BRISTOL LAW SOCIETY

Minutes of 149th Annual General Meeting on 19 November 2019 at 6.00pm

12 Colston Avenue, Bristol, BS1 4ST

Present: Nick Lee (NL); Ben Holt (BH); Erin Sawyer (ES); Coralie McKeivor (CM); Gary Lightwood (GL); John Moriarty (JM); Helen Read (HER); Saida Bello (SB); Joanne Campbell (JC); Tara Connor-McLaren (TCM); Shahzia Daya (SD); Mary Gaskins (MGa); Michael Gupwell (MG); Ben Hanham (BHa); Toby Huggins (TH); Ian Kelcey (IK); Roisin O’Dubhlaoidh (ROD); Leonie Parkin (LP); Clair Ponting (CLP) (admin only); Huw Ponting (HP); James Shepherd (JS); Leon Smith (LS); Edward Thompson (ECT)

Apologies: Jane Emanuel; Rachel Fisher; Jerry Fowler; Sarah Goodridge; Nick Haywood; Ravinder Hothi; Katherine King; Julian Kinsey; Gareth Malna; Owen Mason; Katherine Moyse; Jonathan Peacock; Janis Purdy; Helen Read; Sarah Richards; Scott Silbereis; Dagmar Steffens; Karen Stuart (resigned); Marc White;

Proxy Forms: 18 forms: Jamie Russell (DAC Beachcroft); John Marcus Campbell (DAC Beachcroft); Becky Lea (DAC Beachcroft); Polly McBridge (DAC Beachcroft); Polly Frost (DAC Beachcroft); Sophie Owen (DAC Beachcroft); Amy Harris (DAC Beachcroft); Carl Jamie Keenan (DAC Beachcroft); Helen Staines (DAC Beachcroft); Alex Erdmanis (DAC Beachcroft); Tyron Cook (DAC Beachcroft); Phillip Roberts (DAC Beachcroft); Leon R Smith (DAC Beachcroft); Nick Haywood (); Marc Shrimpling (Osborne Clarke); Phillip Chivers (Osborne Clarke); Lara Flynn (Osborne Clarke); Julian Hemming (Osborne Clarke)

1. Welcome Introductions and Receiving Apologies

NL opened the meeting at 6.05pm and thanked all for coming. With the number of people in attendance (and holding proxies for the others) the meeting was quorate, and could proceed.

Apologies as above.

2. Minutes of the 148th Annual General Meeting held on 20 November 2018

The draft minutes having been posted along with the notice of this AGM. With no comments arising from these:

Proposed: Michael Gupwell Seconded: Gary Lightwood Voted: All

Motion carried the minutes would be adopted.

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3. Report of the Council (including President’s and Honorary Secretary’s Reports)

President’s Report A copy of the President’s Report as delivered on the evening is below at Appendix 1. The President’s report was not circulated in advance.

ROUND OF APPLAUSE

Honorary Secretary’s Report A copy of the Report of the Honorary Secretary is below at Appendix 2. There were no questions regarding this report.

4. Honorary Treasurer’s Report

A copy of the Report of the Honorary Treasurer is below at Appendix 3. Review format of monthly management accounts with bookkeeper in order to reflect position better.

5. Appointment of Milsted Langdon LLP as the Society’s Accountants

Robert Rawle from Milsted Langdon was in attendance at the meeting. Milsted Langdon were very pleased to accept the appointment as Accountants to the Society and are looking forward to working with the Society for the next 12 months.

Proposed: Leon Smith Seconded: Ben Holt Voted: All CARRIED

No questions arising from the appointment of Accountants.

6. The Election of:

It was agreed to vote on Ordinary Member applications as a block.

The elections took place in reverse order:

• Ordinary Member of Council (as per nomination forms received). The majority of Ordinary Members were within their 4 year terms but new ones were as follows:

Leonie Parkin, Computershare Proposed: Coralie McKeivor Seconded: Ben Holt

Huw Ponting, Enable Law Proposed: Coralie McKeivor Seconded: Ben Holt

Saida Bello, Bristol City Council Proposed: Coralie McKeivor Seconded: Ben Holt

Mary Gaskins, Proposed: Coralie McKeivor Seconded: Ben Holt

Eve Emery, Simmons & Simmons Proposed: Coralie McKeivor Seconded: Ben Holt

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Salma Maqsood, Barcan+Kirby Proposed: Coralie McKeivor Seconded: Ben Holt

