North West Law In association with Past President John Potter returns to Manchester as Residing Judge

Many practitioners will re - didn’t matter whether you member John Potter, the were a barrister or a solici - President of Manchester tor, as long as you worked December 2014 Law Society in 1995/96 hard and professionally on and a highly regarded behalf of your client. The criminal . John has changes to legal aid led to now returned to the city more training as News on his appointment as the Higher Court and Residing Judge at Min - initially there was the ex - Mills & Reeve announces new head of shull Street, taking over pectation that there would from HHJ Peter Lakin who be some tension between Manchester office page 6 has retired. the two sides of the profes - sion - my experience was John Potter was a criminal that this proved to be un - Pannone Corporate unveils move to practitioner with Platt founded.” Halpern for many years, be - new premises page 7 fore qualifying as a Higher John also sat on the SDT Court in 1997 and from 1995 and was ap - Brabners bucks trend by recruiting spent 13 years representing pointed a Recorder in 2005, clients in the higher courts. sitting mainly in Liverpool. more litigators page 8 John says “becoming an In 2010 he was appointed to HCA was a very positive ex - the Bench, and joined the perience for me and I found North Eastern Circuit, sitting hosts Cyber-crime conference members of the Bar and the at Bradford Crown Court. Judiciary were always very for Chinese officials page 10 welcoming and supportive. HHJ Potter says “Bradford was close enough to com - “Perhaps one of the most mute, which meant we did - important things that I took n’t have to move home HHJ Potter Features from the experience was which would have been an that as long as you had pre - upheaval for me, my wife the time.” Despite the often city; very multi-cultural and Five decades in the Law pared your case properly Ann, who worked in Man - long commute, HHJ Potter far too often it is wrongly and thoroughly you were chester and our three sons enjoyed working in Brad - viewed as being in the ford, he adds “It’s a great Graeme Jump talks to Julia Baskerville treated as an equal. It really who were quite young at continued on page 9 page 11 Talking Heads Do you think that devolution will be benefi - Joint V meeting with the SRA cial to Manchester businesses and profes - Michael Hardacre, Honorary Secretary of Manchester Law Society sional services?" page 14 reports on the latest meeting of the Joint V which was addressed by Regulars Paul Philip, the Chief Executive of the SRA... Myself, David Joseph, our weight to the national Law pears to have been con - Members Reward Card current President and Society and the profile of frontational and has not fo - Fran Eccles-Bech, the Manchester Law Society is cussed on the needs and see your latest offers... page 25 Chief Executive of Man - enhanced further by this re - requirements of the profes - chester Law Society re - lationship with other large sion to make sure that its cently attended the local law societies. One of avowed aim of light touch Monthly Competition quarterly meeting of the the benefits is providing a but appropriate regulation “Joint Five” local law soci - forum to attract high profile is met. Win a group bowling package at Dog eties at Liverpool Law So - speakers to the meetings. Bowl page 4 ciety’s offices. On this occasion we had That may be due to a lack of Paul Philip, the recently ap - understanding of the SRA’s By way of background, the pointed Chief Executive of role and that, in turn, arises Joint Five is an informal the Solicitors Regulation from a lack of transparency arrangement that Manches - Authority speaking to us. I and engagement with the ter, Liverpool, Bristol, Birm - share the view of most of profession. These things ingham and more recently, the profession of a very come from the top and Paul Law Society have to guarded approach to the Philip made it abundantly meet on a regular basis to SRA. Giving the SRA the clear to all present that he is discuss and share ideas and benefit of the doubt for a absolutely determined to Michael Hardacre areas of mutual interest and moment, since its inception rectify that failure. I am suit - benefit. seven years ago it has been ably sceptical about words finding its feet in terms of its not being translated into ac - This has, over the years, relationship with the profes - been a useful counter - sion. At worst, the SRA ap - continued on page 9 Single issue £3.50, 12 month subscription £54.00 The Monthly Publication of the Manchester Law Society free to members

Manchester Law Society President’s Column 3 President’s Column This is my last column as Pres - proud that Manchester Law proud to be one of the tive Paul Philip. ident of Manchester Law So - Society’s members have sup - judges. The quality of the ap - ciety. I started my year ported pro-bono initiatives, plications was astonishingly With the pending demise of concerned about an individ - giving up many hours of good. This proved to me (not CPD it has been important to ual having access to justice. I chargeable time to assist the that it needed proving) that restructure legal education. sincerely hoped that that by less fortunate. Only last Manchester provides the very Manchester Law Society will the end of my tenure the po - month 350 people walked best legal advice at sensible continue to provide seminars sition would have improved, 10k around Manchester to prices. and conferences of the very but the reality is, that it has raise money for the North highest standard with the not and there seems no West Legal Support Trust that This is why the Manchester very best and knowledgeable prospect of it improving for provides grants to legal ad - legal community should con - speakers in their field. the foreseeable future. Cruel vice charities that offer free tinue to attract work not only and harsh cuts to legal aid legal advice to the most vul - from and other re - This year, we welcomed and the civil justice system nerable. gional centres, but also from Shami Chakrabarti, director are denying individuals ac - abroad. of Liberty. His Honour Judge cess to justice. On a positive note, this is Gore, the Manchester Desig - been an interesting year for Manchester Law Society con - nated Civil Judge spoke at Mr Grayling, the Justice Sec - the Manchester legal sector, tinues to enjoy a healthy rela - the personal injury confer - retary has shown a complete the largest legal centre out - tionship with the Law ence and the acting regional lack of remorse in denying side London. Criminal practi - Society. Former president employment judge for the the most vulnerable and tioners, family lawyers, Nick Fluck and former chief North West, Judge Peter Rus - needy in our society, access personal injury lawyers and executive Des Hudson were sell, spoke at the employ - support Manchester Law Society and attend these seminars to justice. During the sum - those dealing with employ - both good friends of Man - ment conference. The chief and conferences. They appreciate that what is offered is special mer I attended a meeting ment law have all faced real chester Law Society as is the executives of the SRA, Law and cannot be matched by others. with the shadow attorney challenges in having to adapt current president, Andrew Society and the Legal Serv - general, Emily Thornberry. their business models to ac - Caplen. I have also met the ices Board all spoke at the I am grateful to all those who have sponsored events, but in Her message was even more count for significant changes, incoming chief executive, Manchester Law Society Reg - particular, I express thanks to the members of MLS Advantage disappointing. but the commercial and Catherine Dixon and I am ulatory Conference. for their invaluable support over the last 12 months. property sectors appear to be convinced that she will be a There was no money and rallying. real asset to the Law Society. This quality of event will con - Manchester Law Society would simply not work without the nothing would change under She knows Manchester and tinue into the New Year when hard work and support of Julia Baskerville, Hollie Hirst, Carla a Labour government. There are more job opportu - Manchester Law Society well we welcome Lord Neuberger, Jones, Sandra Dootson, Vicky Ridge and Chief Executive, Fran nities available in the legal having worked at Eversheds’ President of the Supreme Eccles-Bech. My thanks is extended to my fellow officers and Next year sees the 800 an - sector although there is still a Manchester office with senior Court to Manchester on 20 council members, all of who give up their valuable time to sup - niversary of the signing of the real challenge for a young so - office partner and past Presi - January 2015. The success of port Manchester Law Society and to my partners at Gunner - Magna Carta. This is the very licitor to find a training con - dent of Manchester Law Soci - these events has been re - cooke LLP. Finally, I wish every success to the incoming foundation of British justice, tract. ety, Michael Clavell-Bate. I flected in the extremely pos - President Louise Straw and wish her a successful year. I have something which is admired am also satisfied that the last itive feedback left by been very proud to serve as President of Manchester Law So - all around the world. The lack Earlier this year, Manchester 12 months have seen an im - delegates. I am convinced ciety and I can only wish this organisation, instituted in 1838, of access to justice to the Law Society in conjunction provement in Manchester that when compulsory CPD many, many more successful years. most vulnerable and needy with the Manchester Evening Law Society’s relationship ends, those who have an in - in our society is an embar - News hosted its annual legal with the SRA, and in particu - terest in their professional de - David Joseph rassment and a disgrace. I am awards ceremony. I was lar with its new Chief Execu - velopment will continue to President Dr Joshua Adedokun MB BS, DA, FCARCSI, FRCA, FFPMRCA Chronic Pain Expert

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Contact Person: Jane Griffiths (Medico Legal Manager) Tel: 01625 523355/07946 700859 Email: [email protected] Suite 6, Wilmslow House, Grove Way, Water Lane Wilmslow SK9 5AG 4 Manchester Law Society News News from Bridge Street CPD Programme President of the Supreme Court to visit Trainee Solicitors Conference Manchester Friday 30th January 2015 CPD: 5 hours

We are delighted to announce that Lord Neuberger, Presi - Set your Trainees up for success with advice on how to build their profile, techniques for effective networking as dent of the Supreme Court of the is visit - well as methods for managing stress and workload successfully. Providing an opportunity for local Trainee Solici - ing Manchester to speak at a joint event between tors to build a support network and prepare for their roles ahead, this conference is one not to miss. Manchester Law Society and the Northern Circuit Commer - 09:00 Registration cial Bar Association on 22nd January, 2015. 09:30 Chair’s welcome and introduction Tricia Chatterton, Senior Academic, BPP University Manchester The topic of Lord Neuberger's talk will be The Legal Profes - 09:40 How to build your profile and get noticed sion and the Judiciary: The Future. • Taking advantage of opportunities to network • What opportunities are there in Manchester? There will be a question and answer session following the talk and the evening is to start at 5.00 pm and will finish • Using social media to get noticed with networking. • Building confidence and raising your firm’s profile • How to get involved in Manchester Trainee Solicitors Group, Manchester Young Solicitors Group and The venue and further details will be circulated nearer the Junior Lawyers Division time. Please save the date in your diaries now as this is Raana Afsarpour, Assistant Solicitor, Express Solicitors and Chair of the Manchester Trainee Solicitors bound to sell out really quickly! Group for 2013/2014 Jen Smith, Associate, JMW Solicitors LLP and Past President of the Manchester Junior Chamber of To provisionally book places please send your details to Commerce [email protected] 10:15 The 7 habits of highly successful networkers • The qualities and skills needed • Helping you overcome any fears you may have Manchester Law Society’s offices Christmas closing • How to ensure every event is worthwhile for you Will Kintish, Business Networking Speaker, Kintish The Society will close at 5.00pm on 11:00 Refreshments 11:30 Managing your workload successfully Tuesday 23rd December 2014 and • How to organise your time as a trainee reopen on Monday 5th January 2015 • Effective prioritising • Learning to delegate effectively at 9.00am. Katie Simpson, Associate, LLP 12:05 Stress Management • Stress in the profession Wishing all members a Happy • Interactive workshop to assess your personality type Christmas and a prosperous 2015. • How personality types impact your work ethic • Achieving a work/life balance Ann Charlton, Co-ordinator for England and Wales, Law Care 12:40 Lunch 13:40 Managing relationships • Delegating to junior staff and working for senior staff • Dealing with office gossips/bullies Monthly Competition • How to approach a problem professionally • How to manage different personality types Mike Ode, Owner and Director, Potential Unearthed Dog Bowl is five gleaming lanes of ten-pin bowling 14:15 How to achieve advocacy success brilliantness in Manchester city centre • Top 10 tips for instructing counsel • Building confidence in Court applications It boasts fantastic Tex • How to persuade the Judge Mex food freshly pre - Rachel Cooper, Barrister, Lincoln House Chambers pared from the best 14:45 Refreshments and networking local produce. Plus 15:15 Panel discussion from Partners chilled beers and an ex - • What are Partners looking for in their Trainees? tensive range of spe - • How can Trainees impress to gain NQ positions? cially created cocktails • Panellists will discuss the challenges they faced, and how they overcame them, to become the and sharers and ball lawyers they are today dispensers in the shape Neal Boland, Senior Partner, Stephensons of mascot, Bruce the Kerren Daly, Partner and Head of Education, DWF Patterdale Terrier. Nick Davenport, Senior Partner, Turner Parkinson Family-friendly in the Victoria Leigh, Partner, (UK) LLP daytime, just plain 16:15 Chair’s closing remarks friendly in the evening, 16:30 Conference closes Dog Bowl is a top spot for a night of eating, drinking and bowling. With late opening – till 2am in the week, 3am on weekends – there's always time for one more round. Venue: BPP Law School, St James’s Building, 79 Oxford Street, Manchester M1 6FQ Registration: 09:00 Conference: 09:30 – 16:30 Bowling prices start at £6 for adults and £4 for children. You'll find it opposite The Ritz Cost: Member rate £60.00 + VAT (£72.00) Non-member rate £90.00 + VAT (£108.00) on Whitworth Street, why not stop by for a bowl, a bite, a beer or all three. Date for your diary: Website: www.blackdogballroom.co.uk Twitter:@BlackDogBowl Facebook:@BlackDogBowl Phone: 0161 228 2888 • Thursday 22nd January 2015: Lord Neuberger Lecture To win a group bowling package for you and 5 friends which includes a game of bowl - • Thursday 5th March 2015: Manchester Legal Awards ing and a cocktail each on arrival. Just answer this easy question:

What is the name of Dog Bowl's mascot? Keep up to date with the latest event information at www.manchesterlaw - A. Bill society.org.uk or follow us on Twitter @ManLawSoc B. Ben C. Bruce To book a place on any of the above events, please email and send to [email protected] no later than 3rd December 2014 [email protected] The winner of the Pure competition was Ronald Graham of Eversheds Regulatory Affairs Committee Update

The SRA features heavily in Education and Training Re - tended to capture the key and, following its an - sion after the last mortgage this month’s update but view” is available on the SRA activities required for effec - nouncement in September fraud debacle but perhaps that is simply because the website but for those who tive performance as a solic - that it intends to step up its we are once again lowering regulator has been busy! So just want a round up the itor. It tells consumers what anti-money laundering the - our guard with the passage busy in fact that I am sound bites are as follows: they can expect from their matic work, it comes as no of time and not applying obliged to dedicate the solicitor and solicitors what surprise that the same sub - the appropriate level of vet - whole of my column to re - • the requirement for stu - activities they should be ject is the update’s central ting. cent developments. dents to enrol with the SRA, able to perform compe - theme. The SRA quotes FCA restrictions on the number tently” and the draft state - statistics and estimates that With so many changes on SRA, MDP and ABS - the of trainees a firm could train ment sets out what it deems up to £57 billion is laun - the horizon, such as the world of TLAs! along with the high control as being the requisite pro - dered through the UK every soon-to-be-finalised EC Di - e.g. specifying how much fessional core values. year. The proportion of such rective and the Serious The LSB has confirmed that annual leave a trainee can contraband that makes its Crime Bill making its way it has approved the SRA’s take, have all been The Competence Statement way through solicitors’ through the system to crim - proposals to remove the re - scrapped; is accompanied by two fur - client accounts is unclear inalise the activities of “pro - quirement for any non-re - • a new "Equivalent Means" ther documents. First, a but there is a growing body fessional enablers”, now is lawyers and the Law Society served legal activities rule has been introduced, Threshold Standard, which of evidence to suggest that the time to get up to speed worked hard as a contribu - carried out by any multi-dis - which enables individuals identifies the minimum we have a problem. with best practice. With this tor to make the report rele - ciplinary practice (MDP) to qualify as a solicitor de - standard that an aspiring in mind – and for those of vant. Well worth a read! ABSs to be subject to the spite not having completed solicitor must be able to One of the scams currently you who are looking for same level of regulation as a Qualifying Law Degree, meet in order to qualify as a doing the rounds (which some bed time reading - Michelle Garlick reserved legal activities. In or solicitor. Second, there is an practitioners would have you will be delighted to Chair, Manchester Law response Paul Philip, SRA ; underpinning Legal Knowl - thought greatly reduced as hear that the International Soceity Regulatory Affairs Chief Executive, said: "The • the CPD regime is on the edge Statement, which sets a result of the probity re - Bar Association (IBA) in con - Committee changes should pave the cusp of being replaced by a out in more detail the legal quirements of the CQS qual - junction with the American Weightmans LLP way for other potential new approach to continu - knowledge on which aspir - ity standard) is for criminals Bar Association (ABA) and MDPs to come forward and ing competence. ing solicitors will be as - to place someone within a the Council of Bars and Law offer reserved legal activi - sessed before qualification. firm to facilitate wrongdo - Societies of Europe (CCBE) ties alongside other profes - The changing CPD regime is It appears that whilst the ing. It seems strange to has released an informative sional services. This is an a current hot topic and war - SRA recognises that most think that this is still an typologies report full of important milestone in our rants some column inches solicitors practise within dis - Achilles heel for the profes - practical guidance for reform programme, increas - in this month’s round-up. crete areas, there is an ex - ing competition and en - From 1 November 2016 reg - pectation from the couraging growth in the ulated persons and their regulator that they will be legal services market." employers will be responsi - able to “issue spot”. It is not ble for identifying individual clear how far they expect Whilst this development is training needs and ensuring this to go and somewhat positive in that it removes that adequate provision is concerning is that the state - an unnecessary regulatory made to meet them. Whilst, ment by Ms Brannan that requirement, it is my view in theory at least, this ‘Solicitors might not know that it is still only likely to should do away with the the answer to the problem - benefit a very small number last minute structured CPD but they should be able to of MDPs. Why? It boils down point scramble it is not an recognise that there is a to the fact that the SRA’s excuse to do away with any problem and worry away at definition of MDP is limited form of post-qualification it - seek help - do some re - to single legal entities and formal training – although search - whatever it takes - does not extend to group sadly there will always be a until they have got it sorted structures. small minority that see it out’ could be misinter - that way. Personally I be - preted as licence to dabble. Educational reform – time lieve that the new regime to be consciously compe - should deliver much The consultation closes on tent! needed flexibility but to be 12 January so there is still effective lawyers are going time to make your voice It is a year since the SRA an - to need to become much heard. The SRA hopes that nounced its vision for edu - more discerning and ensure taken together, these three cational reform with that their training pro - documents will define a “Training for Tomorrow” and gramme is meaningful and proposed standard for prac - Julie Brannan, SRA Director relevant – which will be a tice as a solicitor, both at of Education and Training, challenge to some educa - qualification and through - took the opportunity to tors who annually trot out out a solicitor's career. bring the profession up to the same courses and slides. date with the story so far And finally….. during her keynote speech With this in mind the SRA at the Westminster Legal launched a consultation 20 Money laundering still Policy Forum on 4 Novem - October seeking views on a current ber. A full copy of her ad - new Competence State - dress entitled ment for solicitors. In the The SRA’s Risk Outlook has “Implementing the Legal SRA’s own words this is “in - just had its autumn update

The deadline for January 2015 edition is 4th December 2014 6 Movers & Shakers Mills & Reeve announces new head of Stephensons on the move in Manchester Stephensons Solicitors sourcing and negotiating Manchester office LLP has chosen the Deva the new lease at Deva City City Office Park in Man - Office Park by Andrew Leading national law firm chester City Centre as the Frazer, a director at Scott Mills & Reeve has ap - new home for its Man - Frazer Property Consultants pointed partner Niall chester staff. in Manchester. Innes to head up its Man - chester office. The law firm is relocating Mike Devlin, managing around 30 staff into larger, partner of the Family team, Niall will take over the role modern premises with bet - said: “We’re looking forward from existing head Mark ter amenities for its staff and to moving into new offices, Hovell, who led the success - clients, and within easy which are fit for modern ful integration of Manches - reach of the Court. The open plan working and will ter firm George Davies last move will take place in late also enhance our clients ex - Mike Devlin year. Mark has decided to November 2014. perience when they come relinquish his head of office to see us. We are committed role to enable him to devote The Manchester office move to expanding our services in clients involved in Family, more time and energy to is part of a 12-month pro - Manchester and the sur - Child Care and Criminal growing the firm's sports gramme of office upgrades rounds and have developed cases and the firm has the sector. across Stephensons offices. a first class, award-winning largest family law team in The top 150 law firm (ac - family law service over the North West. Stephen - Niall, who specialises in pro - cording to Top many years in the city. Being sons has a network of na - fessional indemnity, will 200 in 2013) is making the close to our clients and the tionwide offices. Other continue to lead the insur - investment in its premises Court was therefore an im - locations include London, ance team in Manchester following a period of exten - portant part of our decision Altrincham, Bolton, Wigan, and is already well known in sive growth and research when selecting our new Leigh and St Helens. the wider business commu - into how customers are ac - home.” nity. He is described by legal cessing legal services. directory Legal 500 as “client Stephensons’ Manchester friendly and extremely The firm was assisted in office predominately assists knowledgeable”.

Senior partner Mark Jeffries said: “Mark has done an out - Eversheds grows Commercial Litigation team standing job in steering the Manchester office through Niall Innes Eversheds has grown its the integration period and commercial litigation delivering the business plan for him to also fit in his head of office role. Niall is an ideal team with the recruitment for the first year. His sports successor.” of Sarah Lewandowski practice is developing really from Pannone Corporate. well both nationally and in - Niall added: “I am delighted to take on this role to lead the ternationally, and it has be - continued growth and success of our Manchester office.” Sarah worked for Pannone come increasingly difficult Corporate (and previously Pannone LLP) for four years prior to qualifying in March 2014. She already has a lot of experience in handling commercial dispute work, particularly in shareholder disputes and breach of war - ranty claims.

Matt Taylor, Commercial Lit - igation Partner, comments: “I am really pleased to wel - come Sarah to the firm and I am sure she will be a good addition to the commercial litigation team. It demon - strates that alongside our investment in other parts of the firm, notably in corpo - rate and real estate, we also continue to invest in and grow our litigation offering”. Sarah Lewandowski BARRY FRIESLANDER MCIArb P: 08448 777 888 Certified Mediator M: 07973 394 803 Complex business & matrimonial disputes resolved E: [email protected] W: www.dispute-resolve.co.uk Barry holds Certified Elite Mediator status, compliant with the UK Ministry of Justice, EU & UK Civil Mediation Council Mediator Database and is accredited by the ADR Group. New Appointments at Nesbit Law Group LLP Head Pannone Corporate unveils move Office in North Manchester Three Specialist Fraud lence and positive personal - not afraid to ‘think outside to new premises Lawyers, all members of ities with more responsibil - the box’, which has meant Pannone Corporate has has a long and proud his - ects in the pipeline.” NLG's award winning ity, as we drive the firm that the firm has been able unveiled plans to move tory in Manchester. We con - Claimant Personal Injury forward in the post-Jackson to flourish in the post-Jack - into the Castlefield Chapel sidered several other Manchester-based OBI team, have been appointed era . son era; I am hoping that on Manchester’s Deans - options but decided that Property advised Pannone to team management posi - my ideas will help to con - gate. the chapel best fitted our Corporate on its upcoming tions. Joseph Sless (middle), trans - tinue to drive the firm for - needs and identity. It will be move. Paul said “Will Lewis ferred from the corporate ward.' The firm has signed a 10 a great environment for and the team at OBI pro - As managers working sector to the legal profes - year lease with landlord clients to visit and for our vided first class support and within the Road Traffic Acci - sion in 2008, and joined Irfan (right), joined NLG in M20 Property Group to take staff to work in.” guidance throughout the dent department, the ap - NLG in 2011 after complet - 2012 after studying for an the entire building which entire process.” pointees will be responsible ing the GDL at Manchester LLB degree in law at Lan - was once owned by pop It has been a strong year for for managing teams of fee- Metropolitan University and caster University, before supremo, Pete Waterman. Pannone Corporate since its Will Lewis of OBI Property earners, dealing with spe - the LPC at the College of completing the Bar Voca - The move is scheduled to launch in February this year. said: “It is great to see an ex - cialised litigation matters, Law, before qualifying as a tional Course at BPP, and is take place at the end of Jan - The team has won a num - citing new firm match its including complex fraud al - Solicitor in 2013: 'I am de - currently retraining via the uary/early February 2015. ber of new clients including ethos and culture with a leged claims, as well as re - lighted to have been given Qualified Lawyers Transfer global inspection, servicing complimentary style of porting to senior this opportunity to further Scheme: 'Jubilant about the The building, which is lo - and repair business, EM&I, building. I’m positive this management. develop my career, and rel - promotion and looking for - cated at 378 Deansgate, was point-of sale manufacturer, move will impress clients, ish the challenges this new ward to the challenges originally opened as a Con - UK Point of Sale Group, in - support the new brand and Following on from the 2012 role will bring; I hope to ahead.' gregational chapel in 1858. dustrial minerals supplier, offer the existing team a Personal Injury Awards prize continue to demonstrate During the 1980s, Pete Wa - Sibelco and engineering fantastic working environ - for Claimant Personal Injury the values that have al - Alan Nesbit, Partner at NLG: terman converted the build - and facilities management ment”. Team of the Year, NLG have lowed me to progress, and 'Its always great to see the ing into a recording studio companies, The Buffalo decided to ensure that the the firm to prosper in the seeds of the time, energy where many of the Stock Group and NG Bailey. Landlords M20 Property key skills we have devel - current economic climate.' and money spent in invest - Aitken & Waterman hits Group acquired the build - oped are passed on within ing in our staff bear fruit. were recorded. Paul added: “We have made ing earlier this year and un - the firm, to ensure we con - Claire Ayom (left), who is Joey, Claire and Irfan have a great start and the move dertook a comprehensive tinue to provide excellent CILEx qualified, after gain - worked really hard and Pannone Corporate Manag - into our new premises will refurbishment. service and results to our ing a degree in history and achieved some fantastic re - ing Partner, Paul Jonson, be the culmination of an ex - clients. politics, joined NLG 15 sults. We are all looking for - said the Grade II listed ceptional first year for Pan - Matt Stone, Director at M20 months ago: 'It is great to be ward to how they can now chapel is an iconic building none Corporate. These are Property Group, said: “The We hope to enable the firm working for a firm that in - share their knowledge with in the city and will be a exciting times for the firm. chapel is an iconic building to continue to prosper, by vests in employee develop - their teams.' great fit for the rapidly We have recently invested and we are delighted Pan - rewarding technical excel - ment at every stage, and is growing firm. in a new IT system to help none Corporate has made it deliver a different service to their new home.” He said: “Castlefield Chapel our clients and have a num - is a landmark building that ber of other exciting proj -

