestomyparticularinterests,thereistheabilitytoinfluencemattersgoingforward.Projectsstartedbymypredecessorssuchasplacingaccesstojusticehighontheagendaorthe“PrideintheProfession”initiativestartedbyRobertBournsareveryimportantandIintendtocontinuebackingthem.
Whichevergovernmentisinpower,wewillcontinuetodeliverthemessagethataccesstojusticeisafundamental
–andmoreinformationwillbeforthcomingoverthecomingmonths.Andofcoursethere’saraftofmaterialonthisandotherissuesavailableonourwebsite–lawsociety.org.uk.
OurPracticeAdviceServiceofferssupportandadviceonareasasdiverseasanti-moneylaundering,conveyancing,privateclient,litigationandsolicitors’costs.
Finally,IwaselectedonaplatformofremindingChanceryLanethatthereislifeoutsideLondon.
Oneofthegreatdelightsofbeinganofficeholderisbeinginvitedtoattend,andoftenspeakat,locallawsocietydinners.IhavealwaysregardeditasasmallsacrificetogiveupmySaturdaymorninglieintotravelbackfromsuchsplendidevenings.
IintendtocontinueacceptingasmanysuchinvitationsasIcanduringmypresidencyandhopetogatherthevastexperienceandknowhowofthesesocietiestogetherinahandbooktoassistallsocietiesbigorsmall.Ilookforwardtomeetingasmanyofyouaspossibleinthecomingmonths.
Who’s afraid of the GdPr? – The Law Society
www.lawsociety.org.uk
TimeisrunningouttoprepareforwhatisbeingdescribedasamajoroverhauloftheEUdataprotectionregime.TheGeneralDataProtectionRegulation(GDPR)will...
www.spg.uk.com Solo - Autumn 2017 23
wHy getting a good professional indemnity insurance broker could save your law firm money
2. Approachprofessionalindemnityinsurerstoobtainthemostappropriatedealforyoursolicitor’spractice.Inprovidingtermstheyarerequiredtodisclosetheextentofthisexercise:
- SinglemarketmeansthatthebrokerhasonlyapproachedonePIinsurer
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TheabilityofyourPIIbrokerisvitallyimportantanditisnotalevelplayingfield.Ifabrokerdoesn’thavedirectaccesstothemarketortheyaretiedtoasingleinsurerthentheyarenotabletoundertakeamarketexercise.Ourgeneraladvicewouldbetochooseabrokerwhohastherelationshipsanddirectaccesstoinsurerstoenableittoapproachthemarketasawhole.
finding a trusted Pii adviser is priceless
APIIbroker’sroleshouldn’tonlybetofindyouanewpolicyeachyear.Itshouldalsobeableto:
- Answeranyquestionsyoumighthaveaboutyourcover
Findingaprofessionalindemnityinsurance(PII)brokerwhounderstandsyourbusinessis
thefirststeptosecuringthebestdealforyourlawfirm.
MostPIinsurerswillnotselldirectlytosolicitors,butonlythroughbrokers,andagoodbrokerwillbeabletoadviseyouonwhichistherightdealforyou,byexplainingtherelativemeritsofwhateachinsureroffers.
BeawarethatsomePIIbrokerswillworkexclusivelywithoneinsurerwhileotherswillbeabletodobusinesswithanumberofinsurers.Regardless,yourbrokershouldbewillingtotellyouifaparticularinsureristhebestoptionbasedonyourneedsevenifitcannotdirectlyaccessthatcompanyitself.
What to look for in your professional indemnity insurance broker
AcompetentPIIbrokershould:
1. Askyouwhatyourlawfirm’srequirementsareandsourceinsurancetermstomeetthoserequirements.Thiscouldinclude
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how your Pii broker will help you choose an insurer
AgoodbrokerwillbeabletogiveyouthebenefitoftheirinsightandexperiencewhenexplainingwhichPIIinsurerscoveryourtypeandsizeoflawfirm,theirrelativefinancialstrengthsandtrackrecords,andjustasimportantly,theirattitudeandapproachtopayingclaimssoyoucanmakeaninformeddecisionaboutwhichinsurertochoose.
