The

LegalSheffield & District Law Society Issue Seventeen November 2013

What Is the future for high street law firms?

Legal 500 Focus

The Legal_Sheffield and District Law Society_November 2013 The

Sheffield & District Law Society 8 Campo Lane, S1 2EF Tel: 0114 2723655 www.sheffieldlawsociety.co.uk LegalSheffield & District Law Society Contents President’s Column 4 Sheffield & District Law Society President Giles Searby comes in from the garden Join the Sheffield & District Law and prepares for the challenges ahead. Society for a night out at the Sheffield Brewing Company on High Street Focus 6 Wednesday, November 20th. With a merger recently completed, Simon Wright of Banner Jones looks Included in the £20 price is a tour at the way forward for high street law firms. with head brewer Dr Tim Stillman, along with free beer and a High Street Focus 7 homemade pea and pie supper. Jeremy Brooke of Simpson Sissons and Brooke and Alex Ross from Bell & Buxton give their views on what the future holds. The Sheffield Brewing Company is based at Burton Road, Sheffield S3 High Street Focus 8 8BT and the evening will run from Anthony Long of Taylor&Emmet on why reacting to change holds the key and 7-10pm. Sharon Beck of Taylor Bracewell/Bhayani Bracewell on why high street firms are a To book your places for what key piece of the legal jigsaw. promises to be a popular event, call the Society on 0114 272 3655 or High Street Focus 9 email [email protected] Sarah Scott, from Oxley & Coward Solicitors in Rotherham, says the rush to write or [email protected]. the obituary of high street firms is premature. Legal News 10 Ciaran Dearden of the Junior Law Division on the skills needed to be a success; plus news of the city’s legal dog walk. Legal News 11 It was a successful night for Sheffield’s Unity Law at the Yorkshire Awards. And there was further reason for the firm to celebrate with a landmark legal ruling. Movers & Shakers 12-13 Clare Holsgrove of CRA Legal on a boom time for ; plus a new Sheffield head of office for and a round-up of the key local appointments. Legal 500 focus 16-17 Four local made it into the list of leading individuals for the 2013 Legal 500. We also bring you a comprehensive focus of the firms and individuals highlighted in the publication. Technology 18 Peter Wright of DigitalLawUK gives an update and a warning on the perils of Editor social media. David Todd [email protected] Technology 19 07403 322351 Chris Poulson of IT Group explains how eDisclosure can reduce the workload for Designer smaller document volumes. Sian Puckrin [email protected] Legal News 20 0333 5775 300 Banner Jones Solicitors has merged with Mansfield firm Bilton Hammond; while Advertising Opportunities & General Taylor&Emmet has joined the ranks of firms boasting the quality mark. Enquiries Cannon Public Relations Ltd [email protected] Lifestyle 22 01709 321 585 Michele Todd of hlw Keeble Hawson comes up with the answers in our regular Contact The Editor Question Time feature; while SDLS Wine Counsel Barry Starmore gives thanks for The Legal welcomes editorial contributions a good summer at last! such as features, letters and news stories. To discuss any opportunities in forthcoming issues please contact;

No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission from Impression Design & Print Ltd. All enquiries of this nature must be made in [email protected] writing to; [email protected] 07403 322 351 3 Comment President’s Column Sheffield & District Law Society President Giles Searby comes in from the garden and looks forward to the challenges ahead. There would be very little excuse this are now at the end of another CPD year, month for me not meeting the editorial I’d also like to alert to you the diverse deadline. I am on the move, as is obvious range of accredited courses SDLS will from the appointments page, and the again be offering in 2014. These high last month has been spent on gardening quality sessions from leading local and leave. national speakers receive very positive feedback and are priced I would like to take this opportunity to extremely competitively when compared say that it has been a great three years or to other training providers. For members so helping to bring Hill Dickinson into the of SDLS their places on courses are also Sheffield market and build its reputation. discounted. Book away! I leave behind friends and happy memories and now look forward to A further distraction from the garden furthering my practice and career at my was provided by the final planning of our new home, hlw Keeble Hawson in joint event with the Company of Cutlers Sheffield. – the Thommo Tribute Night. Over 160 guests enjoyed fantastic hospitality at So a few things that have come out of 5 Baldwins, wore their fake sideburns with weeks’ gardening leave: pride and, through the auction and raffle, • A chance to finally get to grips with contributed a fantastic £4,000 plus for the reviewing the Society’s articles. Lymphoma Association. • A good crop of courgettes. Particular thanks to Rianne, our acting manager, for all her efforts on this event • Batches of elderberry syrup, bramble process, in particular, is only just starting which were greatly appreciated by all jam and sloe gin. to filter through. It’s apparent that the listing time required for the new CCMCs involved in its organisation. Though it • Learning that pots with peacocks on will potentially start to affect the courts’ was not an event any of us wanted to be them make less money on Bargain lists and timetabling. What was made putting on, it was a fantastic example of Hunt. abundantly clear, however, is that the what can be achieved by collaboration between professions and between law • Realising that as much as we all zero tolerance for breach of rules/ firms coming together. sometimes crave a break, you soon orders has been strongly pressed with want to get back to the cut and thrust all Judges. I hope that some of that spirit can of the day job. We are extremely grateful to DJ Oldham continue to be harnessed as I now set about launching the LEP’s Business and Another revelation is the sheer number and all the other members of the Professional Services Sector Group. of daytime TV adverts for PI and medical Judiciary who give up their time to give Anyone who feels that they would like negligence claims. Even Brian Blessed, our such training lectures and they are always to contribute to that group, help us de- Yorkshire Law Banquet speaker for well attended. A pertinent comment was, velop the marketing of the SCR for February, gets in on the act in the however, made to me by DJ Oldham that professional services and ensure our “underdog” adverts. the majority of attendees were more needs are addressed on the Economic senior practitioners and the younger It was suggested that the Jackson Plan for the SCR, please get in touch with members of the profession were less reforms would start to stem the tide of me or my deputy chair, Peter Rawlinson evident. the claims management companies. No at Wake Smith. sign yet, it seems. We were fortunate this As he noted in his session, it is junior I hope you enjoy reading another packed month to have District Judge Oldham practitioners who are perhaps more edition of The Legal. It is great to see the give us some time to present on the View likely to be caught out by the rule range of contributions we are getting from the Bench six months into Jackson. changes etc. We must ensure that all have from the local profession and from Unsurprisingly, there were many who received sufficient formal and day-to-day sponsors and supporters. Thanks to all for wanted to hear what he had to say. training in respect of the CPR and the your support and especially to David new regime. The view so far is that not a lot has and Matt who pull it all together so changed day to day. The budgeting Taking that lead and recognising that we seamlessly. 4

