Law Society training and events in Greater London 2009
The Legal Services Act 2007 – the impact on practice ( 2 seminars)
The first stage in the implementation of the Legal Services Act 2007 became effective on 31 March 2009 allowing for Legal Disciplinary Practice (LDP). This permits solicitors to practise with (including entering into partnership with) specified non-SRA authorised lawyers, and in limited circumstances, non-lawyers. In addition, on the same date, firm based regulation was introduced, meaning that all sole practitioners must be “recognised sole practitioners” and all other practices ( LLPs, partnerships or Companies) must be recognised bodies. These changes have resulted in amendments to the Solicitors’ Code of Conduct, associated rules and the Solicitors’ Accounts Rules. It is vital for all practices to understand the impact of these changes, even if there is no intention to practise as an LDP. 2 seminars, one on The Code of Conduct and one on the Solicitors Account Rules will be run on each of the following dates.
For full details and booking information, click on the link below each date. Places are still available for the sessions on 13 January, which are tailored towards larger corporate law firms.
Wednesday 13 January 2010 – The Law Society, Central London
http://services.lawsociety.org.uk/events/node/51334
Tuesday 19 January 2010 – The Ramada Ealing, Middlesex.
Places are still available for both sessions on 19 January. Click on the link below to book your place.
http://services.lawsociety.org.uk/events/node/51333
Civil Legal Aid Tendering Roadshows – Monday 1 and 8 February – 5-7pm
The Law Society is running a series of free Legal Aid roadshows to update legal aid lawyers on :
- the new contract terms
- the tendering process and how bids will be distinguished
- the new family fees scheme
- the latest news in relation to the LSC
The speaker will be Richard Miller, Head of Legal at the Law Society. Richard qualified as a solicitor in 1992 and practised for eight years in a small legal aid firm in north Kent. His work included family, general civil and welfare benefits cases. In 2000 he became Director of the Legal Aid Practitioners Group. In this role he was responsible for drafting the Group’s responses to consultations and developing its services for members. He was also one of the joint creators of the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards. In 2007 he became the Law Society’s Head of Legal Aid. He is currently responsible for leading the Society’s work on the terms of the new legal aid contracts, virtual courts, very high cost cases, family graduated fees, quality assurance for advocates, key performance indicators and best value tendering.
Two sessions ( 2 CPD points) will be held in Greater London at the Law Society on:
Monday 1 February 5.00 – 7.00 (registration from 4.30pm)
http://services.lawsociety.org.uk/events/node/52095
Monday 8 February 5.00 – 7.00 ( registration from 4.30pm)
Registration and refreshments at 4.30pm. Roadshows will run from 5pm to 7pm
http://services.lawsociety.org.uk/events/node/52098
We expect demand for places to be high, so book now to secure your place. Please email regionalsupport@lawsociety.org.uk
Anti-Money Laundering training ( AML)
The Law Society is running a series of free Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO) groups, in association with 192business and Accuity. These events, for MLROs in law practices, their deputies and compliance staff are free. They are designed to facilitate discussion between local law practices about the challenges of anti-money laundering ( ASL) compliance and to enable sharing of good practice. Numbers are limited, so please book early to secure your place.
There are 4 sessions in Greater London. Those on 27 January and 10 February are already fully booked, but there are places available on
2 February in West London at Regent’s College and on
9 February in South London at London South Bank University.
All bookings and confirmations are by email, using the link below
http://services.lawsociety.org.uk/events/mlro
Civil Justice Section Annual Conference – 23 February 2010
The Civil Justice Section ( formerly the Dispute Resolution Section) is pleased to announce its 2010 annual conference. This is for all who are involved and active in dispute resolution, including civil litigators, mediators and arbitrators.This is an unmissable opportunity to hear first hand the results of the Jackson Review, when Lord Justice Jackson gives the keynote address. Plenary session topics and speakers include:
- Howard Grand, Senior Solicitor, Aviva Legal Services
- Impact on commercial cases – Simon Davis, Ciffford Chance
- Case costs management and IT implications – Tony Guise, Guise.
- Effect on Personal Injury cases – a claimant’s perspective – Simon Allen, Russell, Jones & Walker
- Impact on litigation funding options – David Greene, Edwin Coe LLPWill the cost wars be over – if not, why not? – Nicholas Bacon, barrister, 4 New Square
- Impact on dispute resolution in consumer cases – a defendant’s perspective – Stephen Mayson, Chair , Civil Justice Committee.
For full details and to book, use the link below
http://services.lawsociety.org.uk/events/node/52046
Law Society News
Please see below for information on recent Law Society news since the last report. This is not an exhaustive list and further information can be found on the Law Society website
VAT change: updated practice note – Thursday 17 December
The Law Society’s Practice Advice Service has updated its practice notes in advance of the return of the VAT rate to 17.5% on 1 January 2010. They advise on charging the correct rate of VAT on the services you make both before and after 1 January and how to deal with those services that you started before, but completed after the rate change.
http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/productsandservices/practicenotes/vatchange.page
New dates for crime contract applications – Wednesday 23 December
Following the recent announcement made by the Ministry of Justice, current plans for best value tendering will not go ahead. As a result, there will now be a single application process for all firms who wish to undertake criminal defence work in any CJS area of England and Wales.
Every firm wishing to renew or apply for a legal aid contract for criminal work will need to submit an online application, referred to as a tender. The timetable for applications for a 2010 Standard Crime Contract applicable to all CJS areas is:
Tender opens at: 16.00 on Monday 15 February 2010 and closes at 16.00 on Friday 12 March. Any firm that misses the deadline will not be able to conduct legally aided criminal defence work after July 2010, when current contracts expire.
The LSC has with drawn all previous draft tender documents from its website. These will be amended to remove BVT information and re- published on the LSC website when the application process opens on 15 February. It is vital that all firms familiarise themselves with the documentation before they submit their application.
Please send any queries to the LSC at: 2010crime@legalservices.gov.uk
Financial Management Training from the LSC
The LSC is offering free online training in financial management to all legal aid firms – both civil and criminal. The Law Society strongly urges firms to take advantage of this training before submitting their contract applications. Find out more at: www.lawsociety.org.uk/defendinglegalaid
Morag Goldfinch
Regional Manager, Greater London
Greater London Regional Office
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