Whendecidingonaprofessionalindemnityinsureraskwhatmattersmosttoyourlawfirm:isitprice,theirlongevityinthemarket,itsfinancialstrength(reflectedinitsrating),customerserviceorclaimspayingrecord?
24 Solo - Autumn 2017 www.spg.uk.com
Butwhenitcomestoacceptinganofferit’simportantyourememberthatitisn’tjustaboutprice.PIinsuranceisoneofthemostexpensivepurchasesalawfirmhastomake,it’strue,butthequalityofyourinsureriscrucial.Insuranceisapromisetopayonyourbehalfiftheworsteverhappens,soit’sessentialthatyourprofessionalindemnityinsurerisaroundtokeepthatpromisewhenyouneedit.Also,youdon’twanttobeinapositionwhereyou’reforcedtobuytwoPIIpoliciesinoneyear,ifyourinsurerunexpectedlyexitsthemarket.
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T:02070312493E:[email protected]:www.miller-insurance/solicitors
www.spg.uk.com Solo - Autumn 2017 25
MembershipCommitteetoconsiderwhetherCouncilisfullyrepresentative,andrecommendationswillcometoCouncilinduecourse.
Law Society – planning and finance
Financialplansfornextyeararebasedonafurtherreductioninthepractisingcertificatefee,reflectingtheSociety’scontinuingdrivetosecurevalueformoneyforitsmembers.Aspartofthebusinessplanningprocessfornextyearandbeyond,afreshlookisbeingtakenatthepurposeoftheSocietyanditsobjectivesandculture.ThiswillcometogetherinplansforthenextfinancialandbusinessyearwhichbeginsinNovember.TheLawSocietyGroup’sAnnualReportandAccountsforthepreviousyearwerealsopresentedandcanbefoundontheLawSocietywebsite:http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/about-us/annual-report/.
PraiseforunsungprobonoCouncildiscussedthegreatworkdonebyLawSocietymemberstosupportvictimsoftheLondonBridge,FinsburyParkandManchesteratrocitiesaswellastheGrenfellTowerdisaster.TheLawSocietyworkedbehindthescenestohelpconnectsolicitorsofferingprobonohelpwithclientsindesperateneed.
SQE – representing our views
SQEwasalsodiscussed,withtheSocietypreparingitsresponsetothelatestSRAconsultationwhichisduetoclosethismonth.Theneedforrigourandclarityinthedefinitionof“degreeequivalent”willbeflaggedupasthereshouldbenodropinstandards,especiallyinlightofBrexitandtheneedtoretaintheglobalstandingoftheprofession.
brexit action
TheSocietyhasbeenworkinghardtohelpthegovernmentasnegotiations
I attendedtheLawSocietyCouncilmeetingon5and6July2017inmycapacityasCouncilMember
representingsolepractitioners.IattachbelowanupdateonsomeLawSocietyactivitiestogetherwithasummaryofthekeyissuesdiscussedbytheCouncilduringthatmeeting.UpdatesarealsoavailableontheSPGwebsite.IfyouwouldliketodiscussorraiseanyissuesaffectingsolepractitionerswiththeLawSociety,pleasedonothesitatetocontactmeoninfo@legalswan.comoron01215517866.