High Street Focus What lies ahead for our Over the next four pages, six leading local legal figures give their views on what the future holds for high street law firms. Simon Wright, Whilst the merger has allowed many Executive Director, economies of scale, including the savings Banner Jones from the closure of an office, the real It is clear from the recent survey under- benefit will hopefully come from the taken by the Law Society into the health ability to now offer additional and of the modern that all is not more specialised services to the Bilton rosy with a large number of high street Hammond clients and to a wider practices. audience, thus generating new business. Against a backdrop of difficult trad- ing conditions, new entrants into the One of the most important considera- market and a number of traditional work tions in any merger should be the name areas under threat from the withdrawal under which the new business will trade. of Legal Aid, many firms have either Experience has taught us the importance contracted in size or gone out of busi- of maintaining a long-standing and ness. Similarly, we have seen many look well-respected brand name or at least to merger as a way of securing growth a link to it; hence our new business will or seeking savings from the economies continue to operate with their locally of scale which might result and, in my established brand names for the view, we’ll continue to see the number of foreseeable future. mergers between high street practices continue at a pace. Often one sees a smaller merger partner giving up their name after Over the last 14 years I have been being swallowed up by the larger partner. involved in three mergers and one pur- Mergers generally need to be followed by chase of a law firm. I have, however, been substantial marketing communications in discussions with regards to many more. as you must never assume it’s only the Over the years, rather than look at a name that will be lost following a merger. merger as something born out of neces- It is very easy to lose clients by not sity, we have as a business taken the ensuring that they are fully informed of approach that there is merit in discussing what has happened and, moreover, that mergers with as many potentially suitable the people they are used to dealing with Simon Wright, Banner Jones partners as possible. have remained with the business following merger. This strategy has been adopted so as respective management teams got on to ensure that, if there are benefits from well from the start, which was definitely A merger gives a great opportunity to merger, then they are not missed. As well the case. The open-minded thinking of look afresh at areas such as IT and work- as resulting in the mergers referred to all concerned enabled early disclosure to ing practices generally. In most cases, above, this approach has resulted in a take place and the benefits of a merger methods and processes can be improved number of rebuffs where the business between the two businesses were readily by the adoption of the best practices approached was simply not interested apparent. from each business. even in a preliminary discussion. I have to Quick decisions were made on those Finally, what should not be missed say that I have never understood such a issues which often cause potential following any merger is the opportunity response as I believe that many beneficial mergers to fail, such as business name, to review your supply base and if opportunities may have been missed by profit shares and management positions. appropriate to put services such as a failure to at least explore what might be I believe that both parties were cognisant banking and accounting out to tender. the benefits of a merger. of the overall benefits arising from the Experience has revealed that quite often On September 1st we completed our merger and were therefore happy to what are thought to be beneficial terms latest merger with Bilton Hammond adopt in some areas a broad brush can be quite significantly improved. solicitors who had offices in Chesterfield approach to decisions, rather than over- If nothing more, undertaking the and Mansfield and a little over 30 staff. analysing every fact and figure for fear of exerciseDavid Gray, reminds Graysons your WE suppliers that your It was, of course, important that the giving something away. business should not be taken for granted. 6 The Legal_Sheffield and District Law Society_November 2013 High Street Focus high street law firms? Jeremy Brooke, partner at Simpson • Consolidation of firms may lead to Sissons & Brooke opportunities as overheads are shared In the post ABS world, legal consumers • Paralegals now buy legal services from suppliers of • Fixed fees legal services. As the only high street firm on the high

Those lawyers who bothered to read Sir Jeremy Brooke, Simpson street in Sheffield, we are aiming to David Clementi’s report in 2004 will Sissons & Brooke expand on the our reputation for quality recognise that language and realise that, work, concentrate on delivering a solici- in fact, the “new” changes that were thrust That is not to say that dragging the tor-led service (but using the paralegals upon us on January of this year, are not customer into the office during the for those areas in each discipline which that new. middle of a busy working day when you do not actually require a qualified solici- could communicate on Skype, or sending tor in order to ensure a balance between Those firms that are still operating as they paper drafts to and fro when you could profitability and being a low claim risk) were in 2004 are probably the ones that collaborate in a secure online environment and standardise various stages wherever will struggle. (at the same time as using Skype) is the possible to improve the service for the In fact the inevitable started on August right thing to do. client and overall profitability. 6th 1991 when Sir Tim Berners-Lee The theory that “some people want the We are well positioned to take advantage introduced the world wide web. Legal old fashioned service” isn’t going to last of family and conveyancing work, having information became widely available and for long, because before you know it the recently restructured those departments. more frequently free of charge and as pensioners will be IT savvy – and many Whilst the wills & probate team benefits technology advanced the assimilation of already are. from having a on hand to deal that free legal information became easier with the technical questions, full use of and documents that were once the If the high street law firm offers a great paralegals is made for the “non-legal” domain of the quill pen were now con- service and value for money why aspects of the probate process. structed by consumers in their own front wouldn’t people use it? rooms at 10pm at night when lawyers If it offers help with the right areas of law Our contentious were tucked up in bed. at the right prices then they can survive. probate team is extremely busy, Richard Susskind hit the nail on the head It will be different that’s for sure. But then often benefiting when he wrote his book Death of the again M&S is a lot different to how it was from mistakes Lawyer, predicting automation and price 20 years ago! made by unregu- squeezes across all areas of law – even Alex Ross, partner in the commercial lated will writers those areas of law where lawyers still services team at Bell & Buxton Solicitors or unsupervised proclaim safety – so commercial lawyers What a year! So much change in such a Alex Ross, Bell & Buxton personnel. The be warned! little time. The average high street firm’s message there is “don’t dabble – leave typical SWOT analysis might read some- Surely, then, this means that the high this sort of work to the specialists”. street law firm is under great threat? thing like this: The future for commercial property and Threats/Weaknesses Well, of course, it is. Can you compete corporate work seems to be 100% better • Jackson Reforms with a £6 DIY change of name deed than 12 months ago, however work in • ABSs offered on a website by having a client these areas is always based on reputa- • Public Funding cuts attend an interview, taking instructions, tion and therefore constant marketing is • ’s application of dictating the deed, having it typed up, necessary. As the market hopefully picks case administration fees posting it out and sending a paper bill? up, winning work in these areas will bring • Outcomes Focused Regulation in more work as successful transactions If you try then you probably lose after the • Hardening of insurance market are the best marketing. first three minutes of the interview. Simple! • Standardisation means lower fees The biggest challenge in litigation remains Can you compete with a £100 online DIY Strengths/Opportunities funding. We are seeing innovative and will? Well maybe, because if the writer of • Still here! interesting ways of apportioning the the DIY will has properties in France and • Banks are lending again risks between lawyers and clients which Barbados, children to three different mar- (no, they really are!) are often more palatable than paying up riages, step children and a business that • Free advice provided to struggling front or entering into a Conditional Fee involves some family member but not clients during the Recession is paying Agreement. others – then the DIY will probably isn’t off now going to be right. • A better 2013 n Continued on page 8. 7 High Street Focus ‘React to change and Anthony Long, I’ve not seen evidence of this level of Chief Executive, closures, but accept that the report did Taylor&Emmet relate to firms dependent upon legal aid As is so often the case in the UK, the press work, and Taylor Bracewell is not one of and others continue to prophesise the those firms. demise of the high street law firm. Personally, I’m sure there will always be At the end of September, The Law Society a place for distinctive high street firms, Gazette headlined the fact that 1,000 offering good quality and practical legal small legal practices ceased trading last advice. We have faced many threats over year – a figure that is set to rise further in the years from regulations, conveyancing 2014 and beyond. factories, alternative business structures Anthony Long, Taylor&Emmet (ABSs) and Tesco Law, for example, and I Let’s take a more balanced view and don’t feel that any of these have had the examine the facts. have been able to achieve in such a short impact expected. Technology would see The UK legal market is worth an estimated space of time. the end of us, I heard, but for us it has just £30billion a year and there are around been an added strength. The question facing high street firms is 10,000 firms currently serving the market. not ‘do we have a future?’ but ‘how can Taylor Bracewell made the conscious The value and scope of business is we succeed in earning a bigger slice of decision to move away from being de- growing consistently, as our lives become the £15 billion cake?’ pendent on Legal Aid and now succeeds more complex. There are many companies almost completely on privately paying For those who naively believe they can and individuals who don’t realise they individuals and businesses. We have had continue to operate in the same tired have legal problems and, similarly, there to box clever, as many high street firms old ways, the inevitable outcome will be are potential clients who have problems, have, finding alternative solutions such as declining profits and more closures. but need to be persuaded to buy legal fixed fees on family law work, and whilst advice and support. Other firms who deliver broadly the I’m certainly not complacent, it seems to same services but in a different way are be working at the moment. Of that £30billion market, the top 100 embracing technology and embedding commercial law firms take 50%, leaving We have moved with the times; we all the remaining 9,900 to fight over a ‘client first and always’ culture into the have to. Looking at our strengths and £15billion. I suggest, therefore, there are very DNA of their business. By doing limitations – and what people want – has plenty of opportunities for us to increase so, the opportunities to grow market been the key to building a better, more our share. share and profit remains, I suggest, very efficient and focussed, commercially considerable. aware business. Mixing with other As a result of what can only be described business people as a member of the Sharon Beck, as the complacency of high street firms, Academy of Chief Executives has certainly Managing Partner, new entrants into the sector have made helped me. substantial inroads. Co-operative Legal Taylor Bracewell/Bhayani Bracewell Services has, in just four years, earned fees I don’t subscribe to the feeling that we of £25million from a market that ought will lose our commercial work to the big to have remained almost the exclusive city firms. Businesses come in all shapes preserve of legal practices. and sizes and not all of them can afford – or want – the city giants. Sadly, far too many firms have not High street firms can offer a great grasped the fact that if they don’t, can’t or commercial service and some city firms won’t react to changing client demands, are recognising that; syphoning off work the likes of Co-op, Saga, Rocket Lawyer, to smaller firms like ours, who can do the Zoom, Virgin and doubtless many others work equally well but at a lower cost. will. So, all in all, I think there can be a great Has the legal profession got its act to- future for high street firms who have gether? We had fair warning. As Clementi talented lawyers prepared to make first issued his reformist proposals more Reports earlier this year said that around sensible decisions. than eight years ago, there should have 1,500 law firms would close within 12 been insufficient market opportunity for months if the Government’s planned We are all part of a legal jigsaw and, with- new providers to make the gains they Legal Aid reforms were implemented. out us, a vital piece would be missing! 8 The Legal_Sheffield and District Law Society_November 2013 High Street Focus increase your share’ Sarah Scott, partner and head of unless we wish the prophets of doom to family department at be proved correct. Expected competition Oxley & Coward Solicitors. from high street banks, retailers and others (so called Tesco Law) is on the horizon, You could be forgiven for thinking the high street law firm was already dead, but the demise of the high street firm does given the rush to write its obituary. A slew not inevitably follow as a consequence. of reports and alarmist opinion pieces Oxley & Coward has prospered since 1791 have been quick to foresee a less than for a reason. We have always adapted to Sarah Scott, Oxley & Coward rosy future for traditional solicitors, but give our clients the service they need and our innovative approach to family law few of these have been written by those Some firms have closed or merged, yet funding is an example of us adapting to of us on the ground. the best solicitors are succeeding in meet client needs and expectations and adapting to changing market conditions. While pointing out a number of the chal- other successful firms are doing likewise. lenges we face (and nobody would deny The changes to legal aid funding are a them), they fail to acknowledge the ad- case in point. Oxley & Coward has been at High street firms are far from inflexible vantages that will see the best high street the forefront of devising a ‘pay as you go’ dinosaurs that cannot evolve to face firms continue in rude health for some family law scheme and this received a great competition. The end of the local law firm deal of interest from clients and fellow time to come. A recent study by the Law has been predicted many times and we professions alike. Law Society President Society conceded that high street firms are still here. What is not in question is the Lucy Scott Moncrieff came to discuss our “have proved remarkably resilient over opportunity to shape the next generation approach to the issue in person. the last few years, even when their tradi- of legal services is here and the ability to tional sources of income…have halved.” No high street firm can afford to stand still adapt and change will be key.

