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10 Interview

Meet Jonathan Smithers

President of the Law Society

Jonathan Smithers, sen- just announced a consulta- One of his objectives is to
ior partner at CooperBur- tion on a series of court clo- enhance the appreciation
nett in Tunbridge Wells sures and I am seeking of the role solicitors have in
was elected the 171st views from law societies up undertaking property
President of the Law Soci- and down the country on transfer, and in particular to
ety in July. the effect that these clo- highlighting solicitor’s
sures will have on the local knowledge about property
Jonathan’s involvement communities.” and the housing market.
with local law societies Jonathan has outlined Turning to human rights,
goes back to 1984, when as three main themes for the Jonathan says that the Law
an Articled Clerk he was in- coming year. Firstly, Access Society will continue to
strumental in establishing a to Justice remains a core lobby for retention of the
Trainee Solicitors Group in theme. Jonathan com- rights contained in the HRA
Tunbridge Wells. He then ments “We need to widen and continued adherence
went on to join the Tun- the conversation on Access to the European Conven-
bridge Wells, Tonbridge to Justice and explain what tion on Human Rights and
and District Law Society it really means. We have to to the rulings of the Euro-
and was the Dinner Secre- continue to lobby for

“Local law societies are the

personfication of the profession.
They are groups of like-minded

professionals, who may be
competitors, working together for the The North West Legal Support Trust (NWLST) invites you to

join us for the sponsored
greater good...”
Manchester Magna Carta

pean Court of Human
tary for 22 years becoming change to ensure that we Rights. Legal Walk
President in 2002. He was have a fair system of justice.
also a member of the Kent Continuing the work of his
Law Society, and was the Secondly, Jonathan wishes predecessor Andrew
President in 2008. to drive forward the Law Caplen, Jonathan will also on Thursday 1st October at 5:30pm
Society’s Rule of Law cam- focus on legal services and
Through his activity within paign by promoting the the armed forces as the A 10km after work walk around the sights of Manchester to raise funds to enable
local law societies, economic value to the 70th anniversary of the end local legal advice charities to help vulnerable people in desperate need of advice.
Jonathan recognises how country of the legal serv- of the Second World War
important they are to local ices market. He says “The approaches. He wants to The event presents a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the seal-
lawyers. He says “Local law rule of law is everywhere. highlight the role of the ing of the Magna Carta which includes one of the most important clauses in legal history:
societies are the personifi- Look on any high street profession in armed con- “to no one will we sell, to no one deny or delay right or justice” and will highlight the con-
cation of the profession. and there is a firm of solici- flict and those currently tinuing relevance of the Great Charter in accessing justice today.
They are groups of like- tors, who may have been serving in the Armed
minded professionals, who there for decades. The legal Forces, as well as lawyers We would be delighted for a team from North West Legal Support Trust to join us in raising
may be competitors, work- profession is integral to supporting veterans via the money for and awareness of this vitally important cause.
ing together for the greater business and the economy Armed Forces Legal Action Why we walk
good. They have a great and we need to be promot- initiative.
deal of history and some ing this. As a profession we The need for free legal advice centres has grown in the past few years. The recession has
are older than the national need to be proud of what Raised in a musical family, increased poverty and reduced support services. Meanwhile funding for the advice centres
Law Society. I recently at- we do and the Law Society Jonathan has been a mem- themselves has reduced.
tended the 200th anniver- needs to be leading the ber of the Oriana Singers
sary dinner of Plymouth way in this campaign.” Sim- for over twenty years. The We simply can’t overcome the effects of the huge reduction in government and local au-
Law Society and Kent Law ilarly Jonathan wants to choir provides cover in thority funding over the past few years.
Society is approaching this highlight the amount of Cathedrals when the regu-
landmark.” Pro Bono work undertaken lar choir are on holiday and What we can do is to ensure that many of the people most in need get the help they would
One of Jonathan’s aims this by solicitors “There are hun- have performed in over 40 otherwise have been denied.
year is to encourage dia- dreds of law firms who do English cathedrals.
logue with local law soci- pro bono work, week after Jonathan says “There are 22 The organisations we support:
eties. He adds “Some law week, not necessarily in for- of us, all from very different
societies, both large and mal schemes, and this walks of life, but the one · Prevent families being made homeless
small, are very successful needs to be recognised.” things we have in common · Prevent destitution
and vibrant, yet others is we enjoy making music · Help older people gain the support to which they are entitled
struggle to maintain mem- Jonathan’s third theme is together.” · Help women and children who have ben trafficked for domestic servitude or
bership. The size of the so- Conveyancing and Land prostitution.
ciety isn’t important, but Law. He was the Chair of Julia Baskerville Get involved
what is important is that the Society’s Conveyancing
they engage with their and Land Law Committee, All we need is the name of someone in your organisation
members. We are also look- was instrumental to the Teams can be any size. There is no registration fee.
ing to local law societies to setting up and promotion For further information visit:
assist us by providing local of CQ as well as acting as
information and evidence. the key spokesperson on http://www.lsteventregistration.org.uk/manchester-legal-walk.html
The Lord Chancellor has home-buying and selling.