Nick Haywood, Osborne Clarke Proposed: Coralie McKeivor Seconded: Ben Holt

No objections to each of the above: Voted: All CARRIED

WELCOME ABOARD

• Honorary Secretary Coralie McKeivor, CMS CMNO Proposed: Michael Gupwell Seconded: Coralie McKeivor Voted: All CARRIED

• Honorary Treasurer Jonathan Peacock, VWV Proposed: Michael Gupwell Seconded: Coralie McKeivor Voted: All CARRIED

• Junior Vice-President Edward Thompson, Battens Proposed: Ben Holt Seconded: Michael Gupwell Voted: All CARRIED

• Senior Vice President Erin Sawyer, Proposed: Ben Holt Seconded: Michael Gupwell Voted: All CARRIED

BH presenting the Senior Vice President Chain of Office to ES

• President Ben Holt Proposed: Michael Gupwell Seconded: Coralie McKeivor Voted: All CARRIED

I introduce you to the 149th President of Bristol Law Society.

7. The Investiture of the new President of the Society

NL placing the Presidential chain of office over BH’s head.

ROUND OF APPLAUSE

See Incoming President’s speech at Appendix 4 below.

ROUND OF APPLAUSE

8. Any Other Business

None arising.

Meeting closed at 6.50 pm

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BRISTOL LAW SOCIETY 149TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD ON 19 NOVEMBER 2019 AT 12 COLSTON AVENUE, BRISTOL, BS1 4ST AT 5.45 PM

REPORTS

OF

OUTGOING PRESIDENT, NICHOLAS LEE (Appendix 1)

HONORARY SECRETARY, CORALIE McKEIVOR (Appendix 2)

HONORARY TREASURER, JONATHAN PEACOCK (Appendix 3)

INCOMING PRESIDENT, BEN HOLT (Appendix 4)

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BRISTOL LAW SOCIETY ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2019 PRESIDENT’S REPORT

It has been a really enjoyable year and an honour to represent BLS and our members for the past 12 months.

Reflecting on my main goals and what we have done to achieve those:

1. Promote the legal sector and our City as a whole a. BBLT- Meet ups, Tech Festival and Westminster, Legal Geek b. Joint V & ASWLS c. Social media presence d. Engagement with BCC and WECA e. Supporting Bristol Pro Bono, Pro Bono Week, Bristol Law Centre and the SW Legal Support Trust Walk f. Supporting UWE DAS g. Engagement with ICAEW h. Engagement with CBI i. UWE Law Advisory Board j. Bristol Showcasing Event

2. Enhanced membership a. Collaboration on Community Engagement, Feeding Bristol, Bristol Giving Day b. More courses c. Innovation workshop d. Presenting to corporates on the benefits of corporate membership e. Quizzes f. Summer Party g. Annual Awards Dinner h. New sponsors i. Facilitated meetings and mediations at No 12, The Meeting Rooms

3. Promoting equality and Mental Health a. BLS inclusion committee b. South West D&I Forum c. Supporting member D&I initiatives d. Bristol Equality Network and Bristol Equality Charter e. Celebrating 100 years of Women in Law f. Supporting Bristol Pride g. Pay gap seminar h. LawCare and mental health awareness

A huge thank you to all on Council who have supported and run these events and new initiatives. An even bigger thank you to Helen, Clair and John who have somehow managed to accommodate all these new events. Seriously they go over and beyond to ensure that we meet the needs and wishes of our members. Resourcing continues to be a challenge and one that we are looking at closely. If we want to maximise all of our potential, we will eventually need to increase our resources.

Delighted to have continued strengthening our relationships with our sponsors and strategic partners- UWE, Lloyds, Milsted Landon, Wessex Searches, Marsh JLT, Hays, Anexsys and Annecto. Really exciting to have welcomed a number of new sponsors this year- Insight Legal, Amdaris, WMR, Nine Feet Tall and Easton Bevins/Neighbourly Matters Consultancy. In addition we have been supported by ARAG, West Country Case Management, Kin Probate, Legal WorkFlow, Dual Asset Management, Griffiths Allen, Weston College, Conscious, Albion, Guildhall, at our awards dinner and conferences.

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It has been an exhausting year, but one that has been really valuable personally. It has opened my eyes to all the innovation and inspiration within our profession and beyond.