Legal News The skills to succeed Ciaran Dearden, the same goal – you’ll know how to work with others before you learn how to work President of the Sheffield on your own. Confidence arrives at your doorstep from being outside your & District Junior Lawyers comfort zone – try a new sport, take up a Division, on the wide- new hobby. Your clients will come from every walk of life so it helps to meet as ranging skills needed to many people with as many different stories succeed in a law career. as possible before you start your career. Get the awkward icebreakers out of the I was recently asked to give a talk to law way with your new dancing partner and students on the traits of a good lawyer. be confident with your new client. The discrete areas of law – and the wildly Ciaran Dearden differing personalities of those practicing Empathy is a major part of being a lawyer. it – made for a difficult time summing up It requires understanding. It requires you disregarded the need to network. Both, what makes a good lawyer. What works to know the impact of various situations in my view, are wrong. Both risk losing for commercial litigation solicitors is very on people’s lives. Charity work will give out on invaluable skills. different to what works for Court of you perspective as well as empathy – you Protection lawyers. Horses for courses. The pros of networking, and the ability to will meet people in terrible places and network effectively, command an article learn how to understand them and, more What was apparent from my preparation of its own. The skills developed through importantly, how to let them know you for that talk, and my discussions with volunteer work are as appropriate to your understand them. This understanding students afterwards, was the wealth career but are often disregarded. The breeds trust, and trust is the most of appropriate skills – and the wealth volunteering is considered, in itself, to be the fundamental characteristic of a solicitor- of areas in which these skills had been attribute – not the skills learned from it. client relationship. developed – which were possessed in abundance by law students too quick to The “softer” skills end up being the No-one will ever be able to give you a list write off various skills and experiences unknown strengths of many aspiring and of the activities you should undertake to as irrelevant. This may be endemic of junior lawyers. Fluency in a foreign gain certain skills – it is about you individ- a recruitment marketplace which very language shows intellect, commitment ually recognising what opportunities will quickly differentiates between and an aptitude for learning. The ability to give you those skills and what activities “experience” and “legal experience”. show empathy doesn’t harbour any other are interesting to you. Be diverse in your Where transferable skills are concerned, trait – it is the trait. On a daily basis, interests and the broad range of skills the taxonomy is largely inappropriate. however, empathy is more useful than necessary in your career will follow. There polyglotism. Teamwork is more productive is no definitive, applicable-to-all formula. The second observation I arrived at was than being sales champion in your old job. a disregard for the possession of skills Ciaran Dearden is President of the Sheffield that didn’t fit with the students’ intended So where do you learn these skills? & District Junior Lawyers Division and a professional personality. Prospects for Teamwork is an easy win. You learn how trainee in the family law team at Irwin commercial roles seemed less inclined to to work as a team whether you are play- Mitchell LLP. To find out more about the JLD, consider volunteering work; those ing Sunday League football or intra-club find them at .com/sheffieldjld or looking at personal injury roles had squash. Broadly, we’re all aiming towards on Twitter @sheffieldjld. Walk is woof justice for animal charity Members of the Sheffield and District charities of destroyed. The charity provides up to 20 Law Society took part in a charity dog Society President temporary homes in either kennels or walk through the city centre in support Giles Searby. foster care and helps to re-home more of South Yorkshire-based animal welfare Throughout the than 300 animals every year. charity RAIN rescue. year the society More than 20 members of the society, many will undertake a Giles said: “When Jacquie and her team Giles Searby at the number of fund- invited me down to see first-hand the accompanied by their canine companions, RAIN rescue dog walk took part in the event to help raise vital raising activities work they undertake, one of the first funds to provide food and shelter for the to support the two local good causes. things that struck me was the time and forgotten animals in the care of the charity. Founded in 2002 by Jacquie Neilson, dedication they give to help find new RAIN Rescue, along with youth homeless RAIN Rescue helps to find new homes homes for animals that would otherwise charity Roundabout, are the two nominated for animals that would otherwise be have been destroyed.’’ 10 The Legal_Sheffield and District Law Society_November 2013

