The Official Journal of Leeds Law Society October/November ...€¦ · Project Manager: Matt Gotting 01423 851 150 [email protected] ... wager that the threshold catches

The Official Journal of Leeds Law Society

LeedsLaw Society

FocusLawyers who operate without good soft skills are incomplete in today’s work environment

NewsMergers continue unabated, while DLA gets a new Sheffield managing partner

SocietyLLS’s board of directors meets several firms to discuss retaining legal talent in Leeds

ProfileAlan Baker looks back on a stellar career during which he has always championed Leeds

CommentIt’s great to get a second chance but sometimes, sadly, first impressions really do last

October/November 2015 | Issue 136

The Offi cial Journal of Leeds Law Society

Leeds Law Society62 Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 2EEDX 12079 LeedsTel: 0113 245 4997

EDITORIALEditor: Marek Handzel01423 851 [email protected]

Founding Editor: Ian McCombie

PRODUCTIONHead of design:Compton Sheldon

ADVERTISINGProject Manager:Matt Gotting 01423 851 [email protected]

Published by: Barker Brooks Communications LtdG1-G6 East Wing, The Croft, Boroughbridge Road, Kirk Deighton, Wetherby, LS22 5HGTel: 01423 851 150Fax: 01423 740 [email protected]

PRINT:Buxton Press

© 2014 Leeds Law Society & Barker Brooks Communications Ltd. All rights in and

relating to this publication are expressly reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the publishers. The views expressed in Leeds & Yorkshire Lawyer are not necessarily those of the Leeds Law Society or the publisher. While the publishers have taken every care in compiling this publication to ensure accuracy at the time of going to press, they do not accept liability or responsibility for errors or omissions therein however caused.

SUBSCRIPTIONS:Subscriptions are available to Leeds & Yorkshire Lawyer at £70 for one calendar year (10 issues). Unless requested otherwise, your subscription will start with the issue following receipt of your payment. To subscribe contact Sue Craven at publishers Barker Brooks Communications on 01423 851 150, or email [email protected].

LeedsLaw Society

October/November 2015 | Issue 136

Views President’s column 05How would you like your time in the profession to be de� ned? Colin Gilbert discusses legacy

Society 06 Find out what happened when Leeds Law Society’s board of directors were joined by several invited managing partners of top law � rms in Leeds. to discuss the issue of retaining legal talent in the city

NewsLead 08Ramsdens and Baxter Caul� eld become one; DLA Piper gets a new managing partner in She� eld; Blacks property partner, Nick Wilford, passes away

Business development 10-16Bevan Brittan opens new o� ce in Leeds; Ison Harrison merges with Maurice Smiths; SRA immigration forgery case thrown out at hearing

Events & Community 17-24Stuart Brown QC announces retirement at Parklane Plowden conference and Excello Law celebrates Leeds launch; Clarion helps Yorkshire entrepreneur take on ‘City Three Peaks’; and Walker Morris encourages artistic talent

Appointments 26

Awards draw closer 28Solicitors and barristers across Yorkshire will gather on 22 October to celebrate this year’s Yorkshire Legal Awards

CommentLasting impressions 30Patrick Walker considers giving � rst impressions a second chance

Focus onA true Leeds man 32Alan Baker was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Leeds Beckett University in July. He looks back on a stellar career during which he has always championed Leeds as a centre of legal excellence

Mind your brand 34Deborah Ogden says that lawyer who try to operate without better ‘soft skills’ in today’s work environment are incomplete

Risky Business 36Neil Howes looks at how new business practices and technology can present new professional risks for solicitors

Fighting the hacker 38Cyber attacks are on the rise. Are you doing enough to protect your clients’ information?

Last wordBeating the fraudsters 46Aziz Rahman is the senior partner at Rhaman Ravelli and a fraud expert

THE COVER SHOWSView from Museum Street, York

Contents

Leeds & Yorkshire Lawyer | Issue 136 3


President’s column

What is your legacy?

LeedsLaw Society

What are you doing to stop human tra�cking?

In practical terms, probably not a lot. What about your clients; or those who supply your clients; or those who supply you? I guess the answer would be the same.

Well, some �rms and many clients need to engage in a bit of navel gazing from this month. That’s when the Modern Slavery Act comes into operation.

The Act will be seen by James Brokenshire, the Under Secretary for State who introduced it in 2013, as a �ne legacy. It only applies to large organisations – well, those with a global turnover of £36 million or more – but I’d wager that the threshold catches more legal �rms (it encompasses partnerships and LLPs) than had been imagined. And it will certainly a�ect an awful lot of corporate clients.

I will not wax lyrical about the Act, save to say that an annual statement must describe the steps taken to ensure that slavery and human tra�cking is not taking place within a company’s own operations, or in any of its supply chains, is pretty far reaching. And it has to be published on the organisation’s website with a prominent link to it on its homepage.

Laudable intentions from Brokenshire, but his legacy may end up resulting in more bureaucracy than anything else. Those required to follow the Act will have to carry out far-reaching enquiries; deal with more work for HR and create a new policy to add to the �rm’s Handbook. They will also have to implement audits of suppliers – many of whom will be small or overseas – and in either case unfamiliar with the reason for asking about their policy on slavery. Many will have board meetings

with directors scratching their heads about the veri�cation processes. What’s more, this will add yet more to the Compliance O�cer’s pile, which is currently uncluttered by the o�cial guidance on how to implement the Act’s requirements.

Brokenshire has still delivered an important Act. Bravo.

I am sure that many of my predecessors and successors have had, or will have, one eye on what will be the legacy from their term in O�ce. Certainly, I aspire to leave the Society in an improved state, whatever that may be. I was fortunate to inherit an admirable position and �ne Board, which will, I hope, help me do that.

I see enhancements in the �nances, membership, status and in�uence of the Society as steps to whatever my legacy may be.

What Brokenshire and I can never know is whether we will attain the ultimate legacy: will our peers speak highly of us once our work on this Earth is done? In the end, that is the ultimate test of our success.

Leeds Law Society has been very saddened by the sudden passing of one of our members, Nick Wilford, in August.

Nick was a Partner at Blacks Solicitors and was only 56. I met Nick many years ago when he was at Simpson Curtis. It was a brief meeting, but he left a good impression on me.

The same can be said of others who knew him and to whom I have spoken. “A lovely, lovely, gentleman” is the general consensus. “Moral, funny,” and “top drawer.” That, surely, is a legacy to which we should all aspire.

Our deepest sympathy is extended to his wife, son and daughter; as well as everyone touched by Nick’s wonderful legacy.

Colin Gilbert is the President of Leeds Law Society

6 Issue 136 | Leeds & Yorkshire Lawyer

NewsSociety

On a cool September evening, as Autumn’s chill fingers stretched out to bleed life from the city’s flora, a group of Leeds’ senior legal professionals assembled to debate how best to nourish and nurture the area’s blossoming legal sector.

The meeting was inspired by The Leeds Law Society’s (LLS) desire to attract and retain top legal talent to Leeds.

In the stunning and historic surroundings of Quebecs Hotel and Restaurant, members of the LLS’s board of directors were joined by several invited Managing Partners of top law firms in Leeds. The informal yet focussed agenda sought to identify how the assembled parties could help secure on-going representation for our region at the highest level while developing Leeds as the primary legal centre outside of London. An essential and integral part of these discussions was how LLS can best support these aims.

As an introduction, President Colin Gilbert positioned LLS by highlighting some of the projects the Society is currently undertaking, including work with the Joint Five (JV) and consultations with, and representations to, national regulatory decision makers and influencers.

The roundtable discussions elicited a number of proposals for collaborative projects that have now been taken back to LLS HQ for research and development. More information on these will be disseminated in Leeds & Yorkshire Lawyer in coming issues.

“We are delighted by the enthusiasm and commitment shown both by those present and those unable to make this first dinner,” said Colin Gilbert, Leeds Law Society’s

President.“There

seems to be a genuine thirst for a collaborative forum such as this to help strengthen and grow our

local sector on the national scene by making sure we all do the right things at the right time.

“It is something Leeds Law Society will now build upon, and we look forward to reporting back in coming months on direct benefits to our members and the sector as a whole in Leeds.”

Helping talent flourish in Leeds

NewsSociety

Leeds Law Society members are entitled to concessionary rates for events

n Trainee Mentoring (First Seat) - 20 OctoberLeeds Law Society invites all first seat trainee solicitors to a free evening of insider information and hot hints on how to make the most of your training contract.www.leedslawsociety.org.uk/Events/Forthcoming+Events/trainee-mentoring-first-seat

n LPC Event - welcome event - 29 OctoberLeeds Law Society invites all the city’s LPC students to this welcome evening on the importance of networking. Join us at Tiger Tiger from 6pm.www.leedslawsociety.org.uk/Events/Forthcoming+Events/lpc-welcome-to-leeds-lets-get-networking n Networking lunch - 17 November Relax and make connections at the Society’s networking lunch on 17 November at Shear’s Yard.They are the perfect place to refresh contacts and form new relationships from within both the legal profession and the business sector.www.leedslawsociety.org.uk/Events/Forthcoming+Events/business-professional-networking-lunch

n Leeds Law Society’s Education Week, 23-27 NovemberAre you looking for a charitable project where it’s not just about raising funds but where you can get stuck in and directly affect the future of people in our region?

Run in association with Ahead Partnership, Leeds Law Society’s Education Week is Yorkshire’s largest charitable project for the legal profession. For one inspiring week, our volunteers visit primary schools in some of the most underprivileged areas of the city and, through a variety of fun activities, help school children to widen their horizons when considering career options.

If you or your firm would like to be involved and come along to one of the information sessions please contact [email protected] or call 0113 245 4997.

To see more about the 2015 Education Week. please visit http://www.leedslawsociety.org.uk/Events/Forthcoming+Events/education-week

n Seminar: soft skills – 3 DecemberWe know that networking plays an important role in career development – in this seminar learn how to make the most of the opportunities presented.www.leedslawsociety.org.uk/training/Forthcoming+seminars/soft-skills-seminar-networking

nLeeds Annual Legal Dinner, 3 March 2016For the third year running we are delighted to be returning to the magnificent Aspire for this highlight in the regional legal calendar.Join us on 3 March 2016 for another memorable evening of fine dining, enthralling entertainment and great company.Full details will be available in the summer but if you would like to register your interest now in booking a table, please email [email protected]. 2014 and 2015 were sell out events so book early to avoid disappointment.

n 2016 Membership Renewals 2016 membership renewals are due for payment by 31 December 2015 and invoices will be issued shortly. Along with the usual benefits of membership, as demand for our events is now high, member bookings will be prioritised; another reason for you and your firm to join. We are again offering substantially discounted rates for corporate membership – call us for information on 0113 245 4997.

n Your Help Required

Legal Aid practitioners All solicitors taking on legal aid cases in Leeds are being asked to submit their contact details to a central database to be held by LLS and made available to the public on our website. Please call 0113 245 4997 or [email protected]

Lost WillsLLS frequently receives calls from members of the public who are searching for lost wills. We would like to establish contacts with the relevant individuals at Yorkshire law firms to assist with the relocation of missing wills. Please contact us with your details on 0113 245 4997 or email [email protected]

For more information or to book any of the below, visit www.leedslawsociety.org.uk

Autumn programme of events and seminars

www.fraserandfraser.co.ukTel: 020 7832 1430Fax: 020 7832 1450

[email protected] DX 53304 Clerkenwell

39 Hatton Garden, London EC1N

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Blacks Solicitors has announced that Nick Wilford, a partner in the � rm’s commercial property team, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Leeds on 26 August.

Aged 56, he had worked for Blacks for 13 years. The � rm said that he was both a trusted friend and a highly respected colleague.

He was well known in the property world. In his spare time, he enjoyed skiing and golf, and many of his clients had become lifelong friends and joined him in both of these pastimes.

In a statement, the � rm said: “Nick was a role model for others in the � rm. He had a kind and generous nature, and was always prepared to stop and o� er others advice. He also had a good sense of humour, which enabled him to lead the team and deal with complex transactions with

ease.”Chris Allen, the

managing partner at Blacks, said: “He will be sorely missed,

and never forgotten. Our sympathy goes out to his wife Andrea and children at such a sad time.’

Nick Wilford, Blacks’ property partner, passes away

Ramsdens Solicitors and Baxter Caul� eld have merged, creating a 23-partner and 250-person � rm.

The merged practice began o� ering businesses across Hudders� eld and West Yorkshire access to a wider range of expertise and experience from 1 October. The new � rm, which retains the Ramsdens name, plans to further grow to meet the increased demand for its services, particularly in corporate and commercial areas.

Commenting on the merger, Paul Joyce, managing partner at Ramsdens said: “Baxter Caul� eld is a long established and hugely respected � rm, particularly in the areas of corporate/commercial and heavyweight litigation. The skill and experience that Baxter

Caul� eld will bring compliments perfectly the existing strengths within the Ramsdens practice.”

Stephen Newman, head of corporate and senior partner at Baxter Caul� eld said that Ramsdens was an outstanding � rm which had gone from strength to strength in the last decade.

“We share an ambition for growth and the most important core value, delivering an excellent service to clients,” he said.

David Bradley, the new � rm’s non-executive chairman, said that the merger focused on the needs of clients and the desire of both � rms to provide better support for the local business community, at a time when the landscape for the provision of legal services was changing “faster than ever”.

DLA Piper appoints new managing partner in She� eld DLA Piper has installed Petra Billing as the � rm’s new She� eld managing partner.

Billing, who headed up the � rm’s property litigation department in its She� eld and Birmingham o� ces, has taken over from managing partner Richard May, who led the She� eld o� ce for four years.

May has stepped down to place greater focus on his role as global head of manufacturing. He will also lead a team in She� eld as a partner in the � rm’s corporate practice.

Sandra Wallace, DLA Piper’s UK managing partner, commented: “I would like to thank Richard, both personally and on behalf of the � rm,” adding, “Petra is extremely well connected locally and nationally and has played an integral part in the

development of the o� ce in recent years. She is – and will be – a great

ambassador for the � rm.”Billing commented: “Richard

is a very tough act to follow and I feel very privileged to be asked to take on this role. I will focus on the continued success and growth of the

DLA Piper business in the She� eld o� ce.”

Ramsdens Solicitors and Baxter Caul� eld become one

Richard May, who led the She� eld o� ce for four

May has stepped

greater focus on his role as global head

team in She� eld as a partner in the � rm’s corporate practice.

development of the o� ce in recent years. She is – and will be – a great

ambassador for the � rm.”Billing commented: “Richard

is a very tough act to follow and I feel very privileged to be asked to take on this role. I will focus on the continued success and growth of the

DLA Piper business in the She� eld o� ce.”

NewsLead

deal with complex transactions with ease.”