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Recent placements by Eventus Legal

Employment Solicitor Lancaster Family Solicitor St Albans Legal Secretary Preston Costs Draftsman Manchester Legal Secretary Lancashire Legal Administrator Preston Keith Etherington is a fully accredited mediator and lawyer at law firm Slater & Gordon. For more information He specialises in contentious call    or email probate, boundary disputes [email protected] and commercial claims. slatergordon.co.uk/mediation Slater & Gordon (UK) LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. www.slatergordon.co.uk HRC advise on disposal of Decor Cladding Gorvins advise on sale of 50% of Matt Burton

North West Law firm HRC many years.” Group Ltd to SF Resourcing Ltd Law LLP acted for Michael Christian Mancier, Corpo - worked with the Maccles - Jon Close of TLT Solicitors and Lynne Wilkinson in rate and Commercial Part - field-based business, which who acted for Amicus said their disposal of Décor ner at Gorvins solicitors in also has offices locally in “We were delighted to ad - Cladding Centre Ltd. Stockport has advised Manchester and Chester vise Amicus on its first bolt- Matt and Anna Burton on and includes Matt Burton on acquisition (since the Décor, which is a specialist the sale of 50% of Matt Associates Limited and MBA MBI of Magden Limited last supplier of decorative wall Burton Group Limited to Temps Limited within the year) of Décor Cladding cladding located in SF Resourcing Limited. group structure. Durham, has been acquired Centre Ltd through what was a very smooth deal by Amicus Building Prod - Christian led a team of cor - Local Stockport account - process. Décor Cladding Mark Traynor ucts Ltd, which is the parent porate/commercial and em - ants, Bennett Verby, also Centre Ltd's business and company of Manchester ployment solicitors at provided Matt and Anna management team will based Magden Limited, for Gorvins, negotiating the Burton with tax and ac - compliment and enhance an undisclosed sum. by Brian Higgins and Alex terms of the transaction counting advice. the current Amicus offering Wilson of Rickitt Mitchell with SF Resourcing’s in- and ensure that the en - Speaking of the deal, Mark with Stephen Clough of house legal team. Matt Burton of Matt Burton Traynor, a Partner at HRC larged group will continue EFM providing advice to the Associates said: “Having en - to go from strength to Law said “This is an excellent sellers. The deal was funded This involved advising on tered the transaction with a strength." deal for our clients who look by Shawbrook Business and negotiating both the great deal of apprehension Christian Mancier forward to seeing Amicus Credit. terms of the sale and those and uncertainty, we came Corporate finance advice take the reins of a business relating to the joint venture out the other end with al - was provided to the Buyers timately provided myself they have developed for going forward together most polarised feeling of and Anna with the tools we with all the associated legal clarity and confidence. The needed to get over the line.” documentation to give ef - Gorvins team, led by Chris - Brabners advises Horwich St. Mary’s JFC fect to the transaction. tian Mancier, provided clear, transparent and insightful Leading North West law ing organised football every pleted and we wish Hor - Gorvins is delighted to have analysis throughout and ul - firm Brabners has acted week. They are also a part - wich St. Mary’s JFC every for Horwich St. Mary’s JFC nership club with Bolton success going forward.” on the development of its Wanderers FC. new football ground in Lesley Allon, Club Secretary Law firm hosts Cyber-crime conference Horwich, Bolton. A team from Brabners’ Pre - at Horwich St Mary’s FC ston office, led by Ross said: “Without the assis - Construction work on 2 Shine, advised Horwich St tance of Ross and his team I for Chinese officials football pitches, a club - Mary’s JFC in connection doubt whether we would Law firm Slater & Gordon Solicitor, David Cook, a spe - leap through various inter - house and car parking facil - with the property and con - have found our way held a one day conference cialist in the area of cyber- national jurisdictions. I ities is complete and the struction aspects of the de - through the maze of legal for Government Officials crime and data security found it reassuring that the new ground has been velopment site. issues that arose constantly from China on how the UK hosted the event. Com - delegates were keen to en - opened by former foot - from the very start. I think deals with cyber-crime menting afterwards he said, sure a harmonised system baller Gary Neville today. Ross Shine, Property Partner after so long we were all de - and data security at its “The delegates raised nu - of data security between The new ground will ulti - at Brabners and a founding termined that whatever ob - Deansgate, Manchester merous important issues in China and Europe, which mately enable all the club’s trustee of the club who stacle came next we would office . relation to successfully pros - will not only help with trade teams to play on one site. used to coach a team, said: get over it and finally arrive ecuting cyber-crime mat - links between the countries, “The development site had at the finish line. We would A group of 25 Chinese dele - ters, which were discussed but also promote a uniform The £1 million project has complicated legal aspects like to thank Ross for his gates attended with the aim fully and frankly throughout approach to prosecuting of - been supported by over with half of the land owned time, guidance and pa - of putting in to action im - the day. fenders, wherever they crop £730k funding from the by Bolton Council and half tience over the years it has provements in the manage - up.” Football Foundation and by United Utilities, and the taken us to finally achieve ment and governance of The internet is without £50k funding from Sport site is within two different our goal.” cyber security within the boundaries according to England. planning authorities. In ad - Chinese Legal System. country and matters often dition, there is a substantial The legal team at Brabners Horwich St. Mary’s JFC was water pipe running through also included Environment founded with one team in the site. After being in - Partner Claire Gregory and 1978 and has grown to 25 volved in the project for al - Construction Associate teams, made up of over 400 most 7 years, it is great to Susan Bennett. boys, girls and adults play - see the development com -

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I have HHJ Potter’s responsibility is staff at the court. There is a hymn sheet to that of his ing us asking Paul Phillip for parency and engagement some very fond memories to ensure the proper run - real level of commitment to predecessor. more, not less, regulation, to with the profession that of my time there.” ning of the court as well as public service shown by the ensure that overall stan - simply wasn’t there previ - being the interface be - court clerks, ushers, prison The plainly stated theme for dards within the profession ously. We made it clear that HHJ Potter is looking for - tween criminal justice and officers, probation officers, his tenure is one of mutual can be maintained. He ex - we saw it as his and the na - ward to the challenge of the the practical application of witness support workers respect between the SRA plained that while the bal - tional Law Society’s respon - role in what is a very busy the law. He says “Running a and clerical staff. There are, and the profession and as a ance of the consultation sibility to work together to court, covering work sent court is, in many ways, simi - of course, issues with fund - starting point to acknowl - responses were in favour of emphasise the professional from the Magistrates Courts lar to running a business - it ing - these are challenges edge past mistakes. The retaining the accreditation status of solicitors in an ever of Rochdale, Oldham, Ash - has to run smoothly and ef - faced by all sectors of the focus is on our professional system, that the SRA Board changing legal landscape, ton, Trafford and Stockport. ficiently. In September there criminal justice system and status and to help enhance which includes eight solici - where there are ever more were 198 trials, with a fur - we must deal with this in that in the eyes of the pub - tors had concluded that it routes into the profession. He took over as Residing ther 190 cases received for the best way we can.” lic. should be scrapped. He That is a message we will Judge at the beginning of listing. Some trials can be said he would take our con - take to the incoming Chief November after a week’s in - long and complex, lasting Julia Baskerville We all acknowledged that cerns back to the SRA board Executive of the Law Soci - duction with HHJ Peter for weeks, if not months. this was not intended to be for further consideration. ety, Catherine Dixon, when Lakin. He says “Peter will be a friendly relationship and it As a demonstration of his we meet with her at a hard act to follow, but the All of them have to be run has to be robust and appro - willingness to engage fur - Chancery Lane in January. Judges here have been ex - as appropriately and effi - priate but it was clear that ther with the profession I hope that will, over time, tremely welcoming and I ciently as possible given the he would take the SRA in a Paul Phillip will be coming result in a tangible change am happy to be back in issues apparent within each new strategic direction. to Manchester to attend in the balance of the rela - Manchester, and at a court case. What has impressed There was a wide-ranging one of our monthly council tionship between the regu - where I have spent a great me since I arrived here has discussion covering various meetings in the near future lator and the profession to deal of time appearing as an been the hard work and issues, including a very ro - and also to attend our ensure less distrust and HCA.” dedication shown by the bust discussion about the COLP/COFA forum. more mutual respect. withdrawal of compulsory CPD points accreditation re - It is obviously difficult to Michael Hardacre quirements which were foresee how matters will de - Honorary Secretary, withdrawn despite the over - velop as he is only nine Manchester Law Society whelming outcome of the months into his role but but Principal Lawyer, Slater & consultation process being all present were strongly en - Gordon that CPD accreditation couraged by his openness, should continue. Moira cycles London to Paris

Moira Percival, a consultant in the Private Client department at Gorvins Solicitors in Stockport has recently celebrated her 60th birthday by taking up the challenge with eight friends from the Hale area by cycling from London to Paris. The cyclists raised over £13,000, which has been donated equally to Christies for Cancer and the National Autistic Society.

