August 2018 Summer heights - Leeds Law...

The Offi cial Journal of Leeds Law Society

LeedsLaw Society

FocusSocial media is an important tool for communication between lawyer and client

NewsYorkshire was home to some of the best performing city economies in the UK

SocietyThe Leeds Conference urged attendees to shout about the benefi ts of their city

Profi leIf Andrew Fox of Jones Myers wasn’t an in-house barrister, he would be a tree surgeon

CommentPatrick Walker loses his father but makes some surprising fi nds, including love

August 2018Issue 153

Summer heightsThe legal profession in Leeds and Yorkshire has enjoyed conferences, Pride, and much more

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The Offi cial Journal of Leeds Law Society

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LeedsLaw Society

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August 2018 | Issue 153

Views President’s column 05David Cowgill on the importance of the next generation of lawyers

Society 06 LGBT+, Business Week, Leeds Pride and much more

Conference report 08 Speakers at the recent Leeds Conference tackled issues such as mental wellbeing and Brexit

Leeds Junior Lawyers Division 10 Events offi cer Emily Hughes reveals what the group has been up to, and what’s in store for the rest of 2018

NewsLead 11A new Irwin Mitchell report fi nds that Leeds is leading the way in employment growth, and Bevan Brittan and Mills & Reeve, each with strong presences in Leeds, report positive fi nancial performances

Business development 12Switalskis wins fi rst-of-its-kind fi nancial assessment case, Matthew Howarth takes over at Shoosmiths Leeds, FrontRow Legal secures £1 million win in High Court, Keebles acts in Pressure Technologies sale of Hydraton, Shulmans advises on £3 million sale of major Harrogate site, and Roche Legal launches an online will writing service

Legal & community 19University of Leeds professor wins Law Teacher of the Year award, Taylor&Emmet secures Legal Aid contract, and Calderdale lawyer bids farewell after 38 years

Social & charity 21Social housing tender success for Ward Hadaway, Taylor Bracewell raises more than £20,000, and Gordons chooses Centrepoint Bradford as its partner

Appointments 25Wilkin Chapman, Womble Bond Dickinson, Berwins, MKB, Crombie Wilkinson, Blacks, Ramsdens, Ward Hadaway, Graysons and more feature

Focus onSocial media: Deny or embrace? 27Social media is an important tool for communicating with clients. Lucy Parker of Ramsdens Solicitors off ers some tips for managing your online presence

The future’s Bradford 30Bradford Incorporated Law Society and its members are excited about the future of the local legal profession

Good grief 31Patrick Walker loses his father but makes some surprising fi nds

Last wordThe wood for the family trees 34Andrew Fox is an in-house barrister at Jones Myers, a specialist family law fi rm

Contents

Leeds & Yorkshire Lawyer | Issue 153 3

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It has been an incredibly busy start to my term as president of Leeds Law Society. In between following the England football

team all the way to the semi-fi nals of a World Cup for the fi rst time since 1990, the society launched its LGBT+ group and I closed the Leeds Conference.

The Leeds Conference, which the society jointly hosted with Leeds City Council, highlighted the support that there is to work together and promote Leeds as a city that off ers fantastic opportunities through lifestyle choices and career development. More than 175 people attended the conference over the course of the day and my predecessor, Bill Barton, lined up some fantastic speakers. If you didn’t manage to attend then I would strongly recommend that you get next year’s conference in your diary. We will shortly be confi rming the date for 2019 so please look out for that email.

I mentioned in my last column that I am keen to use the next 12 months to highlight that Leeds Law Society is a representative society and both our board and members embrace the values of diversity and inclusion, so I was extremely proud to play a very small part in launching the LGBT+ network for Leeds Law Society in July. I cannot claim any more credit than that as our newest director, Matthew Jones of Weightmans, has been instrumental in both organising the launch and having the society join the national law society in being a part of Leeds Pride on 5 August. It is a number of years too late, in my opinion, but better late than never, and we as a society are excited to be involved this year, and for many more years to come.

I could not write this article without further mention of England’s run to the semi-fi nals of the World Cup in Russia. As someone who cannot remember 1990 (being only six-years-old at the time), I am one of the fans who is long accustomed to disappointment when it comes to the country’s male football team’s fortunes (the women’s team are far more successful!). However, over the course of the tournament, we saw something diff erent: a group of young players (one of the youngest squads England has fi elded in a tournament) playing to the very maximum of their potential and capturing the imagination of even the most sceptical fans—myself included.

Gareth Southgate was also a breath of fresh air and, as he himself admitted, a rather unexpected fashion icon as the sales of waistcoats went through the roof prior to the semi-fi nal and ‘Waistcoat Wednesday’ was born. It is the development of Southgate within the national team set-up that I would like to focus on. Having progressed from managing the under-21s side, he has reinvigorated the senior team. Using his knowledge and experience of the younger players, he has really brought in a feeling of togetherness and fi ghting spirit that, dare I say it, has been missing in previous tournaments. In one recent interview, he described the team as one which through its youth and diversity represents a modern England. His progression from the under-21s manager to the senior team mirrors what I would like to see with the Leeds Junior Lawyers Division (LJLD) and Leeds Law Society.

Being one of the youngest presidents of Leeds Law Society, I feel that age should not be a barrier to representing your country or in our case, our profession. The knowledge and experience that Southgate gained as manager of the under-21s side can be likened to that which is being gained now by the junior members of our profession in the LJLD. Like the senior England team, we need those people to continue to represent the legal profession by moving into key roles within Leeds Law Society, ensuring that the society remains both dynamic and relevant.

Finally, I had the pleasure of going down to Carey Street to meet the new national Law Society president, Christina Blacklaws, who has the rather unenviable task of following Joe Egan. He did an excellent job in supporting local law societies. This year, Christina will be focusing, among other things, on the progression of women within the profession. With the majority of the Leeds Law Society board now being female, this is something that we fully support. Recently, we saw a report saying that the admission of women entering the profession has just surpassed the number of men and I hope that we soon start to see this increase being refl ected in the appointment of women to senior roles within the profession. I am sure Christina will do a fantastic job and I am particularly pleased that she has chosen Leeds as one of the cities to visit and host one of our women-in-law events.


President’s column

If you’re good enough, you’re old enough

LeedsLaw Society

David Cowgill is an associate in the commercial property team at Schofi eld Sweeney and president of Leeds Law Society

6 Issue 153 | Leeds & Yorkshire Lawyer

NewsSociety

Leeds Law Society is making significant progress in tackling equality and diversity through the appointment of a new director. Matthew Jones, who is a commercial real estate solicitor at Weightmans, was appointed in June 2018 and tasked with tackling LGBT+ issues and raising awareness.

“I am deeply honoured and privileged to be a director of the society and working with them in this area,” Matthew commented. “It is a subject close to my heart and I am excited to be working with Leeds Law Society on this project.”

Matthew has already held Leeds Law Society’s first ever LGBT+ event, which took place in July. The event was an opportunity for delegates to network and express their thoughts and views by way of an open floor discussion.

Matthew said: “This is an ambitious project so there really was no time lose. I wanted to make people aware that Leeds Law Society is looking to tackle these issues head on and I felt it was important to seek the views and opinions of those working in the legal sector as to what they believe their society can and should be doing. Whether that is through a network open to all firms, workshops, events, or talks, it was important to see what would benefit our members.”

The event, sponsored and hosted by Weightmans, saw more than 30 delegates from a variety of firms share their views and experiences. Helen Brown, regional office head at Weightmans, said: “As a business we are committed to ensuring we are truly diverse and I am delighted that Matthew has taken up the first role ever for Leeds Law Society as LGBT+ director.”

Matthew recognises that it is important to keep the momentum going, which is why he has spearheaded the society’s application to take part in this year’s Leeds Pride Parade. Jones said: “Now that the first event has taken place it is vital that we keep going, and what better way to do that than by taking part in Leeds Pride?”

“We are looking to get as many people as we possibly can in our entry this year, whether you are a person who identifies as LGBT+ or sees themselves as an ally, what matters is that we show the legal sector’s support.”

“Leeds Law Society was incorporated in 1870 and this is the first time in its history that it has held an LGBT+ networking event and taken part in Pride. This year the

society really is making history.”Matthew is of the view that an individual’s sexual

identity or orientation should not stop that person from achieving their goals or full potential. “It is because of my own personal experiences that I think we, as law firms, can do a lot more in this area and I am aiming to make Leeds Law Society the most inclusive and LGBT+ friendly society it can be.”

Leeds Law Society is taking part in Leeds Pride on 5 August. Places for the event are limited. Please email [email protected] for further details.

Making law more diverse: Leeds Law Society’s new LGBT+ agenda

Visit www.leedslawsociety.org.uk/gdpr to confirm whether you want to receive a hard copy of Leeds & Yorkshire Lawyer, as well as to let the society know your other contact preferences.

Society journal and contact preferences

Leeds Law Society’s new director, Matthew Jones of Weightmans, is leading its efforts to tackle LGBT+ issues and raise awareness

NewsSociety


FOR MORE INFO AND TO BOOK, VISIT leedslawsociety.org.uk/events-training/ OR EMAIL [email protected]

Do you have something to shout about? Are you a talented writer with an eye for a story? Can you review books? Divide opinion?

Leeds & Yorkshire Lawyer is seeking editorial contributions from Leeds Law Society members. This could be a review of a new legal book, an opinion piece on a recent decision affecting practice, or something else entirely.

Drop the editor, Mark Dugdale, a line via [email protected] if you’re interested, or to find out more.

As part of Leeds Business Week 2018, the society is visiting Fazenda on 9 October. With stunning views onto the canal

of the River Aire, Fazenda at Granary Wharf lends itself as the perfect venue for lunching and special occasion dining.

Attend the networking lunch and catch up with old friends, or forge new relationships within the legal and business sectors. This event is sponsored by Excello Law.Members: from £27.50 | Non-Members: from £32.50

Leeds Children’s Hospital, which is Leeds Law Society president David Cowgill’s chosen charity for the year, is organising a fundraising walk this September. Purple fancy dress is encouraged and there are plenty of prises to be won.

To support this charity, join Leeds Children’s Hospital for the four-mile walk through the amazing city of Leeds. The walk will start and finish at Woodhouse Moor and all are welcome. Bring along your family, or even your dog!

There will be lots of famous faces along the route, along with a festival village consisting of food, music and fun for the whole family.

The walk starts at 11am at Woodhouse Moor Park and takes places on 23 September.

Leeds Law Society is taking part in this year’s Leeds Pride Parade The event is taking place on 5 August and is open to all.

This is an exciting opportunity to represent Leeds Law Society and your firm at one of the biggest events in the city’s calendar.

Registration will be at Leeds Law Society office on Wellington Street between 11am and 12pm. We will all be leaving as a group for the parade at 12:15pm. Participants are asked to wear either purple or a t-shirt bearing their firm’s logo.

Join the society for the Business & Professional Networking Lunch during Business Week

President’s charity: Leeds Children’s Hospital Charity Walk

Calling all content creators

Leeds Pride: Get involved

Following the 2018 Women in the Law Survey and the recent gender pay gap reporting, on 21 June Leeds Law Society held a drop-in session to obtain views and encourage dialogue in relation to issues facing the legal profession.

The event was held with a view to setting up a women in law forum through the society to focus on issues and identify how it can support members and create a positive change.

One interesting point that came out of the event in respect of gender pay gap reporting was the issue of how transparent the reporting actually is. Like for like was not compared, so the figures reported in the last period do not necessarily truly represent the pay gap of the opposite genders employed in an identical role.