Changes to governance for 2018 January
2018isplannedtoseetheroll-outofthefirstphaseofthenewgovernancearrangementsagreedbyCouncil.Thegovernancereviewhasbeenunderwayforsometime,andtheimplementationoftheinitialsetofchangeshasnowbeenagreed.ThenewMainBoard,intendedtofacilitateefficientandagiledecisionmaking,willmeetatleasteverytwomonths.FeedingintothisBoardwillbeoneboardcoveringpolicyandregulationandanothercoveringmembershipandoperations.ChairsoftheseboardswillsitontheMainBoard.Thespecialistcommitteeswhobringtheirexpertadviceandperspectivetothepolicyworkofthesocietywillreporttothepolicyandregulationboard.WorkisalsounderwaybytheCouncil
beginandensurethatissuesincludingmutualrecognitionandaccessrightsarecentraltodiscussion.TheseweresetoutintheLawSociety’smanifestoforjusticeandhaveshapeddialoguewiththegovernment.TheSocietyhasalsobeenworkingwithotherEuropeanbarstoprotectourmutualinterestsastheprocessmoveson.TheSocietyhasadedicatedwebpageonitsworktosupporttheprofessionandthereputationofEnglandandWalesasagloballegalcentre:http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/policycampaigns/campaigns/global-legal-centre/
Greater diversity
CouncildiscusseddiversityintheprofessionandnotedtheworkdonebytheSocietytohelpincreasethisatalllevels.ThisincludestheSociety’sDiversityandInclusioncharterforfirms,aswellastheSociety’ssocialmobilityambassadors,showcasingpeoplewhohavecometotheprofessionfromnontraditionalbackgroundsaswellastheDivisionsforwomen,ethnicminority,LGBTlawyersandlawyerswithdisabilities.TheSocietywillcontinuetofocusonactivitiestosupportcareerprogressionandwellbeingforunderrepresentedgroupsandhelpfirmstackletheseissues.
Changes to the Gazette
YouwillseeanewapproachintheGazettewhichisnowfeaturingtheoutcomesofCouncilmeetingsandgivingmorevisibilitytotheoutputsfromtheSociety’sexpertcommittees.
UPDATE FROM LAW SOCIETY – LUBNA SHUJA
26 Solo - Autumn 2017 www.spg.uk.com
(HMCTS)thattheschemecouldheapmorepressureonanalreadyfragilesystem.
Wales
TheLawSocietyWalesofficeheldapaneldiscussionattheNationalEisteddfodforWalesinAngleseywhichfocusedonthelawandtheWelshlanguage.ThepanelwaschairedbyJudgeMeleriTudur,DeputyChamberPresidentoftheHealth,EducationandSocialCareChamber.ThepanellistswereIwanEvans,HeadofLegalServices,GwyneddCouncil;DylanJones,Director,RGordonRobertsLaurie&Co;andParryDavies,Clwyd-JonesandLloyd.Thediscussionwaswell-attendedandwell-receivedbymembers,thejudiciaryandkeystakeholders.
And finally …….
NewPresidentandOfficersFollowingtheCouncilmeeting,JoeEganbecamethenewPresidentoftheLawSociety.ChristinaBlacklawsbecamethe
hMCTS proposals for a flexible operating hours pilot
Speed,easeandefficiencyarelaudableobjectivesforthecourtsysteminEnglandandWales,butcurrentproposalsforaflexibleoperatinghourspilotraisefarmoreconcernsthansolutions.WhentheplantopilotextendedcourtopeninghourswasfirstannouncedinMay,theSocietywarnedHMCourts&TribunalsService
Vice-PresidentandSimonDavistheDeputyVicePresident.SPGcongratulatesthemallandlooksforwardtoworkingwiththemoverthecomingyear.AnumberofnewCouncilmemberswereelectedincludingCliveSuttonwhowillrepresentsolepractitionersalongsideme.HetakestheplaceofIanLithmanwhoretiredfromCouncilthisyearaftermanyyearsofservice.OnbehalfofSPGIwouldliketothankIanimmenselyforhistirelesseffortstoputsolepractitionersattheforefrontofCouncil’sAgendaforsolongandIamsureyouwilljoinmeinwishinghimallthebestinhisretirement.IwouldalsoliketocongratulateCliveonhisappointment.IhavenodoubthewillcontinuewiththegoodworkandbuildontheexcellentrelationshipwehavewiththeLawSociety.