Legal News Unity lands awards double Sheffield’s Unity Law picked up two Chris Fry collects the Enterprise Award and Lucy, who has been with Unity since prizes at the Yorkshire Lawyer Awards. Lucy Angus the Trainee Solicitor Award March last year, had written off her chances of winning beforehand but was, Managing Partner Chris Fry collected the according to her principal, a more than Enterprise Award and Lucy Angus the Trainee Solicitor Award. worthy winner. Following the firm’s success at the event Chris said: “Because much of the work last year, when they were named top Niche we are doing is so new, Lucy is dealing Law Firm, Unity’s Enterprise Award success mainly with test cases; there is very little reflects the innovative work of the case law. For someone to be dealing specialist disability and discrimination firm. with that at this early stage of her career is highly unusual. The fact is that Lucy’s Chris, who founded the firm less than experience is pretty much unsurpassed three years ago, said: “I think the by anyone. enterprise is the Unity Law project itself and the fact that we are working in a very “She has a phenomenal work ethic and is different way in a new work type. an enormously valuable member of the team here.” “We have been involved in some innovative work, such as designing an app to help Chris was also highly commended in the disabled motorists, and it’s great to see Solicitor of the Year category at the Law our efforts recognised again in this way.’’ Society Excellence Awards. Law firm’s delight at breakthrough ruling Sheffield’s Unity Law has helped disabled 20-page Judgment, Recorder Isaacs is free. Often it’s filled up with luggage or passengers by winning a breakthrough concluded that: “The system of priority buggies. Often bus companies advertise legal ruling against one of the UK’s big- given to wheelchair users should be the space as a buggy space which can gest bus companies. enforced as a matter not of request to create confusion as to who has priority any non-disabled user of the wheelchair for it. But the space is there for wheelchair Doug Paulley from Wetherby, West York- space, but of requirement. users to travel. It’s the only place on the shire, took First Bus Group to court after bus I can travel safely in my wheelchair.” he was told he could not get on a bus “Although such a policy because a pushchair user refused to give Doug’s legal team was led by Chris Fry, up the space. might inconvenience a Managing Partner at Unity Law, who said: “The Judge recognised that companies First’s website states: “Wheelchair users mother with a buggy that, I are often very good at paying lip service have priority use of the wheelchair space”, am afraid, is a consequence to the concept of making transport more but adds that “the driver has no power to accessible, but at grassroots level we are compel passengers to move in this way of the protection which Par- contacted every week by wheelchair us- and is reliant upon the goodwill of the liament has chosen to give ers who recount a different story. passengers concerned” and “if a fellow passenger refuses to move [the wheel- to disabled wheelchair us- “There’s no point in having an accessible chair user] will need to wait for the next bus”. ers and not to non-disabled bus, if the service itself is inaccessible. That makes a mockery of the protection But a judge at County Court provided to the disabled service user by decided that the ‘First Come First Served’ mothers with buggies.” the Equality Act.” policy for the disabled bay on its buses Mr Paulley was awarded £5,500 in substantially disadvantaged wheelchair compensation. He said “The number one First Bus Group, which has been given users and is unlawful discrimination in problem for wheelchair users on public six months to act on the findings, said it breach of the Equality Act 2010. In a transport is whether the wheelchair bay would “take time to consider the findings”. 11 The Legal_Sheffield and District Law Society_November 2013 Movers & Shakers Conveyancers in demand Clare Holsgrove of CRA Legal Employment update So does this mean the property market is these seasons traditionally being quieter finally recovering? Well, what we have periods for house sales and purchases. witnessed at CRA Legal definitely supports with Clare Holsgrove So what are firms looking for when they Searchflow’s findings earlier in the year recruit into their conveyancing teams? Our of CRA Legal. that 60% of firms have enjoyed an increase experience shows that firms are ideally Over the last few months we have in work. South and West Yorkshire, Notting- looking for a minimum of 12 months, witnessed a real increase in recruitment hamshire and Derbyshire all seem to be experience of advising or assisting on in the area of residential conveyancing, recovering well with the market appearing conveyancing matters from inception to with the majority of our clients making buoyant and optimistic for the future. conclusion. Ideally, candidates will have new appointments into their From a recruitment perspective, we have experience of working on properties at conveyancing departments. not seen the residential conveyancing all values and will also have experience These requests have come from a variety market this busy since the start of 2008. of dealing with both freehold and often of different sized firms and recruitment complex leasehold transactions. We have witnessed candidates going requests have flooded in at all levels including conveyancing legal secretaries, for interviews at multiple firms and then Candidates with remortgage experience conveyancing assistants, licensed weighing up where the best overall and experience of dealing with plot sales, conveyancers, solicitors, fee-earners and package can be achieved. Residential agricultural land and buy-to-let properties heads of department. conveyancing has definitely been an are also of interest. Candidates will also employees’ and not an employers’ market ideally have previous experience of using As well as permanent appointments be- over the last few months! case management systems and also be ing made, locums have also often been keen to network in the local sector However, the competition to retain mar- urgently requested due to department in order to secure new income streams. workloads increasing at a rapid pace. ket share in local cities and towns does Locums have also been used by firms still continue to put pressure on many If you require advice regarding convey- to fill the gap whilst they wait for their firms, with the battle between practices ancing recruitment or would like to talk to new permanent appointments to serve to secure lenders panel membership still one of our consultants about new career their notice periods at their current firms, being high. Whether this current convey- opportunities in the field of residential which for more senior appointments is ancing boom continues into the autumn property law, please do not hesitate to often three months. and winter also remains to be seen, with contact CRA Legal on 0114 241 8030. Alastair heads up Hill Dickinson in city Alastair Reid has been appointed as head be able to confirm in 2010. We believe he is the of Hill Dickinson’s Sheffield office. that Alastair is to be right person to continue to grow the the new head of our firm’s presence in this market and wish He will be responsible for continuing the Sheffield office. him every success.” growth of the office, which opened in 2010 following the acquisition of “Alastair is a well- Alastair said: “While nobody would Halliwells’ Sheffield team. known, liked and choose to be appointed in such trusted figure in the Alastair Reid, Hill circumstances as those surrounding Alastair replaces former head of Sheffield Dickinson Sheffield business the death of a respected colleague and office, Neil Thompson, who sadly passed community, as well as being an excellent friend, Neil’s stewardship of and vision away in June this year. lawyer. He has been instrumental in Hill for the Sheffield office has ensured I Peter Jackson, managing partner at Hill Dickinson’s success across the Yorkshire begin my tenure with the best possible Dickinson, said: “We are very pleased to region since we acquired the team from start. “