The consistent message from the feedback seemed to be that the profession should be challenging the status quo and involving men in discussions with a focus on senior leadership, retention in private practice and ‘flexible’ working.

Thank you to all who came and shared their views with Leeds Law Society. Also a thank you to Squire Patton Boggs for providing the venue to hold discussions (along with great cookies!). The society will shortly be considering the feedback in detail with a view to organising a follow-up event. Details of future events will be shared with members via email.

Women in Law Drop-in event reveals transparency issue in pay gap reporting

Winners at the Ganton Golf Tournament 2018

This year’s Ganton Golf Tournament took place on 11 June. The winners of the Booth Cup were Andrew Meehan and Ashley Cope, while the winners of the Middlebrook cup were Andrew Meehan, Simon Darlaston, David Gilroy and David Sparkes.

Conceived as an informal day for friendly competition between solicitors without the pressures of the hard marketing sell or professional development, the Ganton Golf Tournament has remained largely unchanged since its inception in the 1920s. The 2018 tournament was kindly sponsored by Arena Group.


EventsSociety

Leeds Law Society is pressing upon its members to adopt the phrase, ‘Leeds: a centre for legal excellence’, and incorporate it into their marketing efforts, in a bid to raise the profile

of the city’s legal sector and deliver the message to as wide an audience as possible.

The society, in partnership with Leeds City Council, is doing its own bit in this regard with the annual Leeds Conference, which took place at Leeds Civic Hall on 13 June. Nearly 150 lawyers representing the city’s best law firms attended the event, where almost 30 speakers tackled issues such as mental wellbeing and Brexit, and

presented on what attendees can do to both improve the performances of their businesses and that of Leeds as a whole.

Immediate past president Bill Barton kicked off proceedings with his call for all lawyers and fi rms within Leeds to adopt the phrase, ‘Leeds: a centre for legal excellence’, into their marketing. The sector needs to act with one, unifi ed voice, he said, in order to bring more people and businesses to the city.

Stephen Braviner-Roman, director general at the Government Legal Department (GLD), spoke next on the attraction of Leeds as a home to a GLD offi ce, which

Speakers at the recent Leeds Conference tackled issues such as mental wellbeing and Brexit, and presented on what attendees can do to improve the performances of their businesses and that of Leeds as a whole

The Leeds Conference: Raising the city’s profile


EventsSociety

currently has room for 80 members of staff .If the GLD was a private practice law fi rm, it would the

ninth largest in the UK, with 450,000 civil servants as clients across the country, as well as the sitting government. Braviner-Roman said last year’s decision to bring members of staff at two sites in Leeds into one offi ce was made in part because the city is an attractive place in which to pursue a career, much like London.

The GLD also wants to be regionally representative, and saw an opportunity at a time when the government is investing in the North. The legal sector is also growing, Braviner-Roman said, meaning the talent and skills are available to undertake an expansion. The GLD Leeds offi ce is home to its existing Leeds teams, specialists in commercial and employment law, and will be to additional recruits, many of whom will be drawn from the region. Litigation work is also planned, which will involve further recruitment.

Braviner-Roman said following the event: “At the Government Legal Department, we have recognised the compelling case to invest in Leeds. We have signifi cant government clients in Leeds and the north of England who we can serve better from Leeds than London, as well as legal work for clients based in London and elsewhere in the country which can be done from Leeds. As a result, we are bringing our existing teams together into one building and growing our presence, particularly in private law litigation, commercial and employment law.”

“At this year’s Leeds Conference, I was struck once again by the signifi cance and size of the legal sector in the city and its potential as a hub for the growing market of skilled lawyers in the north of England.”

Womble Bond Dickinson partner Paula Dillon, who is president of the Leeds Chamber of Commerce, updated attendees on what its members are focusing on, with Brexit unsurprisingly top of the list. Growth in Yorkshire since the Brexit vote in 2016 has been strong, in part due to weakness in the pound. Business confi dence is bouncing back, too, after an initial drop following the referendum result.

Some investment decisions have been delayed or changed, particularly in the manufacturing sector, but this is because of the uncertainty around the fi nal Brexit deal rather than the event itself. A skills shortage is also

worrying businesses in Yorkshire, Dillon said, as are future regulatory frameworks. Dillon cited the Unifi ed Patent Court and the requirement for a presence in the EU as one that could trip up lawyers and fi rms in Leeds and Yorkshire.

Devolution was high on the agenda at the Leeds Conference, with the event taking place only a few months after 18 of the 20 councils in Yorkshire submitted a proposal to the government for a regional mayor by 2020. Dillon and the Leeds Chamber of Commerce are backing devolution, as is Leeds City Council, which was represented at the Leeds Conference by chief executive Tom Riordan. He said devolution and transport are two key challenges for the city to overcome, as it builds on £10 billion of investment and the arrival of new businesses such as Reed Smith, and focuses on raising its profi le nationally and internationally.

Riordan said following the event: “Leeds is home to an exceptionally talented legal sector fi lled with rising stars and leaders in their profession and that in turn means tremendous opportunities for the companies wanting to move here as well as those who are already established.”

“Championing of the city’s legal sector is part of our ongoing eff ort to shout more loudly about our city’s strengths and all that Leeds has to off er.”

“Leeds may not have shouted loud enough in the past but we are now and we need each sector to add their voice to that and join us.”

Three speakers off ered attendees of the Leeds Conference insight into the opportunities that could arise for the city post-Brexit. Marc Jacobs, associate partner at Hofstede Insights, provided a run-down of overcoming cultural diff erences during business dealings; John Simmons, minister counselor for commercial aff airs at the US Embassy in London, gave an update on the US-UK trade relationship, and Li Qiangmin, China’s consul general in Manchester, off ered assurances that his country is keen to increase its trade with the UK and other European nations.

Other sessions that took place over the course of the day focused on mental wellbeing, the living wage, and diversity and inclusion, with attendees advised on what they can do to look after their members of staff , boost rates of pay within Leeds and Yorkshire, and make the legal sector more representative of the people that it serves.

Leeds Junior Lawyers Division


It’s so far been another exciting year for the Leeds Junior Lawyers Division (LJLD), and we have plenty more spectacular events to host before the year is out.

The Junior Lawyers Division of the Law Society is a non-profit organisation operating on both a national and local level. During the year, the LJLD coordinates a range of networking opportunities for our members within the local legal community, through a variety of social, charitable and educational events.

In order to promote the interests of our members and develop and maintain strong relationships across the community, we aim to provide something for everyone, whether this is through our larger biannual summer and winter balls, or our more intimate monthly events.

This year we have seen all our social events sell out. We recently enjoyed a fabulous yoga and wellness evening at Leeds Yoga, and an evening of divine chocolate tasting at Hotel Chocolat. Earlier in the year, we discovered the joys of champagne tasting at Épernay, lively ShuffleDog at BrewDog, gin tasting, the annual LJLD ski trip to the French Alps, and of course, our chic masquerade winter ball at the end of 2017.

Alongside our popular social events, we run a variety of educational talks and seminars to assist newly qualified lawyers and provide an educational support network as well as a social one. We have seen a strong focus on mental health and wellbeing within the profession

recently and this has been reflected in helpful seminars with guidance on how to effectively manage the level of stress inherent in the profession.

Each year, the LJLD nominates a charity. This year, we are working with Barca Leeds, a multi-purpose charity based in Bramley. The charity’s aim is to help people and communities overcome the consequences of deprivation, by reducing social isolation and supporting people struggling with a range of complex issues and needs to achieve independence. We are proud to support such a meaningful cause and are looking forward to raising as much as we can during the rest of the year.

Our biggest summer event yet, the Manhattan Rooftop Party and BBQ, was held at East 59th in Leeds on 27 July. We also look foward to an adrenaline filled day of competitive rounders on 4 August at Roundhay Park, following the success of this event last year. We may have one or two extra events coming up in August, but failing that, we’ll be kicking off our 2018/19 events calendar with plenty to offer from September. You can expect many exciting alcohol-infused events leading up to Christmas and a spectacular winter ball to end the year.

If you are interested in teaming up with the LJLD for an event, have an enquiry or even a suggestion, please get in touch with Emily Hughes, who is one of the events officers for the LJLD, via [email protected].

Emily Hughes is an events officer at the Leeds Junior Lawyers Division

The Leeds Junior Lawyers Division has had an event-packed first half of the year. Events officer Emily Hughes reveals what the group has been up to, and what’s in store for the rest of 2018

A support and social network

NewsBusiness development

Yorkshire was home to some of the best-performing city economies in the UK in the first three months of this year, with Leeds leading the way in employment growth, according to a new report from Irwin Mitchell and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr).

The UK Powerhouse study provides an estimate of growth and job creation based on gross value added (GVA) within 46 of the UK’s largest cities. Published in July, the latest report revealed that Rotherham enjoyed the 10th highest level of GVA growth in the UK in Q1 2018, with a rate of 2.2%, while Doncaster, Wakefield and Hull all followed closely behind with growth of 2.1%.

The GVA growth rate for Leeds stood at 2%, but there was even better news for the city in terms of employment. Its workforce growth of 2.3% across the same period was the highest recorded in the UK, according to Irwin Mitchell and Cebr’s report.

Looking to the future, Leeds is expected to continue to enjoy some of the strongest employment growth in the UK by both Q4 2018 and Q4 2028, but the outlook for Doncaster and Wakefield is less positive. Both experienced slow employment growth in Q1 2018 and it is expected to

fall even further by Q4 2018 and Q4 2028.GVA growth in Yorkshire is set to drop off in the long term,

with none of the region’s cities set to feature in the top 15 by the end of 2028.

Paddy Sturman, partner and head of business legal services at Irwin Mitchell in Leeds, said: “The current situation in Yorkshire looks fairly rosy and in the short term this is expected to continue.”

“Leeds has performed particularly strongly for employment growth and this is set to continue until the end of the year. Financial and business services account for 38% of total output in Leeds and so will be behind a large proportion of the employment growth, while the city has a large manufacturing sector that employs over 30,000 people.”

Sturman added: “According to our UK Powerhouse study, there are no Yorkshire towns and cities in the top 10 for GVA by the end of 2028. The fact that Northern cities are continuing to fall behind their southern counterparts highlights that much more need for more to be done to ensure Leeds and the wider Northern Powerhouse region can realise its true potential.”

Two firms with significant presences in Leeds have reported strong financial performances.

Bevan Brittan, which has an office at Toronto Square in Leeds, recorded national turnover for 2017/18 of £44 million, up 12% from the previous year. Its net profit also rose 23% to £9.6 million.

Mills & Reeve’s national turnover, meanwhile, rose to a record £106.3 million, an increase of 14% on last year. As a result of the strong financial performance, Mills & Reeve has announced its largest ever all-staff bonus pool of £2 million, equivalent to 7% of the firm’s salary bill. This equates to a bonus of £2,273 for every full-time employee who has been with the firm for at least a year.

Highlights in Yorkshire for Bevan Brittan have included advising a range of local businesses, including Hornbeam Park on its acquisition programme and A Shade Greener on its growing secured lending book.

Bevan Brittan has also gained an expanded role on the West Yorkshire Legal Framework, and broadened its range of property, commercial and employment work for healthcare organisations across the region, including NHS Property Services, Community Health Partnerships and the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

In the Leeds office of Mills & Reeve, fee income was up 27% following client wins, lateral hires and expansion into new areas. Most recently, Martin Priestley joined the firm as a commercial partner from Pinsent Masons, while the office launched its agribusiness team with the arrival of Andrea Newman and Nichola Ross.