Among Moira's fellow cyclists were Becki Jacobs a medical negligence solicitor at Price Slater Gawne, Clare Kay an in-house solicitor at the AQA Exam Board, based in Man - chester and Sally Percival an in-house accountant at , London. 10 Movers & Shakers Weightmans Corporate team bolstered Wilmslow solicitors Bott & Co recognised with new Tax Partner for excellence in IT development

Top 45 National law firm partment said: “Haydn is an Wilmslow law firm Bott & considered internal needs the importance of IT in de - Weightmans LLP contin - experienced Corporate Tax Co won ‘Best Technology whilst at the same time pro - livering them must not be ues to expand its corpo - lawyer with a long track Project’ at the Lawyer viding a 100% online underestimated. One of the rate team with the arrival record advising clients at Management Awards for process for clients. keys to making Bott & Co’s of Haydn Rogan. national level of all sectors its innovative case man - aviation department prof - and sizes on tax issues, agement system, devel - The solution incorporated itable has been its ability to Haydn, who is a dual quali - property matters and em - oped for the company’s .NET; Echosign, SQL and the handle high case volumes. fied Chartered Accountant ployee incentives. flight compensation de - Visualfiles case manage - The system our IT team has and lawyer, brings nearly 20 partment. ment system and was im - developed really is revolu - years experience in advising “He is a fantastic addition to plemented with minimal tionary – we couldn’t sur - clients on a wide range of the firm and brings with The Personal Injury and disruption to the business. vive without it.” transactional and employ - him a significant expertise flight delay specialist law The result was a streamlined ment related tax issues. to drive this side of the busi - firm saw off competition process that gives full trans - Susan Luya, IT Manager at Haydn qualified as a Char - ness forward, not only in the from Garrigues, Mayer parency of current case load Bott & Co, said: “It was fan - tered Accounted at PwC in North West but throughout Haydn Rogan Brown, Nabarro and Pinsent to everyone in the firm. tastic to be chosen as the Leeds before then also qual - the UK. We are delighted to Masons to take the title at Each of the flight compen - winners of the best technol - ifying as a lawyer. He previ - have him on board.” to using my experience to the awards, which recognise sation department’s 15,000 ogy project at the lawyer ously worked at add value and build further innovation in the legal mar - live cases can be viewed management awards. To be for 8 years, having headed Haydn added:“I am thrilled success.” ket. from just one screen. Every short listed with some of up the Tax Team there, be - to join Weightmans – it is a employee can see the case the country’s most impres - fore joining DWF. firm with a fantastic client Haydn will divide his time The awards took place at status on a dashboard in sive law firms was an hon - base and reputation in the working between the firm’s The Brewery, London and real time, ensuring all cases our. To go on and win Best Paul Raftery, Partner and region and nationally for its Pall Mall Court Manchester were hosted by comedian are acted upon, tracked and Technology Project is a head of Weightmans’ Cor - corporate and commercial office, and the Liverpool Ed Byrne. monitored. great way to recognise the porate and Commercial de - work. I am looking forward based Head office. calibre of Bott & Co’s IT de - Bott & Co’s in-house IT de - Gary Froggatt, Finance Di - partment. Thanks to The partment developed the rector at Bott & Co, said: Lawyer for hosting such a Brabners bucks trend by recruiting more litigators technology to deliver a case “These constant develop - wonderful event.” management system that ments are our future and North West law firm Brab - firm to deal with breach of departments seem to be ners is continuing to grow contract claims, landlord downsizing, we are continu - its Commercial Litigation and tenant disputes, share - ing to expand. Hannah and team in Manchester with holder and director dis - Raana bring key skills and the appointment of a fur - putes and breach of relevant experience that will ther two solicitors. warranty claims. Raana was further enhance our Litiga - voted Trainee of the Year at tion team and the services Hannah Bradley joins the the Manchester Legal that we can offer to our firm from Fieldings Porter Awards in 2014 and last year clients.” and has experience in repre - was President of the Man - senting a broad spectrum of chester Trainee Solicitors’ Mark Brandwood, manag - clients in respect of com - Group. ing partner at Brabners, Online marketing in 2015 mercial disputes, including said: “It’s a measure of the breach of contract claims, Jeff Lewis, partner and head skill and success of our Liti - In recent years, online mar - video and interactive con - The continuing growth of negligence claims, property of the Commercial Litiga - gation team that we are keting has changed almost tent); mobile and tablet traffic will disputes and contentious tion team in the firm’s Man - continuing to expand in this beyond recognition. Pandas, • Native content, blending also affect your PPC strategy probate claims. Hannah has chester office, said: “It’s very area. These new appoint - Penguins, Hummingbirds perfectly into your audi - (if it hasn't already). Device a particular specialism in encouraging that, in a cli - ments show that as a firm and Pigeons rule the SEO ence's favourite sites; bid adjustments ensure ads equine disputes. mate where litigation is said we continue to build up our roost, the world has em - • Precision targeting, directly are more likely to appear for to be on the downturn and presence in Manchester and braced Tweeting and Liking, answering the audience's these users, while landing Raana Afsarpour joins the where other firms’ Litigation grow as a business.” and buzzwords like big data, needs (rather than just creat - pages and ad extensions clickbait and content cura - ing something blind, and should be tailored to en - tion are doing the rounds. hoping someone finds it courage conversions from useful). mobile devices. It's a fast-paced industry al - right. So, what constitutes an The boundary between dig - Visitor optimisation effective online marketing ital and PR will also continue Though traffic is still funda - strategy as we enter 2015? to blur, as businesses take a mental, the smart focus now more holistic view of their should be equally on conver - Publishing online marketing results – sions. Conversion rate opti - A favourite with early such as its contribution to misation will ensure your adopters in 2013 and be - social followers, brand senti - traffic translates into leads, coming common practice in ment and referral traffic, not while considered remarket - 2014, the power of content just Google rankings. ing ads can recapture the marketing has been proven undecided. Finally, automa - time and time again. This What about paid ads? tion software for social and year the importance of Although there are various email can keep previous vis - brands as publishers and predictions circulating itors engaged and give fur - promoters of content is set around wearable tech and ther exposure to your to grow and evolve still fur - the internet of things, such content. Visitors can there - ther. innovations may not be fore be turned into cus - commonplace for small busi - tomers – and customers into With popularity comes satu - nesses in the immediate fu - advocates. ration; consumers may be - ture. come more cynical, and To sum up, online marketing immune to obvious sales Meanwhile, the potential of in 2015 will be focused on pitches. Future content mar - social media advertising has - human beings – which is keting strategy could there - n't yet been fully explored by perhaps how it should have fore require: many businesses; particu - been all along. larly its usefulness in broad - • Standout pieces of incredi - ening the reach of organic ble quality (think visual, content.

Jeff Lewis, Raana Afsarpour and Hannah Bradley Five decades in the Law There are very few practitioners in Manchester who have had a career that spans half a century, but Graeme Jump, a former President of the Manchester Law Society joined the legal profession in 1963 at the age of eighteen. Julia Baskerville talks to Graeme about the changes he has seen during his legal life.. .

Aged 18, Graeme Jump stalling a phone line, hiring sees one of the biggest for commercial success. joined the firm of a sole a legal secretary and then challenges of today is en - Looking back Graeme says practitioner located on joining as many profes - couraging the larger firms that he has been lucky to the corner of North John sional and social organiza - to commit their support enjoy a hugely fulfilling ca - Street and Matthew tions as possible. which he believes is vital. reer in the law and has Street, Liverpool during made many friends, the hey day of the Beatles These were the days before Graeme has also been able through his firm and his in - as an articled clerk. computers, photocopiers, to observe the commercial volvement with Manchester mobile phones and email success of both Manchester and Liverpool Law Societies. The firm was a general prac - and Graeme recalls that and Liverpool since the He has also been a member tice undertaking probate, good legal secretaries were 1960s. He said that the riots of the Insolvency Lawyers litigation some divorce and crucial to the firm. All Ab - in Liverpool during the Association and Legalink conveyancing. Graeme says stracts of Title, copies of 1980’s meant that a lot of spending time as head of “At that time there was a deeds, had to be typed. If a commercial work moved to both. scale of fees for domestic mistake was made in a deed Manchester, but the last conveyancing, which was or particularly a will the sec - decade or so has seen Liver - After over 50 years in the set at a level so that firms retary would have to start pool evolve and expand to law he says “I have and am made sufficient profit from all over again. become again a thriving considering retiring, but conveyancing work to en - legal community which its keep finding reasons not able them to take on less Graeme says that the years history justifies... Manches - too.” Graeme Jump profitable work. However, in a small general practice ter, despite the recession this all changed when scale were good experience, giv - has continued to grow and fees were scrapped, firms ing a broad perspective on is now regarded as the UK’s set their own prices and, of all aspects of the firm and second legal city. course, income from con - gave him an understanding veyancing fell.” of the whole business. Having been able to qualify as a solicitor by five years of Graeme was fortunate to After completion of his arti - articles after leaving school find a firm willing to pay an cles and spells in London Graeme says he was disap - articled clerk, as many of his and with a country practice pointed when this route peers were either unpaid, or near Cambridge, Graeme was abolished. This meant parents would have to pay moved to Mace & Jones that the only route into the the firm to train their son or (now Weightmans) in 1971 law was by going to univer - daughter. He recalls his re - and became involved with sity, which was a financial muneration was two both Liverpool and then obstacle for many. He is guineas a week, quite a Manchester Law Societies. now delighted to see that tight budget even in those He was the Editor of the Liv - there are now many routes days ! erpool Law Society maga - into the law, either through zine for a number of years ILEX or legal apprentice - Graeme says that despite and has been the Treasurer ships, which, he believes, their being vast differences of Manchester Law Society creates a more diverse pro - between the law firms of and was President in fession. the 1960s and today, many 1991/92. Graeme says the of the challenges that firms role of local law societies Graeme says that when he face today are not so differ - has also changed. He says became an articled clerk, ent to those 50 years ago; “When I first joined Liver - and later upon qualification namely how to generate pool Law Society it was he had no doubt that he work, undertake it and get mainly because Mace & was joining a profession. paid. He adds though they Jones had a long tradition There was considerable were simpler times and suc - of involvement, sitting on pride attached to this sim - cess was often measured by the Committee and attend - ple fact. Whilst economic the number of names on ing events. Firms looked to factors and a changing the brass plate advertising local law societies for lead - world have made it neces - the name of the firm on the ership and support as well sary to sharpen the business front door – about the only as policing local practices. focus of the practice of law formal advertising allowed! Now local law societies pro - Graeme believes it would Establishing a new firm vide numerous services and be a loss to all if the concept would be as simple as tak - benefits for their diverse of a “profession” was to lose ing a lease on a property, in - membership and Graeme its resonance in the thrust

Call: 01392 423607 12 News North West lawyer’s view of changing legal landscape translates well in Sweden Senior partner, Jonathan Whittaker, from leading North West law firm, SAS Daniels LLP, flew to Sweden to share his thoughts on the evolving legal landscape at a global strategy conference... Jonathan gave a com - that the profession has With a growing team of over pelling case for the impor - room for diverse offerings 70 legal advisors, including tance of reinvention and and will not be solely domi - 24 partners, SAS Daniels op - innovation in what is a nated by fixed fee services erates out of offices in rapidly changing sector. offered via the internet and Stockport, Macclesfield, Transformation in the UK call centres. Chester and Congleton. market as a legacy of the 2007 Legal Services Act is He spoke of the need to Commenting on the event, making waves globally so have a strong proposition to Jonathan Whittaker said: “It the subject matter was take to market, backed by was a privilege to be asked pertinent to a Scandina - specialist expertise and a ro - to speak at the VQ Confer - vian audience. bust commercial offering ence in Sweden, demon - that is underpinned by ex - strating that, as a leading Attendees at VQ Knowledge cellent value aligned with North West law firm our and Strategy Forum in quality. viewpoint translates well to Stockholm heard from a a global audience as broad spectrum of high- This has certainly worked thought leaders in a fluctu - level speakers from across well for SAS Daniels LLP, ating legal market. the globe on key issues af - whose brand proposition of fecting the legal sector. ‘No ordinary law firm’ en - “I felt it was vital to reinforce Speaking about the estab - sures a refreshing and the importance of strong lishment of alternative busi - memorable client experi - leadership and innovation. ness structures (ABSs), ence. This is reinforced by It’s about challenging the which effectively mean non- the firm’s strong financial accepted while ensuring lawyers in professional, credentials, having reported that the client remains at Jonathan Whittaker management or ownership record billings in the finan - the heart of everything we roles can now offer regu - cial year to April 2014, and do.” lated legal services, increased turnover by 25% Jonathan reiterated his view in the last two years.

14 Talking Heads Talking Heads This month we asked Manchester business leaders and professionals "Do you think that devolution will be beneficial to Manchester businesses and professional services?"