12 The Legal_Sheffield and District Law Society_November 2013

expanded and restructured their residen- Giles’ partner role at New director for tial property team, which is now headed hlw Keeble Hawson Cartwright King by Stuart Taphouse. Commercial Cartwright King has Stuart joined BRM as litigation and expanded its criminal a partner in October, international trade defence team with the having previously specialist Giles appointment of a new been a director of Searby has joined director, Richard Murray. Richard Murray, Cartwright King Banner Jones and, hlw Keeble Richard has over 17 latterly, a partner at Stuart Taphouse, Giles Searby, Hawson as a years post-qualification experience in BRM hlw Keeble Hawson James Peters & Co. partner in Sheffield. criminal defence work, with a particular Giles, who is also the current President of emphasis on serious crime. He has been Jenna returns to led on an array of murder cases including the Sheffield & District Law Society and gang-related incidents and defended in Graysons WE chair of the Sheffield City Region LEP’s Jenna Hamilton- his own right in large scale drug Sector Group for Professional Services, conspiracies and serious violence cases. Pursglove has rejoined moves from the commercial litigation the property team at team at Hill Dickinson. As a Higher Court Richard has Graysons WE. had significant success in the Court of Jenna Harrison- Ron Whitlam, hlw Keeble Hawson senior Appeal, especially handling appeals Jenna is a graduate Pursglove, Graysons WE partner, said: “Giles’ standing among the against sentence, including overturning member of the Char- region’s business community speaks indeterminate sentences of imprisonment tered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) volumes and we look forward to the value for Public Protection. and is working toward the next step of be- he will undoubtedly add to our team.” coming a chartered (FCILEx). Industrial specialist Giles said: “hlw Keeble Hawson’s track Jenna has worked in the legal field for 7 record as one of the biggest law firms makes move to SSB years and specialises in all aspects of prop- in Yorkshire - coupled with its commit- Industrial disease erty and conveyancing. She has particular ment to the region - are among the specialist Amanda expertise in dealing with unregistered land reasons I was attracted to the practice. It’s Hill has joined the and shared ownership sales and purchases. tremendous to be joining as the practice personal injury team continues to go from strength to strength at Simpson Sissons & Amanda Hill, SSB Collette tackles new Brooke. in size and reputation.” litigation challenge Flora switches to Sheffield-born solicitor Amanda graduated Simpson Sissons & in law from the University of Staffordshire Brooke has welcomed Bhayani Bracewell and then completed her LPC at a new litigation execu- Sheffield niche employment law firm Huddersfield University. tive to the personal Bhayani Bracewell has welcomed HR injury division. specialist Flora Jafarzade to the team. Conor’s skills add to Collette Noonan has Collette Noonan, public law line-up worked with several of SSB Public law specialist the region’s best-known firms, including Conor Maguire has Russell Jones & Walker, Ashton Morton joined the court of Slack, hlw Keeble Hawson and Graysons protection and com- WE. munity care team at Conor Maguire, Cartwright King She will specialise in employer liability, Bhayani Bracewell’s growing employment and Cartwright King. HR team (from left) Sara Ellison, Flora Jafarzade, public liability, product liability and Katie Beal, Jay Bhayani and Jessica Lidster Previously based in Sheffield at Irwin industrial disease cases. Mitchell, Conor specialises in community Flora has almost a decade of experience care, healthcare and medical treatment, National role for of advising companies on a wide range of mental capacity/court of protection employment law and HR matters, including Spencers chief cases, disability discrimination and hu- John Spencer, Chief Executive of conducting grievance and disciplinary man rights law. Chesterfield’s Spencers Solicitors, will hearings, HR training and coaching, TUPE serve for three years as the national and restructures, redundancy, sickness At the instruction of the Official Solicitor, solicitor representative member on the and performance management and Conor has regularly acted on behalf of Civil Justice Council (CJC). outsourced HR service. She is a member vulnerable adults in the Court of Protec- of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and tion in relation to health and welfare Established in 1997 with responsibility for Development (CIPD). matters including deprivation of liberty overseeing and co-ordinating the mod- and disputes about sexual relationships, ernisation of the justice system, John’s Having previously held management and contact and residence. voluntary role will see him providing HR positions in the conservation and advice to the Lord Chancellor and the voluntary sectors, Flora joins from Voluntary Stuart heads new Judiciary Action Sheffield and has particular expertise in advising charities and social BRM property team John is Vice-President of the Association enterprises, as well as businesses. BRM Solicitors in Chesterfield have of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL). 13

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For more information contact: 0845 2020 577 [email protected]  www.lawcloud.co.uk Legal 500 Focus Who makes the grade David Todd rounds up the local success stories from the latest Legal 500.