Chris Allen, the managing partner at Blacks, said: “He will be sorely missed,

and never forgotten. Our sympathy goes out to his wife Andrea and children at such a sad time.’

(L – R) : Steven Singh, Karen James, Stephen Newman, Helen Thewlis, Paul Booth and managing partner Paul Joyce


www.fraserandfraser.co.ukTel: 020 7832 1430Fax: 020 7832 1450

[email protected] DX 53304 Clerkenwell

39 Hatton Garden, London EC1N

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Ison Harrison has announced that it is to merge with Castleford and Pontefract � rm Maurice Smiths. As a result, the � rm now boasts 10 o� ces and over 190 sta� who o� er a service in all areas of law.

Maurice Smiths was established in 1933 and with a sta� of over 20 people, specialises in residential and commercial conveyancing, wills and probate, crime and family law.

Ison Harrison’s managing partner, Jonathan Wearing, said that the merger re� ected a continuation of an expansion plan that the Leeds � rm has been following for the last six years.

“We believe that you have to understand the markets that you move into and that you have to know what the public want from a law � rm,” he said.

Ison Harrison partner and head of

private client Dominic Mackenzie, said that the various legal services that Maurice Smiths has o� ered complemented those that Ison Harrison provides.

“We also need to be comfortable that a merger will work for us and our clients in terms of both size and geography,” said Mackenzie.

“We have long established branches, for example, in nearby Garforth and Crossgates. These o� ces are very similar to the Maurice Smiths o� ces, as well as collectively giving us a very large presence to the South and East of Leeds.”

Maurice Smiths’ senior partner Richard Pinto said that he was looking forward to working in the new � rm: “We can now o� er the fullest range of legal services to the people of Castleford and Pontefract,” he said.

Bevan Brittan opens new o� ce in LeedsBevan Brittan has opened an o� ce in Leeds.

The commercial � rm’s arrival in the city will mean it now has four o� ces across the country. As well as its Yorkshire base, it also has premises in London, Birmingham and Bristol.

Bevan Brittan is hiring seven new partners for the o� ce, together with a supporting team of legal professionals and administrative sta� . They will be based at Toronto Square, Toronto Street, in the heart of the city’s business district.

The � rm’s senior partner, Beth Evans, will be based in the new Leeds o� ce to support its opening.

Two of the new partners at the � rm include Michael Boyd, who is a recognised healthcare lawyer and has specialised in commercial issues a� ecting the NHS for nearly 20 years and Julie Cowan-Clark, who has more than 15 years’ property experience across the public and private sector.

Duncan Weir (pictured), the managing partner of

Bevan Brittan, said that the move was an exciting new chapter in the � rm’s story.

“Our move is in response to client demand and cements our status as a growing � rm delivering national public, private and third sector work,” he said.

“We are an ambitious � rm with aspirations for sustainable growth, which is why we are making a signi� cant investment and bringing in some of the very best talent in the UK,

across both public sector and private specialisms.

“Leeds is a major commercial centre in its own right and also a key centre for the public sector, taking a lead role in the Core Cities programme and housing NHS England’s national HQ. As such, it

makes strong strategic sense for

us to have a base in Leeds.”

Ison Harrison merges with Maurice Smiths


NewsBusiness development

The Government of the British Virgin Islands is implementing the Proclaim Case Management Software Solution from Eclipse Legal Systems, the Law Society’s sole endorsed provider.

The O� ce of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), a constitutionally independent o� ce, handles all aspects of Criminal Law and prosecution for the Territory, including Magisterial, High Court, Appeals, and Privy Council.

A bespoke Proclaim solution will be utilised throughout the ODPP, providing sta� with instant desktop access and ensuring a secure, consistent and e� cient approach. Proclaim will also allow sta� to track all case information – from the initial log through to conviction – ensuring a complete onscreen case summary is available for authorised personnel.

In addition, Proclaim’s integrated reporting suite will allow the ODPP to conduct an in-depth analysis of data including � le status and case durations, ensuring the highest levels of ongoing analysis and e� ciency throughout the department.

Wayne Rajbansie, director of public prosecutions, comments:

“Eclipse’s Proclaim solution stood out to us because of its inherent � exibility – crucial for us in order to shape our services around our local statutes and criminal procedures.

“Additionally, with Proclaim we can enhance our e� ciency by greatly streamlining the administrative tasks that are an integral part of what we do, ensuring that all case information is centralised.”

Government of the British Virgin Islands to implement Proclaim system

For more information contact [email protected] or call 01274 704 100.

Street, in the heart of the city’s business district.

The � rm’s senior partner, Beth Evans, will be based in the new Leeds o� ce to support its opening.

Two of the new partners at the � rm include Michael Boyd, who is a recognised healthcare lawyer and has specialised in commercial issues a� ecting the NHS for nearly 20 years and Julie Cowan-Clark, who has more than 15 years’ property experience across the public and private sector.

Duncan Weir (pictured(pictured( ), the pictured), the picturedmanaging partner of

across both public sector and private specialisms.

“Leeds is a major commercial centre in its own right and also a key centre for the public sector, taking a lead role in the Core Cities programme and housing NHS England’s national HQ. As such, it

makes strong strategic sense for

us to have a base in Leeds.”



Newtons Solicitors has acquired Calder Meynell Solicitors.

Calder Meynell, which has o� ces in Thirsk and Northallerton, is to remain a separate legal entity but will re-brand as Calder Meynell Newtons.

The � rm was founded by business partners Kerri Calder and Howard Meynell in 2011. It has grown to seven sta� and has a £300,000 turnover through services to the elderly, family law, agricultural and rural services and residential property.

Acquiring Calder Meynell takes the Newtons Solicitors Group combined annual fee income to £4m per annum. It now also has 90 sta� in a network of o� ces in Darlington, Harrogate, Ilkley, Knaresborough, Leyburn, Richmond, Ripon, Stokesley and York.

Chris Newton, the � rm’s founder who negotiated the acquisition, said: “Calder Meynell’s o� ces will form an important geographical link within our group. We already advise several businesses in Northallerton who will be pleased that we now have an o� ce in the town.

“I’ve wanted Newtons Solicitors to have a presence in Northallerton and Thirsk for a long time and am delighted

that this deal has been completed and by the positive way that our teams have already started working together.

“We are now actively recruiting new team members and will o� er our full range of services to the communities served by Calder Meynell.”

Kerri Calder, a partner at Calder Meynell, said that the � rm was attracted to Newton’s proposition due to the broad support within the group and the potential for further growth.

“After successfully building our own business, Howard (Meynell) and I, and all our sta� , are excited by this opportunity and the wider services we can now o� er to our clients in Northallerton and Thirsk.”

Newton said that the group was looking to add further � rms under its.

“We are in talks with several � rms who may join us as we continue to build our business across the North and are open to approaches from other interested practices,” he said.

Michael Lewin Solicitors to prepare mass litigation case against VWMichael Lewin Solicitors has become the latest � rm to announce that it is preparing a mass litigation case against VW in response to revelations that the car manufacturer rigged US and EU emission tests.

According to Richard Coulthard, a director at the Leeds-based Michael Lewin, the � rm has received a “huge number of calls” from concerned VW, Audi, Skoda and SEAT owners since news broke that VW had cheated its way around testers at the US Environmental Protection Agency.

“We are in the process of contacting

both Volkswagen and Patrick McLoughlin, UK Transport Minister to express our concern that a trusted company like Volkswagen could have done such a thing and threatened our environment,” said Coulthard.

“We have set up a specialist team to take calls from owners,

process claims and to collect evidence, and we are now

beginning the process of putting together a litigation case against VW.”

He added that it was the � rm’s role to uphold consumer protection laws

and to ensure that its clients were “not

out of pocket after the purchase and operation

of their vehicles”.“We expect that some of the

settlement agreements could be sizeable for our clients that are a� ected by this,” he said.

Newtons Solicitors swallows up another � rm

Walker Morris has published the second edition of its Little Green Book of Employment Law.

Designed to help businesses navigate their way through the employment law mine� eld, the book covers a full range of issues that develop during the life of the employment relationship, from recruitment and equality through to disputes, TUPE and dismissal.

It is available in the user-friendly, convenient, mobile formats of ibook and ebook in addition to the printed pocket-sized book.

Andrew Rayment, an employment partner at Walker Morris in Leeds, said: “When we released our � rst edition we were overwhelmed by its popularity. Since then the legal landscape has changed immeasurably and we produced a second edition in response to client demand.”

Walker Morris launches second edition of guide to the employment journey

Coulthard, a director at the Leeds-based

testers at the US Environmental Protection

to take calls from owners, process claims and to collect

evidence, and we are now beginning the process

of putting together a litigation case against VW.”

was the � rm’s role to uphold consumer protection laws

and to ensure that its clients were “not

out of pocket after the purchase and operation

of their vehicles”.“We expect that some of the

settlement agreements could be


Harrowells Solicitors has launched new procedures to � ush out bogus lawyers from criminal gangs who divert funds away from house purchases at the last minute.

The residential property team at the � rm’s York o� ce has set up the new system in response to a new crime wave by highly sophisticated gangs, which has hit London and several other major cities in the UK.

Numerous cases involving millions of pounds have come to light where criminals have used techniques including hacking into the email accounts of solicitors acting for home buyers and sending bogus emails saying which bank account payment must be sent to on completion.

Under the new procedures Harrowells is supporting house buyers by obtaining details of the bank account of the seller’s solicitors at the start of the transaction.

Harrowells residential conveyancing operations manager, Janet Rhodes-Blangsted, said: “Although, as far as we are aware, no cases of this attempted

fraud have yet been reported in North Yorkshire, we are aware of an instance where West Yorkshire Police became involved.”

“By investigating the other law � rm’s bank accounts at the start we can look for inconsistencies such as if the account shows low activity for a � rm with a large residential property department,” she added.

“We also study the track record of any previous use associated with that account in detail and, if the results show the account is previously unknown, or with irregular usage, then

this could be suspicious.”Rhodes-Blangsted added that

if questions are raised about an account, further checks of more than ten databases can be made to look at numerous aspects of its activity including trading names, location and professional accreditations.

“These criminals are very clever and we are applying these defensive measures so we are as well prepared as possible as client care is paramount to all we do. Clearly all those in the housing sector need to be on guard,” she said.

Harrowells works to � ush out criminal gangs in housing market


Who has the biggest impact on the finances of law firms?

Armstrong Watson Accountants and Financial Advisers is a trading style. Armstrong Watson is a partnership under English law. A list of partners is available at the principal place of business, 15 Victoria Place, Carlisle, CA1 1EW. Armstrong Watson is regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales for a range of investment business activities.

In our experience, it is the day to day activities of fee earners that have the greatest impact. If fee earners aren’t aware of the financial implications of their decisions, how can law firms expect the right decisions to be made?

Perhaps that’s why so many law firms are arranging for in-house training courses to be provided to their fee earners by Armstrong Watson’s specialist legal sector team.

Don’t get left behind - contact us to find out more or visit www.armstrongwatson.co.uk/legalsector

Andy Poole, Legal Sector Partner [email protected] 857830

The Law Society has exclusively endorsed Armstrong Watson for the provision of accountancy services to law firms throughout the North of England.

Are law �rms an attractive investment opportunity, either now or in the future?

In the main, law �rms are not investible propositions for external investors. Margins may appear high at 25/30% but that is before partner reward. Take out partner remuneration and there may not be much, if any, margin left.

That said, there are some fantastically pro�table �rms that I would invest in now, and certainly more in the future. More and more law �rms are being professionally managed and will rely less on key people and more on process, technology and e�cient systems.

For law �rms to become an investible proposition, they need to rely less

on key people, as otherwise the investment would be damaged should those key people move on.

However, there is a balance to be reached here since there will be a need for a long time to come for individuals to be able to provide advice based on thought rather than process alone, that is until the avatars take over! I’m not talking about turning people into robots just yet.

Allowing people to provide thought-generated advice in an e�cient manner has to be the way to go, whilst being able to demonstrate that the business wouldn’t adversely su�er from a loss of revenue should individuals depart.

Other areas that would need to be improved would include lock up. At present, law �rms are reliant on having too many partners contributing too much capital. In the main, that is down to the cash requirements of the �rms. If lock up was improved, as it could be for many, then �rms could operate on lower capital bases with fewer owners. Fewer owners means that sta� would be paid for the work they undertake rather than as at present where partners expect to be paid for the work they

undertake and have a premium for the risk they have taken as business owners.

More pro�t then going to the remaining fewer owners or investors helps to make investment attractive.

Firm adviceAndy Poole, the Legal Sector Partner at Armstrong Watson, answers your strategic and financial questions Andy acts exclusively for law firms across

the UK, particularly focusing on advising lawyers in response to the current changes in the legal marketplace.

- To ask Andy a question that may be featured in this column, email [email protected].

- To contact Andy directly, call 0113 221 1300 or email [email protected]

Armstrong Watson has been exclusively endorsed by the Law Society for the provision of accountancy services to law firms throughout the North of England.

In association with


The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has been accused of exercising its regulatory power in “a high handed, draconian and ine�cient

manner” with a complete disregard to the evidence after it was found to have wrongly accused a solicitor from Leeds for having forged signatures on immigration applications.

Action was taken against immigration caseworker, Mohammed Ali Khan, by the SRA after he was accused of forging several signatures on immigration application forms at Kher Solicitors, Leeds, where he worked.The SRA sought an order under Section 43 of the Solicitors Act 1974 to prevent him from being employed by any law �rm.

However, the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal has ruled that there was no case to answer and awarded Khan £5,000 costs to be paid by the SRA. In addition

to the award of costs, the SRA incurred more than £20,000 of its own legal costs.

Khan was sacked in November 2013 after supposedly admitting forging colleagues’ signatures and was reported to the SRA.

However, a Solicitors’ Disciplinary Tribunal hearing in London on 22 July was told by regulatory specialist solicitor, Matthew Rowley (pictured), of Harrowells Solicitors, York, who represented Khan, that Khers solicitors had failed to investigate the allegations and that those involved in the disciplinary meeting had lost track of what was said.

The tribunal threw out the case without having to hear any defence after Rowley said that the lack of evidence bought by Capsticks, representing the SRA, showed that there was no case to answer.

After the judgment, Rowley said: “Regulatory hearings di�er from other litigation in that costs are not awarded if you win but only if it can be shown that the prosecution was a complete shambles or should simply never have been brought.

“The SRA should never have pursued this case to the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal.”

Rowley said that Khan was well known in and outside the legal profession in Yorkshire and that his reputation had been severely tarnished by the action. “Although he has been totally vindicated, he has been devastated professionally and �nancially,” said Rowley.

“This case was ill-conceived. From the outset they failed to consider his denials or the lack of and inconsistency in the evidence against him. This is a worrying example of the SRA exercising its regulatory power in a high handed, draconian and ine�cient manner with a complete disregard to the evidence. It is all too easy for the SRA to do this without repercussions due to the high bar to be met before costs are awarded against it.”