Commenting on his firm’s financial results, Michael Boyd, office senior partner in Leeds at Bevan Brittan, said: “Bevan Brittan has had a strong financial year supported by increased business activity nationally, and in particular here

in Yorkshire. We are benefiting from the delivery of a clear strategy to broaden our markets and range of clients; to invest in the talent across the firm; and identify and attract new hires and to invest in new technology. Since opening the Leeds office in autumn 2015, we have grown to over 30 lawyers of whom ten are partners—and we plan to expand the office further as business volumes continue to rise.”

Bevan Brittan senior partner Joanne Easterbrook added: “Strategically, to sustain this level of growth we continue to invest in our future legal talent to maintain our high standards of client advice.”

“This year we promoted 14 lawyers within the firm and we increased our number of trainees and apprentices, with one of our apprentices winning CILEx’s Apprentice of the Year award.”

Philip Way, head of the Leeds office at Mills & Reeve, said of his firm’s results: “It has been another excellent year at the Leeds office as we have continued with our growth strategy. We have won significant new clients across the private client and commercial teams and expanded our range of services to clients. We are still actively recruiting at all levels and look forward to another successful 12 months.”

Claire Clarke, managing partner of Mills & Reeve, added: “We are delighted by this strong financial performance which was achieved through the hard work of our people in delivering the expertise, service and results that our clients demand. One of the key objectives of our 2020 strategy was to achieve £100 million turnover and the fact that we have realised it two years early is testament to the success of our collaborative culture.”

“Everyone at Mills & Reeve contributes to the firm’s success and therefore it is only right that our people get to share in this with the largest ever all staff bonus.”

Leeds set employment growth standard in Q1 2018, finds Irwin Mitchell

Two firms with offices in Leeds perform strongly


News Business development


Switalskis Solicitors has won a first-of-its-kind case that saw a local authority back down on its refusal to carry out a financial assessment of a personal injury claimant who had been awarded damages.

St Helens Council refused to conduct a financial assessment for the claimant, known as P, on the basis that a seven-figure personal injury compensation award administered by the Court of Protection meant he had sufficient funds to pay for his care.

A week before the two-day hearing for a judicial review was due to take place in Birmingham before Justice Garnham, St Helens Council conceded and agreed to conduct a needs assessment and the financial assessment, disregarding P’s damages award.

The case—the first of its kind in the country to be brought under the Care Act—follows a Court of Appeal

ruling concerning the Mental Health Act in November 2017, in which a Manchester council’s appeal against having to provide mental health aftercare services to a man who had been awarded £3.5 million in personal injury damages was dismissed.

Caroline Hurst (pictured), chartered legal executive in the Court of Protection department at Switalskis, which acted for P, commented: “This issue of ‘double recovery’ is an important one. We know that people with lump sum personal injury or clinical negligence awards administered by the Court of Protection are being told by some local authorities that they must pay for their care in full, when in fact this is not the case.”

Alex Guy, a Court of Protection deputy at Switalskis, added: “There will be a lot of people out there paying for their care when they shouldn’t be, or should only be making a contribution.”

“There will undoubtedly also be many financial deputies in this situation who aren’t aware of what local authorities should and shouldn’t be doing.”

“There is an array of case and statute law confirming that local authorities should not take personal injury awards into account when assessing care needs and provision. This case further cements that principle.”

Leeds law firm Michael Lewin Solicitors has changed its name to Oakwood Solicitors to underline its links to the Oakwood area of the city.

Michael Lewin Solicitors, based on Roundhay Road and established in 2001, has developed from a local practice specialising in personal injury into a full-service firm. Managing director and owner Abbie Keech took over the firm in 2004.

She said: “I grew up around Roundhay Park so the local community is close to my heart. As a business, we are part of Oakwood. We employ 95 people and every day our staff use the local shops and eateries, so the new name for the business makes absolute sense.”

“We also think the name works from a broader perspective because, nationally, the word ‘Oakwood’ emphasises strength and solidity,” she added.

To emphasise the firm’s community links, the rebrand was launched at the children’s play area in Roundhay Park. Oakwood Solicitors has donated £1,200 to the Roundhay Playground Appeal, which is trying to raise £100,000 to refurbish the existing play area and add facilities for disabled children.

Keech said: “I have got three children who are aged three, five and seven so I know how important it is to have nice playground facilities. A lot of our staff bring their kids here, and people do need something that’s a bit better than what is currently here.”

Julia Wilson from the Friends of Roundhay Park said: “We’re grateful for the donation. Oakwood Solicitors staff contribute greatly to the vibrancy of the local community. Indeed, a lot of their staff bring their children to this playground.”

Switalskis wins first-of-its-kind financial assessment case

Michael Lewin becomes Oakwood Pictured, from left to right: Julia

Wilson, Abbie Keech and Sara Dawson

The 2017 professional indemnity insurance (PII) renewal market was one of the most competitive in recent years. Most fi rms will have seen rate or even premium reductions, so what can you expect for renewal in 2018?

In our view, if your fi rm is still in a strong fi nancial position and your claims record is good, then you should have another straightforward renewal. There should be competition for your fi rm’s business, again meaning that you should achieve a good, competitive premium. There are a few words of warning, however:Conveyancing fi rm’s processes under scrutiny: The PII market was incredibly surprised by the decision made in the recent Dreamvar v Mischon de Reya case. As a result, insurers may ask any fi rm involved in conveyancing for more information around the identity checking processes on both the buyer

and seller’s side of the conveyancing transaction. Be prepared.Excess layer rates on the increase? For those fi rms that buy cover above the compulsory limit, you may end up paying more for excess layers this year. Some of the major providers of excess layers have exited the market and there is a general expectation that premiums may be on the increase.Select your insurer carefully: This soft market will not last forever. When the market hardens, as inevitably it will at some stage in the future, you are much better placed being with an insurer with a long-term track record in the sector. Ask your broker to seek out longer term deals and to confi rm the commitment of your insurer to the 2019 market and beyond.

In summary, if you get it right, you should again be securing a good deal for your PII in 2018.

Professional indemnity insurance: What to expect for renewal in 2018

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Jake Fox and the team at JM Glendinning have been looking after insurance for law fi rms for nearly 20 years. For more information, contact Jake on 01943 876631 or via [email protected]



Commercial litigation lawyer Matthew Howarth has been named as the new head of offi ce for Shoosmiths Leeds, taking up the reins from Paul Stokey who has been appointed to lead the fi rm’s national employment team.

Howarth, who currently leads the Shoosmiths commercial litigation department in Leeds, will continue to pursue the fi rm’s growth strategy in the Yorkshire region.

Shoosmiths Leeds, which launched in December 2016, moved into a new state-of-the-art workspace at Platform in Leeds city centre earlier this year and recently announced that it had agreed to take an additional fl oor at the building, to accommodate continued expansion.

Having steered the Leeds offi ce through this period of success, Stokey, who also leads the Leeds employment team, is stepping up to become the fi rm’s national department head for employment, taking over from previous incumbent Kevin McCavish.

As the new head of offi ce for Shoosmiths Leeds, Howarth brings a wealth of legal expertise and experience. He advises clients on a range of commercial disputes, including shareholder and warranty claims, professional negligence,

contractual disputes, defamation, fi nancial services claims and pensions disputes.

Howarth, who was head of litigation at Gordons in Leeds prior to joining Shoosmiths, also has experience in judicial review claims, most notably acting for the Plantagenet Alliance, descendants of King Richard III, in their challenge over the burial of his remains located in Leicester.

Commenting on his new role, Howarth said, “Both myself and Paul are being given fantastic opportunities to further develop our careers at Shoosmiths; in what is an excellent example of how the fi rm supports professional progression. I am very much looking forward to building on the solid foundations that Paul has established for our team and helping to drive further growth here in Leeds.”

He added: “We have a fantastic proposition in place that has already enabled us to attract some of the leading lights on the regional legal scene. People come to us because we do things diff erently and off er a vibrant, energetic and supportive culture. By having an exceptional team in place we are able to deliver exceptional client service, putting us ahead of the competition.”

Claire Rowe, chief executive of Shoosmiths, commented: “The success of the Leeds offi ce is testament to Paul Stokey’s work, support and commitment and we know he will be equally eff ective in his new role. I am delighted that Matthew has agreed to take over leadership of the Leeds team and I look forward to working with him to grow the Leeds offi ce even further in terms of both the strength and depth of our teams in this location and our brand and reputation in the local market.”

Matthew Howarth takes over at Shoosmiths Leeds

Pictured, from left to right: Paul Stokey and Matthew Howarth


News Business development

Leeds law firm FrontRow Legal has won a £1 million High Court battle for its Huddersfield employment agency client.

Keystone Healthcare, which provides nursing recruitment to the NHS across the UK, discovered that former director and shareholder Colin Parr was behind a scam that saw a percentage of agency workers’ income deposited into a bogus account

belonging to him and former IT consultant Mark Reynard.Keystone appointed FrontRow Legal when the payroll fraud

was discovered.The scam had been running since April 2014. Parr

voluntarily left Keystone in September 2014, after receiving a £1.2 million payout. It emerged that more than £128,000 had been amassed in the bogus account.

Following the discovery, FrontRow Legal succeeded with a summary judgement application for £128,000 against Parr, awarded by Chancellor of the High Court Sir Geoffrey Vos in February 2017.

It later emerged that Parr went on to set up Medipro Recruitment in order to compete with Keystone, breaking his restrictive covenants agreement following his voluntary departure in 2014.

FrontRow Legal successfully argued that Parr had breached his fiduciary duties using money stolen from Keystone to set up and operate the rival business.

The case was heard over 10 days at Manchester High Court

where Parr was found liable to the sum of £650,612.04, with costs, interest and damages to be assessed.

Richard Cramer (pictured), partner at FrontRow Legal, commented: “We are extremely happy with the result for Keystone Healthcare which has been a culmination of two years’ hard work to uphold the reputation it has worked incredibly hard to achieve.”

“As the trial progressed, more and more evidence was uncovered including fraudulent expenses, invoices and database infringement. The settlement awarded by the judge reflects the serious nature of the fraud and deception against Keystone and we’re delighted with the result. We look forward to putting an end to the matter when further damages are awarded in the summer.”

Robina Hussein, partner at FrontRow Legal, added: “The case examines the line between setting up in competition after resigning as a director and the situation where liability will be incurred. In this case, it was crystal clear that the competing business had been set up in a way that clearly breached the restrictive covenants, signed by Mr Parr.”

“It’s extremely rare for a case like this to go all the way to the High Court. A lot of time and work could have been avoided had Mr Parr cooperated at the start and throughout the process.”

Martin Budworth, commercial barrister at Kings Chambers, acted for Keystone throughout the case. He said: “Our client was successful in proving that the director resigned with a view to diverting the benefit of Keystone’s existing business contacts. The case demonstrates that directors can have an ongoing duty to their company continuing long after termination, because if the director’s exit from a business was influenced by a desire to exploit business opportunities, then the director can be found liable for the company’s arguable losses.”

FrontRow Legal secures £1 million win in High Court

Chesterfield-based law firm BRM has opened a new office in Sheffield and expanded its commercial property team.

The firm’s new 4,500 square foot office will see BRM based at Steel City House on West Street. Alastair Reid has been appointed as commercial property director, to spearhead the new practice in the city.