DLA Piper again retains its place among Teresa Hitchcock, David Poddington, the Big Six legal firms in Yorkshire and the DLA Piper Taylor & Emmet Humber, according to the latest edition of The Legal 500. Its offices in Sheffield and Leeds have “a high-quality offering across core sectors such as corporate, real estate and litigation’’. Sheffield-based and Nabarro are the only two firms in the region ranked in the second tier. Irwin Mitchell “continues on a path of fast growth, particularly on the business services side’’ and has also “significantly John Gaunt, Paul Firth, strengthened its construction capability’’. John Gaunt & Partners Irwin Mitchell Nabarro, meanwhile, is rated “a stalwart for real estate and corporate matters’’. Four Sheffield lawyers are in the list of leading individuals. They are Paul Firth of Irwin Mitchell, John Gaunt of John Gaunt & Partners, Teresa Hitchcock of DLA Piper and Taylor&Emmet head of employment law David Poddington, who makes the list for the first time. In commercial property, Paul Firth is “a can-do partner who puts his clients first”, ranked in the top tier, hlw Keeble Hawson (Roger tier, with Irwin Mitchell (Dean Gormley), hlw Keeble licensing expert John Gaunt is described Dyson, Paul Trudgill, Nick Goulding), Hill Dickinson Hawson, Hill Dickinson and Wake Smith also listed. as “a great communicator with sound (Paul King), Irwin Mitchell (Andrea Cropley, Matt Insolvency and corporate recovery – region DLA Ainsworth) and Nabarro (Ben Hendry) in the second Piper (Colin Ashford, Mark Jackson, Richard Obank) judgement”, Teresa Hitchcock heads an and Bell & Buxton (Alex Ross), Taylor&Emmet (Peter are again in the top tier, with hlw Keeble Hawson environment team which “brings to Crawford) and Wake Smith (Duncan Shepherd, John (Richard Fergusson, Robert Brown), Irwin Mitchell (An- bear contentious and non-contentious Baddely) in the third. drew Walker, Doug Robertson) and Lupton Fawcett expertise” and, under David Poddington’s Crime – region Cartwright King (Mark Fowler) is Lee & Priestley (David Smyllie, Nigel Whitfield) in the ranked in the top tier, with Howells (Chris Davey, third tier. Taylor&Emmet (Rob Moore) is also listed. leadership, Taylor&Emmet’s employment Danny Simpson, Chris Wong) and Irwin Mitchell (Paul Employment – Sheffield and South Yorkshire team has a “growing national presence, Haycock, Dan Stowers) in the second. Top tier here are DLA Piper (Alan Chalmers, Clare particularly in education”. Licensing – region John Gaunt & Partners (John Gregory), hlw Keeble Hawson (Barry Warne, Joan Gaunt, Michelle Hazlewood) is one of three top tier Pettingill) and Nabarro (Tracy Marsden). Howells (Pam Of the overall picture in the region, The firms, with DLA Piper (Matthew Shaw, Rachel Scales) Kenworthy, Scott Sim), Irwin Mitchell (Liesel Whitfield), Legal 500 says: “The continuing subdued in the second tier. Lupton Fawcett Lee & Priestley (Paul Sands, Diarmuid Deeney), Taylor&Emmet (David Poddington, Jenny economic conditions have created an un- Banking litigation – region The Sheffield and Arrowsmith) and Wake Smith (Mark Serby) are second steady climate for law firms in the region. Leeds offices of DLA Piper (Hugh Evans, Roger Mc- tier and Hill Dickinson (Angela Brumpton), MKB Court) are in the top tier. Mergers are increasingly prevalent and, Solicitors (Simon Brian, Ben McFeely) and Thompsons Debt recovery – region Lupton Fawcett Lee & Solicitors (Andrew James) in the third tier. despite the challenges, new entrants con- Priestley is in the second tier (Karen Adams). Health and safety – region DLA Piper (Teresa tinue to emerge, notably from expansion- Commercial litigation – Sheffield, South Yorks Hitchcock, Stuart Ponting) and Nabarro (Lukas Root- minded firms in the North East. Lateral DLA Piper (Richard Norman), Hill Dickinson (Giles man, Esme Saynor) are in the top tier, with Kennedys hires continue unabated.” Searby), Irwin Mitchell (Steven Beahan) and Nabarro (Judith Bloor, Kamal Chauhan) in the second. (George Lubega) are in the top tier, with Bell & Buxton Immigration – region Howells (Nadeem Ahmed, The full listings of local firms is as follows (Jim Conlon), hlw Keeble Hawson (Ron Whitlam), Carita Thomas) is ranked in the top tier, with Bankfield Taylor&Emmet (Rob Moore, Paul Clarke) and Wake (names in brackets are individuals Heath Solicitors (Annie Henshall) in the second. Smith (Mark Serby) in the second. mentioned in The Legal 500 narrative): Clinical negligence: claimant – region Irwin Banking and finance – region The Sheffield and Mitchell (David Body, Jane Wright, Tom Maher) is Corporate and commercial – Sheffield, South Leeds offices of DLA Piper (Sarah Day, Mark Smith) ranked in the top tier, hlw Keeble Hawson (Janet Yorks DLA Piper (Richard May, Jon Kenworthy) is are top tier, and Nabarro (Ben Hendry) in the third Baker) second and Howells (Michelle Gyte, Tania 16 The Legal_Sheffield and District Law Society_November 2013 Legal 500 Focus in the 2013 Legal 500? Personal tax, trusts and probate – region Wrigleys (Lynne Bradey) is in the top tier, Irwin Ben McFeely and Simon Brian, MKB Solicitors Helena Downing, Banner Jones Mitchell (Craig Marshall, Gillian Coverley) and Lupton Fawcett Lee & Priestley (Daniel Lumb, Duncan Milwain) second and hlw Keeble Hawson (George Connell, Michele Todd), Taylor&Emmet (Diana Smart) and Wake Smith (Michael Tunbridge) third. Bell & Buxton is also listed. Project finance and PFI – region DLA Piper (Alison Page, Robert Smith) is in the top tier, Nabarro (Mark Rocca, Tim Shaw) in the second. Education – region DLA Piper (Andrew Clarke, Richard Taylor) and Irwin Mitchell (Michael Longden, Laurence Gavin) are second tier, Nabarro (Mark Rocca) third. The employment team at MKB Helena said: “I am very proud of my Health – region Hill Dickinson (Andrew Peel) is in Solicitors in Barnsley has been team for achieving this ranking and it is the second tier. recommended for the first time in the wonderful to have been given this rec- Local government – region DLA Piper (Richard 2013 edition of The Legal 500. ommendation from such a prestigious Bonnar), Irwin Mitchell (Michael Longden) and Na- barro (Tim Shaw, Mark Rocca) are in the second tier. publication.’’ Partner and head of employment at Commercial property – Sheffield, South Yorks the firm, Simon Brian, said: “The recog- Director Simon Wright said: “This is the DLA Piper (Nigel Howard), Irwin Mitchell (Paul Firth, first time Banner Jones has submitted Thomas Hall) and Nabarro (Niall Logan) are top tier, nition is something which very much hlw Keeble Hawson, Hill Dickinson, Taylor&Emmet supports and underpins the ambitions an entry into the regional private client and Wake Smith second. of the team to continue to develop its rankings and we are delighted to have Construction – region DLA Piper (Ian Doig, Simon provision of a full and comprehensive been recognised for the specialised Palmer) and Nabarro (Martin McKervey, James Duck- work that we do in family law. Being a worth) are second tier, Irwin Mitchell (Julie Morrissy, employment and HR service in support Steven Bate) third. Kennedys is also listed. Legal 500 firm is very important to our of local businesses.“ Environment – region DLA Piper (Teresa Hitchcock) business as we are now one of only two is the only top tier firm in the region, with Nabarro Both Simon and Ben McFeely, who is firms in Chesterfield to feature in the (Clare Deanesly, Lukas Rootman) in the second. a solicitor in the employment depart- East Midlands rankings for Family Law.’’ Planning – region DLA Piper (Glenn Sharpe) is top ment, are recommended. tier and Nabarro (Christopher Bowes) second. Chesterfield’s Spencers Solicitors Property litigation – region DLA Piper (Petra Banner Jones Solicitors has been is ranked in the third tier for personal Billing) and Nabarro (Stephen Scott, Jane Turley) are recommended for its family expertise, injury and clinical negligence: claimant in the top tier, IrwinMitchell second, with Lupton with Helena Downing described as “a in the East Midlands region. Fawcett Lee & Priestley, Taylor&Emmet and Wake Smith also listed. leading lawyer in both childcare and The firm is described as having “exper- Social housing - region Howells and Taylor&Emmet high-value divorce matters”. tise in catastrophic injury cases and are ranked in the third tier. Banner Jones is ranked in the third motor-related litigation. Allison O’Reilly IT and telecoms – region DLA Piper (Cameron Craig) is first tier, Hill Dickinson (Giles Searby) and tier for the East Midlands region and and John Spencer are the contacts”. Wake Smith (Peter Rawlinson, John Baddeley) third tier, with hlw Keeble Hawson also listed. Intellectual property – region DLA Piper (Richard Harrison) in the third. Taylor&Emmet, Wake Smith and Professional negligence: defendant – regional Graysons with Watson Esam are also listed. Lupton Fawcett Lee & Priestley (Nigel Broadbent) are Taylor) is first tier, hlw Keeble Hawson (Rosemary Downs) in the third tier. Wake Smith is also listed Clinical negligence: defendant – region Hill Dick- in the second tier. inson (Andrew Peel) and Nabarro (Chris Horsefield, Agriculture and estates – regional Wrigleys (Jona- Sport – region Hill Dickinson (Giles Searby, Angela Carl Dray) are both in the second tier. than Attey, Angus Hunter-Smart, Mary Kirk, David Brumpton) is in the second tier and Irwin Mitchell Personal injury: claimant – region Irwin Mitchell Wightman) is the only firm ranked in the top tier. (Michael Longden, Laurence Gavin) third. (Adrian Budgen) is in the top tier, Slater & Gordon Charities and not-for-profit – region Wrigleys The Bar – North Eastern Circuit Crime Bank House (Simon Allen, Paul Jackson) and Thompsons Solicitors (Godfrey Smallman) is again in the top tier, with Irwin Chambers’ Andrew Smith MBE and James Baird (Judith Gledhill, Richard Woolley, Tristram Sterry, Ange- Mitchell (Michael Longden, Laurence Gavin) in the are noted for their experience defending serious la Davies) in the second tier, and hlw Keeble Hawson third. crime cases. Paul O’Shea is recommended for cases (David Jones, Mark Holinghurst, Claire Pilsworth) involving technology, and Katherine Goddard for and Taylor&Emmet (Jonathan Stittle) in the third. Contentious trusts and probate – region Irwin sexual assault and child cruelty matters. Gul Nawaz John Pickering & Partners (David Cass, Keith Hague), Mitchell (Louise Sykes, Adam Baker) is in the top tier, Howells and Unity Law are also listed. while Bell & Buxton (Mary Butler, Alex Watkinson) are Hussein is ‘a persuasive and determined advocate’, and Heidi Cotton is ‘exceptionally good at dealing Personal injury: defendant – region Hill Dickinson in the second. with witnesses’. (Alan Dury, Peter Anson, Alison Moss) is in the top tier, Family – other than Leeds and West Yorks Irwin with Kennedys (Suzanne Liversidge, Cameron Clark, Mitchell (Martin Loxley, Melanie Hadwin) is in the Family The ‘response times are excellent’ at Bank Judith Bloor) and Nabarro (Carl Dray, Asia Ramzan) in top tier, Howells (Alyson Siddall) and Taylor&Emmet House Chambers, which is highlighted for children the second. (Michaela Heathcote, Pat Lennon) in the second, work. Louise Stanbury and Justine Cole are both rec- Professional negligence: claimant – region Graysons with Watson Esam (Michelle Cooper), hlw ommended, as is former solicitor Jane Wheatley, who DLA Piper (Hugh Evans) is in the top tier and Irwin Keeble Hawson (Vanessa Fox) and Lupton Fawcett is ‘always very well prepared for cases’. Kate Morley Mitchell (Daniel Brumpton) in the second. Lee & Priestley (Ann Miller, Lee Green) third. provides ‘realistic advice in clear terms’. 17 Technology Power of the tweet Peter Wright, partner at should they also be responsible for providing details of all onward travel DigitalLawUK, outlines options in another country to passengers? If the passenger was online a few of the pitfalls of and using Twitter, couldn’t he have easily using social media used the National Rail Enquiries app to find out that the Gatwick Express would without fully be running through the night? considering the As for the service person referred to, the flight he had booked would have left him consequences. with less than 30 minutes to get off the With Sally Bercow’s unsuccessful defence plane and onto his train, so it was always of Lord McAlpine’s action for libel that going to be a very tight connection even followed from her tweet of “Why is Lord if everything had run like clockwork. Yet McAlpine trending (innocent face)?, you easyJet get a poor public perception as a could have been forgiven for thinking result of arguably too high a standard of that individuals should exercise the service being expected from what it after utmost care in making comments on all a “no-frills” budget service. social media, given the potential Hoteliers are often subject to negative consequences. comments from sites like Trip Advisor. Paul Chambers spent the best part of two Peter Wright of DigitalLawUK What can be done in response to a years clearing his name following his negative review? Trip Advisor’s Terms and conviction under the Communications his flight after he had criticised the airline Conditions make it quite clear that they Act 2003 for his remark on Twitter during on Twitter. The would-be passenger’s take absolutely no responsibility for any the heavy snowfalls of January 2010, 9.20pm flight from was delayed, comments made on the site by its users, simply for a tweet that read “C**p! Robin leading him to become concerned that and some hotels have been very Hood airport is closed. You’ve got a week he would miss the last connecting train concerned when they feel that the and a bit to get your s**t together, into from Gatwick. He asked for comment is mistaken or unfounded. otherwise I’m blowing the airport assistance and information from easyJet sky – high!!”. personnel and was then told that “easyJet What can a hotelier do? They can was a point to point destination carrier” consider “doing a Lord McAlpine” but The conviction was overturned only after and how he continued his journey was not everyone has bottomless pockets a high-profile hearing at the Court of not the airline’s responsibility. available. There is also a cautionary tale Appeal where John Cooper QC from the US where a hotel was named as successfully persuading the Lord Chief The passenger tweeted “Flight delayed No1 on Trip Advisor’s Dirtiest Hotels list Justice that there was a significant issue 90min. Soldier going to miss last in 2011. The hotel sued, but it was found regarding Freedom of Speech at play. connection & @easyjet refusing to help that the list was merely based on the pay for him to get to Portsmouth. Get Given the threat of a civil action or opinions of users, with 87% of reviews right into em!”. criminal conviction, surely social media about the hotel being negative, and users are exercising the utmost care and Following this tweet, the attendant these opinions were, of course, protected restraint? A quick glance at the news returned to the tweeting passenger by the First Amendment. pages every morning confirms that this and said that he would not be allowed Would the right to Freedom of to board due to the post he had made. is not the case. However, often there can Expression, under Article 8 of the He was allowed to fly once he raised be significant consequences, from hurt European Convention on Human Rights, the issue of Freedom of Speech and feelings and invaded privacy for some be upheld in a similar manner by a court mentioned he was himself a university individuals through to economic loss for in the UK? some businesses. law lecturer. Given that it has occasionally been possi- You, your firm, or your clients may have EasyJet received massive opprobrium at ble to argue that this right can be limited been subject to comments online that the hands of the press and social media in order to protect the commercial have had significant consequences for for the following week after the story. reputation of a party against potentially them or their business. However, was too high an expectation damaging posts (Apple v Crisp), it would being placed on the airline staff? EasyJet was recently in the news when be interesting to see how a UK court it refused to allow a passenger to board While dealing with a lengthy delay, would decide in a similar action. 18 The Legal_Sheffield and District Law Society_November 2013 Technology Think big, work small Chris Poulson of IT But why would you not use similar tools system designed to manage 30 for 30,000 documents or 3,000? paralegals, reviewing huge numbers of documents, when your case is going to Group discusses why It remains the case that insights into involve you and a couple of assistants. it seems perverse not who sent, received and forwarded those emails, often reveals useful clues. In other ITG provide a completely web enabled to use eDisclosure for words, the associated timelines and platform to search, review and organise smaller document metadata, but this detail is much harder disclosure of electronic documents and and time consuming to assimilate from data. This provides significant wins in the volumes. printed copy. time it takes to load and run a case. Without software to load “locally” this IT Group UK Ltd (ITG) provides eDisclo- Many other issues arise. ITG has had “zero client” approach means no sure services for litigators running cases recent involvement with IP cases where installation costs or lengthy system with ‘normal’ document volumes. But software source code has been emailed compatibility issues. isn’t that disproportionately expensive? out to other organisations and plagia- In our work as expert witnesses and rised. IP cases tend to have fewer docu- Documents are indexed so the case gatherers of electronic data and docu- ments than, for example, fraud cases. But can be quickly reviewed. The platform ments, one issue arises time and again. how much time and expense should you provides a powerful, fast, straightfor- This revolves around eDisclosure and spend trawling through several thousand ward search and review process with cost, particularly for smaller document emails, trying to spot programming code, deduplication on the fly. A diagrammatic volumes. when search tools can find such things representation of your search criteria within seconds? helps visualise exactly what your search Post the Lord Justice Jackson reforms, combinations have found. there is much discussion about the It is still common for lawyers to wade techniques and cost issues of utilising through ten or so lever arch files of print. Access is through any standard Web eDisclosure software when dealing with All of which started life electronically. This browser. Lawyers can work from different document heavy cases. Yet all litigation may be normal practice for a case of this offices, as needed, with no uplift in cost should be conducted efficiently and at size, but there must be a point where and work is easily shared with barristers. the review costs of doing an exercise proportionate cost, so at what point do So, what about price? Priced is based not “by hand” itself creates disproportionate you stop using the technology because on volume or complexity, but simply how expense. the number of documents is too small? many people need access to the As lawyers get used to using eDisclosure It is important to select a service that documents and for how long. services for the huge document sets, it fits. ITG’s hosted eDisclosure service, IT Group provides a broad range of will become apparent that these tools are targeted at smaller document volumes, consultancy services including Expert also very useful for the smaller “everyday” has a notional ceiling of around 5million Witness, eDisclosure, Forensic Document cases. An immediate brake on doing this documents. Recent cases include one of & Data Recovery, Insurance Assessment, might be cost, but if that is proportionate 30,000 emails and another of 10,000. Run- Forensic IT/telecoms/Electrical systems then the logic of deploying eDisclosure ning these cases was very cost effective, examination. www.itgroup-uk.com services for these cases becomes irresistible. providing full electronic search, review and disclosure. A large case might involve 30million documents, often mostly email, and of To achieve this it is important to contain course you need electronic assistance. costs. There is little point deploying a Bright outlook for leading legal cloud firm Cloud computing continues to hit the The firm launched LawCloud in 2010 and that is absolutely secure, LawWare and headlines and a growing number of law Managing Director Warren Wander attrib- LawCloud has established itself as the firms are now benefitting from one of utes the subsequent success to a number premier provider of cloudbased (and on- the leading independent legal cloud of factors, including product and service premise) practice management solutions. suppliers. quality, staff training and expertise, and “All of this has been made possible by an absolute commitment to security, LawWare has established its position as a nurturing long-lasting partnerships with resilience, performance and innovation. the leading suppliers in the market.’’ legal technology market leader, using the strength of its partnership with Microsoft He said: “Having developed a leading For more information, and its cloud hosting service provider. edge, robust and resilient IT structure visit www.lawcloud.co.uk