Khan, who now lectures in law in Yorkshire, said: “This was an unfair and highly damaging action against me. I am grateful to Matthew Rowley for his expertise in having the case thrown out and I now hope to re-build by career.”

SRA immigration forgery case against Leeds lawyer is thrown out at disciplinary hearing



Pearsons & Ward Solicitors, a � rm in Malton, has merged with Ware & Kay Solicitors.

Pearsons & Ward will retain its trading name and premises in Ryedale from where it provides advice to farmers, land owners and the rural community. It also helps clients with probate; wills, including Inheritance Tax planning; residential and commercial transactions; family law matters; and resolving disputes.

The � rm’s clients will now have the bene� t of other services provided by the Ware & Kay Group, such as those relating to employment law, corporate and commercial matters, personal injury, employment law, � nancial advice and debt collection.

Peter Kay, senior director at Ware & Kay, which employs a team of 66 across its two o� ces in York and Wetherby, said that he and his colleagues had been keen to merge with Pearsons & Ward.

“We are delighted. It is a very similar � rm to Ware & Kay in terms of their culture and history, and dedication to providing quality service to their clients in a personal way,” explained Kay.

“The strategy behind the merger is to

provide a greater geographical coverage for the whole � rm, across the spine of the A64, from the A1 to the coast.

“It gives us an enhanced capability in terms of the overall breadth of our o� ering but also a greater ability to specialise in some areas where we currently are not proven in having specialist expertise, for example in the agricultural sector.

“On the other hand Pearsons & Ward will have a greater breadth of o� ering for their clients in respect of commercial property and employment work.”

Gateley’s Leeds-based corporate partner Nick Emmerson has helped a cross-discipline team to advise a TV production company on the sale of a controlling stake in the global brand Peppa Pig.

Emmerson was part of a team that gave Astley Baker Davies advice on selling to Entertainment One. Since 2007, Peppa Pig has been co-owned and distributed globally by Entertainment One.

Astley Baker Davies has produced over 200 episodes for six series of the hit children’s show Peppa Pig, which have been broadcast in over 180 territories. Peppa Pig took home BAFTA awards in 2005, 2011 and 2012.

Founding director of Astley Baker Davies, Phil Davies, said: “We are immensely proud of the success the Peppa Pig series has had so far. With co-producer eOne taking a bigger stake it creates a promising future for Peppa Pig, allowing further expansion.”

Ware & Kay merges with Pearsons & Ward Gateley’s Leeds o� ce advise Peppa Pig producers on landmark sale

L-R: (Peter Kay, senior director, Ware & Kay; Robert Tulloch consultant, Pearsons & Ward; and Emma Elwess director, Pearsons & Ward


Coles is a friendly law fi rm with a progressive attitude and unusual structure. We have nine offi ces across North and East Yorkshire spread from Settle in the

west to Yarm in the north and Beverley in the East.We have Residential Conveyancing, Family, Wills & Probate and Litigation departments and are always

looking for Solicitors with between 1 and 5 years PQE across these disciplines and across our geo-graphical area. We are looking for self-starters who are interested in business development, marketing

and networking activities.

We are primarily seeking full-time employees but we offer fl exible working to many of our staff and would encourage appli-cations from anyone with experience in these fi elds of law.

Offi ce hours are 9am-5pm with one hour for lunch. We offer 24 days holiday plus Bank Holidays. If you are interested in applying to join us then please get in touch / send your CV to Gill Saville, Offi ce Manager at

[email protected] or please call 01609 785352 for a discussion.



Irwin Mitchell’s Leeds o� ce has advised SIG on the acquisition of HC Groep, a specialist air handling systems provider based in the Netherlands and the UK.

The purchase of the company, which has a factory in Brighouse in West Yorkshire and has a turnover of €45m, will allow SIG to expand into the areas of climate ceilings and car park and tunnel ventilation.

The multi-disciplinary team at Irwin Mitchell that advised on the deal, included corporate advisors Philip Goldsborough, James Foster and Natalie Hager; real estate lawyer David Cowgill; employment law specialist Padma Tadi; and tax specialist Alex Barnes.

Commenting on the deal, Foster, a corporate partner at Irwin Mitchell, said: “This is an important deal for SIG and we are delighted to have advised them on this cross border transaction. It was another good team e� ort from the corporate team at Irwin Mitchell in Yorkshire.”

Emsleys Solicitors has o� ered both its former trainees positions in the � rm and has appointed another trainee to its expanding team.

Jonathan Robson, who quali� ed as a solicitor in early October, joins the � rm’s commercial team, whilst newly-quali� ed Rachel Sharp joins the personal injury team.

“We’re delighted to have quali� ed; even more so now that we’ve both been o� ered NQ positions. It’s great knowing that all our hard work has � nally paid o� ,” said Sharp.

The new recruit, Laura Jones, joins the team as a trainee solicitor. She graduated with a law degree from Northumbria University and completed � ve years at Plexus Law as a legal assistant.

The � rm will also see an addition to its residential conveyancing team later this month through the Leeds Legal Apprentice Scheme which provides alternative opportunities to those who would like to pursue a career in law without using the traditional route through university.

Emsleys’ director and head of personal injury, Andrew Greenwood, said: “These

latest appointments demonstrate our ongoing commitment to train and retain our recruits, and it’s through the continuous growth and development of our business that is enabling us to do this.”

Alistair McKinlay, director and head of conveyancing, added: “We’re certainly seeing an increase in con� dence within the property market, so it’s great to be able to reap the bene� ts of that by providing further employment opportunities.”

Irwin Mitchell advises SIG on acquisition of Dutch company

Trainees given contracts at Emsleys

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Beaumont Legal has created a new online calculation facility that allows businesses to generate legal fee estimates for commercial property cases.

The �rst of its kind, the calculator is available online, 24 hours a day, and is available to all the �rm’s clients, not just residential customers as was the case before.

Small and large business owners can now gain legal fees for commercial sales and purchases, plus commercial leases for both landlords and tenants, without needing to pick up the phone.

The online calculator, developed by Beaumont Legal’s Andrew Darnton

(pictured left) and Wake�eld-based web design agency SR Creative, has been hailed by Darnton as “ideal for SMEs who are looking to get an understanding of legal fees for their business without any obligation”.

Roy Cusworth (pictured right), senior partner and head of commercial law at Beaumont Legal, commented: “We believe this will be a real bene�t for SMEs all over the UK who can now get an estimate of their legal fee in seconds. While it’s di�cult to show every cost online because of the many ways a commercial deal can vary, we’re trying to show potential customers as much as we can.”

Paul Firth, the regional o�ce managing partner at Irwin Mitchell’s She�eld o�ce, has warned that the Government’s Northern Powerhouse initiative will not work unless there is a substantial rise in investment into the project.

Firth’s comments come after a joint study by Irwin Mitchell and the Centre for Economic & Business Research found that the economic gap between London and cities within the Northern Powerhouse, including Leeds and She�eld, is set to widen signi�cantly over the next ten years.

The study, called UK Powerhouse – supporting economic strength and bridging the prosperity gap, has estimated that London’s economy will grow by 27% between 2015 and 2025 to just under £450billion. However, it also says that despite devolution deals in Manchester and now in She�eld, the combined growth across Yorkshire & Humber, the North West and North East, is expected to be half of that.

“The Yorkshire region is performing

well at the moment, but the city economies of She�eld and Leeds are still not growing at the same rate as London and other cities in the South East,” said Firth.

“The latest devolution deal in She�eld is welcome but there is a danger that without a signi�cant increase in investment, the Northern Powerhouse initiative will not work.

“We believe it’s vital that the entire

United Kingdom has the opportunity to �ex its economic muscle. Not only do we want to see London continue to �ourish, it’s absolutely vital that the rest of the UK doesn’t get left behind.

“Investment in infrastructure is one part of the mix and we believe that the Government should employ a range of policies tailored to di�erent regions, rather than assuming that a one size �ts all approach will work.”

Clarion has advised LED lighting supplier acdc over the sale of its business to international lighting corporation Zumtobel group.

Richard Moran and Rachel Dean at Clarion were instructed by acdc’s long term CEO and majority shareholder Gareth Frankland, who will continue to head the brand as it starts life under the Zumtobel umbrella.

In 2014 acdc posted annual sales revenues of approximately €17 million and has a current headcount of around 120 employees.

“Joining the Zumtobel group represents an important milestone for us on our path to further growth and the global development of acdc,” said Frankland.

“As part of the group, we will bene�t from a worldwide sales network and from the bene�ts of a global and group-wide purchasing organisation. In addition, we see technology and development synergies and I will continue to rely on the experience and dedication of our employees for the further development of acdc.”

Beaumont Legal launch online calculator for �xed commercial property fees

Northern Powerhouse needs signi�cant increase in investment, says Irwin Mitchell partner

Clarion lights up Zumtobel deal for acdc


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NewsEvents & community

Stuart Brown QC, the former head of chambers at Parklane Plowden, has announced his retirement.

Speaking at the barrister set’s � rst annual Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence conference in Harrogate on 2 October, Brown informed delegates that he was retiring after more than 40 years at the Bar.

Brown, who was called to the Bar in 1974 and made a Silk in 1991, was head of Park Lane Chambers in Leeds from 1998 to 2007 – the same year that he led the merger with Plowden Chambers of Newcastle. He was also leader of the North Eastern Circuit from 2008 until 2011.

The current head of chambers Andrew Axon, praised Brown for his contribution to the set and the law in general after Brown gave a talk at Rudding Park hotel about his experiences as a barrister in both the personal injury and criminal � elds.

Brown urged the lawyers present to question the push towards further cuts in fees and to look at other ways that

the perception of in� ated legal costs in personal injury and clinical negligence could be challenged.

The conference, which was well attended, also featured talks from orthopaedic surgeons David MacDonald and Nick Harris, as well as consultant neurosurgeon Jake Timothy.

Timothy, who revealed that bad practice in the NHS had dramatically improved since his days as a junior doctor, suggested that the vast amounts spent by the NHS Litigation Authority on claims could be used to fund hospitals “properly” in order to lower the amount of cases brought against health professionals.

However, he also said that surgeons were being put under incredible pressure, driven by government targets to reduce waiting list times, which would inevitably lead to mistakes being made.

Delegates were also able to listen to presentations on recent high pro� le cases in the personal injury and clinical negligence � elds.

Regional networking organisation Yorkshire Managers has launched its Autumn quarter with an inspirational talk from author Richard McCann.

The Yorkshire Managers event, hosted by Winston Solicitors, sold out in a matter of days after tickets became available. McCann (pictured), who appeared in front of 4,000 people at Leeds Arena only four weeks earlier, was invited by the non-pro� t organisation to o� er insights into leadership, business skills, and public speaking.

The event was part of Yorkshire Managers’ monthly series focussed on sharing tips, tools and techniques with regional senior managers and business leaders.

Jonathan Winston of Winston Solicitors said that it was a pleasure to host the event at the � rm’s city centre o� ce.

“Richard McCann is an inspirational speaker who combines his own unique story, with insightful tips, tools and techniques on public speaking,” he said.

Stuart Brown QC announces retirement at Parklane Plowden conference

Yorkshire Managers event sells out with best-selling author

Taylor&Emmet has highlighted the risk posed to the region’s property sector by unexploited development opportunities during a free breakfast seminar.

The fi rm invited local landlords and industry specialists to the seminar on 24 September at its Sheffi eld headquarters which was hosted by its expert social housing solicitors, with help from property search company, TM Group. They introduced delegates to DevAssist reports, which expose any potential threat or opportunity from development and identify existing planning applications that may aff ect an area.

Jaqui Dyer (pictured), Taylor&Emmet’s head of social housing, said: “Currently, 80% of urban buildings have at least one unexploited development opportunity within 75 metres.

“We want the sector to be aware of what is, or could be happening, next to properties they are purchasing by off ering insight into DevAssist and the importance of this unique search tool.”

Doug Robertson, a restructuring and insolvency partner in the Leeds offi ce of Irwin Mitchell, has been appointed to the main council of the Non-Administrative Receivers Association (NARA).

Robertson has been a member of NARA for over six years and recently spoke at the association’s 2015 annual conference in London. He said that his appointment had come at a time of great importance for the industry during what was its 20th anniversary.

“It is a signifi cant appointment for our national restructuring and

insolvency practice as banks consider NARA membership when deciding which accredited Receivers to appoint,” said Robertson.

Established in 1995, NARA was created by a group of professionals from the property, legal, and insolvency disciplines, and is the only trade body for appropriately qualifi ed, accountable and regulated registered property receivers.

It has over 350 members and aims to promote the role of Fixed Charge Receivers and ensure high standards amongst practitioners. It also seeks to introduce and change regulation.

Irwin Mitchell partner appointed to NARA council

Taylor&Emmet demonstrates development risk

hlw Keeble Hawson is inviting charities to take part in a Contracts in Confi dence review to ensure their fi nancial agreements are fi t for purpose.

The scheme, which runs until 10 December, involves the fi rm’s lawyers reviewing a variety of agreements which have a direct fi nancial impact for third sector organisations such as commercial property leases, employment contracts, supplier agreements, intellectual property rights, privacy policies and statutory records.

A nominal fee of £50 per contract will be charged with each organisation invited to submit one contract for review.

Organisations supporting the

scheme include Involve Yorkshire & Humber, Volition and Voluntary Action Leeds.

Michele Todd, a partner at hlw Keeble Hawson, said: “From leasing offi ce space to service provision, contracts are an essential part of every charity’s day-to-day running, but anecdotal evidence suggests that many of them do not understand their complexities – or the issues that can occur if contracts are not scrutinised.

“We understand that contracts can often be complex and this service refl ects our ongoing support for local charities. In our roles as both lawyers and trustees, we witness at fi rst-hand how a lack of clarity could weaken a charity’s position.”

hlw Keeble Hawson invites charities to check their fi nancial contracts


this unique search tool.”



Excello Law has celebrated its arrival in Leeds with an o� cial launch party.

The � rm, which recently opened an o� ce at 2 Bond Court, held a gathering at the Crafthouse restaurant in Leeds on 30 September and invited local business community members to attend.

George Bisnought, the founder of Excello Law, said: “It was great to have so many people from the local business community come to last night’s event. We are looking forward to establishing long-term relationships over the coming years”

The Leeds City centre o� ce is Excello Law’s third o� ce. The � rm is also based in London and Liverpool.

The o� ce’s partner-led team includes Steve Thomas, Anna Shaw, David Bowden, Philip O’Loughlin, Peter Rawlinson and Helena Seedat.

“We are con� dent that our partner led commercial legal services will o� er Leeds and Yorkshire businesses a compelling option,” said Bisnought.