Really pleased to have raised funds for our charity of the year- The Bristol Children’s Help Society. We have raised around £3500 so far and hoping for a final push this Friday with #Casual4Kids.

Last but not least… There is set to be a new kid on the block. They say he is taller, younger and better looking. That’s all lies.

Delighted to be handing over to Ben Holt. Ben has been a really supportive Senior Vice and he is going to be a fantastic President. He is energetic, amusing, some say extravert, and commercially savvy. He is really popular amongst our legal community and I have no doubts he will continue to drive BLS forward. Ben and I have built a good friendship over the past few years and I am delighted to be supporting him next year.

Thanks again for all your support and please continue to support BLS moving forward.

Nicholas Lee President 2018/19 19 November 2019

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HONORARY SECRETARY REPORT TO AGM – 19 NOVEMBER 2019

Resignations

Ordinary Member's resignations during 2018/2019

The following people resigned during the year:

1. Karen Stuart (Simmons & Simmons) 2. Katherine King (Burges Salmon) 3. Gareth Malna (Burges Salmon)

We thank them for their contributions during their time on Council.

Ordinary Member's resignations for AGM

Leonie Parkin of Computershare has come to the end of her four-year term.

Edward Thompson of Battens has submitted his resignation as an Ordinary Members in order to stand for positions on the Executive.

We thank them all for their contributions over the years.

Co-optees and Special Members at AGM

Nick Haywood of Osborne Clarke, Scott Silbereis of UWE and Janis Purdy of ASWLS have all finished their 1 year terms. We also thank them for their contributions over the past year.

Nominations for 2019/20

Nominations for Officers

President: Benjamin Holt (VWV) Senior Vice President: Erin Sawyer (Irwin Mitchell) Junior Vice President: Edward Thompson (Battens) Honorary Treasurer: Jonathan Peacock (VWV) Honorary Secretary: Coralie McKeivor (CMS)

Nominations for Ordinary Members

Huw Ponting (Enable Law) Saida Bello (Bristol City Council) Mary Gaskins (Burges Salmon) Eve Emery (Simmons & Simmons) Salma Maqsood (Barcan + Kirby) Nick Haywood (Osborne Clarke)

Leonie Parkin will be restanding as an Ordinary Member.

Membership

Corporate Members:

3PB, Albion Chambers, Ashfords, Barcan + Kirby, Burges Salmon, Clarke Willmott, Cooke Painter Ltd, Clyde & Co, DAC Beachcroft, Devereux & Co, Enterprise Chambers, The Family Law Practice, Foot Anstey (including Enable Law), Fussell Wright, Gregg Latchams P a g e | 7 Appendix 2

Ltd, Guildhall Chambers, Irwin Mitchell , Kelcey & Hall, Lyons Davidson, Marc White & Co, Meade King, Michelmores LLP, MS Rubric, Osborne Clarke, Paragon Costs Solutions, Queen Square Chambers, Sharp Family Law, Simmons & Simmons LLP, Simpson Millar, St John’s Chambers, Thrings, TLT Solicitors, Unity Street Chambers, VWV, Wards Solicitors, Womble Bond Dickinson

I am pleased to report that this year we have been joined by Ashfords, Clyde & Co, Enterprise Chambers and Sharp Family Law.

We have also had 9 Full members, 4 Associate members and 40 student members. 53 new individual members. 40 of those were student members and 13 were fully paid members.

Coralie McKeivor Honorary Secretary 19 November 2019

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HONORARY TREASURER’S REPORT TO ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

TUESDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2019

Executive Summary 1. The financial year end for Bristol Law Society is 30 November. The published accounts are for the year to 30 November 2018. Copies are available to inspect tonight if requested.

2017/18 Budget 2. We set a budget with projected net profit of £25,212.

Actuals 3. Our net profit was £10,073 as stated in the accounts.

4. Income was £179,354 vs budget of £176,360 a. Conference income £20,620 vs £24,000 b. Recruitment/employment register income £11,275 vs £6000 c. Annual dinner income £57,945 vs £60,780 d. Membership income was £54,180 vs £54,000 e. Summer party income £3371 vs £2000 f. Other events were £15,077 vs £1000 (includes property income) g. Other sponsorship was £16,256 vs £16,580

5. Expenditure was £169,281 vs budget of £151,148 a. Recruitment/employment register £NIL vs £375 b. Annual dinner £36,626 vs £35,000 c. Summer party £2684 vs £2000 d. Other events were £3172 vs £600 e. Website development cost not incurred - £3000. f. Wages £58,537 vs £56,244

Conclusions 6. We were in a good position as regards the balance sheet with substantial equity in the property.