19 Legal News Banner Jones merger Firm gets Lexcel mark of quality ‘great fit’ for the future Taylor&Emmet has joined the ranks of local Banner Jones Solicitors has merged with solicitors boasting the Lexcel quality mark. Mansfield firm Bilton Hammond. The Law Society accreditation recognises Simon Wright from Banner Jones said: “It the firm’s standards of practice was clear from the outset of discussions management and customer care. that the two businesses were a great fit. Taylor&Emmet was granted the Lexcel “Against a changing legal landscape and award following a visit from an with new entrants to the field of legal independent assessor, who focused on services, we felt that it was important Some of the directors of the new business its financial grounding and long term that any merger partner should share growth and development. our commitment to the provision of high Mark Bilton from Bilton Hammond said: Chief executive Anthony Long said: “We quality services. “This merger combines the experience of are very proud of our Lexcel accredita- “Appreciating the strength of the Bilton our two well-respected and established tion, as it demonstrates the quality of our Hammond brand, the new business will practices and the consolidation of our continue to operate as Bilton Hammond teams will provide added value to our clients. practice management standards and internal systems. in Mansfield. The remaining offices of the “The original Bilton Hammond offering new business in Chesterfield, Sheffield, in Mansfield will be enhanced with new “This recognised quality mark gives us a Bolsover, Clay Cross and Dronfield will specialist areas of work such as employ- competitive edge and will enhance our trade as Banner Jones Solicitors.” ment law, dispute resolution, personal relationships with both customers and Both are trading names of Banner Jones Ltd. injury and business legal services.” stakeholders.” The Sheffield & District Law Society cordially invites you to a battle of wits and academic fortitude at the... Law Society Pub Quiz Wednesday 4th December 2013 £20 per team (of 4) @ Fitzwilliam & West - West One Plaza