The appointment of Reid follows the recruitment of commercial litigation associates James Parden and Liz Henwood, as well as corporate duo Trevor Bird and Damini Sharma, who are all based in Sheffield.

BRM director Adrian Sheehan said: “Alastair has been appointed as director to drive the new office which will provide a full commercial offering to the business community of Sheffield and build the commercial property arm of the Sheffield office.”

“Built on the success and foundations of our thriving Chesterfield HQ, this new office reflects the firm’s ambitions for expansion and future acquisitions.”

Reid said: “I am very excited to be part of such a commercially focussed organisation. I am looking forward to working with Adrian and the team to drive the new Sheffield office to reach its full potential. Together, we will continue to build long standing relationships with existing clients and develop strong relationships with new clients.

“The new Steel City House offices will provide the perfect platform to attract business from clients, both new and old, and importantly legal talent in the local and national market,” Reid concluded.

BRM moves into Sheffield and commercial property

Pictured, from left to right: Alastair Reid, Sarah Rowland and Adrian Sheehan



The Keebles corporate team has represented Pressure Technologies in the sale of Altrincham-based Hydratron, which comprises the group’s engineered products division, to Pryme Group.

Hydratron was sold to Pryme Group, which provides integrated engineering services, for an initial £1.1 million. Up to £2.25 million may become payable depending on the company’s future trading performance.

Pressure Technologies said the prolonged downturn in the oil and gas market has aff ected Hydratron more than the group’s precision machined components division, prompting the sale.

The company explained: “While successful steps have been taken to re-align the business with its core markets and establish the foundations for future growth as the oil

market improves, the board has concluded that Hydratron will be better served as part of a group that can immediately enhance its critical mass and market position.”

Michael Hall, a partner in the Keebles corporate team, represented long-standing client Pressure Technologies in the sale. He was assisted by solicitor Peter Turk

and supported by the fi rm’s employment and commercial property teams.

Other Keebles corporate clients include Acorn Industrial Services, Horbury Group, Hill Care, ELG Haniel Metals and its German parent company ELG Haniel, and UK Steel Enterprise, a subsidiary of TATA Steel.

Keebles acts in Pressure Technologies sale of Hydraton


Make BPP University Law School your first choice for legal education.Call 0330 060 3100 or visit us at bppuniversity.ac.uk/law

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

Elliot Kay, BPTC Graduate,

Barrister, Zenith Chambers

BPP University Law School in Leeds has been at the heart of legal education for over a decade. Our close relationship with the city’s top legal firms and chambers means that we have educated more lawyers in Leeds than anyone else.

We offer a range of courses and study options including, full-time, part-time or online:

• Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)• Legal Practice Course (LPC)• Bar Professional Training course (BPTC)• LLB (Hons)• Paralegal Apprenticeship• Solicitor Apprenticeship

Pictured, from left to right: Michael Hall and Paul Trudgill



Andrew Jackson Solicitors has advised long-standing client, Hull-based Burton Roofing Merchants, on its acquisition of Brian Gow Roofing Warehouse for an undisclosed sum.

The independent roofing merchant’s acquisition, which was led by Andrew Jackson’s corporate lawyer, Daniel Hammond, with assistance from Jonathan Fisher (corporate) and Geoff Phillips (property), sees Burton Roofing adding three sites in Surrey and Kent, complementing its existing site in Southampton and increasing its distribution centres to 13, with an aggregate turnover of approximately £60 million.

Hammond commented: “It has been a pleasure to assist our clients on this significant acquisition, which, following lengthy negotiations, enables them to strengthen and build upon their existing presence in the Southeast of England.”

Paul Hattee, managing director of Burton Roofing, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the advice and support that we have received from Dan and the rest of the Andrew Jackson team.”

“Having previously engaged the team to advise us when we acquired Stockport-based Tom Blackshaw Roofing, we had no hesitation in turning to them again for advice for this strategically important acquisition.”

Hammond added: “Burton Roofing continues to go from strength to strength, growing both organically and through strategic acquisition. We are delighted to see our clients build on their already strong customer base and extending their geographical reach.”

CUPA Group of Spain acquired the major shareholding of the business in 2008. Earlier this year, it acquired the balance of shares in Burton Roofing from the estate of Peter Burton.

Irwin Mitchell banking and finance partner Paddy Sturman has been appointed to lead the firm’s business legal services (BLS) division in Leeds.

Sturman, who joined Irwin Mitchell from Gordons more than two years ago, specialises in advising institutional lenders, corporates and real estate investors and developers on all aspects of banking and finance, including corporate acquisitions, and real estate investment and development.

He will continue to head up the banking and finance team in Leeds, but in his new role he will also lead a 50-strong team specialising in corporate, real estate, restructuring and insolvency, intellectual property, commercial litigation, employment and commercial law.

Sturman (pictured) takes over from Andrew Walker, who has relocated to Irwin Mitchell’s Gatwick office to continue growing the firm’s restructuring and insolvency practice in the South of England.

Commenting on his promotion, Sturman said: “It is a huge honour to lead Irwin Mitchell’s business division in Leeds. I am excited about the challenge that lies ahead and I look forward to working closely with colleagues not just within Irwin Mitchell’s business division in Leeds, but also its personal legal services and private client divisions, to ensure we operate as a fully connected and integrated firm which provides unrivalled client care.”

Victoria Brackett, chief executive of Irwin Mitchell’s BLS division, added: “The legal sector in Leeds continues to grow and there is a huge opportunity for Irwin Mitchell to build on its reputation in the city and the wider region. Paddy has a clear vision for our business division and I’ve no doubt that he will be a success in his new role.”

Andrew Jackson advises Burton Roofing on acquisition

Paddy Sturman promoted to lead Irwin Mitchell business division in Leeds

Pictured, from left to right: Jonathan Fisher, Daniel Hammond, Paul Hattee, Lee Hustwait and Andrew Cowham

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97255.007 InfoTrack Supercharge Ad 107x149_aw1.indd 1 08/05/2018 11:23Leeds & Yorkshire Lawyer | Issue 153 17

Shulmans has assisted in the sale of a multi-million pound site in Harrogate, with development poised for a major new healthcare facility.

Shulmans, acting on behalf Albert Hymas, assisted with the successful completion of the sale of the property.

Diffi culties were encountered associated with planning and tight timescales, according to the law fi rm.

The sale concerned a signifi cant development site off Harcourt Road, in a deal worth in excess of £3 million.

The former brown fi eld site in Harrogate is more than an acre in size and was sold to Springfi eld Healthcare for future development.

Its sale marks the end of an era for Harrogate-based Albert Hymas, a fourth-generation family business that has owned the site since 1904.

Richard Hymas, director at Albert Hymas, said: “We are extremely pleased with Shulmans LLP who were able to guide the family through a complicated deal.”

“The site will house a signifi cant healthcare development which will really benefi t the local community.”

“We chose to draw upon the expertise of Shulmans LLP as a leading real estate fi rm. The team has been incredibly proactive in providing invaluable advice and guidance to enable us to realise our asset.”

Simon Jackson (pictured), partner in the Shulmans commercial property unit, said: “We are delighted to have completed the sale on behalf of Albert Hymas, drawing to a close a complex and multi-faceted transaction.”

“We’re pleased that the site will be used to provide a much-needed facility in a convenient location at the heart of the community.”

Shulmans advises on £3 million sale of major Harrogate site




Law firm Weightmans has renewed its support for Leeds 2023 despite the city missing out on being recognised as the European Capital of Culture.

The city’s 2023 bid collapsed last year following confirmation that Leeds would be ineligible to participate once the UK leaves the EU.

Despite being ineligible to be recognised as the European Capital of Culture, Leeds is pressing ahead with its own six-year cultural investment programme, which will culminate in a year-long celebration of the city’s local and international cultural connection in 2023.

The ongoing support from a host of sponsors, including Weightmans, across Leeds will see the partners give employee time, branding, marketing and events support, to promote the project, as well as financial backing to help develop initiatives.

David Israel, head of partnerships for the Leeds 2023 programme at Leeds City Council, said more organisations were welcome to come forward and give their backing.

He said: “The continuing support from the business

community in Leeds and beyond, both during the original bid and following the launch of plans for how the city will move forward with its cultural ambitions in January, has been nothing short of extraordinary.”

“It’s fantastic to see such high levels of business engagement and enthusiasm for the next exciting chapter of the Leeds 2023 journey and we’re looking forward to working with our partners over the coming months as we maintain momentum and work to create a strong and meaningful legacy across the whole city.”

Weightmans has had an office in Leeds since 2015, when it merged with firm Ford & Warren.

Helen Brown, partner and head of the Leeds office at Weightmans, said: “Leeds is a great place to work, live and do business; boasting strong links in the financial, legal and technology sectors—it is one of the largest business centres outside London and growing fast. We are delighted to support the Leeds 2023 programme and look forward to working with colleagues from organisations across the region to celebrate all the city has to offer.”

York solicitor Rachel Roche has created a new online will writing service to aid those in the UK who do not have their own legal documents dealing with their estates after their deaths.

The new service, which took two years to develop, demystifies the processes of making a will and a lasting power of attorney.

Roche (pictured), a private client solicitor and founder of Roche Legal with offices in York and Harrogate, contributed to this year’s The Parliamentary Review, in which she called for more legal services to be made available online in a bid to make them more convenient to access and use.

She said: “Our system has just four sections for the client to complete making it, we believe, one of the most straightforward online will writing programmes available.”

“In my opinion, we have created something new to address the large number of people who don’t currently have a will by providing a service that is both cost effective and easily available, running alongside our face to face meetings, which some clients still prefer.”

Another point that came up in Roche’s contribution to The Parliamentary Review was how regulation of online legal services could drive competition and costs, while making them more accessible.

Roche said of her firm’s new will writing service: “Roche Legal Online is fully authorised and regulated by the Solicitors’ Regulation Authority and staffed by real people. Once the client provides the information via the online system, he/she will then be contacted personally by one of our solicitors. Once you have a valid will in place, you can be assured that if the unexpected did happen, your family and friends would be able to administer your estate according to your wishes. The ramifications of a person not having a will can be significant for their dependants who may be left out in the cold.”

The online lasting power of attorney service is similarly protected. Roche explained: “We use online identification checks to satisfy anti-money laundering requirements and have spent a great deal of time in ensuring that the system is user-friendly whilst also being mindful of the risks associated with taking instructions remotely.”

Besides addressing the need to get more people writing their wills, Roche Legal has also developed a series of pocket-sized booklets on dealing with a relative’s death and looking after the elderly, with six more planned in the series.

The booklets are free to download from Roche Legal’s website.

Roche added: “As part of our innovative approach to later life legal planning we have also developed and published a series of pocket-sized user-friendly booklets to help clients understand a legal process that can seem daunting. The booklets aim to be far more than a conversation over the phone with a solicitor, acting as a checklist when dealing with intensely emotional and complicated situations.”

Weightmans renews Leeds 2023 support

Roche Legal launches online will writing service

University of Leeds associate professor Lydia Bleasdale has been named Law Teacher of the Year for 2018.

The award, handed out at the Celebrating Excellence in Law Teaching conference, recognises the vital role that teachers play in educating the next generation of lawyers and rewards outstanding achievement in teaching. This year, six law teachers from across the UK were shortlisted.

Bleasdale, an expert in criminal law and justice, said she was “completely overwhelmed” to have won, and that her approach to teaching is about “inspiring students to embrace challenge and develop as people, not simply as ‘students’ in a traditional sense”.

The Law Teacher of the Year winner is a graduate of the University of Leeds LLB law and University of Oxford MSC criminology and criminal justice programmes.