Excello Law celebrates Leeds launchEmployment law experts at

Taylor&Emmet have equipped businesses in She� eld with the tools to tackle equality and diversity by inviting them to a free discrimination master class.

Solicitors from the � rm invited employers to the event on 17 September at the Crucible in She� eld which demonstrated how to manage con� icting rights in the workplace.

Using case studies and real life examples to recap on the equality and diversity fundamentals, the master class also discussed future legislation and explored di� cult topics at the frontiers

of discrimination law.“Balancing the rights of religion,

sexual orientation and disability in the workplace is becoming ever more complex,” said David Poddington, Taylor&Emmet’s head of employment

law (pictured).“In fact, most people managers now live

in fear of the word banter and at what point it becomes unlawful harassment. Our training gives delegates a solid understanding of

the discrimination regulations and insight

into how we expect current issues to develop,

enabling them to address problems

raised by employees

without placing the business at risk.”

Taylor&Emmet to hold discrimination master class for local businesses


What clients are looking for today are lawyers who are responsive and have all the information about their matter available all the time. The idea that one should need to wait to get back to the o� ce for matter information is anachronistic.

The success of every law � rm has always been dependent on the quality of service provided by their lawyers. And that service, outside of legal skills, is largely dependent on the quality of the information that modern technology can deliver.

Traditionally lawyers were lazy about this. They delegated IT decision making to back o� ce IT and accounting sta� using the excuse that they were not ‘tech savvy’. But times have changed.

Every lawyer knows how to use a smartphone. Power has shifted to the service provider, the front o� ce – in other words you, the lawyer, to make these buying decisions.

Most people use smartphones constantly. They expect their lawyer to be able to do the same. If you run a law � rm you don’t need a consultant or an IT department to tell you this. You know it.

To achieve a minimum standard for 21st century practice lawyers need:

Mobility: work from anywhere – even when travelling or through bad weather periodsProductivity tools: with pressure on charge rates, e� ciency is essentialGreat client service: competition is � erce and loyalty no longer existsConvenience: it needs to be easy so that your mental focus is on the matter at hand not poor technologyLower cost: the cost of complex servers and expensive IT departments cannot be justi� ed by small law � rms

With so much law being practiced out of the o� ce, your smartphone should enable you to access all your matter information, record time, make � le comments, read and compose emails. This aligns the way in which you work with your client’s expectations. The only real way for a law � rm to thrive is by adopting new technologies and seeking a provider of systems for your � rm that is committed to innovation – committed to keeping you a 21st century lawyer.

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Ten walkers from Ramsdens Solicitors have taken part in an overnight walk in aid of Overgate Hospice.

The walk, which took place on 12 September for the sixth year in a row, saw the firm raise £680 for the hospice, which is based near Halifax. Almost 1,000 people took to the streets of Calderdale to participate in the Overgate Hospice Midnight Walk. The charity organisers say this made it the biggest midnight walk to date.

Heather Nuttall, an associate at Ramsdens’ Elland office, said that she regularly visited the hospice and had seen the vital work that they do.

“Many of my clients will comment on the superb care that has been provided to family and friends by Overgate,” she said.

“The Midnight Walk gave an opportunity to raise funds in a fun and

enjoyable way. We were lucky with the weather and it was a bright and starry, and most importantly, dry night

“There was a great atmosphere setting off from the leisure centre and whilst it was slow going at first because of the sheer numbers as soon as we began the first uphill climb the walkers thinned out.”

Michael Robinson, a solicitor at the firm’s Halifax office and team organiser for the walk, said that it was of particular significance to the firm as it would mean that individuals from the local community would benefit from the money raised by its participants.

“As a West Yorkshire firm, it is important that we support the local communities and charities. It has already been mooted that we will take part next year and we want to beat our target,” he said.

QualitySolicitors Mewies has raised over £110 for Macmillan Cancer Support by taking part in the world’s largest coffee morning event on 25 September.

Staff from Skipton law firm QualitySolicitors Mewies braved the wind and rain to hold a stall outside Skipton Town Hall providing tea and coffee in return for a donation towards the charity.

Angela Green, a solicitor who heads up the firm’s family law department and was the brainchild of the firm’s participation said: ”It was great to be able to play a small part in vital fundraising for Macmillan. The best part was getting to meet some wonderful people, both from Skipton and visitors, many of whom had a story to tell about their experience of cancer. Cancer

touches so many lives. Lots of people just gave money too, so we know the charity is dear to many peoples’ hearts. Thank you to everyone who supported us.”

Ramsdens staff in midnight walk for charity

QualitySolicitors Mewies serve refreshments for Macmillan cancer support

Leeds Junior Lawyers Division (JLD) arranges educational, charitable and networking events for junior lawyers in the Leeds area. Each issue the committee updates you on JLD activities

The Leeds JLD is pleased to welcome in the new committee for the 2015/2016 year. The committee enjoyed an excellent meal at Prezzo courtesy of BCL Legal. There are lots of exciting ideas being discussed and the committee is determined to make this an excellent year for all members.

This does mean it is now the time of year to ensure you have renewed your membership with the Leeds JLD. Membership for this year is £20 for students, £30 for paralegals and £38 for trainees and solicitors up to 5 years’ PQE. Becoming a member will ensure you receive free or discounted entry into a number of great events. Please contact [email protected] for further details.

We have barely begun and yet members have already enjoyed a pizza making session at Pizza Express. The head-to-head challenges certainly brought out the competitive nature in everyone! Continuing the foodie theme, the chocoholics among us were in heaven with chocolate tasting and cocktails at Hotel Chocolat Roast+Conch, with thanks to Anakin Seal.

We are also pleased to confirm that we will be donating £1,000 to the British Heart Foundation, our charity of the year.

Dates for your diaries:15 October – Financial Skills

Seminar with Wesleyan – La Tasca20 October – Leeds Law Society

NQ welcome drinks13 November – JLD Winter Ball

at the Royal Armouries. Early bird tickets will be on sale shortly!

To ensure you are kept up to date with such events please subscribe to our mailing list at www.leedsjld.com/contact.

We also have a new Twitter account @JLDLeeds and a LinkedIn group (Leeds Junior Lawyers Division).

A pizz’a the action



Blacks has lead a free advice seminar for start-up businesses and entrepreneurs at the Leeds Dock Digital Garage.

Organised in conjunction with Hello Work, an organisation that provides work space and events for businesses, the event took place on 14 October and covered topics such as protection of ideas, setting up your business correctly, sta� management and avoiding or managing disputes.

Many of the attendees at the event were entrepreneurs who are already part of the small and independent business community making use of the pioneering Digital Garage space located in the heart of Leeds Dock. The area has been set up by Hello Work in partnership with Google.

Alex Hill from Hello Work commented: “Hello Work is all about improving the way businesses work through creating the next generation of workplace. We create destinations and communities for those who want to work in new ways and spaces, and we’re delighted that Blacks are joining forces with us to o� er invaluable legal advice and support to the start-up business community.”

Chris Allen, managing partner at Blacks Solicitors, said: “We know that many entrepreneurs and start-ups often don’t have the funds to invest in legal support. As a consequence, mistakes can be made that can impact on the growth and security of � edgling businesses. That’s why we’ve teamed up with Hello Work to o� er this free advice – we want to help ensure that the common pitfalls are avoided and entrepreneurs are given a � ghting chance of getting o� the ground.”

The � rm is also to partner with St Philips Chambers in order to stage a mock employment tribunal on 11 November.

This free workshop is designed to o� er advice to employers on the processes involved during an employment tribunal hearing and highlight the value of having the best possible legal advice and representation.

The tribunal, hosted at St Philips Chambers, will focus on a � ctional case involving an employee who has been dismissed following a road tra� c incident. Ahead of the event, all delegates will be provided with a bundle

of key documents about the case to familiarise them with the facts.

Lasting for two hours, the tribunal hearing will provide an oral judgment on liability will be delivered on the day. After the event, all of the delegates will be invited to enjoy some drinks and to network with each other.

Blacks gets digital with advice seminar for start-ups in Leeds




Sta� from Pryers Solicitors have raised funds for the Spinal Injuries Association by completing a gruelling cycle route and taking part in the Great North Run.

A team from Pryers completed the Coast to Coast journey on cycles from Whitehaven to Tynemouth in just two days over the August bank holiday, while a team of ten from Pryers ran 13.1 miles in the Great North Run.

The �rm said that some of the participants were completely new to running and had trained hard over the last few months to build up their stamina and strength to complete the distance. Their e�orts have helped the �rm meet its target of £4,000 in donations for the association.

Pryers also works as a gold corporate partner of the charity.

To �nd out more about the charity visit www.spinal.co.uk. If you would like to donate to the cause visit www.justgiving.com/TeamPryers.

Clarion has helped Yorkshire-based entrepreneur and founder of DFS, Lord Kirkham, to abseil three London landmarks in aid of the Outward Bound Trust and the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity.

The �rm advised the education charity on a contract to enable a group of chief executives, philanthropists and entrepreneurs, including Kirkham, to descend 30 St Mary Axe (the Gherkin), The Leadenhall Building (the Cheesegrater) and 20 Fenchurch Street (the Walkie Talkie) in September.

Those taking part in the Outward Bound City Three Peaks Challenge were committed to raising £100,000,

with the aim of the event being to generate £4 million in funds for the two charities.

The commercial team at Clarion were the legal advisors to The Outward Bound Trust. They worked on the commercial terms agreed between all the parties involved, enabling the Trust to secure the support of the owners of the three City landmarks.

Fiona Marr, senior associate in the commercial team at Clarion, who advised on the drafting of the contracts, said the Outward Bound Trust had been a longstanding client of Clarion.

“To be able to assist them with this somewhat unusual contract, knowing that the money raised from the abseil will help them aid the development of more young people, has been particularly rewarding,” she said.

The Outward Bound Trust partners with schools, colleges and youth groups, to provide challenging outdoor experiences that equip young people with skills and con�dence.

Pryers get their backs into it to help spinal charity

Yorkshire entrepreneur takes on ‘City Three Peaks’ thanks to Clarion

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How do you best ensure the profitability of your probate work? Surprisingly, most law firms do not appear to know the gross profit margin of their probate department. Let me put that differently. Of the 140 firms who use our pro-bate software (Isokon), the majority declined to answer our questions about their profit margin for this area of work. We were not able to assess whether they did not actually know the answer to the question or whether they were simply being discreet. Or possibly they were too embar-rassed to reveal their relatively low profit margin. The irony is that of the firms that were willing to discuss their profitability, all revealed that their gross profit margin is consistently in excess of 70%. The key question is: how have these high margin firms managed to achieve this level of profitability? What dis-tinguishes them from the low margin firms? In the one in-stance in which the firm was willing to discuss their suc-cess openly, the formula appeared to be relatively straightforward. Profitability is a mixture of effective soft-ware combined with judicious organisation. Let us exam-ine that in more detail, since both parts are equally impor-tant. The software is an accounting database designed spe-cifically for probate (and trust) work with the ability to eas-ily record the variety of financial data of the deceased es-tate, including such items as business and agricultural re-lief, ISAS and PEPS, net or gross taxation of domestic and foreign equities, including double taxation agree-ments, separating capital and income, post probate ad-justments, and abatement of assets, in instances where the estate is more than just a bank account and a house. The software enables estate accounts and IHT forms to be produced with a single click. The software includes a case management component that consists of a workflow with task management, a log of events, and a mailmerge facility that enable a range of standard letters to extract data from the accounting data-base. The latter enables a range of letters and emails to be produced and sent to banks, building societies, fu-neral directors, utility companies, executors, beneficiar-ies, and other related parties.

IIssookkoonn

For further information please contact: Gregory van Dyk Watson Managing Director of Isokon Limited. Email: [email protected] or call 020 7482 6555. Alternatively visit www.isokon.com

Letters to these parties can be produced at the proverbial click of a mouse, and often more than one letter at a time, each of which can be billed at the rate of one unit of time for each individual output. It is axiomatic that having the software technology avail-able does not inevitably result in the level of profitability achieved by the firm in question. To repeat the key ques-tion, how do those customers consistently achieve a gross profit margin in excess of 70%. In one of these firms the team is led by the head of the probate section who holds morning meetings with the four team leaders. The tasks for the day are examined and discussed, as shown in the software case manage-ment component, with the text on the screen in front of them, to ensure that the team leaders understand the na-ture of each task, even though most tasks are fairly straightforward. Where a complex task requires the pro-fessional skill of the partner in charge, she might allocate a complex task to herself by a simple switch in the soft-ware. Profitability is a mixture of effective software combined with judicious organisation. Once satisfied, the team leaders head off to their respec-tive teams consisting of three, four or five paralegals or former secretaries, all of whom have received a thorough training in the use of the software. Towards the end of the working day, the head of the probate team looks at the log of tasks in the software to ensure that all tasks have been completed. This method of organisation is simple, straightforward and effective. An important adjunct to ensure success is training. To quote Charles Christian the doyen of legal technology in his chapter on ‘Computer and Technology Issues’ in the Probate Practitioner’s Handbook: “… computer systems are just tools whose value derives from how they are used. It therefore follows that if people are not trained in how to use them properly, the firm will not see a satisfac-tory return on its IT investments.” The second component of success is organisational dis-cipline. To quote Charles Christian again: “… it helps to have a senior member of the firm in overall charge of the implementation, so that they can compel the fee earners to attend [the training]” and self-evidently to actually use the software. The extreme converse of our profitable firm is where practitioners are permitted to go their own way and revert back to a more manual method of doing the work. Working as a cohesive team appears to be funda-mental to success and profitability in this area of work.

Isokon was founded by Gregory van Dyk Watson in 1999. The company has invested 44,000 man hours in development of the product over the last 16 years. Isokon is currently the leading supplier of software for Probate and Private Client work. It is used by 36% of law firms who do private client work. And by more than 2,000 individual users. Isokon is used for the most complex estates, as well as basic estates. Isokon is based on an accounting database engine with an inte-grated Isokon case management component.