David Joseph President Manchester Law Society

I am genuinely excited about the £1 billion proposed investment by central government to create a Greater Manchester mayor and to provide the region with more devolved powers. Nobody expected Chancellor George Osborne to announce this proposal which can only benefit our region.

There does not appear to be a downside. Transport links, housing and social care will all receive additional sums without affecting the budgets of our 10 local councils. I am an advocate of less centralisation and I can see it being of real benefit to the people of Greater Manchester with more decisions being made in Greater Manchester than at Whitehall. Of course there are many details that need to be ironed out, but this is genuinely exciting news. As the most significant legal centre outside London our profession will be well placed to take advantage of this boost to our local economy, continuing to pro - vide a top quality service at a reasonable price.

Sir Richard Leese Leader of the Council Manchester City Council Councils in Greater Manchester along with private sector partners have been making the case for over a decade that we could grow the economy of the city faster and create more jobs if we had control at a local level of a number of key economic development tools - business support for new companies and growing SMEs, skills provision and apprenticeships aligned with the growth sectors in our economy, the ability to drive housing and transport in - vestment.

The devolution deal signed with government on November 3rd gives us all these powers and more. We not only want to grow business, grow jobs but also make sure that local people are able to benefit from that growth. Much of the employment growth is forecast to come in professional services and it is clearly the case that if our economy grows, so do the opportunities for the companies that service that economy. We also need those companies to help us make sure that we make the new powers we will have work.

John Ashcroft Chief Executive pro.manchester

Devolution will have a positive impact on growth and development of the financial and professional services sector in Greater Manchester as the inevitable process of decentralisation continues. Greater Local Authority control on health, education, housing, skills, training, welfare, transport and infrastructure will ensure the needs of this important business sector can be better developed, executing a local rather than national Whitehall agenda.

Local discretion on borrowing, Local Authority Pension Fund utilisation and the development of tax incremental investment schemes can have a great im - pact on local area investment as a key driver of growth in Greater Manchester and the North West.

Financial and Professional services account for over 12% of economic activity. We expect this to grow to over 13% over the next five years. Employment will increased from over 170,000 to over 190,000 in the same period. The growth can only be accelerated by devolution and localisation.

It is difficult to break through the M25 force field which inhibits perceptions of the growth potential within the regions. The devolution debate is already bringing a healthy focus on the strength and potential of financial and professional services sector in Greater Manchester and the North West. Greater devolution will accelerate the development of the wider community generally and the business sector specifically. Andrew O’Byrne QC Leader of the Northern Circuit St Johns Buildings

My initial instinct, so far as any form of devolution within the UK is concerned, was that its a bad idea, we are far better off together. I have, however, changed my mind and you may ask why. The governance of this country has become far too London centric. That, in one sense, is understandable but it is not good news for the regions. Occasionally, as in the case of Michael Heseltine after the Liverpool Riots, a minister is appointed who takes a particular interest in a region and pushes for investment there. But once he or she leaves office normal service is resumed.

So I now look at devolution from the standpoint of the North West. We need more control over our affairs so that we can do right by Manchester (and Liv - erpool) and the rest of our area. There are a number of different developments that are beginning to work in our favour. The HS2 line, the recent agree - ment signed by George Osborne with Manchester, the desire in Liverpool for a similar agreement, the growth of Manchester Airport, the improvement to infrastructure and, from the legal point of view, the existence of top class firms and court facilities in an area about two hours from London by train.

It may not amount to devolution but we have to beat the drum for Civil and Commercial work. Avoid delays in listing at the Rolls Building and use North West firms and our excellent facilities.

Adam Jupp Head of Business Manchester Evening News

Greater Manchester has consistently proved its ability to lead the way when it comes to economic development, outstripping the growth seen in other regional cities.

Devolution will help the region further boost its fortunes, particularly on issues of skills and infrastructure investment. And as projects are delivered and jobs created in the process, that will only serve to generate work for its powerhouse professional services sector.

So, whatever your views on whether there should be an elected mayor or not, wrestling more powers away from Whitehall can only be a good thing, par - ticularly if closer links are forged with other northern cities.

N E W !

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wwww.leap.co.ukww.leap.leap.co.uk.uk 0845 683 25125177 RS EEverythingveryythingthing yyouoouu need toto runrunun a small lawlaw firm.firm. SERVE 16 Management Management Matters This column is now into its fifth year and feedback is still good. We would still like to receive observations and ideas for future issues. Please mail Bill Kirby at [email protected] or the publisher Julia Baskerville at [email protected]

operational board where they can explain their perform - Example 1 Communication ance a produce remedies if necessary or ideas for capitalisa - tion. Performance and forecast agreements then supersede Imagine a law firm with this profile It appears that a number of you read the management the budget. A traditional accounts pack is not necessary check list piece from last month and comments varied from these days with data available through drill down on most • 50 Fee earners “do you still think we are getting it wrong” – but less polite PMS systems but key criteria matching accountabilities is • Average billing rate per hour of £200 than that through to a comment about a key element that key – trended and then forecast. Regular less formal com - was missing. munication from the managing partner to a HOD is key. It is If it can insist or encourage each fee earner to record and bill too late in many cases at Ops Board or at appraisal time to just 1 more unit a day the revenue and bottom line impact The managing partner thought that it was because “perhaps say “you are rubbish” or indeed “well done” is the most difficult and time consuming aspect but also the most important for those at the top is communication. It The rest of the staff report in to HODs or department heads - 50 x £20 x 230 = £230,000 Billing, Gross Profit, Net Profit takes a long time to communicate an idea or strategy” and they too need clear objectives and accountabilities - 2 more units a day = £460,000 which may change along with priorities and performance - 3 more units a day = £690,000 I thought I would try and deal with his points discussed at Ops Board. Delegation of expectations is very important – billing, cash collection, lock up, chargeable time Example 2 • Is the strategy being communicated effectively? etc. Regular report information should be discussed with the employee and just like the HOD the staff member does - Imagine a law firm with this profile It starts before the development of the 3 year strategy with n’t want to know too late about satisfaction or dis satisfac - • 50 Fee earners key people in the firm able to communicate their likes and tion • Average billing rate per hour of £200 dislikes and strengths and weaknesses. They then need key data as a platform to consider the way forward for the firm. • Is the right information being communicated at the Its IT system fails and is not recovered for 3 days because of The key personnel at this stage are legal department heads right time? lack of BC and DR aware of their responsibilities (job description and coach - ing). At the strategy meeting the concept is that department There is very little point at providing performance informa - - 50 x 5(hours per day) x £200 x 3 heads communicate their plans and gain clarification and tion for HODs or staff after it is too late for them to affect per - - = £150,000 Lost billable work support from other department heads to their perceived formance. Most systems these days have the availability to - = Good return on IT infrastructure investment way forward and check that it fits to the business goal and produce KPIs and these should be put to very good effect. capability. Don’t leave it to 90% of the way through the month before Example 3 you tell someone that only 90% of billing has been Following on from that a detailed budget can be prepared achieved. • Scenario 1 (starting point) and agreed and form the basis of the way forward for the That was one of the things that stuck in my mind from 20 – Revenue 4,000 next fiscal. This can and should be communicated to staff years ago when I joined the legal sector. – Direct Cost (2,000) and making sure that their roles and objectives are in place – Gross Profit 2,000 (50%) with modified job descriptions/accountabilities and targets. In an ideal world department heads, who should be in the – Overheads (1,700) This can extend from chargeable time targets, billing targets know, will have regular sessions with their teams and advise – Net Profit 300 for fee earners and along to the responsibilities for staff han - them how the firm is performing about priorities or how the dling in bound enquiries, using the case management sys - direction has changed. This could be compensated for with • Scenario 2 (+ 10% more revenue with same direct tem or turn round expectations for paperwork. the intranet or indeed regular staff newsletters (increasingly staff – productivity, systems use, price) common). If you are a staff member not in the know it is – Revenue 4,400 • Is the firm regularly communicating objectives and amazing how demotivational a direction changing decision – Direct Cost (2,000) performance? can be. – Gross Profit 2,400 (55%) – Overheads (1,700) Relatively easy for department heads with key information If you want staff to be pleasant and professional and to ask – Net Profit 700 relating to their accountabilities produced monthly and an an inbound enquiry for the work they need to know why and what the benefits there are for the firm and then in • Scenario 3 (Minus 5% revenue from the same di achieving a 70% conversion rate rather than 10%. Culture rect resources) can change through communication. – Revenue 3,800 – Direct Costs (2,000) • Do you have a communication strategy? – Gross Profit 1,800 (47%) – Overheads (1,700) Understanding the purpose of communication is a great – Net Profit 100 start. It is all about developing a team spirit and generating optimum performance from everyone. It is so much harder to get numbers or manage client expectation without this. 1. A few basic examples that could be applied to firms or de - So let people know what the 3 year strategy is, what the partments within firms. I so often hear of firms with fee earn - budget is, what performance is and why directions and ers not recording time particularly well. A bit more pressures are changing. Make sure they have job descrip - insistence from line managers can make a massive differ - tions, that they are spoken to monthly about key areas and ence to performance of a department and a firm. that appraisals are very positive things with personal devel - opment and new objectives as an outcome. I used to pride 2. I have often gone on about the benefits of hosting but myself in being confident that my team could compete their even if you don’t go that far it is imperative that BC and DR own performance appraisals. procedures are checked. Even outsourced DR solutions don’t come with guarantees so the contracts and SLAs have • Do staff feel the communication is good? If not why to be researched. not? 3. Still too many firms do not measure Gross Profit it is es - I think if the basic rules are well followed then staff should sential as a measure along with the contributory factors like be fine. If you are not sure and before you implement a com - proper time recording, pricing and efficiencies. munication strategy then consider a survey of your won staff. Hopefully that isn’t necessary as the line is well aware Bill Kirby is a director of Professional Choice Consul - but like many things action is required. tancy offering advice to firms on business issues from strategy, planning, business development, the A Few Sums effective use of IT applications and IT hosting for compliance, business continuity and DR. He can be I find it amazing sometimes that many people in key roles contacted at within law firms find it hard to put into context some per - [email protected] formance issues Manchester Law Society MaLnoacgael mNenwt s 17 Macron Stadium hosts Local Law Society Conference

Bolton West MP Julie Organiser Joe Egan said Linda Lee whose daughter Hilling was voted the star “Many of the delegates told Gabriella, now a captain in turn at the Local Law Soci - me how refreshing it was to the Army Legal Services, eties Conference held at hear an MP speaking so trained as a solicitor in the Macron Stadium in candidly and how helpful Bolton. Deputy Editor of the Bolton. Speaking to repre - her address was. She was Bolton News Lynn Ashwell sentatives of 22 local law kind enough to stay for raised laughs when giving societies from as far away lunch and gave excellent tips on how to get stories as Devon and Somerset, advice to a delegate from about their societies in local and including a strong the Junior Lawyers Division” papers. She read out a num - contingent from the north ber of press releases as west, she outlined how Other speakers, on topics strong examples of how not MPs work and the best designed to assist local law to do it. Delegates also re - way to get their attention societies to prosper, in - ceived a complimentary when seeking to lobby cluded Don Clarke from copy of the Bolton News. them. local firm Keoghs and ex- President of the Law Society

Julie Hilling and Joe Egan

A quiz which, to avoid use of by Aon, Moneypenny, DLT, and dinner said “We got a the internet, had a round re - dps software, Wesleyan and lot of compliments about quiring the reading of Spon - Conveyancing Data. Speak - the quality of the venue, the sors literature was won by ers from Aon and Wesleyan food and the band. It was Monmouth Law Society impressed with information plain that everyone had a who shared the wine with on what sponsors are look - very good time” Gloucestershire. Monmouth ing for when approached to also won the vote to host host events. Joe Egan next years conference beat - Bolton Law Society ing Surrey whose bid was Over twenty of the dele - and Law Society Council centred on holding it at gates stayed over at Bolton Member Runnymede to coincide Whites Hotel and attended with celebrations of the a masked ball the same Magna Carta. evening. Mr Egan, secretary of Bolton Law Society which Julie Hilling addresses the delegates The event was sponsored organised the conference

