ISSUE 85 SPRING FORWARD THE MAGAZINE OF THE CITY OF LONDON SOLICITORS’ COMPANY AND THE CITY OF LONDON LAW SOCIETY (IN)EQUALITY FOR THE SEXES? 800 YEARS. ONE ROLE. AND ONLY TWO WOMEN HAVE FILLED IT LEAD US TO TEMPTATION A VERY CLEAR ROUTE MAP TO END ALL RESOLUTIONS THE CHANGING FACE OF THE LAW HOW ARE WORLD CHANGES IMPACTING THE LEGAL PROFESSION? KNOWLEDGE IS POWER LEARN HOW THE SHIFT TO GREEN IS CHANGING GEAR The City of London Solicitors’ Company W.L. KING, M.A. CITY OF LONDON R.D. FOX, M.A. SOLICITORS’ COMPANY M.R. MATHEWS, M.A. SIR ROBERT FINCH COURT OF ASSISTANTS M.J. CASSIDY, C.B.E., B.A., M.B.A., Dep. B.J. GREENWOOD, LL.B. EDITOR’S LETTER MASTER A.J.C. COLLETT, LL.B. N.C.C. BAMPING, LL.B. D.A. McINTOSH, Q.C. (Hon.) MISS K.D. RICHARDSON, M.A. W.J.L. KNIGHT, O.B.E. SENIOR WARDEN ALDERMAN V.T. KEAVENY CLERK N.A. CAMERON JUNIOR WARDEN The Rt. Honourable The Lord Mayor THE CITY OF ALDERMAN MRS C.F. WOOLF, C.B.E. LONDON LAW SOCIETY STEWARDS DAME JANET GAYMER, D.B.E., Q.C. (Hon.) PRESIDENT N.M.L. HUGHES * THE MASTER Nothing stays the same. Herbert Smith Freehills solicitor Tom Wood about how they see changes in the world impacting on FULL ASSISTANTS CHAIRMAN What is right and apt for one time is not always the legal profession. Past Master MS A.L. MARKS A.F. DOUGLAS suited to another. Past Master SIR DAVID LEWIS, D.L. We are excited to introduce you to our new Past Master ALDERMAN SIR DAVID WOOTTON CHIEF EXECUTIVE CitySolicitor (as you cannot have failed to notice) privilege club, Ex Parte, which has some Past Master J.R.C. WHITE, T.D. D.A. HOBART has acquired chameleon tendencies and has Past Master M.C. ROBERTS, B.A. very tempting offers. J.M. ABRAMSON changed its format and its style - hopefully to ALDERMAN DAVID GRAVES, M.A. TREASURER match what you want to read these days. But this is just a smattering of what’s inside. R.J.L. JONES N.M.L. HUGHES J.P. WOTTON Our aim is to provide all City solicitors with We hope you will be informed and entertained, R.S.K. BELL, B.A., LL.M. SECRETARY thought provoking and informative opinion and stimulated and inspired. I wish to thank the Court N. LOGAN GREEN N.A. CAMERON discussion on topical and interesting legal matters, of the City of London Solicitors Company, and the entertaining reviews of our activities, and general Committee of the City of London Law Society, for ADDITIONAL ASSISTANTS ADMINISTRATOR news. We also aim to give an insider’s guide to allowing us to change and develop in this way. C.M. MEDVEI MRS E.J. THOMAS things going on in our City. Do let us know what you feel about the new J.T. YOUNG format. One thing has not changed: we continue T.E. WATTS POLICY & COMMITTEES CO-ORDINATOR We even give you an outlet for your creative side, to be delighted to receive any ideas and R. LEEDER giving you the opportunity to submit short stories, contributions for content from you, our readers. CHAIRMAN OF THE CITY OF photographs, illustrations, poetry, recipes – LONDON LAW SOCIETY COMMITTEE anything goes, providing it stays on the The copy date for our next issue is A.F. DOUGLAS † P. BARNES right side of the law. 15 June 2014. † R.H.G. BOURNS EX-OFFICIO ASSISTANTS † S.W. DAVIS Running through this issue is the whole concept We hope you enjoy the magazine and look forward † C. DIGBY-BELL of change - and how it is affecting the law and to hearing from you. PAST MASTERS M.T.C. HANSON our lives as City solicitors. P.J. PURTON, O.B.E., L.M.R.T.P.I. MS V.J. KNAPP, O.B.E. John Abramson, Editor † D.F. GRAY, M.A. MS C. McCONNELL We have an article from the Lord Mayor of London, SIR MAX WILLIAMS C.D.Z. MARTIN City lawyer, Fiona Woolf - only the second woman *C.M. MEDVEI K.S.G. HINDE, O.B.E., T.D., M.A. to hold the post in 800 years. This scarcity of J.A.E. YOUNG, LL.B. A.G. MURRAY-JONES D.L. BIDDLE, M.A. C.J. PASSMORE women in top jobs is something the Rt. Hon. J.A. ROWSON R.W. PITCHER Fiona Woolf is working hard to change. SIR CHRISTOPHER WALFORD, M.A., D.C.L. R.H. TYLER HIS HON. HARVEY CRUSH * Ex-officio, appointed by the CLSC We talk to Sonya Leydecker, joint CEO-elect S.N. BEARE, M.A., LL.B. † Ex-officio as members of the Council of The Law Society at Herbert Smith Freehills and newly qualified 1 PLEASE CLICK ON THE TABS ON THE LEFT, TEXT IN THE CONTENTS PAGE AND DIRECTION ARROWS TO NAVIGATE AROUND CONTENTS THIS ISSUE BOILERPLATE DISCLOSURE HERON NON-SEQUITUR what’s happening in what’s happening what’s happening what happens in the other the legal world out of the office in the city side of a solicitor’s brain 4 THE WORLD IS CHANGING 9 DATES FOR 2014 13 SOME “LEGAL” FACTS ABOUT 18 WHO IS LARRY? Only the second female Lord Mayor LONDON NOT EVERYONE KNOWS A true story about “identity theft” in 800 years, Fiona Woolf tells us of Some hard to believe, interesting and written by a London solicitor who her plans for the future. amusing snippets that not even chooses to remain anonymous. 