PPrroobbaattee -- DDooiinngg tthhee wwoorrkk PPrrooffiittaabbllyy

How do you best ensure the profitability of your probate work? Surprisingly, most law firms do not appear to know the gross profit margin of their probate department. Let me put that differently. Of the 140 firms who use our pro-bate software (Isokon), the majority declined to answer our questions about their profit margin for this area of work. We were not able to assess whether they did not actually know the answer to the question or whether they were simply being discreet. Or possibly they were too embar-rassed to reveal their relatively low profit margin. The irony is that of the firms that were willing to discuss their profitability, all revealed that their gross profit margin is consistently in excess of 70%. The key question is: how have these high margin firms managed to achieve this level of profitability? What dis-tinguishes them from the low margin firms? In the one in-stance in which the firm was willing to discuss their suc-cess openly, the formula appeared to be relatively straightforward. Profitability is a mixture of effective soft-ware combined with judicious organisation. Let us exam-ine that in more detail, since both parts are equally impor-tant. The software is an accounting database designed spe-cifically for probate (and trust) work with the ability to eas-ily record the variety of financial data of the deceased es-tate, including such items as business and agricultural re-lief, ISAS and PEPS, net or gross taxation of domestic and foreign equities, including double taxation agree-ments, separating capital and income, post probate ad-justments, and abatement of assets, in instances where the estate is more than just a bank account and a house. The software enables estate accounts and IHT forms to be produced with a single click. The software includes a case management component that consists of a workflow with task management, a log of events, and a mailmerge facility that enable a range of standard letters to extract data from the accounting data-base. The latter enables a range of letters and emails to be produced and sent to banks, building societies, fu-neral directors, utility companies, executors, beneficiar-ies, and other related parties.

IIssookkoonn

For further information please contact: Gregory van Dyk Watson Managing Director of Isokon Limited. Email: [email protected] or call 020 7482 6555. Alternatively visit www.isokon.com

Letters to these parties can be produced at the proverbial click of a mouse, and often more than one letter at a time, each of which can be billed at the rate of one unit of time for each individual output. It is axiomatic that having the software technology avail-able does not inevitably result in the level of profitability achieved by the firm in question. To repeat the key ques-tion, how do those customers consistently achieve a gross profit margin in excess of 70%. In one of these firms the team is led by the head of the probate section who holds morning meetings with the four team leaders. The tasks for the day are examined and discussed, as shown in the software case manage-ment component, with the text on the screen in front of them, to ensure that the team leaders understand the na-ture of each task, even though most tasks are fairly straightforward. Where a complex task requires the pro-fessional skill of the partner in charge, she might allocate a complex task to herself by a simple switch in the soft-ware. Profitability is a mixture of effective software combined with judicious organisation. Once satisfied, the team leaders head off to their respec-tive teams consisting of three, four or five paralegals or former secretaries, all of whom have received a thorough training in the use of the software. Towards the end of the working day, the head of the probate team looks at the log of tasks in the software to ensure that all tasks have been completed. This method of organisation is simple, straightforward and effective. An important adjunct to ensure success is training. To quote Charles Christian the doyen of legal technology in his chapter on ‘Computer and Technology Issues’ in the Probate Practitioner’s Handbook: “… computer systems are just tools whose value derives from how they are used. It therefore follows that if people are not trained in how to use them properly, the firm will not see a satisfac-tory return on its IT investments.” The second component of success is organisational dis-cipline. To quote Charles Christian again: “… it helps to have a senior member of the firm in overall charge of the implementation, so that they can compel the fee earners to attend [the training]” and self-evidently to actually use the software. The extreme converse of our profitable firm is where practitioners are permitted to go their own way and revert back to a more manual method of doing the work. Working as a cohesive team appears to be funda-mental to success and profitability in this area of work.

Isokon was founded by Gregory van Dyk Watson in 1999. The company has invested 44,000 man hours in development of the product over the last 16 years. Isokon is currently the leading supplier of software for Probate and Private Client work. It is used by 36% of law firms who do private client work. And by more than 2,000 individual users. Isokon is used for the most complex estates, as well as basic estates. Isokon is based on an accounting database engine with an inte-grated Isokon case management component.

Promotional featureIsokon


24 Issue 136 | Leeds & Yorkshire Lawyer Magazine

NewsEvents & Community

Blacks Solicitors has sent a team to take on the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge in order to raise money for Heart Research UK.

The Blacks 25-member team completed the 24.5 mile expedition on 6 September in 12 hours and raised £3,070 for the charity.

Heart Research UK, which is based in Leeds, has been funding pioneering medical research and encouraging communities to live healthier lifestyles for over 48 years. The charity helped fund six of the �rst eight successful heart transplants in the country.

Chris Allen, the managing director at Blacks, said that the team was driven on by the knowledge that their hard-earned donations would be both greatly appreciated and well spent on essential medical research.

Jodie Thomson, corporate development at Heart Research UK, praised the �rm’s employees for their e�orts.

Walker Morris has announced the completion of its 21st children’s charity calendar competition in aid of Martin House Children’s Hospice.

Primary school children from across Yorkshire, as well as the Humber and North East Lincolnshire regions, have displayed their artistic talents by painting pictures that depicted their favourite month of the year. The 13 winning entries will be used to produce a charity calendar, sold in aid of the Yorkshire hospice.

Renowned Yorkshire artist, Ashley Jackson and fellow judges David Smedley from Walker Morris and Dean Poole from West Yorkshire Printing had the di�cult task of selecting the winning paintings.

Jackson said that it was a great pleasure to be a judge. “Each year the children’s use of colours, techniques and imagination is a joy to see and as always ensures that decisions are di�cult to make,” he said.

The winners have all received a hamper of art materials and a cheque for £250 for their schools.

David Smedley, a Walker Morris partner, said that the 2016 calendar would be very special as it marked the 21st anniversary of the competition.

Blacks raises over £3,000 for heart research with Three Peaks challenge

Walker Morris once again encourages young artistic talent

Nobody wants to buy a property only to �nd, after completion, that there is going to be a development nearby which could severely a�ect its use, enjoyment, and value.

Traditionally solicitors have carried out the standard local authority search. While they are essential, they provide little information outside of

the property’s boundary.With the Government’s push to

encourage redevelopment and the relaxation of the planning rules, it has become easier to obtain planning permission. With 300,000 new homes needed every year, and with local authorities setting out their local plans for the coming years, what we know as our local neighbourhood may well change in the very near future.

So what should solicitors do?Each �rm will have a di�erent

solution. Some will have planners available to deal with queries, others will obtain planning reports from companies such as Landmark. No matter how this information is obtained, the most important part is that that you know your client, assess their needs and provide them with enough information so that they’re able to make an informed decision.

The recent (and successful) case by the owner of a property against Bird & Bird, demonstrates that clients want to know what is happening

in the surrounding area and will be concerned if a nearby development impacts on their property and its value. In another case, this time in Cumbria, a couple reached an out of court settlement with their solicitors after they were not informed that there was a wind farm development around a kilometre away.

Planning reports, such as Landmark’s Plansearch Plus, which is part of a range of reports available from PSG, will detail all information on the �rst page as a brief overview, highlighting areas of interest to your clients.

This then enables you to make reference to speci�c applications and then it’s for the purchaser to make their own informed choice.

For more information on any products and services from PSG:Email: [email protected]: www.psgconnect.co.uk or Telephone: 01226 240 055

Planning issues – helping clients make an informed choice

Leading conveyancing search provider PSG asked Andrew Wiseman of Harrison Grant, specialist environmental and planning lawyers, about the importance of investigating potential development plans in the vicinity of your client’s property purchase

Promotional feature


NewsEvents & Community

Peter Roberts, the founder of Pure Gym, has spoken at a recent breakfast event hosted by Raworths.

Held at Bettys in Harrogate, Roberts, who was named by accountancy �rm EY as the 2015 North of England Entrepreneur of the Year, spoke to attendees about the chain of gyms, which he founded in 2008 and is now one of the UK’s fastest growing businesses.

His concept of developing a low-cost, 24-hour, no contract gym had been growing in other European countries and Robert’s plan to bring it to the UK quickly became a success story which has expanded across the country.

Starting with just two gyms in Manchester and Leeds, Pure Gym now has over 130 gyms nationally, either already operating or opening in the next few months. Amongst the latter is the Harrogate Pure Gym which will be open in the town before Christmas.

Simon Morris, a partner at Raworths said: “Peter’s speech was inspirational in that it shone a spotlight on the entrepreneurial spirit of this area and demonstrated how his vision for the �tness sector could be translated into a successful model for a rapidly-expanding business. We were delighted he was able to join us.”

Also speaking at the event was Madeline Mannakee, a commercial property solicitor at Raworths. She addressed the audience on the technical issues relating to leasehold heads of terms and the basics of property-related tax.

Sarah Young, a partner at Ridley & Hall, has been shortlisted in one of the categories at the Forward Ladies Women in Business Awards.

Young is one 12 women representing a range of industries in Yorkshire and North East, in the Inspiring Leader of the Year category.

During her 20 years with Ridley & Hall, Young has acted as the �rm’s managing partner and has been named as ‘best woman solicitor managing

a small practice’ by the Association of Women Solicitors.She has developed a niche area of law, helping the families

of missing people as well as specialising in will disputes. As a former President of Hudders�eld Law Society, she established a free advice service at Hudders�eld County Court in 2009.

“I’m delighted to have made the shortlist for this award. There’s a real buzz when a group of women get together who really care about what they do,” she said.

The regional winners from each category will now compete in the national �nal, taking place on 20 November in Leeds at the Queens Hotel.

Carters Solicitors has continued to raise money for the The Laila Milly Foundation in Pontefract.

Some of the �rm’s sta�, including all its partners, took part in a fun run at Leeds’ Roundhay Park on 22 August for the charity, while legal executive Paul Dawson has also taken part in the It’s a Knockout Challenge’on 12 September in Stevenage.

The Laila Milly Foundation helps families who have a child up to the age of 5 with serious or complex health needs, or a life limiting condition.

Entrepreneur of the year speaks at Raworths event

Ridley & Hall partner shortlisted for Women’s business award

Carters continues to raise money for Laila Milly Foundation

Willis Limited, Registered number: 181116 England and Wales.Registered address: 51 Lime Street, London, EC3M 7DQ.A Lloyd’s Broker. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for its general insurance mediation activities only.

65201/06/15

MilnersMilners Solicitors has given paralegal Nicola May a training contract. May is actively involved in local politics as an elected local councillor. Managing partner, Simon Bass,

said: “Nicola has worked in the fi rm as a paralegal since April 2015 and, refl ecting the fi rm’s solid growth, this opportunity to develop the skills and qualifi cations of staff has arisen. We know that Nicola will continue to be an asset to the fi rm and our clients.”

Legal StudioEdmund Conybeare, a specialist regulatory and criminal lawyer, has become a consultant solicitor with Legal Studio. Conybeare trained in Leeds with a legal

aid fi rm before working at Shulmans and then with a virtual law fi rm based in Oxfordshire. His practice includes health and safety, environmental issues, product liability, road traffi c cases and general criminal work. Heestablished and runs The North Eastern Regulatory Lawyers (NERL) group for regulatory Counsel and Solicitors.

Lake LegalSam Haslam has joined Lake Legal from Lancashire fi rm Harold Stock & Co. A qualifi ed solicitor for over 15 years, she has a particular emphasis on fi nancial

settlements and child related issues arising from separation and divorce. Managing partner, Lyn Ayrton, who worked with Haslam at Gordons, said: “I know that Sam is a good fi t for our team and will continue the client focused work that is central to the fi rm.”

Bevan BrittanBevan Brittan has recruited two new partners – local government specialists Judith Barnes and

Frances Woodhead – to the fi rm’s new Leeds offi ce. Barnes (pictured, right) has over 30 years’ experience. She specialises in advising on governance issues including conduct and ethics. Woodhead (left) has worked in or with the public sector for over 25 years. She was director of legal services at Sheffi eld City Council before joining Eversheds in 2010.

Schofi eld SweeneySchofi eld Sweeney has taken on Richard Fergusson (pictured, centre) as a

partner. The move extends the fi rm’s expertise in fi nance and restructuring. He joins from hlw Keeble Hawson, where he was a partner for 15 years, and will work alongside partners David Arundel (left) and Amar Rashid. Chris Schofi eld (right), chairman of Schofi eld Sweeney, said: “We have known Richard for many years and seen him provide supportive and pro-active advice. We feel Richard will fi t in well with our approach.”

Langleys

Langleys has retained three newly qualifi ed solicitors in York following the successful completion of their training. Cheryl Milner ( pictured, centre) has qualifi ed into the insurance law team, with Rachel Witherick (left) joining the commercial property unit and Mandeep Bassi (right) taking her place in the residential conveyancing division. David Thompson, managing partner at Langleys, said: “We congratulate our newly qualifi ed solicitors and look forward to helping them build a successful career in law.”

Wilkinson WoodwardWilkinson Woodward has announced the appointment of conveyancing specialist Jessica Stansfi eld. She brings with her eleven years’ experience in conveyancing

including sales, purchases, re-mortgages, transfer of equity and declarations of trust. Her appointment forms part of Wilkinson Woodward’s continuing plans to expand in Calderdale and Kirklees. Stansfi eld qualifi ed as a solicitor in 2007 and previously worked at Smiths LLP in Halifax. “I’m delighted to be joining Wilkinson Woodward – a legal name I have admired for many years,” she said.

AWB CharlesworthAWB Charlesworth has promoted property lawyer James Dunn (pictured,

right) to partner. Dunn graduated from Bristol University with a law degree in 2003, and has specialised in commercial property law since qualifying as a solicitor in 2006. He joined the fi rm in 2013. “James is a pivotal part of the team and his technical expertise has earned him a fi rst class reputation amongst clients throughout the Aire Valley,” said Declan Hayes, partner and head of the property department.

Hempsons Hempsons has welcomed solicitor Fiona Easton-Lawrence to its Harrogate offi ce.Easton-Lawrence has a broad

range of experience in healthcare advisory work. She advises on mental health law, coronial law, consent and confi dentiality issues, complaints, commissioning including continuing healthcare, policy queries and information governance. “Hempsons has an excellent reputation in this fi eld and its specialisms in health and social care make it an ideal partner for organisations within those industries,” she said.

NewsAppointments


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NewsYorkshire Legal Awards

Law Firm (1-10 Partners) AwardA&N Care SolicitorsHudgell SolicitorsTapestry Compliance Law Firm (11-30 Partners) AwardLCF LawRamsdens Solicitors Shulmans Law Firm (31+ Partners) AwardDLA PiperIrwin Mitchell Squire Patton Boggs

Residential Property AwardBanner Jones SolicitorsChadwick Lawrence Ramsdens Solicitors Commercial Property AwardAddleshaw Goddard Irwin Mtchell Shulmans Dispute Resolution AwardChadwick Lawrence Irwin Mitchell Walker Morris

Rising Star AwardAndrew McAulay, Clarion SolicitorsAnn-Marie Casey, LCF LawDavid Cowgill, Irwin Mitchell Mark Wilkinson, Shulmans Private Client AwardBond DickinsonIrwin Mitchell Ramsdens Solicitors Niche Law AwardKempner & Partners Tapestry Compliance Unity Law

The shortlist

Yorkshire’s legal community is preparing to celebrate its achievements at the 2015 Yorkshire Legal Awards, which are set to take place on 22 October in Leeds..

This year’s judges have come up with a shortlist of 48 law �rms, barristers’ chambers and individuals. The winners will once again be presented at New Dock Hall, where the county’s leading solicitors and barristers will gather to �nd out if they have pipped their rivals to an award. Steph McGovern, the television presenter, will once again host the ceremony.