Speaking about her win, the University of Leeds professor said: “I am absolutely delighted to have won this award. I wanted to win it as a way of saying thank you to the students and staff who were interviewed by the judging panel on the day that they visited campus, particularly to professor Alastair Mullis: student education is taken incredibly seriously at the School of Law, and teaching excellence is really valued.”

“My most recent research has focused upon the importance of communities and relationships. Innovation in education is very important, but I truly believe that what defines our students’ memories of their time at university is their relationships with friends and with staff. I was privileged to have my former personal tutor, now colleague, professor Nick Taylor with me at the award ceremony.”

“I did not have an easy introduction to studying law, and without [professor Taylor’s] tremendous support I would not have completed my degree. If you had told me at the start

of my second year that I would one day win a national law teaching award, I would never have believed you: it is in large part because of him that I was in a position to, so I wanted to win it for him.”

Commenting on Bleasdale’s success, Taylor said: “Lydia cares. I don’t know if that is her ‘secret’ but she cares and that shines through in her teaching. She is a fabulous beacon of what the law school at Leeds is about. I have known Lydia for 20 years. She has developed from a reluctant law student into the best of law teachers. It is a phenomenal and deserved achievement.”

Bleasdale has also encouraged and supported hundreds of students through pro-bono and community engagement activities.

These activities have received several awards over the years, including the LawWorks Best New Student Pro Bono Project, and the Leeds for Life Citizenship (Community) Award (both for the Welfare Rights Project); and the Higher Education Academy Outstanding Student Project Award (for an in-house clinic).

Professor Alastair Mullis, head of the School of Law at the University of Leeds, praised Bleasdale for her hard work in building a strong school community, saying: “We are so proud of her. It is a truly deserved win. She is an inspirational teacher who works hard to give her students the best possible education, as well as tirelessly working on our community engagement projects. She is an exceptional asset to the school.”

Bleasdale is not the first School of Law member to be nominated for the prestigious award, with Nick Taylor, Anna Lawson and Neil Stanley all making it to the finals in recent years.

Susan Woolford, who has been a familiar face at Wilkinson Woodward Solicitors in Halifax, is retiring after 38 years of service. Her caseload will be taken over by James Hodgson and Nick Berry at Wilkinson Woodward’s Halifax office.

Woolford (pictured) was born in Sowerby Bridge and attended Sowerby Bridge Grammar School before heading to The College of Ripon and York St

John to study French, linguistics and theology.On returning to Calderdale aged 21, she began her

life-long career with Wilkinson Woodward as an assistant cashier in March 1980.

In 1983, Woolford began her legal studies, qualifying as a chartered legal executive in 1988. Over the past three decades, she has been the cornerstone of the

firm’s civil litigation team, handling landlord and tenant disputes, debt collection, bankruptcy, insolvency, and contractual disputes.

During her career, Woolford has maintained many long-standing professional relationships and has been a familiar face at the county courts in Halifax and Huddersfield, as well as representing clients in courts at Bradford, Skipton, Sheffield and Rotherham.

Her many career highlights include a successful case at the Court of Appeal, and she has emerged triumphant from numerous court cases concerning business-to-business contractual disputes.

Reflecting on her legal career, Woolford said: “Since my early days as newly qualified legal executive, I’ve witnessed enormous change in the legal profession, not least the introduction of technology and changes to how people access legal services.”

“What hasn’t changed is Wilkinson Woodward’s trusted name for legal services. Although the firm has grown in recent years, it remains focused on providing the personal service for which it was known when I joined them almost four decades ago. I consider myself fortunate to have worked for one of Calderdale’s most established and respected legal practices.”

University of Leeds professor wins Law Teacher of the Year award

Calderdale lawyer bids farewell after 38 years

News Legal & community


News Social & charity

Supreme Court judge Lady Justice Black has received an honorary award from Leeds Beckett University.

Lady Justice Black is only the second-ever female judge of the Supreme Court of the UK, the pinnacle of her legal career spanning more than 40 years.

She was awarded an honorary doctorate of laws on 18 July. Lady Justice Black said: “I am very pleased to be receiving this award. It is a great honour, and it continues a long-standing link with the university, which began when I taught law in Leeds in the 1980s.”

After completing her studies at Durham University, Lady Justice Black became the first lawyer in her family and was called to the Bar in 1976.

Her initial career at the Bar involved a broad range of criminal and civil work, although she later specialised in family law.

For a period in the 1980s, Lady Justice Black taught law at Leeds Beckett’s predecessor, Leeds Polytechnic, and for more than 20 years Lady Justice Black was a member of 30 Park Square Chambers.

After taking silk as a QC in 1994, she was appointed to the High Court in 1999, assigned to the family division and becoming a dame commander of the order of the British empire.

After being appointed as a judge in the High Court’s family division in 1999, she served as a family division liaison judge on the Northern Circuit from 2000 to 2004.

That year, she also became the chair of the Judicial Studies Board’s family committee. In 2008, Lady Justice Black was appointed as a Judicial Appointments Commissioner, where she served until 2013.

Appointed a lady justice of appeal in 2010, she was the head of international family justice from 2013 until 2017. Lady Justice Black is also a founding author of the guide to family law in England and Wales, The Family Court Practice, and continues to serve as a consulting editor.

Sir Bob Murray CBE, chancellor of Leeds Beckett University, said of the honorary award: “Lady Black has risen through the ranks to serve the public in the highest court in England. Her achievements in her legal career are meteoric and she is an inspiration to any students who are keen to follow a career in law. I’m delighted we are conferring this honorary award.”

Leeds Beckett bestows honorary award on Supreme Court judge

Family law specialists at Sheffield’s Taylor&Emmet have secured a contract extending their Legal Aid services to local couples looking to separate without court intervention.

The firm’s Legal Aid Agency mediation contract will commence in September, adding to the family law and clinical negligence services that it already supplies.

Legally-aided mediation will be available at all Taylor&Emmet offices in Sheffield, Dronfield and Bakewell to clients willing to try this alternative means of negotiating financial issues and arrangements for children.

Taylor&Emmet was awarded the contract following a successful tender for mediation work. Referrals can be made

directly by clients or via other firms of solicitors.Family law expert and qualified mediator Fay Bunting

(pictured) said: “Whilst Legal Aid has been significantly curtailed for general family matters, the government wishes to promote mediation and therefore, offers funding (subject to eligibility) for those willing to give it try. Indeed, in certain cases, separating couples are required to attend an initial Mediation Information and Assessment Meeting (MIAM) before proceeding with a court application.”

“Many clients wrongly assume family mediation is aimed at reuniting them, but this is not the case. We are working purely to reach a satisfactory separation agreement that is likely to work long term. As I am a practising family law solicitor and continue to work in the court system, my experience brings a unique perspective to my role as mediator.”

If one person qualifies for Legal Aid, they and their partner will receive the initial MIAM free of charge. If the mediator deems them suitable candidates for the process, in some cases, the first joint session can also be funded for both parties.

Taylor&Emmet secures Legal Aid contract



Legal marketing collective First4Lawyers has partnered with the University of Huddersfield to investigate drink and drug driving.

First4Lawyers and the forensics department at the University of Huddersfield will work on the study throughout the year, looking at how forensic science has had an impact on the investigation of drink- and drug-related offences over the past 50 years.

The investigation is due to conclude in September, and will be the first of three projects that will be carried out with the university in 2018.

The partnership is also the first of a number of local relationships that First4Lawyers aims to build throughout the year.

Andy Cullwick, head of marketing at First4Lawyers, said of the partnership: “We are very excited to announce this partnership with our local university. We welcome the opportunity to work closely with such a wonderful educator and look forward to sharing the final results.”

Sophie Turfus, one of the lecturers in forensic toxicology who is heading up this study at the Huddersfield University, said: “We are very happy to be collaborating with First4Lawyers on a very topical and worthwhile issue, and are proud that our students will gain a real insight into the relevance of forensic sciences in our country by working on this collaborative project. We hope that this will be the start of a long and fruitful relationship with such a prestigious local company.”

Law firm Ward Hadaway has secured several new major clients for its social housing team.

The team now represents Leeds Federated, Your Housing Group, North Star Housing and Broadacres Housing Association, among others, following tender wins. Together, these social housing providers manage tens of thousands of homes across the North and are committed to building and developing many more social homes each year.

The appointments mean that Ward Hadaway will advise the housing associations across a range of different legal services, including land, planning, property, employment and corporate matters. Each contract will be from two to four years with possible extensions.

Ward Hadaway’s social housing group is led by John Murray and comprises specialists from across the firm with particular expertise in social housing.

This includes Ward Hadaway property partners Helen O’Neill and Julia Thomson, banking and finance partner Julie Harrison, consultant Mitch Brown, charities and commercial partner Fiona Wharton, employment partner Paul Scope, planning partner Kamran Hyder, and employment consultant Joe Thornhill.

Established in 1993 and operating largely in North Yorkshire, Broadacres is a not-for-profit housing association based in Northallerton. It owns and manages more than 6,000 homes. It elected Ward Hadaway to contribute to its aim of delivering excellent local housing and support services across North Yorkshire. Your Housing Group currently has more than 28,000 homes across the Northwest, Yorkshire and the Midlands. The group selected Ward Hadaway for its professionalism and understanding.

Leeds Federated is a housing association with around 4,000 properties across Leeds, Wakefield and North Yorkshire. Ward Hadaway will work with the provider as one of its panel firms across all areas of their business, including building new homes and tenancy management. North East-based Housing Association, North Star, provides affordable housing and develops new homes across Tees Valley, North Yorkshire and County Durham.

Ward Hadaway has also been appointed to the West Yorkshire Legal Framework for three years.

The firm was selected as one of only a handful of firms to provide organisations with legal support in nine areas of law, covering everything from childcare and community law through to employment and pensions law.

Local authorities that can access the firm’s services via the framework are Leeds City Council, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Kirklees Metropolitan Borough Council and Wakefield Council. The City of York Council is also a participant within the framework.

Murray said: “Our success in all of these tenders further reinforces Ward Hadaway’s position as one of the leading practices in the social housing field and is credit to the unrivalled expertise and experience of our housing team.”

“We are absolutely delighted to be appointed to these legal services panels. They are significant appointments for Ward Hadaway and we are looking forward to growing our relationship with all of them.”

“This is hugely significant for the social housing team at Ward Hadaway and is recognition of the hard work we have been delivering in the social housing sector. The appointments will certainly further strengthen our credentials in the sector.”

First4Lawyers and University of Huddersfield to study the impact of forensic science on drink and drug driving

Social housing tender success for Ward Hadaway

News Social & charity


NewsSocial & charity

Sheffield- and Doncaster-based Taylor Bracewell has raised more than £20,000 for charity this year after taking part in a will-writing campaign that asks solicitors to write wills for local people in return for a voluntary donation.

Taylor Bracewell has taken part in the annual Will Aid scheme and raised £20,100 in the month-long fundraiser, writing 220 wills. Taking into account the other two years the firm has taken part in Will Aid, its total raised to date is £67,000.

This achievement places Taylor Bracewell among the top fundraisers for Will Aid 2017.

Lauren Smith, partner and head of wills, trusts and probate at Taylor Bracewell, commented: “I have taken part in Will Aid for several years now and each year I love the feeling that my day job allows me to help others, not only with the clients who are making their wills, but also with the charities benefiting a wide range of people.”

“Will Aid is a fantastic way to give something back to the local community, to raise awareness about the importance of making a will and at the same time to create awareness of your firm.”