Lubna Shuja LawSocietyCouncilMember (July2017)
,
Y , b
0800 279 6888
C b LC L R E 1061658 CO39335 C 3313975
www.spg.uk.com Solo - Autumn 2017 27
AnTi-monEY LAUnDErinG rEGULATionS – foUr PrinCiPLES To GUiDE SoLE
PrACTiTionErS ThroUGh ThE minEfiELDBY NICHOLAS WOOLF, DIRECTOR AND PRINCIPAL, NICHOLAS WOOLF & CO, AND SAM
CHEESBROUGH, ASSOCIATE, NICHOLAS WOOLF & CO Similarly,Regulation39makesclearthatyoumustkeeprecordsofchecksonclientsforatleastfiveyearsafterthebusinessrelationshiphascometoanend.Keepingacentralised,electronicrecord,ratherthanapaperrecord,may(inthisinstance)bepreferable,notonlyasitkeepstheofficefreefromclutter,butalsobecauseitiseasilyaccessibleifyouarerequiredtoproducesuchrecordstotheSRA.
2. don’t rest on your laurels
Theriskassessmentandpoliciesmustbereviewedandupdated,andsoadateshouldbediarisedforthis(potentially)laborioustask.Lookingahead,itmaybecomeincreasinglyimportanttokeepontopofyourriskassessmentandpoliciesasBrexitapproaches,andintheaftermath.
TheRegulationsimplementtheEU’sFourthMoneyLaunderingDirective,anditispossiblethatoncetheUKhaslefttheEU,theymayreviewthese(andothersimilar)Regulations.Gettingintothehabitofreviewingriskassessmentsandpoliciesmay,apartfromensuring
TheMoneylaundering,TerroristFinancingandTransferofFunds(InformationonthePayer)
Regulations2017(“theRegulations”)cameintoforceon26thJune2017,andimposeanumberofobligationsonsolicitors’firms.Thefollowingarefourprinciples,whichappeartosetouttheintentionsunderpinningmanyoftheRegulations,thatsolepractitionersmaywishtoconsiderwhenputtinginplacethevariousmeasuresrequiredbytheRegulations.
1. Get it in writing, and put it somewhere accessible
Regulations18and19setouttherequirementsregardingriskassessmentsandpoliciesthatyourfirmmustputinplace.Importantly,suchriskassessmentsandpoliciesmustbereducedtowriting.Itwillalsobenecessarytoproducetheriskassessments,togetherwiththeinformationonwhichitwasbasedandanup-to-datewrittenrecordofyourriskassessmentsteps,totheSRAuponrequest.
compliancewiththeRegulations,alsohelptoavoidbeingcaughtout,inwhatmaybecomearapidlymovingregulatorylandscape.
Similarly,inadditiontothevariousfactorssetoutinRegulation18thatmustbetakenintoaccountinanyriskassessment,itwillalsobenecessarytotakeintoaccountany“information made available”bytheSRA.TheSRAhasnotyetprovidedguidanceonthisissue,sowatchthisspace.
3. Tailor the templates to your circumstances
Itisverytemptingtodownloadoneofthemanyspecimenpoliciesandriskassessments,andleaveitunchanged.However,thismaycauseanumberofproblemsforsolepractitioners.TheRegulationsrequireyourpoliciestobe“proportionate with regard to the size and nature of the relevant person’s business”.Whatisappropriateforamulti-nationalfirmisunlikelytobeappropriateforasolepractitioner.Similarly,whatisappropriateforafirmthatdoesmainlyprivateclient
28 Solo - Autumn 2017 www.spg.uk.com
speedwiththeRegulations.Regulation24makesclearthatyoumusttakemeasurestoensurethatyouandyouremployeesaremadeawareoftherequirementsofdataprotection.
Asabove,whatconstitutes“appropriate measures”willdependonthesizeandnatureofyourfirm.However,therearemanyconferencesandtalksthataredesignedtoinformparticipantsofanychangesinthelaw,andonstepsthatcan(andshould)betakentoensurecompliancewiththelaw.LawSocietyguidanceshouldbefollowed.ItmaybethatfurthermeasuresneedtobetakentocomplywiththeRegulations.Attendingsuchconferencesandtalksisausefulstartingpoint.