AArere you looking for the opportunity to buildbuild your legal carcareereer in one of the UUK’sK’s leading law firms? There is a great future for AAwardward winning North WWestestest law firm Roberts JJacksonacksonackson SolicitorsSolicitors areare “ sseekingeeking to rrecruitecruitecruit 30 fee earnerearnerss due to rrapidapid grgrowthowth and investment. those who plan to succeed Our recent private equity investment has allowed us to accelerate WWee are committed to each and every employee and pproviderovide the growth of the business, capitalise on new opportunities within over 250 hours of training every year within our nationally the market and build upon our award winning training program. recognised award winning training programme. Full training will be provided with experts, barristers and our specialist teams. WWee ensure KKarenaren Jackson RobertsRoberts Jackson Solicitors is one of the UK’UK’ss leading niche Industrial that our employees are experts in the specialist field of Industrial CEO of Roberts Jackson ” Disease law firms and specialises solely in diseases caused by Disease and are able to provide exceptional care to all of our clients. workplace negligence. The right candidates will have commercial awareness, be passionate WWee require a wide range of candidates from paralegals passionate about legal services in the Claimant Industrial Disease field and be about training contracts and development to PQE Lawyers who dedicated and excited to work for our firm. want to be nurtured and developed in the following teams: If you want join us in this exciting journeyourneyy,, please send your CV s A Asbestossbestos rrelatedelated conditions s Occupational Asthma direct to [email protected]@robertsjackson.co.uk s Noise Induced Hearing Loss s Occupational Dermatitis s VWF s RSI YYouou can also visit our careers page at: s Cumulative Back Injuries wwww.roberts-jackson.co.ukww.roberts-jackson.co.uk This is an excellentexcellent opportunityopportunity forfor the the right right candidate candidate to to join join a afirm firm Roberts Jackson is an equalal opportunities employer.employerr.. moving rapidly forwards in the legal market. Direct applicants preferred.

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For more information: Principal sponsors Event host Media partner Marketing partner www.manchesterlegalawards.co.uk @MLAwards Data Protection 19 Data Protection – it’s your responsibility.

It is highly likely that every single person reading this How confident are you that you have the people, the pol - has been affected either individually or organisation - icy and the protection to face down threat when it comes ally by data protection weaknesses. For example, have calling, in whatever form it may take? you ever been asked to change your account password by an organisation you have entrusted with your per - Real data protection and information security is about bal - sonal information? Users of Sony’s PSN and Ebay cer - ancing security controls (People, Process, Technology) with tainly have. What about shopping sites where you have your business goals. Why implement an expensive techni - bought goods or services with your credit cards? cal solution when an annual all staff training session will suffice? Why move to larger offices if you can securely work Data protection also applies to organisational and non-per - from home? Why purchase extra laptops if employees can sonal information. Recent high profile examples show that use their own PCs at home? legal action has been brought against legal firms for breaching client confidentiality. It may be inadvertent, a Good security controls do not have to be expensive. They slip of the tongue, but the data breach will have significant also do not stop you from running your business cost effec - consequences. tively and efficiently. Security should not only safeguard revenue but at the same time helps grow earnings. In the ever evolving digital world and with increased media We all have different requirements and one solution does coverage both consumers and business are becoming not fit all. You need tailored advice that will match your more aware of the threats to their data through hacks or business needs against the range of data protection con - weaknesses – but what do you do about it? trols available.

Whether large or small, if you or a supplier process or store For example, the opportunities of migration of your IT to sensitive information you are responsible for its protection. the cloud can be many. Cost savings, reliability, scalability and the rest. However, not all cloud services offer the same Security is so much more than just business protection, it is With consequences of data breaches ranging from finan - levels of security. Remember, the buck stops with you. If a business development issue too. Matters of service deliv - cial penalties to public apologies, reputational damage to you outsource your IT or keep it in house you are still re - ery, matters of differentiation, of compliance, of competi - losing actual / potential business, it would be unwise to not sponsible for data protection. tive advantage, of reputation. After all, without a secure consider data protection. business platform how can any organisation plan its future With so much riding on data protection, what assurance with confidence? But then you have already considered it, you have invested can you get to know that you are managing the risk appro - in security and data protection. Everyone has. But the inci - priately? The protection your practice doesn’t have? dents keep on happening. This has been recognised as the It’s here. Government has released free online training to lawyers Then you’ll want an expert, independent information secu - and accountants on data protection. rity, data protection, risk management team - a team with IACS LLP - 0845 519 6138 specialist security skills. A team focused on identifying The real issue, however, is whether you have the right secu - both the business threats and business benefits inherent in rity in place to manage the risk. More importantly, whether your technology and how your technology can best be de - it’s deployed effectively and it is fit for purpose. ployed.

Information Assurance Consulting Services

How can a move to the cloud benefit your law firm?

By Aaron Naisbitt, Business Development Manager at Converge Technology Specialists, The Cloud Provider for Law Firms

“The cloud” is one of those buzzwords that seems to dominate any What to look out for? discussion of technology now. The cloud is a catch-all term for com - puter services and data storage via the web. It can deliver greater The recent Law Society’s practice notes on “Cloud Computing” and flexibility, reduce capital outlay and improve security of data. But “Business Continuity” and the SRA’s “Silver Linings: Cloud Comput - how can it benefit your practice and what should you look out for ing, Law Firms and Risk”, together with the Converge TS booklet when choosing a supplier? “Cloud and Compliance: Your questions answered”, all provide a very good review of what to look out for when moving to a cloud The benefits of Cloud? provider. This includes:

• Guaranteed network uptime delivers fee earner and • Does the provider use UK datacentres and are they ISO secretary productivity. 27001? • Built in business continuity means that if the worst does • Does your provider understand your compliance happen then your staff can continue to work almost requirements and meet or exceed them with their cloud immediately from any internet enabled device. offering? • The cloud is in essence, pay on demand IT. This means you • The cloud service should include disaster recovery and can pay for what you use and scale up or down when you business continuity as standard. need to, to meet changing market needs. • Is the cloud provider a specialist, i.e. they should have a • Reduce your IT costs by reducing the costs associated with significant number of law firm clients with available IT service management, staff costs and costs associated testimonials and the majority of their revenues should with downtime. come from cloud contracts. • Cloud enables your staff to work from anywhere, anytime • Is the cloud provider financially secure and how long have on any device and has proven to boost staff productivity. they been trading? • Cloud includes all your server hardware and Microsoft • Will the cloud provider meet your target service levels… licensing so you can avoid the high unpredictable always read the small print in their terms and conditions? financial costs associated with hardware and software • Does the provider have experience of hosting your case upgrades, and forget about high one off capital and practice management and other sector specific expenditure associated with IT spend. applications? • New application roll outs or test environments can be delivered quickly and efficiently and on demand. We are offering all MLS readers a no-obligation “Free IT • The right cloud provider will meet all of your IT compliance Audit” and a free copy of our “Cloud and Compliance – Your IT needs as standard so that you can get on with running the Questions answered” booklet, please call 0345 872 4400 or firm. e-mail [email protected] to book yours. 22 News MYSG News MTSG News

As it is all change in the MYSG committee How do you spend your time outside of ward to welcoming and sup - organising further education we thought it would be a good opportu - work? porting them in the coming events in the New Year and nity to introduce our members to the Going to the gym and spending time with months. details of these will be com - committee. It only seems right that the my daughter municated to members in first person to provide their details is the Our education, sports and due course. Chair, Felicity Fleming: What would be your food heaven and volunteering opportunities hell? continue to grow and it is not Our updated website will Heaven – roast dinner hell - seafood plat - too late to register your inter - soon be revealed and I en - ter est in these. If you are inter - courage you to follow us on ested, I would urge you to Twitter (@mcrtsg) if you are What is your favourite drink? contact either the relevant not doing so already. Simi - Champagne Committee member(s) di - larly, if you have any sugges - rectly or to lodge any en - tions or comments about the Where would you most like to visit? events and opportunities Africa quiries via our website and / The evening of Thursday or Twitter. that are available, please do What do you believe you bring to the 27th November saw mem - get in contact with us. MYSG committee? bers of the MTSG descend on After a relatively quiet With every best wish to you Passion the Town Hall for the annual month, December promises MTSG Winter Ball. The event to be a busy period for the and your families for the The new MYSG committee recently had a was a huge success and MTSG with our Quiz Night, Christmas period. I look for - very productive committee meeting where would not have been possi - kindly sponsored by Anakin ward to seeing you at an lots of new events and ideas were dis - ble without the generous Seal and Wesleyan, and our event in 2015. cussed, in preparation for the forthcoming sponsorship of Interlink Re - FELT Ice Skating event, also New Year. Please do check the MYSG web - cruitment and Deans Court sponsored by Anakin Seal, Kieran Duignan Name site for details, or if you have any sugges - Chambers. A special thanks taking place. In addition to Chair 2014-2015 Pannone, Part of Slater and Felicity Fleming – MYSG Chair tions for new events, please do contact the also goes to our Ball Secre - these events, Deans Court Gordon committee with your ideas! taries for their tireless work in Chambers are hosting what Firm preparing for this occasion. promises to be an informa - The Manchester Trainee Solic - Heaney watson Manchester to join our group. We arrange tive and enjoyable Advocacy itors Group provides social, ed - In the last month we are social events for solicitors, networking events Skills workshop. They have ucational, sporting and Area of expertise pleased to report that we with other professional groups in Manchester been supporters of the MTSG networking opportunities for Family and private client have expanded our member - including bankers, accountants and survey - for a number of years and the junior legal professionals in ship base further to include ors, educational and CPD seminars, and fact that this event ‘sold out’ and around Manchester. If you Qualification pupil barristers and those other events which we think will be of interest in less than an hour demon - would like to join us as a para - September 2008 junior barristers who are to our members. Membership is free and the strates the importance mem - legal, prospective trainee, qualified up to two years. costs of our events are met by sponsors. If bers are placing on their trainee or newly qualified so - Three things you would take with you if Membership of the MTSG you would like to join the MYSG and you do continuing professional edu - licitor, please visit the ‘Join Us’ you were stuck on a desert island? was also promoted to the not currently receive our emails, please email cation and development. In section of our website: My phone, my little girl and chocolate new cohort of paralegal ap - us at [email protected], or contact us through light of this, and because of www.mtsg.org.uk prentices during a talk at our increased links with a Who is your role model? our website, www.mysg.org.uk or via our Manchester Metropolitan Facebook page, "Manchester Lawyers". . number of chambers in Man - My mother University, and we look for - chester, we are looking into A PLEASANT CHANGE?

SECURE DOCUMENT & MEDIA STORAGE Apparently you are more likely to change your partner than your bank account. This is not because you are necessarily happy with your bank’s service, but because it can often prove difficult to make the change. Thankfully for customers from September this year it will be as easy to change banks as changing your energy or communications provider. This is quite rightly what we expect from a good service – even when we decide to leave. After all, it is OK to change. Unfortunately, it isn’t always as easy to change your document storage supplier. Exorbitant exit fees can make switching storage suppliers prohibitive. Whilst you may be dissatisfied with your current costs or service levels you may be unable to justify the expense in changing. If this sounds familiar then you need to talk to DRS. We can assist in making the switch from your current document storage supplier a far less painful experience than you imagined it could be. To find out how just contact us on the number below. We are confident that you will be delighted by our service and that our unique approach will make for a pleasant change. 0800 0687196 www.drs-ltd.co.uk Legal Update 23 Copyright Exceptions now include Private Use, Quotation and Parody Colin Bell, IP and Commercial Partner, and Hayley Hall, IP Executive, at leading law firm Brabners discuss the new exceptions to copyright law.