10 THE ANNUAL BANQUET Michael Caine knows After the event - the night relived 6 THE (NOT SO?) CHANGING in words and pictures. 20 PLUG INTO A NEW FACE OF THE LAW. 14 RESTAURANT REVIEW MOTORING PHENOMENON Sonya Leydecker and Tom Wood of An evening at a restaurant that is Our motoring correspondent looks INTER-LIVERY SKI CHAMPIONSHIPS Herbert Smith Freehills LLP discuss 12 not simply temptation by name. at the power of electric cars. how changes in the world are What happened when we took impacting on their profession. to the slopes. An uphill struggle? Or downhill all the way? 17 INTRODUCING EX PARTE; OUR NEW PRIVILEGE CLUB Special offers, invitations and privileges exclusively for City Solicitors 2 3 THE CONTENTS WORLD IS THE POWER OF DIVERSITY The Power of Diversity programme has been designed to capture the benefits of diversity for the innovation CHANGING that City businesses need to seize the opportunities of the “new normal”. BOILERPLATE The first breakfast, Attaining Power, was a huge success as 100 of the programme’s sponsors and an array THE LORD MAYOR IS A WOMAN. of corporate managers engaged in a discussion about the skills needed to But she is only the second in 800 years. achieve power. The inspirational panel, City lawyer, Fiona Woolf, is working to ensure chaired by Lady Barbara Judge CBE, revealed their key messages on how to progress your career and what you DISCLOSURE we don’t have to wait so long till the third... must do to strengthen the team around you at every level in an organisation. There are four more Power of Diversity breakfasts to come, as well as two major conferences taking place this summer. THE LORD MAYOR’S APPEAL HERON THE LORD YOUR SUPPORT With your help, the Appeal hopes to I am also thrilled to announce that three During 2014 there will also be three MAYOR’S raise £2 million for my four benefiting tfl buses have been wrapped – thanks receptions providing the opportunity If I have a single objective, it would be charities: Beating Bowel Cancer, to our corporate sponsors and Sir Peter for charity Chairs, Chief Executives, inclusiveness and Liverymen have so MESSAGE TO Princess Alice Hospice, Raleigh Hendy, the Transport Commissioner funders and leaders to network and much to bring to the party. It has been International and Working Chance. – to promote the Power of Diversity share experiences and knowledge. a joy to see so many of your friendly THE LIVERY Fundraising is at the heart of the programme and the Appeal. Look out Each of the receptions will have a faces over the last two months, and I COMPANIES: Appeal programme but there is also for the buses which are operating from social focus; the first of which took hope to greet many more of you over a strong commitment to mentor, help Westbourne Park, Bow and Shepherd’s place on 3rd March at Mazars, and the coming year. THE 686 PLAN raise the profiles of these charities Bush across London. focussed on Social Welfare. and open up new sources of Thank you for all you have done to support me as Lord Mayor and The NON-SEQUITUR HAS GONE OFF funding for the future. THE CHARITY TOMORROW’S CITY Lord Mayor’s Appeal. There is certainly LIKE A ROCKET. LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME In keeping with my role as Lord Mayor The Charity Leadership Programme more to come. The first Appeal event, Une Soirée THE ONLY TWO FEMALE LORD to promote the business and financial features two City’s Giving Lectures, Chablisienne, was held on the day I MAYORS IN 800 YEARS. service sectors, the Tomorrow’s City inter is over and I am feeling which together will highlight some of Alderman Fiona Woolf CBE took office. Supporters of the Appeal programme is setting out how the City energised both by the advent the challenges and opportunities which The Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor spent the evening tasting the wines can best ensure its future success of Spring and even more so And, very soon, on 14th April, impact the effectiveness of charities.