Conclusion
Itisveryeasytobecomelostinaregulatoryminefield,particularlywheretheregulationsareprescriptive,andyetalsoambiguous.Itishopedthattheabovefourprinciples,broadlyspeaking,
workmaynotbeappropriateforafirmdealingmainlywithcompaniesinotherjurisdictions.
Specimensareagoodspringboardtodraftingyourpoliciesandmakingyourriskassessments.However,whereaspecimenhasnotbeendesignedwithyourparticularcircumstancesinmind,thereisariskofeither(1)breachingtheRegulationsbynotdoingenough,andsonotcomplyingwithyourobligations,or(2)expendingtoomuchtimeandmoneyincomplyingwithpoliciesandundertakingassessmentsthatfarexceedwhatisnecessaryforyourfirm.
4. keep up-to-date
Itisnotunusualforpeopletoaccusethelegalworldofbeingbehindthetimes,ornotup-to-date,withtechnology.However,iftherecentspateofcyberattacksshowsanything,itistheimportanceofensuringthatyou,whomustbeapprovedbytheSRA,andyouremployees,whoyoumusttrain,areupto
mayhelptoguidesolepractitionersthroughthisminefield,andtosafershores.
©NicholasWoolf,DirectorandPrincipal,Nicholas
Woolf&Co,andSamCheesbrough,Associate,
NicholasWoolf&Co.
8thAugust2017
diSCLAiMEr
Thisnotecomprisestheviewoftheauthor
asat8thAugust2017.Thisnoteisnot
asubstituteforlegaladvice.Information
maybeincorrectoroutofdate,andmay
notconstituteadefinitiveorcomplete
statementofthelaworthelegalmarket
inanyarea.Thisnoteisnotintendedto
constituteadviceinanyspecificsituation.
Youshouldtakelegaladviceinspecific
situations.Allimpliedwarrantiesand
conditionsareexcluded,tothemaximum
extentpermittedbylaw.
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would you like to inspire your fellow Sole Practitioners?
SOLOisabi-annualpublicationwhichaimstoinformand supportsolepractitionersandisdeliveredin bothhardcopyanddigitalformats.
The SoLo editorial team welcomes contributions from our members. do you:
Haveacommenttomakeregardingrecentlegislation?WanttoupdateyourfellowSolePractitionerswiththelatestdevelopmentsinyourspecialistarea?Wanttoshareyouropinionswithfellowmembers?Wanttoshareaculturalexperience?
Thenwewanttohearfromyou!SOLOisyourpublication,producedbySolePractitionersforSolePractitioners.
IfyouwouldliketowriteanarticleforSOLO,orhaveanysuggestionsofcontent, thenpleasegetincontactbyemailing [email protected] with details.
Contributor GuidelinesSubMiSSion:articlesshouldbeemailedasaMicrosoft®[email protected](deadlinescanbeobtainedfromSPG’sAdministrator)inordertobeconsideredforthatissue.Articlesshouldideallybeeither500or800words.Articlesmaybeheldovertoasubsequenteditioniftherearespaceconstraints.
PhoTo: allsubmittedarticlesshouldbeaccompaniedbyahighresolutionportrait‘headshot’photographoftheauthor(s)injpegortiffformat(aminimumof5cmsataqualityof300dpi).
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Solicitors’ Professional Indemnity Insurance
Miller’s enviable market reputa on coupled with our nancial strength means you benet from our broad direct access to mul ple ‘A’ rated insurers along with a number of exclusive insurance facili es with Axis, Liberty, and Endurance.
Our experience, exper se and customer service are why over 1200 law rms rely on us at every step of the insurance process.
To nd out if Miller could get you a be er deal on your Professional Indemnity insurance call us on 020 7031 2741 or visit www.miller-insurance.com/solicitors
1st Octoberrenewal?
It is not too late tobenet from more
compe verenewal terms.
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P316-01 Solicitors PI advert 0617.ai 6 21/08/2017 14:33:39