The government has recently made a series of changes Individuals are now allowed to make a single copy of copy - to copyright law to modernise the current legislation. right works in accessible formats for the personal use of a dis - The changes are intended to introduce greater freedoms abled person. Furthermore, charities will be able to make to allow third parties to use copyright works for a range multiple copies of copyright work for disabled people. of “economically or socially valuable purposes” without Therefore, if any type of copyright work is not available com - the need to seek the original owner’s permission. mercially in a format that can be accessed by a disabled per - son, the individual or charity may make an accessible copy The government has placed a lot of emphasis on their be - for them. lief that the exceptions will enhance economic growth and benefit both consumers and rights-holders in creative indus - The Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments had further tries. It is argued, however, that the new provisions ulti - questions about two further exceptions - Private Copying mately unduly favour users at the expense of rights-owners. and Parody - and wanted to spend more time considering them. This delayed their implementation and they came into The exceptions relating to parody and quotation will no force 01 October 2014: doubt be subject to litigation and clarification through case law. 4. Personal Copies for Private Use

The Exceptions The regulations permit people to make private copies of media they have bought (such as CDs and eBooks), for the These changes have derived from a long consultation purposes of formant shifting or back up. process (following both the Gowers (2005/6) and the Harg - This will allow someone to transfer their own CDs onto their reaves (2010/11) IP reviews) and all five of the proposed mp3 players but will not allow people to make copies and statutory instruments have now been approved by parlia - distribute them to others. ment. The first three came into force on 01 June 2014: This exception also give rights-holders freedom to deploy re - 1.(a) Research and Private Study strictive measures to prevent copying of their works for pri - vate use. Consumers could then raise a complaint about the The regulations permit reasonable copying of sound record - restrictive measures with the UK’s Business Secretary who ings, films and broadcasts for non-commercial research and would have the power to order the rights-holder to exercise private study without obtaining permission from the copy - their right to a private copy of the works. Colin Bell right holder. Institutions like libraries and universities are now able to offer access to copyright works on the premises The Business Secretary would need to consider “whether for research and private study, giving students greater access other copies of the work are commercially available on rea - to content in various fields. sonable terms…, in a form which does not prevent or unrea - sonably restrict the making of personal copies.” (b) Text and Data-mining The effectiveness of the complaints procedure will depend on whether consumers will be aware of its existence. The changes allow computer-based analysis of copyright material for non-commercial research without having to ob - In general this is a widely welcomed amendment which re - tain specific permission from the rights-holders. flects modern practices. This gives researchers the ability to copy materials for the technical process of data mining, as long as they have the 5. (a) Caricature, Parody or Pastiche right to access the works in question. This exception only applies if the research was carried out Works of caricature, parody or pastiche will often involve for non-commercial purposes. some level of copying from another work. The new excep - tion allows use of someone else’s copyright work for these (c) Education and Teaching purposes so long as the use is fair and proportionate.

The exceptions are widened for educational bodies allowing The government refers to the need for a fair dealing with the greater use of copyright materials in conjunction with edu - original work, so as to minimise the potential harm to rele - cational licensing schemes. Restrictions on the use of copy - vant copyright owners. Fair dealing suggests that it is only right for more modern teaching methods, such as distance permitted to make use of a limited moderate amount of learning materials, will be removed. someone’s work. The changes will allow for minor acts of copying for teach - ing purposes. For example, teachers will be allowed to dis - This may not go as far as some users would like but gener - play webpages and quotations on interactive whiteboards ally the exception is welcomed by those who produce such without seeking permission. creations. However, the exception may, understandably, not be welcomed by rights-owners. (d) Archiving and Preservation In addition, whether something qualifies as a permitted car - The new regulations make it easier for libraries, archives, mu - icature, parody or pastiche, and/or constitutes fair dealing, is seums and galleries to preserve their respective collections. likely to be a heavily argued issue. Hayley Hall They will be able to make copies of all types of creative works in order to preserve them for future generations when it is There are therefore concerns that this exception will cause not reasonably practicable to purchase a replacement. more disputes and litigation until the case law on the issues become settled. It is unlikely to stop rights-holders alleging 2.Public Administration infringement where they feel their work has been unfairly copied but is likely to give rise to defences (both genuine The copyright laws relating to public administration have and spurious) based on this exception. now been extended to allow more public bodies to proac - tively share third party copyright material online, such as ma - (b) Quotation terial submitted for the purpose of maintaining a public register. The existing rules only allow public bodies to issue Greater freedom is being given to quote the works of others. paper copies or to make the material available for inspection It will be possible to take quotations from copyright works at their premises. Widening the scope to the internet will en - without the permission of the owner as long as it is fair and able greater public access to information, provide greater proportionate. Quoting the title or a short extract of an ac - transparency and will save time and expenses for both the ademic article may be considered fair, however, to copy a public bodies and individuals. long extract from a book without justifying the context would not be permitted. 3. Accessible Formats for Disabled People Meet the Experts AMG Consultancy Services has been providing medico- legal services since 1983, and is one AMG Consultancy Services Ltd of the UK’s leaders in this field. We produce reports for quantum care, professional negligence, liability and loss of services), in - Personal Injury, Nursing and Clinical Negligence Experts cluding utmost severity cases: acquired brain injury, cerebral palsy (affecting adults and chil - Our experts prepare reports in the following areas: dren), mesothelioma, spinal cord injury and amputation. g Palliative care The reports are based upon documents, face- to- face assessments and telephone interviews. g Tissue viability We offer fixed fee nursing liability screening reports which are advisory in nature and Part 35 g compliant. We can also produce reports at short notice and pride ourselves on providing the Paediatrics and special care best service to clients. g Nursing and healthcare issues and protocols g Care of the elderly The team consists of senior nurses, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech and g Special housing needs language specialists. Each member of the expert team is g Neurosurgical care practised in claimant, defendant and single joint expert work - and has up- to- date knowledge g Orthopaedic care of their areas of specialism and the civil procedures rules. g Continence issues AMG’s experts advise on a full range of cases including high value complex cases and the team Contact: Mrs. Diane Debens of consultants not only have the required knowledge of their fields, but also know exactly what Tel: 01785 616 412 is required by solicitors in a care report. Email: [email protected] Website: www.medicolegalcare.co.uk

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Risk Update

Welcome to the December edition of Risk Update. Why purchase Professional direct basis, so there is no compulsion to use YYHU\H΍HFWLYHHU\H΍HFWLYH BROKER LOBBY. a Broker. Indemnity cover through an It would assist understanding if (anonymously) insurance broker? However, good Brokers provide independent Insurers were to disclose their underwriting advice, assist with the preparation of results on an annual basis: they do not help We have had some interesting feedback to proposals to the Market, assist with the claims their cause by withholding this information. It our request for suggestions to make the SURFHVVDQGR΍HUDGYLFHDQGDVVLVWDQFHLQSURFHVVDQG R΍HU DGYLFH DQG DVVLVWDQFH LQ would reveal that there have been occasions purchase of Professional Indemnity Insurance regard to the wide range of technical issues when the insurance market for solicitors’ less traumatic in the future. A fuller article is raised by their solicitor clients. Oh, and they business could very well have imploded over being prepared and will be published in the negotiate good deals for you, too! the last few years, and would illustrate that Messenger early in the New Year. some insurers have made substantial losses Some solicitors appreciate the value of the One of the responses we found most over a long period, and others have entered advice outlined above, whilst others treat interesting was the “elephant in the room” the market full of enthusiasm and vacated the purchase of Insurance like a visit to question: ‘Why do we need to purchase after 2 or 3 years, much the poorer for the the local supermarket. As the PII market Professional Indemnity cover through an H[SHULHQFHΖWLVRQO\E\H΍HFWLYHQHJRWLDWLRQH[SHULHQFHΖW LV RQO\ E\ H΍HFWLYH QHJRWLDWLRQ  JHWVLQFUHDVLQJO\WRXJKHUWKRVHȴUPVZLOOJHWVLQFUHDVLQJO\ WRXJKHU WKRVH ȴUPV ZLOO insurance broker?’ A good question indeed! that brokers have continued to obtain good become isolated and unprotected without the deals for their clients against this deteriorating Some insurance brokers have not earned guidance of an insurance professional. background. themselves the best of reputations over the )RUDOOOHJDOȴUPVZKDWHYHUFDPS\RXDUH)RUDOO OHJDO ȴUPV ZKDWHYHU FDPS \RX DUH  years when dealing with solicitors’ PII, owing Looking forward, I would suggest that those in, the KEY ROLE OF THE BROKER IS TO to a combination of greed, incompetence, or OHJDOȴUPVWKDWKDYHJRRG7UDLQLQJDQGOHJDOȴUPV WKDW KDYH JRRG 7UDLQLQJ DQG MAINTAIN SUSTAINABLE COMPETITION lack of understanding of the market on their Compliance, Risk Management and Quality WITHIN THE MARKET. IT IS ABOUT PRICE AS part. The common renewal date, which was Control as a minimum, will continue to fare WELL AS PROFESSIONALISM! required by the SRA until last year, did not well in the future. A good broker will assist \\RXZLWKDGYLFHLQWKLVDUHD7KRVHȴUPVWKDWRXZLWK DGYLFH LQ WKLV DUHD 7KRVH ȴUPV WKDW help this situation, leading to a mad scramble 77KHUHZLOOEHWKRVHOHJDOȴUPVZKRIHHOWKH\KHUHZLOO EH WKRVH OHJDO ȴUPV ZKR IHHO WKH\  ignore the help of brokers and bury their for terms towards renewal date rather than have been badly treated by the insurance heads in the sand will fare less well. encouraging a more professional approach to market, and in some cases this is undoubtedly the renewal process. Perhaps the profession true, but others have not helped themselves retained the Common Renewal Date for so by failing to embrace risk management or to Corporate Member Cover long because it hankered after the days of build relationships with good quality insurers the Mutual, when the use of brokers was and brokers: chopping and changing providers I assume many members here in the North unnecessary and terms were readily available every year is not going to buy you loyalty when West will have received letters from the SRA for everyone! your bargaining position is weaker. advising them that they have no cover in respect of Corporate Members within their Strange as it may seem, the usefulness of an Anyone harbouring the notion of a return to Insurance Broker and the failure of the Mutual LLP. The latest statistics available from the DD0XWXDORUVRPHWKLQJVLPLODULVH΍HFWLYHO\D0XWXDO RU VRPHWKLQJ VLPLODU LV H΍HFWLYHO\ D 665$UHYHDOWKDWDURXQGRIWKRVHOHWWHUV5$UHYHDO WKDW DURXQG  RI WKRVH OHWWHUV are connected issues. The Mutual failed turkey longing for Christmas. Similarly, anyone PDLQO\EHFDXVHWKHUHZDVQRRQHWRȴJKWWKHPDLQO\EHFDXVH WKHUH ZDV QRRQH WR ȴJKW WKH KKDYHEHHQLVVXHGDQGWKH\DUHRQO\SHUDYHEHHQ LVVXHG DQG WKH\ DUH RQO\  SHU wishing to exclude Brokers from the renewal cent of the way through the exercise. FRUQHURIWKHEHWWHUPDQDJHGȴUPVZKRZHUHFRUQHURI WKH EHWWHUPDQDJHG ȴUPV ZKR ZHUH  process is leaving the profession at the mercy H΍HFWLYHO\VXEVLGLVLQJWKRVHSUDFWLFHVZKRVHH΍HFWLYHO\VXEVLGLVLQJ WKRVH SUDFWLFHV ZKRVH RRIWKRVHERɝQVKRXVHGLQFRQFUHWHEXQNHUVIWKRVH ERɝQV KRXVHG LQ FRQFUHWH EXQNHUV Had the SRA bothered to make a small claims records were simply not sustainable. in London, New York or Munich, otherwise number of calls to Insurers, they would have A specialist PII broker, on the other hand, will known as actuaries. Speak to any insurer and VVDWLVȴHGWKHPVHOYHVWKDWWKLVFRVWO\DQGWLPHDWLVȴHGWKHPVHOYHV WKDW WKLV FRVWO\ DQG WLPH always provide this support. WWKH\ZLOOR΍WKHUHFRUGRIFRXUVHFRQȴUPKH\ZLOO R΍ WKH UHFRUG RI FRXUVH FRQȴUP  consuming exercise was totally unnecessary: that their actuarial rates (technical premiums), So do you need to use an Insurance Broker? Corporate Members are indeed covered by DDGYRFDWHGE\WKHERɝQVVKRXOGEHGYRFDWHGE\ WKH ERɝQV VKRXOG EH   PI policies. If you have received one of these Firstly, it must be said that Solicitors can KLJKHUWKDQWKHHYHQWXDOPDUNHWSULFHKLJKHU WKDQ WKH HYHQWXDO PDUNHW SULFH letters,letters, one quick telephone call to your Broker approach a small number of Insurers on a ::K\WKHGL΍HUHQWLDO"7KLVLVVLPSO\GXHWRDK\WKH GL΍HUHQWLDO" 7KLV LV VLPSO\ GXH WR D should resolve the matter.