John Coulthurst from the British Red Cross paid Taylor Bracewell a visit to present the firm with a certificate.

He said: “We are very grateful to Taylor Bracewell and the Will Aid scheme for this generous contribution.”

“The Red Cross uses donations to reach people in crisis, here in the UK and all around the world.”

“£300 could feed ten families in Syria for a month. £80 could help train four people in life-saving first aid skills here in the UK. And with £1,000 our UK volunteers could give five people the support they need to readjust to life at home following a spell in hospital.”

Lawyers wrote dozens of wills during November 2017, generously giving their time for free for the whole month.

Will Aid, which is celebrating its 30th year since launching, raises money for nine charities: ActionAid, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save The Children, Sightsavers, Age UK, SCIAF (Scotland) and Trocaire (Northern Ireland).

Peter de Vena Franks, campaign director for Will Aid, commented: “Will Aid has made an amazing contribution to the work of the nine participating charities and last year was

no exception. Thanks to the commitment of local solicitors that took part in this year’s Will Aid, many people both in the UK and abroad will receive life-changing support and local people who used the scheme have the peace of mind thanks to having a professionally drawn-up will.”

“I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to Taylor Bracewell and let them know that thanks to them, lives will change for the better and people who need it will continue to receive the help and support that the charities work so hard to provide.”

“Solicitors raised an incredible amount of money in 2017, but sadly there is always much more demand for Will Aid than we can meet. You have the chance to help us celebrate 30 years since the launch of Will Aid by signing up and donating your time in 2018. Being part of Will Aid will raise the profile of your firm in your local community and bring new clients to your door, all whilst supporting nine wonderful UK charities.”

Solicitors from Leeds-based firm Morrish recently boosted their fundraising efforts for children’s cancer charity Candlelighters by completing the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge.

Morrish is almost half-way through a two-year partnership that will see them raise money for this Yorkshire-wide charity.

As well as conquering the peaks of Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, the firm has also held regular dress down days for staff, themed bake sales, an auction, a World Cup event and a quiz.

Brian Curran, corporate fundraiser at Candlelighters, said: “We are delighted to have Morrish as a corporate partner and by taking on this challenge they are helping us support

families who are taking on their own challenge of a lifetime.”Clair Watmore, head of communications at Morrish, said:

“We asked our staff to vote to choose our Charity of the Year—Candlelighters won with an overwhelming majority. We wanted to show our support for a charity that has affected many people within our community and this is our way of giving something back.”

“Our proximity to the charity allows many of our staff to get involved with activities and also provides the opportunity for them to meet the children and families who are affected to see first-hand how Candlelighters support them. Morrish are planning more fundraising events over the next year, including a Wimbledon-themed event, regular bake-offs, a wellness event and an abseil.”

Taylor Bracewell raises more than £20,000

Morrish solicitors complete Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge


Gordons has named young people’s homelessness charity Centrepoint Bradford as its charity partner for 2018.

The firm, which has offices in Bradford and Leeds, aims to raise enough in donations to fund all of the organisation’s rooms in Yorkshire for a year.

Gordons will also help Centrepoint’s young adults prepare for the world of work by offering mock interviews, CV assistance, mentoring and work experience placements.

Centrepoint Bradford supports young people aged 16 to 25 to leave homelessness behind, providing accommodation sites and a training hub where young people can access living-changing education, health support and job advice. The charity helps 180 young people in Bradford every day.

Fundraising has already begun, with more than 20 of the law firm’s people completing a 27-mile Dalesway Charity Walk from Buckden to Ilkley and raising more than £3,600 in donations. The firm’s partner Victoria Davey and solicitor Frances Mitchell also participated in a sponsored catwalk event at the Leeds Fashion Ball.

Other fundraising activities still to take place include the long awaited Gordons’ Got Talent event in September, made up entirely from people at the firm performing their weird and wonderful talents, as well as regular cake sales and five-a-side football tournaments.

Chloe Sykes, Centrepoint’s senior regional fundraising officer, said: “Gordons’ fundraising activities this year will help to change the lives of homeless young people in Bradford.”

“And with so much raised from the first events, it’s fair to say that the firm doesn’t do things by halves.”

“Just as important is its commitment to help build skills and create opportunities that will break the cycle of homelessness. It’s heartening that the firm’s people will volunteer their time to help young people prepare for the world of work. We look forward to working with Gordons over the coming year.”

Every year, the firm’s people select a charity partner to benefit from fundraising and volunteering activities.

Over the past seven years, the firm has raised more than £135,000 for its chosen charities, including national children’s charity KidsOut, homelessness charity Simon on the Streets, Willow Young Carers Service, PhysCap and The Friends of Alfie Martin.

Sarah Ratcliffe, partner at Gordons and Centrepoint’s contact at the firm, said: “We were extremely impressed with the work Centrepoint is doing in Bradford. The city is so important to our heritage and many of our staff and clients are based here.”

“We are determined to make a difference to help young men and women overcome the barrier of homelessness and achieve their full potential. Our goal is to raise enough funds to sponsor all Centrepoint’s rooms for homeless people in Yorkshire for a year and our dedicated staff are looking forward to achieving that, as well as exploring opportunities to volunteer.”

Gordons chooses Centrepoint Bradford as its charity partner




Wake Smith Solicitors has selected Weston Park Cancer Charity to become its chosen good cause for the next year.

Employees at the Sheffield law firm will now spend 12 months raising cash for the charity through a host of fundraising events.

The team at Wake Smith visited the charity to learn about two key projects that will benefit cancer patients throughout the region: the Cancer Support Centre and the Clinical Research Unit.

Darren Hayes, business development manager from Weston Park Cancer Charity said: “As the only dedicated charity for Weston Park Hospital, the charity exists to create a better life for those living with and beyond cancer.”

“Through the dedicated and tireless efforts of our local community, corporate partners, donors and volunteers, Weston Park Cancer Charity has raised over £22 million, since beginning in 1994, to improve the lives of those fighting cancer. We welcome Wake Smith to that essential team of fundraisers.”

Money raised from Wake Smith could help fund two key projects: the Cancer Support Centre which offers a free drop in service, complementary therapies, welfare advice and support; and the Clinical Research Unit, which has seen a 20% increase in patients taking part in clinical trials thanks to charitable funding.

Kate Lax, solicitor at Wake Smith and charitable board

member, said: “The charity was picked after a voting process involving all staff. Everyone has indirectly or directly seen the devastating effect cancer can have on a family member or friend.”

“More than 18,000 patients are currently under the care of Weston Park Hospital, which equates to over 150,000 individual patient visits each year.”

“We have the next year to raise funds for the charity and are really looking forward to working with Darren and the team to help create a better life for people living with, and beyond, cancer.”

Weston Park Hospital is the region’s only specialist cancer hospital, providing care for thousands of patients across South Yorkshire, North Derbyshire and North Nottinghamshire.

The charity raises around £2 million each year to improve the lives of people living with cancer.

The Wake Smith charitable board includes Kate Lax, Lorraine Slack, Bridie Mulgrew, Alison Gaddes, Abi Shortte, Laura Sanderson, Scott Haslam, Megan Craig, Jo Malcolm, Lauren Hance, Hayley Naisbett and Holly Dobson.

Last year, the firm raised £4,600 for Thornberry Animal Sanctuary after holding fundraising events such as from quizzes, raffles, cake sales, sweepstakes, monthly dress down days, social events, and lunches, plus a successful office-based tuck shop for hungry employees.

Wake Smith choose Weston Park as fundraising target

Pictured, from left to right: Kate Lax, Bridie Mulgrew and Darren Haye


Eatons

Eatons Solicitors has promoted Steven Gilbey to partner. Gilbey is head of the civil litigation department at the firm, having

worked there for six years. In that time, he has developed a client base of individuals and companies from within Yorkshire. His work covers a range of areas, including commercial and contractual disputes, boundary disputes, and contentious probate.

Clarion

Clarion has expanded its corporate practice with the appointment of Hitesh Tailor as legal director. Tailor joins from the Leeds office of DLA Piper, where he spent 12 years advising blue chip companies on a number of transactions. Sue Streatfield has also been promoted to partner within Clarion’s intellectual property practice.

Wilkin Chapman

Wilkin Chapman has brought in a new head of marketing and business development. Nick Greenwood has an extensive background in corporate banking and commercial business. He will divide his time between the firm’s six offices across Lincolnshire and East Yorkshire.

Andrew Jackson

Andrew Jackson Solicitors has appointed Nick Wilson as partner. Wilson’s particular expertise in employment law makes him a key addition, according to Andrew Jackson, which continues to expand its client offering across the region. He has advised both public and private sector employers on a range of matters.

Berwins

Berwins has expanded its dispute resolution team with the appointment of litigation specialist Natasha Guest as an associate. Guest will advise businesses on areas of conflict while leading the firm’s contentious probate division. She brings 12 years of legal experience gained with firms based in York and North Yorkshire.

Rollits

Emma Fawke and Bella O’Keeffe have joined Rollits as solicitors in the private

client department. Fawke is based in Hull while is located in York. Adrian Coggon and Runoushka Daliah have also recently joined the firm. Coggon is an associate in the family team and Runoushka is a lawyer in the corporate department. Both are based in the Hull office.

Womble Bond Dickinson

Womble Bond Dickinson has appointed Claire Wilkinson as a partner in Leeds. She joins the firm’s real estate team from Addleshaw Goddard. She works with participants of the UK commercial property sector, focusing on development and investment. She also has experience in the hospitality and leisure sectors.

Keebles

Matt Ainsworth has replaced Roger Dyson as head of the corporate department at Keebles. Dyson has retired after a career spanning four decades and encompassing 500 deals. The firm has also added Laura Giles, Carys Everitt and Charlotte Higgins to its corporate team.

NewsAppointments

Switalskis

Switalskis Solicitors has appointed 12 new associates across its 13 Yorkshire offices following the completion of the firm’s first associate development programme. Alison Kitchman and Toby Netting have also recently joined the firm. Netting is head of family law in Sheffield and Kitchman will initially cover family law across South Yorkshire before specifically providing those services out of Doncaster.

McCormicks

Harrogate law firm McCormicks Solicitors has strengthened its corporate and commercial team with the appointment

of Emily Steed. She joins the practice from a regional North Yorkshire firm and will assist partner Jon Healey in providing corporate and commercial services to clients. She graduated from Durham University before completing the legal practice course at the University of Law in York.

MKB

MKB Solicitors has appointed Ben McFeely to lead its employment department. McFeely, a partner at MKB, has been promoted to head of the employment department after eight

years at the firm. He began his legal career in 2006 and joined MKB in April 2010 from Rollits in Hull.

Wilkinson Woodward Norcliffe and Co

The Huddersfield arm of Wilkinson Woodward has appointed Helen Atkinson as a solicitor. She brings with her more than three decades of

experience in commercial and property law to Wilkinson Woodward Norcliffe and Co. After studying at Manchester Polytechnic and the Chester College of Law, Atkinson began her legal career as an articled clerk.

Bevan Brittan

Bevan Brittan has hired David Kitson as a senior associate. Kitson joins from the in-house legal team of Scarborough Borough Council, where he worked for nearly 13 years. In addition, the firm has recruited Maria Shone and Gary Wales as assistant solicitors in Leeds. They join its healthcare property team.

Blacks

Blacks Solicitors has strengthened its property offering with the recruitment of Marc Warren as partner, Kevin Hostford as legal director and Samantha Bell as solicitor. Warren and Hostford join the firm’s commercial property team, while Bell joins the property litigation team.