The awards were judged by a prestigious group of lawyers and academics from Yorkshire. Marilyn Stowe (Stowe Family Law) chaired the judging panel together with Judge Geo�rey Kamil; Alistair MacDonald QC (New Park Court Chambers); Peter Wright (President of the Yorkshire Union of Law Societies); David Wright (winner of the Yorkshire Lawyer of the Year Award 2014); Jill Dickinson (Senior Lecturer at the Department of Law

at She�eld Hallam University); Jasmine Cawkwell (Chair of the Leeds Junior Lawyer Division); Colin Gilbert (President of the Leeds Law Society); and Rachel Baldwin (President of the She�eld Law Society).

Jeremy Shulman and Peter McCormick OBE will once again select a winner for the Presidents’ Award for 2015.

Launched in 2000 by Barker Brooks Communications to recognise the outstanding talent across the region, the event is a key date in the legal calendar. The glamorous black tie a�air o�ers professionals the chance to come together for a memorable evening of celebration and always sells out.

As well as honouring excellence in the Yorkshire legal profession, the awards will again raise money for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

To �nd out more, please visit www.yorkshirelegalnews.co.uk. For event enquiries, please call Helen Gibson on (01423) 851 150 or email her on [email protected].

Legal community all set for Awards night

The Yorkshire Legal Awards are almost upon us as the region’s legal community eagerly awaits the announcement of this year’s winners

NewsYorkshire Legal Awards


Berwins has become the title sponsor of Harrogate International Festivals’ Salon North series.

Salon North, the brainchild of Harrogate-born cultural curator Helen Bagnall, is an event at which three expert speakers explore themes in art, science and psychology. Bagnall, who founded Salon London in 2008, says that the event is designed to “change your life for the better”.

Since its launch in the town in 2012, Salon North has become a key strand in the diverse festival portfolio.

Carolynn Peace, a partner at Berwins, said that Salon North was a natural choice for the �rm.

“We pride ourselves for being no ordinary lawyers and were drawn to the innovation, debate and big ideas the series showcases,” she said.

“It’s important to support the community we live and work in, and to help safeguard what makes Harrogate one of the best places to live in the UK. We’re delighted to support the arts charity that celebrates its 50th anniversary, and help to continue to bring such brilliant events to the town.”

Bagnall said that she wanted to bring what she was was creating in London, to Yorkshire. “I’m glad I did, because it’s exactly the right place for it,” she said.

“Our format is designed to bring big ideas alive, and we work with the best academics, authors and passionate experts to �nd ways to bring their ideas to life. We don’t join the dots for our audiences but present them with insider information on our themes and leave them to work out how they feel about it.”

Sharon Canavar, CEO of Harrogate International Festivals,

said: “As an arts charity, only 2% of our income is from public money and we rely heavily on the support of local businesses to support the wealth of events we deliver throughout the year.”

The next Salon, which will be staged on Thursday October 29 at Harrogate’s Crown Hotel, will feature Police Forensic Pathologist Dr James Grieve, author and award winning comedian Will Hodgson and forensic psychologist Gill Attrill OBE from the National O�enders Management Service.

Berwins backs arts charity talks

Corporate and Commercial AwardDLA PiperEvershedsSquire Patton Boggs Enterprise AwardSimon B. Halliwell, Construction Law Expert LimitedKher SolicitorsSimpson Millar Employment Law AwardChadwick Lawrence EvershedsHethertons Solicitors

In-House Lawyer AwardCallcredit Information GroupAsda Family Law AwardA&N Care SolicitorsHenry HyamsThornton Jones Family Law Chambers of the Year AwardSt Philips LeedsParklane Plowden ChambersKings Chambers

Trainee Solicitor AwardGemma O’Boyle, DLA PiperKaira Clarehugh, The Needle PartnershipNatalie Coates, Switalskis Solicitors Managing Partner of the YearAlison Barnes, Barnes Family LawNeil Hudgell, Hudgell SolicitorsSimon Stell, LCF Law

Yorkshire Lawyer of the Year – to be announced on the night Presidents’ Award – to be announced on the night

Charity partner

Headline sponsor

Media partner

Sponsors

L-R:, Carolynn Peace, Solicitor at Berwins, Sarah Smith, Managing Director at Berwins and Sharon Canavar, CEO Harrogate International Festivals


Lasting impressions

I eyed up the apple and syrup slice. My companion tentatively asked whether I could have some custard or cream with it.

“That’ll make it a pudding. £4.25,” came the tart response “And what do you want to drink?”

“A cappuccino, please” seemed a reasonable enough request, seeing as there was a large co�ee machine behind the counter.

“It’ll be a milky co�ee, but you’ll call it a latte,” came the response. I wondered whether it would be as lukewarm as the reception.

The weather was the best of an Indian summer in the Dales, the view was spectacular and the cake not bad at all, but I felt less inclined to linger, let alone to return. I suppose it was a question of �rst impressions. How many times have the pitch gurus told us that �rst impressions count and that ‘you never get a second chance to make a �rst impression’?

But thinking about it, I suppose I am grateful for all the second chances I have been given when my �rst line has been at best a stutter and at worst a large foot in mouth.

Yes, I admit it was me who on safari, remarked to a well-rounded lady in the pool, how wonderful it was to be able to laze like a hippo! No, you are right, I didn’t actually get a second chance that time, but more often than not there is an opportunity to replace a banal �rst attempt with a lasting and much better impression.

Without that opportunity I suspect that court witnesses and courting couples alike would be doomed.

I am not suggesting that we should not make an e�ort from the start, and as Prince Philip has remarked, early compliments provide some immunity against a later ga�e. But an early ga�e is not the end of the world, particularly if it is acknowledged. Furthermore, most people’s reaction to a faux pas is sympathetic. ‘There but for the Grace of God go I’ and if we do relish the moment, it is probably because the individual has already established him (or her) self as a complete ass (or similar)!

On rare occasions the mistake will have unintended, but favourable consequences.

Thrust into communal dining on the �rst night of a sailing holiday and having exhausted the usual lines of conversation about boating experience (or lack of it in my case), curiosity got the better of me. Intrigued

by the size of the large gems round the neck of the lady opposite, I enquired: “are they real?” With horror I realised that as she responded, she looked beyond her necklace to her open cleavage. “I didn’t think they were big enough for anyone to ask that question” she replied, but with apparent contentment.

It is a pity that I never seem to �nd a good ice-breaker except by accident.

I wish too that I had a thicker skin. Am I alone in reliving awkward moments; sometimes those which happened years ago? I would like to say I am now too old to care but it doesn’t seem to work like that. Rather I have amassed a wealth of experience in indelible ‘swallow me up’ moments. I suppose I should be grateful that none is recorded on YouTube, as far as I am aware

I guess it is because everyone deserves a second chance that I will not be posting an opinion of the café on Trip Advisor, although I see the sta� has already been labelled as ‘inhospitable’.

I would prefer to say ‘blunt Yorkshire’: a trait which I share and in some circles can even be a compliment. And as the café is at the top of a long and very steep hill, I might even give the cake a second go as well.

Patrick Walker is the head of Squire Patton Boggs’ specialist advisory and advocacy service, Property@ction. He is also an independent mediator: www.imediate.co.uk

Patrick Walker considers giving �rst impressions a second chance

Comment Patrick Walker

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2 MARCH 2016


Profi leAlan Baker

Most solicitors would be happy to experience half the career that Alan Baker has had.

The former Walker Morris partner and President of Leeds Law Society recently received an Honorary Doctorate from

Leeds Beckett University for his contribution to the legal profession.

It is hard to think of a more deserving recipient. Although the honour came as pleasant surprise to him,

Baker was already very familiar with the University, as he explains.

“In the last couple of years of private practice I was asked to join the estates committee of the university because they were about to embark on a massive re-building project. And with myself being a property lawyer, they thought I could help so I did that for a couple of years,” says Baker.

He was then invited to become a governor of the university and served a total of nine years chairing the estates committee. Under his watch in the Nineties, the University’s facilities grew substantially.

Promoting LeedsLooking back on his career, Baker says that he his most proud of his work with Leeds Legal.

A unique collaboration between the top law � rms in Leeds, promoting the city as the largest legal centre outside of London, Baker was one of Leeds Legal’s founders, along with Deborah Green, who is now the marketing director at Leeds Beckett, and Rosemary Edwards of Shulmans.

“We had this idea and took some time to get going but when it did, it meant that the reputation of Leeds was recognised throughout Europe,” he says.

“Our push at the time enhanced the city’s image and legal o� ering to a far greater amount of outlets then had previously been the case.”

Leeds Legal was not his only venture when it came to promoting Yorkshire.

As well as serving as both the Deputy President and President of Leeds Law Society (during which time he oversaw the launch of Leeds & Yorkshire Lawyer), he also reinvigorated the Yorkshire Union of Law Societies. Instrumental in creating an alliance of 14 local law societies in the county, he attracted many Presidents of the Law Society to come

up from Chancery Lane and hold consultation meetings with the Union on a number of issues.

Short-changing a new generationLooking at the state of the profession today, Baker is particularly concerned at the number of law students who never manage to � nd a path into a � rm or chambers.

“I used to hear some harrowing stories of kids who had built up huge debts and nowhere to go. People were getting third class degrees in law and were never going to get articles or pupillage unless they were very lucky,” he says.

He lays a large proportion of the blame on educators. “The institutions running these courses are frankly simply

not interested in the students. They are just interested in getting them in – they are commercial operations after all.

“The old College of Law were an example of that. They were totally amoral. And there is still an over-subscription of students in my view.”

Charitable gainsNow sadly su� ering from terminal cancer, Baker has precious little energy for the demands of the law, which led to him relinquish his work on the Bench, which has seen him spend 16 years working part-time as a Judge of First Property Chamber and 15 years as a Judge of First Immigration and Asylum Chamber.

However, the former semi-professional soccer and rugby referee has been able to maintain an interest in two charities

that are close to his heart. He remains on the committee for Leeds Hospital

Radio, which broadcasts every ball kicked, thrown and caught at Elland Road and Headingley Carnegie Stadium, as well as other sporting venues

in the region. “I worked for 20-odd years as a treasurer for Leeds

Hospital Radio and was involved in the work they do in bringing commentary to patients of local

sports in the area. “It’s probably just about the most comprehensive hospital radio

operation going in the country – and it has been going since

the early 1950s.” Baker’s own career may

not have stretched back that far, but it has been just as extensive, characterised by his loyalty to Leeds’ legal community, which he has undoubtedly left in a much better position than how he found it.

A true Leeds manAlan Baker was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Leeds Beckett University in July. He looks back at a career during which he has always championed Leeds as a centre of legal excellence

of London, Baker was one of Leeds Legal’s founders, along with Deborah Green, who is now the marketing director at Leeds Beckett, and Rosemary Edwards of

“We had this idea and took some time to get going but when it did, it meant that the reputation of Leeds was recognised throughout Europe,” he says.

“Our push at the time enhanced the city’s image and legal o� ering to a far greater amount of outlets then had previously been

Leeds Legal was not his only venture when it came to promoting Yorkshire.

As well as serving as both the Deputy President and President of Leeds Law Society (during which time he oversaw the launch of

), he also reinvigorated the Yorkshire

an alliance of 14 local law societies in the county, he attracted many Presidents of the Law Society to come

However, the former semi-professional soccer and rugby referee has been able to maintain an interest in two charities

that are close to his heart. He remains on the committee for Leeds Hospital

Radio, which broadcasts every ball kicked, thrown and caught at Elland Road and Headingley Carnegie Stadium, as well as other sporting venues

in the region. “I worked for 20-odd years as a treasurer for Leeds

Hospital Radio and was involved in the work they do in bringing commentary to patients of local

sports in the area. “It’s probably just about the most comprehensive hospital radio

operation going in the country – and it has been going since

the early 1950s.”Baker’s own career may

not have stretched back that far, but it has been just as extensive, characterised by his loyalty to Leeds’ legal community, which he has undoubtedly left in a much better position than how he found it.

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Deborah Ogden o� ers executive coaching for business owners, directors and professionals. A former lawyer, she has worked with solicitors to help them project a strong personal brand, which leads them to have a

positive impact on their � rms, reputation and careers. She recently explained to Leeds & Yorkshire Lawyer as

to just why skills such as networking are so important for today’s lawyer.

Leeds & Yorkshire Lawyer: Why is it so important for lawyers to take soft skill development more seriously? And what do we mean by soft skills?

Deborah Ogden: We use the phrase soft skills, and that sometimes makes it sound less important, but actually, these days it’s absolutely crucial. Technical excellence is expected across the board these days and so it’s all about � nding a di� erent way to di� erentiate yourself from the competition.

Clients needs someone that empathises with them, knows their situation, whether they’re in a positive or negative situation. It’s a cliche, but people buy people. So it’s about connecting to build relationships and to be able to build networks in a profession that has become so much more commercial and diverse in the last ten years.

That need for business development, for fee earners to go out there and � nd their fees, � nd new clients, it’s all become a much bigger remit for legal professionals today. They need that commercial awareness.

LYL: Are lawyers particularly lacking in softer skills simply due to the nature of the profession and the perception that you just need to be a good lawyer?

DO: There are some very good communicators in the legal sector, so we shouldn’t make sweeping generalisations. But these days, because of the pressure and the scarcity of really good contracts, it’s the students that are technically excellent, that have the � rst degrees from the top universities that are getting selected for those plum contracts. And they are being picked on that academic excellence and it may be that those softer skills haven’t been a priority for them. You can see these students who come in, having got their training contract in their second year for example with a bigger � rm, and they think they’ve got it in the bag. But they’re not engaging with their future career at this age.

My belief is that the skills need to be learnt at an early age, so that they become second nature, particularly

as solicitors hit certain touch points in their careers. Once you become an associate, for example, or

a partner, you have to step it up. A number of my coaching clients are people that are being promoted to partner and they’re saying you have to take that impact to another level and that those softer skills have to be enhanced even further.

LYL: You have been invited by establishments such as the University of Law to talk about softer skills. Is this quite a new development and is it a response to

what � rms want from their solicitors or are the educators ahead of the curve?

DO: The law � rms need to catch up. Somebody needs to be showing

people throughout the � rm how to network. Because you

can invest all the money you want into a company brand, but if your people aren’t communicating that brand in the way you want them to, then it’s not money well spent. And even worse, they can damage that brand.

Mind your brand Deborah Ogden is a positive impact coach who has helped lawyers to improve their softer skills to boost their images and fee-earning capabilities. Without them, she says, today’s modern legal professional is incomplete

TrainingSoft skills

sometimes makes it sound less important, but actually, these days it’s absolutely crucial. Technical excellence is expected across the board these days and so it’s all about � nding a di� erent way to di� erentiate yourself from the competition.