7. We made a modest net profit.

8. We closed the year with £67,050 cash.

9. BLS continues to try and enhance member benefits and maximise income from the property. A reasonable start was made on room hire this year.

10. Our administrator and business development manager had a very busy year supported by our Chairman.

11. Our membership continues to grow. Membership fees were not increased in 2017/18.

12. The AAD continues to be a big success and profitable.

2018/19 Preview 13. This year we are projecting loss. The final position will be known in January but we are projecting a £6k loss and a £15k budget miss.

14. BLS continues to pay off the mortgage on the property.

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15. Cash flow has been steady with no major issues during the year. However, reserves are down and we need to keep a careful watch on cash flow over the next 12 months.

16. Expenditure on the property was £2.4k over budget. This an unpredictable item and an overspend is always possible.

17. Staff are under significant pressure. We need to review all areas where committee members may be able to assist with the wok of BLS in order to share this burden.

18. Our chairman continues to offer valuable support on a consultancy basis. We do not anticipate that this will change in the short term.

19. We will be undertaking a careful review of expenditure although it is difficult to see where savings can be made.

20. We will be reviewing conference delivery.

21. We are conducting a review of corporate membership fees.

22. Reserves and cash flow are now areas of concern.

2019/20 Objectives 23. The main continuing objective is to increase room hire and income from the premises. We would like to see conference income return to previously budgeted levels and to increase income from membership fees which have been static for several years.

Investment/Property

As per previous reports:

24. We have converted most of our cash into equity in property.

25. The estimated value of the property is £350,000 (equity of £250k).

26. Our mortgage will decrease by £6-7k per year with repayments of approximately £12k per year.

27. It is hoped that the expense of the property will be offset by the increased asset value.

Jonathan Peacock Honorary Treasurer 19 November 2019

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BRISTOL LAW SOCIETY ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2019 INCOMING PRESIDENT’S SPEECH

I am delighted and honoured to take over as President of Bristol Law Society.

I would like to pay particular thanks to Nick. He has been a great president over the past year and someone I am pleased to call a friend. His dedication to the role has been admirable. I can only hope to try to do as good a job as he has done over the next year.

I also echo Nick's thanks to John, Helen and Clair. Without you, none of this would work and you all go over and above in the effort and time that you put in. It is appreciated.

Thanks also to Council and to the Exec. We are all volunteers with proper jobs and outside commitments and it's great to know I've got such a great team of people to support me throughout my presidential year.

I look forward to representing my colleagues and the profession across our fantastic city and nationally. My main goals for the year are:

1. Promoting the legal sector in Bristol - we have brilliant, intelligent expert lawyers and really lovely down to earth people. I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else.

2. Protect and promote the integrity of the profession. We continue our close alliance with the other 4 major legal centres outside of , representing a total of around 15,000 lawyers - which allows us to have a stronger voice on national issues when representing you in discussions with the national Law Society and the SRA. I have already made great connections with our counterparts in Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester over the past year and look forward to building on those.

3. Promote our fantastic City as a whole and support Nick with the launch of his Bristol showcasing event in 2020 to celebrate the sectors that our region is most well-known for and to highlight our legal expertise that compliment those areas.

4. Continue to progress BLS' successful co-ordination a number of new local collaborations:

a. We have helped launch the hugely popular Bristol & Bath Legal Tech initiative, bringing together our innovative lawyers and technology experts to consider our role in the future of legal tech;

b. Another highlight was the Society's involvement in the Feeding Bristol campaign, where 60% of volunteer time was from local lawyers.

c. And very importantly to continue the great work done in raising awareness and progressing the dialogue on both diversity and inclusion and mental health.

5. And of course celebrating the Society's historic 250th anniversary with you. We have the usual massive programme of educational and networking events planned alongside a few extra 250th anniversary events including a civic reception at the Bush Tavern and a commemorative book.

As a not for profit society, we can only continue our work with the on-going support of our dedicated members and in particular our Council members, all of whom help make Bristol Law Society one of the largest, most active and forward-thinking local law societies in England and Wales.

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Thank you for your continued support.

Ben Holt President 19/20 19 November 2019

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