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28 Lifestyle

5/ Don’t make it worse than it needs to be! Go for clear booze (vodka, gin, tequila) made into a 7 Ways To Survive Party Season long drink by combining with soda water and a low sugar fruit juice, e.g. lime or grapefruit. So party season is nearly upon us! For some it will be eagerly anticipated, for others a challenge 6/ Energy boosters. B vitamins are critical for energy metabolism - try a B vitamin complex, to be navigated and overcome. nuts, seeds and seafood.

Either way, your propensity for getting ill and generally feeling like you want to scrape out the 7/ Don’t ditch your workouts! Exercise will burn off calories and boost your immune system, inside of your cranium with an ice cream scoop is going to be increased. plus help with expelling waste products from your system.

While (obviously!), we don’t encourage significant alcohol intake, here are some ways to fortify If you’re already thinking of what you’re going to do in January to your defences and support your liver through party season: deal with the excesses of the festive season, check out our FREE 30 Day Challenge: 1/ The basics become even more important! Make sure you take care of your nutrition – eat real, whole, nutrient dense food and increase your vegetable intake. Preparation will be essen - All you need to do to get yours is head to: tial, as your natural inclination when you’re in pain will be to go for comfort food. Prepare and http://threesixtypersonaltraining.co.uk/30-day-challenge/ resist! To your new lean and healthy body, 2/ Look after your liver – enhance your phase I & II liver detoxification pathways by optimsing water intake (times your bodyweight in kg by 0.033 to get the approximate number of litres Matt you should drink per day) and take Milk Thistle. three sixtyº Personal Training is a health clinic and personal 3/ Bulletproof your immune system. Berocca looks nice but won’t get the job done. Try zinc, vi - training gym based on Bridge St. For more information visit tamin C (at least 1000mg per day), vitamin D (get your levels up to around 125nmol/L) and www.threesixtypersonaltraining.co.uk Echinacea. twitter: @threesixtyfit facebook: /threesixtyfit

4/ Antioxidants – Get plenty of colourful fruits and vegetables into your diet. Try frozen berries, Manchester Law Society Members receive a 10% discount on plus lemons & limes, dark green leafy veggies or a plate of vegetables crudités. And snack on personal training upon brazil nuts - high in the antioxidant selenium. production of their Benefits of Membership Card Lifestyle 29 The W rld Jeff

according to Fthen arsked mae if I'dn picked u p her puzzle-book and pencil (the In this edition, Jeff Lewis has hijacked “The World According to Fran” prospect of losing her pencil, which apparently belongs to school, Xbeing particularly troublesome for her!); it's just possi - to give a report on his recent holiday from hell...... ble that, as I wondered if my wife and son had been rescued, and as I worried about the hire-car and all of our stuff still in the I'm not one for doing blogs, mass emails, public diaries etc (you line went dead. car (passports, credit-cards and suchlike), I was less than sym - won't find me posting on Facebook and suchlike), but I thought pathetic. I explained to her, as patiently as I could, that the im - you might be interested to hear about the first day of our holi - In the meantime, the people upfront, under the bridge, the portant thing was that we were all safe (there was no point in day. other side of the water, were taking photos - it was good to saying that I didn't actually know that Bev and Edward were). know that our ordeal might have made it into a front-page We got up at 4.15am and were at Southend airport for 5.20am photo in the local newspaper - no doubt alongside an editorial We got stuck in a bit of traffic, but the police's sirens cleared the for our 7am flight to Mallorca. All on time - so far so good. about how the English come on holiday unprepared. way (I have always wanted to be in police-car with a flashing blue light!). The urgency demonstrated by the police gave me When we arrived, there was a problem with the hire-car. Appar - I managed to wind down the window and stick my head out to no comfort: it was clear that they couldn't be sure that Bev and ently we didn't have any insurance! After 30 mins of a discus - shout for help, but these people were too far away from us, may Edward were safe. sion about agency law and ostensible authority, Hertz were not have spoken English and - frankly - couldn't do much more persuaded to make a few phone-calls, following which it be - than we could. Fortunately, when we got to the other side, Bev and a quite dis - came apparent that we did have insurance! All that we had to tressed Edward were there. It turned out that one of the onlook - decide was whether to take the Collision Damage Waiver (which Fearing that the car was about to start bobbing about in the ers had - on realising that we had kids on board - waded in to we normally refuse, but on this occasion - prophetically, as it water, with us inside, we again assured the children that there the water and lifted Edward to safety, with a barefooted Bev turned out - we accepted). was nothing to worry about, but no doubt our tone (not to alongside (she having made the decision that 'heels' weren't a mention our cries for help and aborted calls to the police!) be - great idea if she was ploughing through muddy water with Ed - We then found the hire-car, but the boot wasn't large enough. trayed our anxiety. ward on her shoulder!). So we went back to the desk, had another argument with them, and then got an upgrade. We'd now spent almost as long in the At this point, Bev said to me "It's coming in". I thought she The police said that it was ok to abandon the car, and they of - airport as we had on the plane, but - not to worry - all was now meant that the car was coming in to the wall at the side (which fered to drive us back to the resort. At the suggestion of one of sorted, and the holiday could begin. itself worried me, as we were clearly already in Hertz's bad the onlookers, I ploughed back into the water to go to the car books even without smashing their car into a wall), but in fact and empty it of our other possessions. This time the water felt After the customary wrong turn out of the airport, we finally what Bev had meant was that the water was coming in - as in - much colder, but I knew we were all safe and that the water found our way to our apartment. The resort looked fine, but deed it was. The water had risen to above the lower door levels, wouldn't submerge me. The water was by now at around seat- there was nowhere obviously suitable to eat, so we nipped out and cold, brown water was now swirling around our feet. level in the car, and I rescued Bev's shoes, the now-famous puz - to the local town, Llucmajor, to find a pizzeria. zle-book and pencil, and other bits and pieces. As I felt around My fear at this point was that we would be unable to open the in the footwells, I felt a wet, sodden rag - which turned out to be As we left the apartment, it began to rain - never a good sign car door to get out, although the idea of sitting in a car which my coat, with pockets full of valuables. I had to wring it out when you're on holiday. We got to Llucmajor, but the whole was rapidly filling with water wasn't terribly appealing either. there and then (although, remarkably, its contents were all in - town seemed to have shut down for a siesta, and as it was by The children were fairly hysterical, Abi in particular panicking tact (the coat is ruined, mind you!)). As the pizzas were swirling now pouring we didn't fancy wandering the streets looking for greatly and declaring that she was going to be sick. The around in the brown water, I decided to leave them there! the one place that might have stayed open. So we stopped off prospect of her vomit joining the dirty brown water in our car at a shop, for Bev to buy pizzas for us to take back to the apart - didn't fill me with joy, but opening the car door wasn't an op - I then had to give all of our details to the police. Whether it was ment. The kids and I stayed in the car. In the meantime, the rain tion. the cold or the shock I don't know, but my handwriting in the got steadily worse, with clear signs of a flood on the road. As the police notebook was terrible (even worse than usual!). water-levels rose above the kerb, and as cars sprayed water I tested whether we could open the car-door, and we could, al - everywhere, I reversed the car down the road, as I could see beit that this of course encouraged more water ingress. It was The whole thing had lasted only a few minutes, but it was the that, where we were, the water levels were sufficiently high to clear that this was a 'do or die' moment: get out into the horri - most scary experience of my life, I think. As someone who's al - be a bit of a concern. ble water if we could and escape the few yards to safety (aban - ways erred on the side of safety and caution, I'm not used to this doning the car (and the pizzas!)) or sit it out and hope for the sort of drama, and all 4 of us are quite shocked tonight. I was wondering why it was taking so long for Bev to buy a cou - best. Fortunately, Bev and I finally found one thing we could ple of pizzas, but, being the patient soul that I am, I sat and agree on - we had to go for it. I declared that I was going to go Anyway, the police took us back to the resort and explained to waited, all the while assuring the kids that Mummy was no for it, and I stepped out into the water. I grabbed my camcorder the resort staff what had happened. The resort staff in turn rang doubt buying lots of nice food and that of course we weren't and whatever else I could manage in one hand (bizarrely, I Hertz, who were incredibly difficult and initially refused to re - going to get stuck in a flood. ended up grabbing things like the guidebook and the maps of place our car. After some wrangling, the replacement arrived the area). tonight - the last we heard about the original was that some I then took a missed call from Bev. Her voicemail told me that men with a truck were waiting for the water levels to subside so there had been a flash flood in the shop and that they had had I was relieved to find that I could stand up in the water, and I was they could salvage it! to lock the doors and wouldn't let anybody out until the fire- actually fairly oblivious to the fact that it was up to my waist. brigade arrived! I sat and watched the water levels rise and was Having made the decision to 'go for it', I was just relieved to dis - When we got back to the apartment, guess what? The rain had on the point of moving the car again when Bev appeared, her cover that it didn't submerge me; I opened the back door (fight - caused the roof to leak, and the upstairs floor was covered with hostage ordeal now over! Apparently the police had come and ing against the water, but not with any real difficulty) and lifted water! So we then had to move room. 'released' them all. We, therefore, finally headed off back to the Abi up onto my right shoulder (the camcorder being on the left apartment, with our pizzas and two hungry children. one!). We set off walking the 50 or so yards through the water - What with switching rooms (Bev had to re-pack what she'd un - I felt like Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption (except packed a few hours earlier!), sorting out a replacement hire-car We went back the way we had come. We saw a big puddle he did it for about half a mile and after 19 years in prison). Abi and (finally) eating (not the pizzas!), it wasn't until this evening ahead, as the road dipped under a bridge, and Bev slowed was complaining that her foot was wet (as everything from my that Bev and I managed to change out of our wet clothes. down a little for it. It was then that we realised that the road waist downwards was sodden!) and was declaring that she felt dipped far more than we had realised, and the water splashed sick (as I imagined being covered by her vomit). I delivered her So, three cars, two rooms, and two police-rescues - and we up in front of the windscreen. At that point, the electrics must to the dry ground and placed my belongings beside her. As I haven't even been here a day yet! have cut out, and the car stopped. Dead. Wouldn't start. was about to check to see whether Bev and Edward had got out, a police-car arrived (it had, I learned later, been summoned by A mild panic took over. We could see some people ahead (under one of the onlookers). the bridge), but we were stranded, surrounded by water. As there was no obvious escape, we began to panic a little more, At this point, it began to rain even harder, and Abi was scream - all the while assuring the children that there was nothing to ing. The police invited her in to the car, and between the police worry about! and me we tried to establish where Bev and Edward were. There was no sign of them, but I thought I could possibly make out We didn't know the number for the emergency services, but, their silhouettes on the other side of the water (under the ever the practical tourist, I had the guidebook and looked up e bridge). I wasn't sure whether the police had established that for emergencies in the index. As the rain continued to pour, and they were there or whether they hadn't understood that there we sat there stranded, I found the emergency services number had been 4 of us in the car. (112, in case you ever need the police in Mallorca), but Bev's call to the police was pointless: it seems that the Mallorcan emer - They got me in the car with a hysterical Abi, and they then drove gency services just aren't cut out for people ringing them and me round to the other side of the bridge (the road we'd been saying, in English, during a flash flood "Our car is stuck in water on being impassable (as we’d discovered!)). Abi began to ask on a road somewhere near a bridge". For whatever reason, the me about the pizzas and whether they would still be ok! She Abi, Edward, Bev and Jeff - safe and sound 30 Classified Classified Directory

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