Williamsons

Caitlin Macnamara has joined Hull and East Yorkshire law firm Williamsons as a commercial property solicitor at its

Beverley office. Macnamara worked with another regional practice as a trainee and recently qualified from the University of Law. She works for landlords and tenants on commercial leases, and also has experience in residential plot sales and purchases and wills and probate.

Ison Harrison

A new partner has joined the Huddersfield office of Ison Harrison. John Burnett arrives from Schofield Sweeney, where he was a

director on the dispute resolution team for nearly two years. Prior to this, Burnett was head of litigation at Armitage Sykes Solicitors. He has 20 years of experience as a civil and commercial litigation lawyer.

Crombie Wilkinson

Crombie Wilkinson Solicitors has promoted Jess Appleby and Jessica Duffy to director. Appleby is based at the firm’s York office and is head of residential conveyancing. Duffy joined the firm’s residential team in 2015 and was appointed head of the residential property department in May 2016.

NewsAppointments

Jordans Jordans Solicitors has added property solicitor Suzie Smith to its Wakefield office. Having spent 10 years in the property

field, Smith joins Jordans from a Leeds-based firm. She brings with her a wealth of experience, from residential conveyancing to commercial property services, including land acquisitions and estate management.



Business support

The legal sector is developing at a fast pace, no more so than in the area of technology. Looking back just two decades, the thought of communicating regularly about a case by email, almost instantly,

probably seemed unimaginable—it is amazing to think where we are now. Of particular significance is social media. Some may shudder at the prospect and will simply never embrace it. However, like it or not, social media is now a huge part of society. Many of the next generation learn how to use an iPad before even being able to form basic sentences. Whole lives are lived through these platforms.

So what do we do as the legal sector? Do we ignore it? In my view, it is vital that we move with the times. Clients want approachable solicitors, who they can speak to almost instantly. Gone are the days when clients pop town to the town centre to see their local solicitor. An online presence is crucial. Many clients now instruct solicitors on the basis of the results produced by a search engine, as well as the engagement they experience on social media platforms.

With that in mind, how do we, as ‘straight-laced’ lawyers, create a presence on social media while maintaining the proper, well-respected image that our predecessors spent years creating?

Do 1. Know your target audience: You need to tailor your

presence to your consumer base. Therefore, depending on the type of firm you represent, you should tailor your posts accordingly. Your posts need to be relatable. Clients don’t necessarily want to read reams of writing about you, but they do care about what you can do for them.

2. Be active: It’s important to be active on social media but there is a balance to be struck. You don’t want to post so often that you completely irritate the people you are trying to attract, but it’s very much about being in the room. You have to be in the conversation.

3. Have a personality: Easier said than done, but repetitive marketing posts just don’t cut it these days. Social media needs to be interactive. It’s a chance to create a real voice for a firm. Your social media personality may take time to develop but it’s worth it (remembering all the while that you are representing your firm).

4. Provide great customer service: Social media gives you the opportunity to reach out to clients. It breaks down barriers and, in my view, shows people that lawyers are human. With that in mind, it’s really important to interact with your followers and acknowledge feedback, whether positive or negative.

5. Have a great team behind your social media: This is crucial. You need a team made up of individuals who are committed to social media and know exactly what it is you want to put across. At my firm, many of the solicitors engage with individual Twitter accounts, which creates a great social media voice of which we are proud. Without the right people behind it, social media just doesn’t work. It’s also a good idea to have a social media policy in place that clearly sets out what’s expected of your firm’s solicitors.

Don’t 1. Neglect your profiles: This sounds obvious, but there’s

nothing worse than seeing an account that hasn’t been used for months. As law is fast paced, so too is social media and a regular presence is crucial.

2. Don’t be political: As individuals, there’s sometimes a temptation to express views and opinions on certain subjects. If, in your mind, it feels controversial—just don’t post it.

3. Delete negative comments: Don’t ignore negative feedback. I, myself, have had tweets commenting on posts about family law matters. While I absolutely did not agree with the comment, deleting it did not make any difference. Social media encourages free speech and, whether we like it or not, we have to take the rough with the smooth.

4. Don’t rely on automation: There are services out there that will automate your accounts, but ask yourself, do they know your business as well as you? If they don’t, then you are possibly wasting your money.

5. Don’t be spammy: No one wants to see a repeated advert for your conveyancing services. While adverts do form a part of social media, they need to be timed appropriately. If you annoy your base, you will simply lose followers.

6. Pick your social media platforms carefully: There is a plethora of social media platforms out there—don’t feel like you have to have a presence on all of them. Consider your audience and your message, and choose the platforms that will work best for you.

Social media can seem daunting, particularly to the inexperienced and uncomprehending. However, with the right people behind it and a well-thought out plan in place, social media can be of huge value to your firm and its solicitors. If you’re ready to give it a try, tweet me @RamsdensCare on Twitter.

Lucy Parker is a solicitor in the child care department at Ramsdens Solicitors

Social media is an important tool for communicating with clients. Lucy Parker of Ramsdens Solicitors offers some tips for managing your online presence

Social media: Deny or embrace?

ConveyancingMilner warns that if the UK suffered an economic downturn (a possibility with Brexit), professional negligence claims relating to property work may rise once more.

Milner says: “Firms can manage risk by ensuring conveyancing fits within a defined business plan. Proper supervision of files is crucial to help defend a claim, should one occur. Complex claims can quickly rack up large costs and, in extreme cases, lead a firm to collapse.

“We should all heed the lessons of the previous property crash and be prepared in case something similar happens again.”

Cyber CrimeAttacks from cyber criminals remain one of the biggest threats to law firms. In 2016, insurer QBE estimated that cybercrime cost the legal profession around £85M [1].

Milner adds: “Law firms recognise these risks now and many buy stand alone cyber insurance. They must understand with how this fits with their professional indemnity and other insurances. It is imperative firms get the right broker advice about when a cyber policy will and won’t pay. Insurance certainly shouldn’t be a replacement for robust IT defences and staff training.

We are still seeing examples of staff accidently transferring client funds to fraudulent accounts as hackers’ methods become more sophisticated.

“The threat is huge. Firms must have a mindful plan that is regularly reviewed, train their staff and manage the risk as best they can.”

Technological Advancements Milner said due to advancing technology, the traditional high street firm model is in decline, creating polarisation in the marketplace.

“For consumers, searching for legal services online is now commonplace. Firms should consider this as part of their business plan and recognise the associated operational and commercial risks. If they fail to do so, they are probably in a precarious position.

“We now have legal comparison sites for certain services, similar to those for personal insurance. If your firm is considering utilising these sites, you should consider the risks associated with a remote consumer base managed by somebody else. It may generate some revenue, but you’re removing the human element and the judgement calls that can only be made by speaking directly with your client.”

“It’s about getting the balance of technology and face

to face service correct, as well as recognising the new risks this approach brings”.

Milner adds: “These risks are not fully matured or understood by insurers yet, meaning they don’t know where claims might arise from this online model of doing business and automating many processes.

“The traditional high street firm model is changing and many practices currently employ a hybrid model of both online and traditional services.

“Firms need to get that model right; understanding and addressing the risks properly. There is a greater need for the right broker advice on the cover that fi rms are buying, to help mitigate the rising risks technology brings.”

Rise of Boutique FirmsThe increase in boutique firms is having a positive impact on the market and there are benefits to focusing on fewer services.

Milner says: “With the wane of the high street firm, we’re seeing more businesses thrive where they have a specialism, such as Employment Law or Intellectual Property. Niche practices with a solid plan are turning a healthy profit.

“Alternative Business Solutions - where a law firm offers additional services such as Accountancy or HR advice – are another driver.

“Firms specialising in one area can be good from a risk management standpoint. When they are seeking cover, if they are highly focused in one or two areas, we can show insurers they have real expertise and know their business inside out.

“Law fi rms off ering wider services need bespoke risk advice and should be able to demonstrate how these services will be managed. Assisting fi rms switching from a traditional law fi rm to an ABS is a growing feature for PIB Insurance Brokers.

“If you’re a larger fi rm off ering more services, if you can demonstrate you have experienced people running those divisions, you will benefi t. Insurers generally do not like ‘dabblers’, so recognising where your limits are is a real attribute. Firms that are mindful of all of the above and review risk regularly will continue to benefi t from a better relationship with insurers and improved premiums.”

Contact Gareth Milner on 07852 997120 or email [email protected]. Law Gazette (2016) Cyber-criminals alarm insurers as law firms lose £85m, https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/practice/cyber-criminals-alarm-insurers-as-law-firms-lose-85m/5054573.article

Gareth Milner of PIB Insurance Brokers highlights cybercrime, the exploitation of new technology and the emergence of boutique law fi rms as major areas impacting the current legal risk landscape.

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Bradford Incorporated Law Society

Bradford Incorporated Law Society was founded in 1876, and meets in the city centre at The Bradford Club, which itself dates back to 1855. The society is run by members of the local profession, on a voluntary basis.

The society has close links with the local judiciary, who attend the society’s annual dinner as guests of the president. The top table usually includes fi ve to 10 judges, which shows tremendous support from the judiciary.

Spring sees the president host the society’s annual black-tie dinner, in recent years held at the Midland Hotel in Bradford. The dinner is well supported and usually sees more than 100 members of the local legal profession (together with other professionals) coming together for an evening of fi ne food, wine, speeches and general merriment. In recent years, the society has even had a live band. Past speakers at the annual dinner have included Christine Hamilton.

Each year, the society awards the Cawthron Prize to a junior solicitor who has made a significant legal contribution in the city. The prize is in memory of a Bradford solicitor, Richard Cawthron, who died in tragic circumstances. This year’s winner was Jessica Fielden of Schofield Sweeney. Jessica not only does her day job, but sits on the committees of Bradford Junior Chamber International and Bradford Young Professionals, and also carries out various charity work. Jessica represents the young, up and coming, vibrant legal community in the Bradford District.

Each year, the society hosts a seminar for judges, which is attended by members and usually two to three district judges. Various topics are covered, and it provides the Bradford legal community with an opportunity to raise queries and concerns directly with the judiciary, in a relaxed and informal setting.

The society also attends other events in the city, including those organised by other local professional groups such as The Insurance Institute of Bradford, the Bradford & District Auctioneers & Estate Agents Association, the Bradford Society of Architects and Surveyors, and the Bradford Society of Chartered Accountants.

The Bradford District is thriving and is a great place to do business. It was recently named as the Emerging Destination of the Year 2018. It has a growing population and economy, and was the fi rst UNESCO City of Film. It has its own UNESCO World Heritage Site in Saltaire, and is the home of the Brontes. Come and take a look.

The current Bradford Incorporated Law Society president is Graeme Davy, a partner at Gordons. Graeme was born and bred in the Bradford District, and has seen the lows and now highs that the city has faced over the last 35 years. He is excited about the future of Bradford.

If you are interested in becoming a member or joining the committee, please contact the society’s secretary, Adrian Green, at [email protected]. Follow Bradford Law Society on Twitter via @Bfdlawsociety.

The future’s

BradfordBradford Incorporated Law

Society and its members are excited about the future of the

local legal profession


Patrick Walker loses his father but makes some surprising finds along the way

Good grief

I was offered the small oak box with the solemnity of an aspiring sommelier. I peered in, knowing what to expect but still somehow disappointed by

the dry crumbs of earth. I shook my head and the graveside service concluded. But as the clergy led a quiet crocodile towards tea, scones and a welcome opportunity to laugh, I looked down at the larger box and took off my jacket. “Nay Patrick,” exclaimed the gravedigger waiting patiently at the side in his respectful black jeans. “You’re not going to break sweat throwing in a handful of dirt?!” But remembering that my dad had little time for such gestures, I asked for a shovel. Father’s view was that if mourners wanted to throw something in, they should each be given a shovel, “and in no time the job would be done”.