Clients needs someone that empathises with them, knows their situation, whether they’re in a positive or negative situation. It’s a cliche, but people buy people. So it’s about connecting to build relationships and to be able to build networks in a profession that has become so much more commercial and diverse in the last ten years.

That need for business development, for fee earners to go out there and � nd their fees, � nd new clients, it’s all become a much bigger remit for legal professionals today. They need that commercial awareness.

and they think they’ve got it in the bag. But they’re not engaging with their future career at this age.

My belief is that the skills need to be learnt at an early age, so that they become second nature, particularly

as solicitors hit certain touch points in their careers. Once you become an associate, for example, or

a partner, you have to step it up. A number of my coaching clients are people that are being promoted to partner and they’re saying you have to take that impact to another level and that those softer skills have to be enhanced even further.

LYL: You have been invited by establishments such as the University of Law to talk about softer skills. Is this quite a new development and is it a response to

what � rms want from their solicitors or are the educators ahead of the curve?

DO: The law � rms need to catch up. Somebody needs to be showing

people throughout the � rm how to network. Because you

can invest all the money you want into a company brand, but if your people aren’t communicating that brand in the way you want them to, then it’s not money well spent. And even worse, they can damage that brand.


Softer skills can absolutely have an impact on your brand and on the bottom line.

The traditional training does not qualify them for the reality that is the profession that they are now entering. They’ve had to catch up to make these young people more skilled up to do their job.

There are individuals within firms that realise it and the number of people that come to me on their own back, recognise the need to develop these skills. So certainly individuals within firms recognise it and some firms are beginning to recognise it, but I would say that the educators are the ones pushing it.

LYL: Can you share an example or two of how lawyers can develop their softer skills? For example, is there any way of improving your networking, other than just doing it more often?

DO: The word networking brings to mind a group of people in suits, huddled together, with a coffee or a glass of wine, in a very formal environment. But networking is a much bigger, wider skill. It’s about building relationships full stop. So yes, it is important to attend networking events, but if you are somebody who is more comfortable talking to somebody in a one-to-one environment, then why not use the networking abilities of LinkedIn? Linking in with people and then arranging one to ones and meeting people like that works well.

It’s important to remember to never, ever sell. This is said often, but it’s so important. It’s about making

connections; looking into how you can help other people, because people will remember that.

You want to become that person who, when somebody asks: ‘Do you know someone who does x?’ says: ‘I know just the person you need to speak to.’ I call it a front-of-mind person.

LYL: Personal branding and protecting a lawyer’s image is something that you stress. Does that mean that lawyers cannot separate their personal and professional lives? Or has that always been the case?

DO: Your personal brand needs to be strong and for that to happen it needs to be consistent. You only buy into what you trust so you need that consistency, but it also needs to be authentic, because we can all spot a fake.

People have this view that they have to suppress their personality but there isn’t a problem about being a person – because that’s your brand.

In a networking situation that’s what makes it so difficult, when everyone has got their professional head on. We’re just going to talk business and all of a sudden the ability to communicate just breaks down. So to build a rapport you need that warmth and that personality. Asking about holidays, children, even in the very British way, the weather.

If it’s authentic, you will probably find that home personal brand probably reflects professional brand as well.

A true personal brand doesn’t change whether you’re at work, or at home. Those core values are still there.

TrainingSoft skills

Get in to practiceCall 0113 333 9602 or visit us at bpp.com/lawleeds

Celebrating 10 years of putting lawyers into practice in Leeds

As a BPP law student you’re part of the city’s legal community from day one.

“So far I have achieved quite a lot since starting law school. The main thing for me has been gaining a mini-pupillage for 2014 at a top Leeds chambers. Without the help and support of BPP Leeds this would not have been possible.”

Danielle Young, GDL Student


A s the pressure builds on solicitors to deliver more for less, many � rms are looking at alternative ways of working as a means of making themselves more cost-e� cient.

This often means outsourcing work to an external or a� liated organisation, sometimes based o� -shore, that can undertake it for a lower cost. An increasing number of � rms are also combining outsourcing with automated document assembly technology to help them standardize or commoditise certain types of legal work.

Not everyone believes that these new ways of working are a good thing and, rather like the taste of Marmite, they can � ercely divide opinion. However, whether you like it or not, these changes are happening and there are many � rms who see them as a key part of their future. As a profession, we also need to be open to new ideas that could deliver costs bene� ts for both our � rms and our clients.

Of course, every new opportunity brings with it new risks. And legal process outsourcing is no di� erent. For example, sending information to external providers in a manner which breaches client con� dentiality obligations could land your � rm in hot water. Failing to properly supervise and review outsourced work can also leave the client with negligent advice – and you exposed to a claim.

Cybercrime against solicitors is also on the increase. And it doesn’t always involve someone posing as a

Nigerian prince who needs your help to recover a lost fortune. Over the last few months at least one � rm has fallen victim to a sophisticated new scam where hackers have cloned the email account of a genuine client and then used that account to fraudulently obtain the proceeds from a property sale. Numerous other � rms have had their client accounts raided as a result of phishing scams.

Remember that any unauthorised payment out of a solicitor’s client account represents a breach of the SRA Accounts Rules. As a result, thefts from client accounts not only lead to claims for negligence and breach of trust, but they can also lead to serious regulatory and disciplinary consequences.

The impact of new and emerging technologies also poses challenges for lawyers in other areas such as commercial contract drafting. By way of example, we’ve come across app development agreements that do not tie in to Apple’s or Google’s coding requirements and commercial agreements that involve (but do not address) data processing outside the EEA as a result of cloud computing.

You don’t have to be a tech geek to see how this kind of issue can expose solicitors to claims.

Neil Howes is a partner and a professional risks specialist at Mills & Reeve in Leeds

Risky business Neil Howes looks at how new business practices and technology can present new professional risks for solicitors

ManagementSecurity


1. Do your due diligence before appointing any external outsourcing providers. Be clear about what you want, agree KPIs and meet the managers who’ll be responsible for your work

2. Take responsibility for quality control – develop systems to ensure that your providers are given clear instructions every time and to spot check the quality of the work received back

3. Never give client-con� dential or bank account information to anyone over the telephone – no matter how plausible they sound or how much they appear to already know about your � rm

4. Always query unusual instructions. For example, a client providing new bank account details should trigger immediate alarm bells. Contact the client and seek an explanation

5. Remember that if emails can be falsi� ed then so too can faxes and letters. If something looks suspicious, do something but � rst seek advice from your � rm’s COLP, COFA or MLRO

6. Extend your knowledge – if you don’t fully understand the impact of a development in technology then how can you advise your client on its legal implications?

7. Know your limits – don’t be afraid to tell the client when specialist input is needed

8. If you have a problem then tell your insurers and get help as soon as you can – many problems can be � xed if they’re identi� ed and addressed quickly enough

9. If you’re the victim of a fraud, act quickly. Stolen money can sometimes be recovered (particularly if it’s still in the UK) but the window for recovery can close very quickly

ManagementSecurity

So, how can solicitors help to protect themselves? Here are nine tips from Neil Howes

Experience, expertise and innovation in lawThe University of Huddersfield Law School offers a range of qualifications geared to the needs of the profession and has excellent links with both the professional bodies and a number of national and regional law firms through our innovative Partners in Law scheme.

The University of Huddersfield Law School, Queensgate, Huddersfield, HD1 3DH. www.hud.ac.uk/hubs

With experienced staff, strong links with the legal profession, competitive fees and an innovative approach to course development the University of Huddersfield Law School is the ideal choice for your continuing legal education and development.

Contact us by e-mail at [email protected] or call us on 01484 472192

Courses include:

Legal Practice Course (LPC)

LLM (taught and distance learning options)

LLM in Commercial Law

LLM Part-time by Dissertation for Legal Practitioners

LLM in International Law

Graduate Diploma in Law (Common Professional Examination) by Flexible Learning


Fighting the hacker Cyber attacks against law �rms are on the rise. Are you doing enough to protect your clients’ information?

According to the 2015 Information security breaches survey, commissioned by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and conducted by PwC, 90% of large organisations and 74% of all small businesses

su�ered some kind of IT security breach last year.PwC said that the results, which were a substantial

increase on the previous year, had led to a doubling in cost for companies �ghting fraud. It said that businesses had to take IT security seriously.

Aon has also warned UK business, and law �rms in particular, about the dangers of cyber crime.

It says that hackers are already targeting law �rms – and for good reason.

Cyber criminals, says the risk management operator, are fully aware of the valuable data and monies that pass through a solicitor’s system and they are targeting their vulnerabilities. Those �rms that are not adequately protected, it added, could �nd themselves on the receiving end of large insurance claims.

“Whilst the industry is taking steps to pull together

and share information, it still remains that few in the legal profession really fully understand the extent of the threat cyber crime presents to their business,” says Ryan Senior, a executive director at Aon.

“As law �rms continue to hold increasing amounts of client sensitive information electronically on servers that are controlled by third parties, it may be a mistake to assume that the security measures in place provide an impenetrable barrier to those seeking to gain unauthorised access to your systems.

“The question is whether law �rms are prepared to assure their clients that they are genuinely safe custodians of their valuable information, and if the answer is no, then they need to urgently put the necessary security in place,” he says.

Not putting in place measures to protect a �rm’s internal network can also harm its prospects of winning new clients, adds Senior.

“Companies are increasingly requiring their law �rms to provide not only the reassurance that their information is safe, but that they can show an understanding of what

Management Security

>> Continues on page 40

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ManagementSecurity

the threats are as well as the protective measures they have put in place.”

Don’t ignore human errorDavid Tindall, the managing director of Talk Straight, a telecoms and IT security provider, says that attacks on networks are on the rise due to a combination of organised criminal activity and a lack of vigilance within the workplace.

“Hackers are becoming more sophisticated and it’s also becoming more common to �nd ways to exploit IT systems with di�erent software that you can just �nd on the internet. A lot more people are doing it and a lot more organised crime is involved in it too,” he says.

“They’ve �gured out how to monetise it as well.” Tindall highlights how one of Talk Straight’s own sta�

members was caught by a virus called Crypto Locker to show how easily the criminals can ensnare their targets. The unsuspecting victim was sent an email about a FedEx parcel containing a link which purported to take them to a webpage that tracked their delivery. When they clicked

on the link however, their computer downloaded and ran a virus which displayed a message telling them that they had to pay the hackers $300 to their account within the next 48 hours or they would encrypt their hard drive.

These sorts of incidents can easily take place within a work environment as well, explains Tindall.

“We’re using a lot more technology. A lot more sta� are becoming more connected, whether that be in the o�ce or working from home, and so they’re pretty much permanently connected to the corporate environment where data is kept.”

Apart from the obvious (the installation of a robust security system and data back-up) Tindall says that making sure sta� know their responsibilities as users of the �rm’s data is vital.

“You can tell them until you’re blue in the face about not connecting a smartphone to the wireless network, but if you give them the key and they do it anyway, then that’s completely human error. So security is part of the solution, but you also have to educate the end users and install policies that they stick to.”

Checklist The SRA has issued numerous scam alerts over the summer months, showing that �rms need to tighten up their email security and revisit their cybercrime prevention strategies.

In August, it issued a note about a speci�c email scam targeting conveyancing �rms, which invites the reader to click on links that are suspected to contain hostile and intrusive software, including viruses and other malicious programmes.

Converge Technology Specialists, a cloud computing provider for law �rms, has advised lawyers to take steps to protect themselves by following a ten-point checklist, which is as follows:

1) Put in place a risk management committee to review and manage the risks

2) Establish ownership for data protection and information security and make it responsible for reporting to the risk committee

3) Put in place some simple but e�ective data access policies and controls to systems and key data, and detail who should have access to what

4) Understand your data. Where is your business data and your client data? Design a data strategy or, at least, start with a workable retention policy which covers both paper and electronic material

5) Ensure password policies are implemented across the business

6) Train sta� to be aware of potential threats, including

bogus emails and suspicious requests for information

7) Take advice from a specialist and review your IT security position to ensure you have a reasonable level of defence

8) Use double veri�cation (two-factor) security to access your IT system and �les and limit the potential for hackers to access all parts of your IT systems and �les

9) Diarise regular penetration tests on your systems and enlist the help of ethical hackers who will be able to identify the weak spots in your IT

10) Take an honest view of your capability and consider moving data and applications to a competent cloud operator


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Things are not that simple any more and are likely to get more complicated.

Bright 18-year-olds who know that their future lies in the law might soon choose to start a funded

higher apprenticeship if the Government approves the Trailblazer legal apprenticeship schemes. And if the SRA’s Training for Tomorrow programme continues in the direction it seems to be heading, there could be multiple potential pathways to quali�cation.

These are exciting times in legal education. But how many �rms and students are aware that some of the rules have already loosened? Did you know that since last July it has been possible to complete a ‘period of recognised training’ (the new term for a training contract) alongside an LPC (or even a law degree or GDL) rather than having to wait until those courses are completed?

Eversheds and BPP Law School paved the way for this change prior to July 2014 with a Combined Studies Training Contract. Students studied the core part of the LPC at BPP and their electives during the �rst part of their training contracts. Newly quali�ed Russell Naglis explains: “Once we started our training contract we combined each seat with an LPC elective module. For example when I was in my property seat I studied my advanced commercial property elective. This was really helpful because it made my studies very relevant to the work I was doing in the o�ce and also enabled me to get into the workplace quicker and start earning a salary sooner.”

Such schemes no longer need SRA authority and innovation is now happening at all levels of the legal market. However it seems it is not the size or type of �rm that is important to ensure successful innovation – it is the relationship between supervisor and trainee that holds the key to the success of combining work and study.

Niche Leeds IP practice Virtuoso Legal has employed paralegal Matthew Lingard. He is studying his LPC on BPP’s part-time day programme.

Matthew will use his time as a paralegal towards the ‘time to count’ rules so reducing the time he will need to be a trainee. With a Masters in IP law, he sought out opportunities with IP �rms. His story of how he impressed Virtuoso partner Liz Ward is inspirational and she speaks passionately about the bene�ts of combining work and study. Liz urges �rms to consider more innovative ways to help sta� to combine study and work and to recognise the mutual bene�ts this can bring.

Tamanna Keir has almost �nished her training contract

with Genus Law, an innovative full service corporate law �rm based in Leeds. Tamanna had originally planned to go travelling and applied to Genus Law for an administrative role but following her interview both the �rm and Tamanna realised this was an opportunity too good for them to miss. She explains how she started on the ‘time to count’ system but stumbled across the new regulations whilst speaking to the SRA about another matter. Tamanna speaks passionately about the advantages of qualifying sooner and applying what you study in the classroom with real life practice. The �rm is supporting current trainees and paralegals through a similar process as Tamanna experienced and arranging the rotation of training seats to match their study areas more closely.