What is B.A. Ticket price includes drink on arrival Baracas’ and fish & chip cones favourite dessert? Bar closes at 1am 20% of bar takings to be donated to local charity, Roundabout Lifestyle

Notes from the Question Time Wine Counsel Michele Todd is a partner in the private friends. If I client department at hlw Keeble Hawson. have been At last a decent summer! Here she talks about her love of history, baking on a After eight generally poor years, the baking and Fleetwood Mac. Sunday, we British winemakers must have high probably hopes for the harvest which is all If you hadn’t gone into the legal have the but gathered in. During the next profession, what would you be doing happiest few months I hope to visit vineyards now? I would probably be teaching or office in mainly in England to discover how writing about history, which is my real Sheffield the winemakers are enjoying larger love. The other career I thought about on a Michele Todd yields and quality of fruit. was journalism, but law won out. of hlw Keeble Hawson Monday! The Lindon family vineyard Camel Who has been the biggest influence What is your favourite place to visit, Valley, in Cornwall, have reported on your career? My husband Steven and why? Here, Holy Island because the their largest harvest, with an increase Fennell is also a solicitor and in my (not north east is my home and for its peace of over 20 tonnes of grapes on the very) unbiased opinion, he is technically and beauty. Abroad, I would say previous record . the best lawyer I have ever known. He has Budapest, which is my favourite city. In the Marlow area I am eager to see been a great influence and support to Henry Laithwaite’s latest venture, Who would be your ideal dinner me for over 20 years. producing several varieties for the companion and why? Richard III. I production of sparkling wine. With What is the most rewarding part of spent many happy years as a Richard III his new winery up and running and your job? Without doubt the interaction Society member trying to get the truth the vines supplying excellent fruit, with clients. I have met some wonderful about Richard known. The past few people over the years, many of whom I the results will be greatly anticipated. months have been amazing and I hope his father will leave us smaller now count as friends. Also estate and tax he should be brought home to York wine merchants a few bottles to planning is one area of law where you where he wanted to be and where he enjoy and sell! feel you can still make a real difference to was loved. people, as is working with Weston Park The weather has not been so kind in Hospital Cancer Charity, where I am the What single fact do you think people parts of France as the vines in some legal trustee. would find most surprising about of the main producing areas Alsace, you? I am a really big Star Trek fan! Sad Champagne, Bordeaux and Burgundy What is the best piece of advice you but true. have been decimated by violent have ever been given? My mum, who storms and hail. A worrying time for What gadget or piece of technology died five years ago, always said: all the growers affected. A true test ‘Never look back, you can’t change it, would you find it hard to live without, of their skills will be required to max- so concentrate on the future.’ and why? I am a bit addicted to my iPad, imise the fruit they have managed to but I would have to say my car. I recently pick and then select. What was your best subject at broke my arm and was unable to drive school? History and art were my best. for a few weeks – not having the freedom What would be your top tip to to get out and about was immensely anyone planning a legal career? To frustrating. recognise that the reality of the job is so Last book you read? Citadel by Kate far removed from how it is portrayed in Mosse. I have read all three of the Laby- the media and to be aware of how com- rinth trilogy and can recommend them. petitive it is. I recommend that anyone planning a legal career looks into all the Favourite film of all time? Anne of the Thousand Days - it really captures the ways to become a solicitor. The traditional Tudor period beautifully. degree and law finals don’t suit everyone, so consider working as a paralegal and Favourite band or musician? Fleet- doing ILEX if that is better for you. wood Mac – singer Stevie Nicks is my absolute favourite. I went to see them What is your favourite way to relax again in September for the fifth time. away from work? I love to bake. It is becoming something of an obsession Where would you like to be five n Barry Starmore is the SDLS Wine and I am about to take a course about years’ time? Happy, healthy and with my Counsel and owner of All Things decorating cakes with chocolate. I often beloved cats - having perfected beautiful Wine and More Ltd. try recipes out on my workmates and French crème patisserie creations! 22