The gravedigger humoured me and did not immediately start up the mini digger waiting behind the churchyard wall. As the soil covered the brass plate, I knew that Dad would think it was a waste but would be pleased that the cost of a beautiful solid oak coffin in which he was not buried had gone to the Red Cross. I looked across at the grave of my infant niece, which father and I had dug together more than 30 years before, and

remembered my horror when he had paced out the plot that he expected to occupy.

Regular readers will know that in the last few years I have accompanied my dad to the Greek islands and to Israel, have seen his joy when he remarried a wonderful lady 35 years his junior, and have learned to enjoy and share the simple wonders of spring flowers and birdsong as he became confined to a wheelchair after a stroke. He struggled not only physically but to communicate properly, let alone with the intellectual vigour that was his hallmark for most of his 91 years. He made it clear he was ready to go, and died peacefully in his sleep as he had hoped. I naively thought that if that happened, I would just be happy for him. I am but there is no ‘just’. I thought I was prepared but share the view of one friend who wrote to me, “I feel like a ‘mighty oak has been felled’”. We cannot swing from his bows, enjoy his shade or share the seasons with him.

Grief, like love, is a very short word for a complex and confusing array of emotions. I have reached the conclusion that both are a journey of highs and lows, with no map and few signposts. At first I thought that the big difference is that you look for the end of grief but hope that love has no terminus. But in truth, I have found new joys in my unexpected grief. I have enjoyed kind words and kinder deeds. Death is often seen as a time when there can be a temporary cessation of hostilities in even the most difficult relationships, but in some I saw more than that—maybe a glimpse of what could always have been if life’s garbage had not got in the way, and what could be in the future.

Even if that is wishful thinking, as I read the condolence letters that add fluorescent shades to Dad’s already colourful life, and smile at the way in which friends have donned hi-viz jackets to manage car parking, rolled up their sleeves in the kitchen and been there when it really counted, I can only conclude that while some sadness is part of the package, so too can be love, joy, opportunity and inspiration. I am a long way from understanding grief, but I know that it can be good.

Patrick Walker is an independent mediator: www.imediate.co.uk

Comment Patrick Walker


Paul Singh, ChairSheffi eld & District Law SocietyPaul Singh qualifi ed with an LLB (Hons) from the University of Sheffi eld in 2001. Since qualifying, he has worked exclusively in the fi eld of employment law. He began his career at Howells, where he completed his training contract.

He moved to a national fi rm based in Leeds for a few years before moving back to Sheffi eld to work as an in-house employment lawyer for Sheffi eld City Council. He is currently service manager for civil litigation, managing a team of lawyers and paralegals who deal with all aspects of litigation work for the council, although he still maintains an employment law case-load. He has a keen interest in discrimination law.

David Barraclough, Yorkshire Union of Law SocietiesDavid Barraclough is president of the Yorkshire Union of Law Societies and a director on the board of Leeds Law Society. He was a partner at Radcliff esLeBrasseur.

Bill BartonLeeds Law SocietyBill Barton is the immediate past president of Leeds Law Society and leads his own fi rm, Barton Legal. He has specialised in construction for 30 years.

Ian GilbertIan Gilbert is the former managing partner of Walker Morris and the winner of the Managing Partner of the Year award at the Yorkshire Legal Awards in 2017. He retired in April of this year.

Ashley IredaleHuddersfi eld and Dewsbury Incorporated Law SocietyAshley Iredale is president of the Huddersfi eld and Dewsbury Incorporated Law Society. He is head of the private client team at Schofi eld Sweeney.

The Yorkshire Legal Awards, taking place on 11 October at New Dock Hall in Leeds, promises to be a glittering black-tie event that will recognise the region’s best and brightest legal talent.

The event is set to have its best ever attendance, with nominations surpassing all previous records. Nominations were received across the award categories, covering everyone from the biggest corporate fi rms to leading barristers, from senior partners to rising stars.

In particular, all of the new award categories, covering banking and fi nance, regulatory and compliance, and diversity and inclusion, were highly competitive, suggesting that they will be incredibly close.

The panel of judges for the Yorkshire Legal Awards represents the very best of the profession. They are in the process of drawing up the fi nal shortlist and will soon share who has been shortlisted for which award.

Chaired by Paul Singh, president of the Sheffi eld & District Law Society, the panel is comprised of David Barraclough, Yorkshire Union of Law Societies; Bill Barton, Leeds Law Society; Ian Gilbert, formerly of Walker Morris; Ashley Iredale, Huddersfi eld and Dewsbury Incorporated Law Society; Kristina Goodwin, Leeds Junior Lawyers Division; Jon Geldart, Institute of Directors; Mina Andreakos, Hull Incorporated Law Society; and Gerald Jennings, Leeds Chamber of Commerce You can read more about each and every judge below.

To fi nd out more about the Yorkshire Legal Awards, visit: www.yorkshirelegalnews.co.uk/yorkshire-legal-awards.

Organised by Barker Brooks Communications, the publisher of Leeds & Yorkshire Lawyer, the Yorkshire Legal Awards are a key event on the calendar, where the region’s fi nest lawyers gather to celebrate the achievements of their colleagues and peers.

EventsYorkshire Legal Awards

The Yorkshire Legal Awards 2018 closed for nominations on 29 June. The judges will use their years of combined experience and expertise to decide who deserves to be recognised for their achievements in the sector

Yorkshire Legal Awards 2018 shortlist is coming soon

Meet the judges

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Yorkshire Legal Awards 2018


Kristina GoodwinLeeds Junior Lawyers DivisionKristina Goodwin is chair of the Leeds Junior Lawyers Division at Leeds Law Society. She has held a place on the committee for two years, initially as an events offi cer and then as vice chair. She is currently a pupil barrister at St Pauls Chambers in Leeds.

Jon GeldartInstitute of DirectorsJon Geldart is the chairman of the Yorkshire and Humber Institute of Directors in the UK.

He is responsible for the strategic development of Greater China, including Hong Kong, for Grant Thornton International.

Mina AndreakosHull Incorporated Law SocietyMina Andreakos is an associate solicitor and head of residential conveyancing at Andrew Kingston & Co Solicitors in Hull, and president of the Hull Incorporated Law Society. She handles a variety of local and regional property

transactions, including freehold and leasehold properties, transfers of equity, and re-mortgages.

Gerald JenningsLeeds Chamber of CommerceGerald Jennings became president of Leeds Chamber of Commerce in April 2015. Following two and a half years in that position, he became chairman of the West & North Yorkshire Chamber in

2017, having joined the board in 2014.

EventsYorkshire Legal Awards

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Why did you choose law as a career?

I initially set out to be a doctor (my mother was a GP) and studied science and maths A-levels, but I soon realised that maths was not my forte. I immediately swapped to arts A-level subjects and had to consider another career.

Law seemed an obvious choice—reinforced by my mother who said the profession would suit me well because I was both dramatic and argumentative! After studying at the University of Buckingham and the Inns of Court School of Law, the rest, as they say, is history.

Why did you focus on family law?

My intention had been to become a criminal barrister, however, my pupillage master was involved in some high-profile family wardship cases that had a profound impact on me. I therefore specialised in family law from quite early on in my career. I spent a number of years at a barristers chambers in Manchester before heading up a family law department in Jersey.

I was subsequently invited to join Jones Myers, whose reputation as a highly respected and niche family law firm was very appealing. My cases can involve complex financial matters where there are trusts and offshore structures, and I also represent and assist parents with child-related issues such as relocation cases.

What are the most important skills required to handle sensitive and delicate children cases? There are understandably raw emotions involved and it’s vital to listen intently to what clients are telling you to try to formulate as full and clear a picture as possible.

In the knowledge that clients do not always get what they seek, managing expectations from the outset and remaining realistic and empathetic are key.

What about matrimonial matters involving significant financial assets?

Apart from the inevitably complex financial issues, these cases can also be emotionally charged and remaining realistic and managing expectations is critical.

If you didn’t work in law, what would you be doing?

Despite being one of the most dangerous occupations in the world, I’d be a tree surgeon. There is something quite magical about trees and forests—and working in the great outdoors on a daily basis, whatever the weather, is a far cry from being in an office or a courtroom.

What are the best and worst parts of the job for you?

The positives are achieving a good outcome, resulting in a happy client who knows what has gone into obtaining the result. My role as ‘in-house’ counsel means I can meet clients with our lawyers at the outset of cases, helping them to identify the best strategies for achieving a good conclusion. Clients are based regionally, nationally and further afield, including the Channel Islands, Europe and the Middle East.

The downside of my job is to witness the profound impact that cases can have on clients and their families as family law, by its very nature, is emotionally charged. How would you improve the legal profession?

I’d overturn the decision to scrap Legal Aid for a wide range of family matters. Its damaging effect was to abandon thousands of parents and children, often the most vulnerable, in a legal wilderness. Deprived of the means to pay for specialist legal advice, it has resulted in a substantial and sustained increase in litigants in person, which is straining our already overstretched family court system.

I’d also accelerate the long-awaited introduction of ‘no fault’ divorce, which has been further catapulted into the media spotlight by Tini Owens Supreme Court appeal. It would make the divorce process much more straightforward.

What is the best part about working in Yorkshire?

You’re guaranteed a friendly welcome (even as a Lancastrian!), people are very direct and you know exactly where you stand. You are also spoiled for forests and woodlands in the Dales.

What do you do in your spare time to relax?

Like many people, I find the work/life balance a challenge and let off steam by cheering on my daughter in streaming sunshine and pouring rain at her weekend hockey and netball matches. I’m also renowned for letting referees know when I disagree with them—much to my family’s embarrassment!

What advice do you have for those considering a career in law?

Don’t feel under pressure to take a law degree first as there are so many fascinating subjects that will also equip you with the skills to become a lawyer. Law is undoubtedly a vocation that requires pouring your heart and soul into it. Being there for clients is also a prerequisite—irrespective of time or location. I once stopped halfway down a ski slope in Canada to take a client’s call because I knew how important it was to them.

Andrew Fox is an in-house barrister at Jones Myers, a specialist family law firm

The wood for the family treesLast word


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J.M. Glendinning (Insurance Brokers) Professional Risks Limited is an appointed representative of J.M. Glendinning (Insurance Brokers) Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority Registered in England & Wales at Elmwood House, Ghyll Royd, Guiseley, Leeds, LS20 9LT. J.M. Glendinning (Insurance Brokers) Professional Risks Limited. Registered No 9828000.

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Helping you to protect your professional reputation

For more information or to arrange aquote for your next renewal, contactJake Fox

[email protected]

www.jmginsurance.co.uk/solicitorspi

01943 876631

J.M. Glendinning (Insurance Brokers) Professional Risks Limited is an appointed representative of J.M. Glendinning (Insurance Brokers) Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority Registered in England & Wales at Elmwood House, Ghyll Royd, Guiseley, Leeds, LS20 9LT. J.M. Glendinning (Insurance Brokers) Professional Risks Limited. Registered No 9828000.

When it comes to arranging your Professional Indemnity Insurance, we bring you independence, experience, in-depth knowledge of the legal profession and in-house claims support.

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