Tamanna is Genus Law’s �rst ever trainee and feels she has been the bene�ciary of the company’s metamorphosis into an ABS as everyone from trainee to partner has been involved in business development and regulatory change, as well as a huge variety of fee earning work.

What advice would Matthew and Tamanna o�er graduates worried that they have not been recruited in the traditional two year cycle followed by many �rms?

All agree that there are now a huge variety of employers in the legal marketplace who are prepared to be innovative in how training can be structured. If future solicitors are focussed on the type of law and employer they want to work for then the opportunities are there. But students must use their ingenuity and personal networks to seek them out.

All of the interviewees were at pains to stress that combining study and work is not an easy option. What shines through with all of these case studies is the entrepreneurial spirit of the students and the close and understanding relationship o�ered by their �rms and supervisors.

Firms need patience and to understand that the journey towards quali�cation might get o� to a slower start but soon gathers momentum for the mutual bene�t of employer and trainee.

If you want to discuss any of the options outlined in this article please contact Clare Grant Senior academic at BPP University law School on 0113 386 8285 or at [email protected]. BPP o�ers fast track, full time and part time LPC and GDL programmes.

Once upon a time the pathway to quali�cation was clearly mapped out. You studied law or another subject at university followed by a conversion course, took your Legal Practice Course and found a �rm to take you on for a training contract.

Training contracts – not just a change of name


Having a Will does not always mean a smooth and easy estate distribution, and when one couple died just 24 hours apart, it shows just that.

Bernard and Clara Kempson passed away very close to one another, so the terms of their Wills meant that their daughter, Lesley, would inherit their legacy.

The value of the estate was made up of many parts, and whilst the administering solicitors could deal with most, the North American shares owned by the Kempson couple proved di� cult.

Bernard Kempson worked for Cadbury most of his life and so he and his wife accumulated almost 1,000 jointly held shares in the business. Although once a UK � rm, the sale and transfer to Kraft meant many of these shares were split across the pond, turning the Kempsons’ Cadbury shares into Dr Pepper Snapple.

With the stock now being US-listed, these assets were thought to require a Medallion Signature Guarantee in order to sell and distribute their value to entitled bene� ciaries.

As a service o� ered by probate genealogy � rm Fraser & Fraser, the team set to work on assisting the solicitors in both transferring and selling the Kempsons’ shares. Working with intestate and testate cases, the company often see UK residents holding American shares.

With its wider scope to compete beyond chocolate alone, Snapple, 7up and Dr Pepper Schweppes were among the

� rst of Cadbury’s many purchases, explaining the changed name of the Kempsons’ shares. Cadbury continued to acquire more confectionary brands but it wasn’t long before this push back� red, and with the combination of the economic downturn along with growing competitors, Cadbury’s extra branches were slowly chopped o� , often undersold.

With the drinks companies gone, Cadbury opened themselves up to potential buyers, turning from an overly complicated business to one perfect to sell. It was in January 2010 that the price of 850p was � nally accepted and Cadbury’s 186 years of independence ended.

The solicitors in this case had long been trying to arrange a Medallion Signature Guarantee as the shares needed to be transferred and sold to complete the administration of the Kempsons’ estate. Fraser & Fraser were able to assist not only with arranging the bank signature guarantee to e� ect the transfer, but also subsequent sale of the holding – worth £43,000 – in one streamlined and e� cient process.

With a broad range of experience in dealing with a variety of holdings and an understanding that each case is di� erent, Fraser & Fraser o� ers a service tailored to your needs. With an ability to arrange Medallion Signature Guarantees in relation to stock and shares paperwork as well as the transfer and sale of US, Canadian and other international shareholdings, Fraser & Fraser are ready to help you.

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LLB (Hons) Law student Kelly Cronin graduated with a �rst class honours degree and received an Oxford University Press Prize for Outstanding Achievement on the LLB.

Speaking after receiving the prize, Cronin said: “It was a real surprise to learn that I’d been awarded a prize, but it was incredibly satisfying and the culmination of four years of hard study.

“Graduation was a fantastic day of celebration of my time

at Leeds Beckett and I’m now looking forward to starting my Bar professional training course in September to become a barrister.”

Speaking about the importance of recognising student success through the awarding of prizes, Deveral Capps, Head of Leeds Law School at Leeds Beckett, added: “I am delighted with the success of our students this year and would like to congratulate everyone who has won such an accolade; it is wonderful to have so many �rms sponsor Leeds Law School prizes. I wish our prize winners and all graduates every success for the future.”

The full list of Leeds Law School sponsors and prize winners are listed in the table below.

As well as celebrating the achievements of over 5,000 graduating students, Leeds Beckett also award honorary degrees each year to inspiring people who have made a signi�cant contribution to their �eld.

This year, Alan Baker, a senior �gure in Leeds’ legal community and former President of Leeds Law Society, received an Honorary Doctorate of Laws at the Leeds Law School graduation ceremony (see page 32).

Alan, who began his career as a solicitor in 1974, is a founder board member of the Solicitors Regulation Authority and served nine years as a Governor and Chair of the Estates Committee at Leeds Beckett University.

Speaking at the ceremony, Alan commented: “This award means a very gracious recognition of the 40 odd years I’ve spent in various capacities within the law in Leeds and West Yorkshire and also my association with the University. It’s a very kind recognition and much appreciated.”

For more information about Leeds Law School and Leeds Beckett University visit www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk.

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Graduation prizes celebrate Leeds Beckett law student successPrizes to celebrate the achievements of graduating Leeds Law School students have been awarded as part of Leeds Beckett University’s summer graduation celebrations

The Milners Law prize for Employment Law Extended study (LLB)

Lucinda Long

The DLA Piper prize for Intellectual Prop-erty Law (LLB)

Samuel O’Neill

The Virtuoso Legal Prize for Intellectual Property Law (LLB)

Samuel O’Neill

The Morrish Solicitors Prize for Employ-ment Law (LLB)

Abdulla Al-Siddiqi

The Consilia Legal Prize for Family Law (LPC)

Esme Madill

The Blacks Solicitors Prize for Employment Law (LPC)

Daniel Sammon

The Levi Solicitors prize for Commercial Leases (LPC)

Emma Wardle

The Shulmans LLP Prize for Property Law & Practice (LPC)

Emma Wardle

Legatus Law Prize for Commercial Law (LPC)

Jessica Dodd

The Capsticks Solicitors LLP Prize for Per-sonal Injury and Clinical Negligence (LPC)

Laura Fairlie

The Ison Harrison Prize for Civil Litigation (LPC)

Richard Campbell

The Milners Solicitors Prize for Commercial Dispute Resolution (LPC)

Jody Waldron

The Harrison Bundey prize for Criminal Litigation (LPC)

Richard Campbell, Laura Fairlie, Toby Lunn, Esme Madill

The Bond Dickinson Prize for Property Law (LLB)

Rebecca Parker

The CPS Prize for Criminal Law (LLB) Alison Pharoad

The Minco�s Prize for Company Law (LLB) Samuel O’Neill

Sweet & Maxwell Prizes for research (LLB and PGDL)

Ansa Matloob, Cathe-rine Bailey

Oxford University Prizes for Outstanding Achievement on the LLB

Kelly Cronin, Rosie Hamson, Layla Kawa�

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A complex and bureaucratic systemThe intent of the Community Infrastructure Levy

(CIL) was to simplify and provide a transparent mechanism for funding community bene� ts. The negotiation of Section 106 planning obligations

was seen as an opaque and long-winded process in which agreements were negotiated behind closed doors.

In practice, the reverse has happened. The system is proving to be complex and bureaucratic.

Fundamentally, CIL is proving to be just another development land tax which allows councils, if they choose to adopt it, to mop up funding for particular infrastructure. However, planning obligations which are speci� cally related to the development may still be governed by Section 106 Agreements, as will a� ordable housing. CIL may still be payable for other infrastructure projects alongside this, if a

charging schedule has been adopted. Since April 2015, a Section 106 obligation cannot

constitute a reason for granting planning permission if it provides for the funding/provision of infrastructure or an infrastructure project; and � ve or more separate obligations which provide for the funding of that infrastructure, or project, have been entered into since April 2010.

This is the ‘stick’ to encourage authorities to adopt CIL. However, a recent survey indicated that this restriction will a� ect at least 43% of local authorities in the country. Local authorities (particularly those without a CIL in place) will � nd it increasingly di� cult to ask for general ‘tari� style’ Section 106 payments without a CIL, and are having to be a lot more speci� c about the purpose of contributions to circumvent the restriction.

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Spotlight on cultureEmma Joushin on using the right tools to help reunite outstanding assets

Asset reuni�cation forms a large part of the work which legal �rms engage in. With The Financial Times estimating “very conservatively” that total assets outstanding in the UK are worth over £15

billion, a substantial amount of this is in the legal sector from unclaimed estates.

At the time of writing this article we have just over three weeks to go before the main Professional Indemnity Insurance renewal date of 1 October.

By the time you read this, if you still renew on the 1 October, then you will have now completed your renewal negotiations for another year. As always, there will be stories of reductions or increases, how easy the process was, and any di�culties experienced.

Although the focus for an insurer will change annually, depending on where the claims are coming from, the one constant is the insurers’ desire to understand, either through the proposal form or through one-to-one meetings, the culture of the �rm they are asked to provide a quotation on.

Culture will of course mean di�erent things to di�erent people, but how the �rm manages itself is a key feature in understanding the risk associated with any �rm. One of the most important cultural aspects is how quickly and easily management are made aware of issues that may need to be noti�ed to insurers.

This one cultural quality can greatly improve a �rm’s insurance costs and reduce the exposure to both excess payments and reputational damage. Many �rms may desire this cultural characteristic, but it’s not easy to create and just as di�cult to maintain. In recent years this has become even more of a challenge in the face of widespread merger activity where cultures may be at odds. The importance of achieving a common understanding of the obligations is all too clear. To change culture you have to change behaviour and maintain those new behaviours.

The culture of any business starts with those in a leadership position. During crisis periods they need to be

very direct and ‘transmit’ the message to their employees. Most of the time, however, �rms are not in crisis and we need a style that engages all members of sta�.

Leadership requires excellent listening skills, integrity, openness and establishing a no (or at least a low) blame culture. Lack of proper supervision has been the cause of many claims against lawyers and if we need help then we have to have the courage to ask for it. In a well-run �rm it will take less courage to ask; in a poorly run �rm it will take great courage.

We have to create a trust and collegiate atmosphere. Equally, every member of sta� needs to feel their work is important. Having sta� that want to work for the �rm rather than having to work can transform performance.

As such, I believe a coaching culture is to be encouraged. The challenge for all of us is �nding time to create this culture and yet by doing so we may well �nd we gain the time we are so desperately looking for.

It is my personal view that many heads of departments and supervisors at law �rms do embrace a more rounded and supportive style of leadership and, no matter how renewal negotiations go, demonstrating this to insurers will remain as important as ever.

Colin S. Taylor is an Executive Director at Willis

“The culture of any business starts with those in a leadership position.

During crisis periods they need to be very direct and ‘transmit’ the message to their employees. Most of the time, however, firms are not in crisis and we need a style that engages all members of staff.”

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Last year, Rahman Ravelli was the only firm in Yorkshire to gain Tier 1 ranking in the fraud solicitors section of The Legal 500. It has repeated that achievement again this year and gained an official recommendation by The Legal

500 for its fraud work in London, while Aziz Rahman, its founder and senior partner, was described as a “first class” operator for his work in fraud and white collar crime. The firm has its headquarters in Halifax.

I became a solicitor because... I came to realise that it was something that appealed to my sense of logic. When I was growing up, I certainly did not have any grand designs on becoming a lawyer. It wasn’t something that was an obvious option as I went through school; at least not until I was almost on my way to university. But when it came to studying, I did eventually decide that it had to be law for me. It was at university that I realised that the law was the best possible weapon that anyone could use – no matter how rich or poor they were – when it came to standing up against tyrants and petty bureaucrats. Once I realised that the law could be used for such a purpose, it ticked all the boxes for me when it came to developing a career.

The best part of my job is... that moment when you secure a victory for a client. Whatever the case, it is always hugely pleasing to learn that our firm’s effort, expertise and outside-of-the-box thinking has gained the very best outcome for someone who has put their faith in us. I also take pleasure in the rankings in the legal guides that Rahman Ravelli achieves, but these are down to that success. I’m like anyone else, I enjoy success.

The worst part of my job is... those rare occasions when a case does not go our way. It can be frustrating, but it is important to bounce back. It is never pleasant to lose, especially in the Crown Court, but thankfully such instances are few and far between. And I have always believed that if a case does not go your way then you should use it to fuel your determination to succeed in the future.

The highlight of my career to date is... difficult to pinpoint. It was a great moment when, as a young solicitor, I was able to take a case to the House of Lords (R V H and C) which changed the prosecution’s obligation on disclosure. There have been a number of cases where we have gone to the Supreme Court and obtained notable successes which could also be classed as highlights. But on a more localised level, Rahman Ravelli’s recent expansion into larger premises and our increased presence in London have also been causes for great satisfaction.

I would tell my 21-year-old self that... most things are not worth worrying about too much. If there is a problem,

focus on it, tackle it as best you can and know that you have done all you can. I would probably suggest that he reads If by Rudyard Kipling, especially the lines about trusting yourself when others may doubt you. I think that’s fairly decent advice for anyone at any age.

If I was Lord Chancellor... I would certainly reverse all recent Legal Aid cuts. We risk heading towards a two-tier justice system – one for the rich, one for the poor. That cannot be right. I would also like the cuts to the prosecution agencies reversed as these also affect the quality of justice: poorly-staffed, under-resourced prosecutors can struggle to make properly informed decisions; which can then mean protracted, unnecessary litigation for my clients.

Working in Yorkshire is great because... it is where I am from. Yorkshire has always been my home and always will be. My firm has its roots here and always will have. I have to divide my time between Yorkshire, London and various places abroad due to the nature of the work. But in a way that helps me appreciate Yorkshire more. We have great heritage, breath-taking landscape, a no-nonsense approach and towns and cities that always seem to offer further potential for business.

The person who has had the biggest influence on my career is... my father. Without doubt, he was the one who showed me the value of nurturing your talent and finding its most appropriate outlet.

Away from the office, I like to relax by... travelling, diving and generally finding ways to switch off or broaden the mind. Usually, a good book or film or great company can do the trick, wherever I am.

The legal profession could be improved by... me having that day as Lord Chancellor we’ve just talked about!

Aziz Rahman is the senior partner at Rahman Ravelli, the �rm he founded in 2001

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The Official Journal of Leeds Law Society October/November ...€¦ · Project Manager: Matt Gotting 01423 851 150 [email protected] ... wager that the threshold catches