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4 Manchester Law Society News
News from Bridge Street Forthcoming Events
Letter from the President of the Law Society Newly Qualified Solicitors Conference
Dear President The transition from Trainee Solicitor to Newly Qualified can be a daunting
Re: Court closure consultation one. Join us at the Newly Qualified Solicitors Conference to make sure you
are prepared to start your new role with a bang.
I am sure you will be aware that the Ministry of Justice is consulting on the proposed clo-
sure of 91 courts and tribunals and the integration or merger of 31 more. What is expected of a newly qualified solicitor?
Billing, hitting targets and what happens when you go on holiday?
Courts in the North West Developing your reputation and profile
How do you advance and develop your career?
Accrington County Court
Accrington Magistrates’ Court
Bolton County Court and Family Court When: 10th September 2015
Bury Magistrates’ Court and County Court Where: BPP Law School, St James’s Building, 79 Oxford Street, Manchester
Kendal Magistrates’ Court and County Court M1 6FQ
Macclesfield County Court Cost to attend: Members of MLS or MTSG £50.00 + VAT (£60.00) Non-mem-
Macclesfield Magistrates’ Court bers £75.00 + VAT (£90.00)
Oldham County Court
Oldham Magistrates’ Court
Ormskirk Magistrates’ Court and Family Court Management Conference
Runcorn (Halton) Magistrates’ Court Your law firm is a business…….management really matters!
St Helens Magistrates’ Court and County Court
Stockport Magistrates’ Court and County Court
Tameside County Court Tuesday 6th October 2015
Trafford Magistrates’ Court and Altrincham County Court The Hilton Hotel, Deansgate, Manchester – CPD: 6
Warrington County Court Cost to attend: MLS Members £110.00 + VAT (£132.00) Non Members
West Cumbria Magistrates’ Court and County Court £150.00 + VAT (£180.00)
I shall be grateful if you will draw these proposals to the attention of your members. I The conference for managing partners, senior partners, rain-makers and
hope that as many societies as possible will be able to respond. The final date for consul- staff line managers for Business Development, Finance and IT
tation responses is 8 October. I know that this may be difficult because of the holiday pe-
riod but I am sure that you will agree that it is very important that the profession shares More than ever law firms face the challenges of becoming businesses to
its knowledge and expertise on this matter with the Ministry of Justice.
survive and thrive. Strategy, planning and accountabilities rather than token
When you respond to the consultation, it is worth bearing in mind that the Ministry will responsibility is essential.
be particularly keen to hear about the way the closures will affect your clients and their
ability to access justice. In addition, where members have submitted criminal legal aid This conference is designed to address many of the key issues in a prag-
tenders which may be affected by the closures, please encourage members to highlight matic way so with the right commitment and desire delegates can make ex-
the likely impact. tremely good use of its content in moving their firm forward. We have much
less to fear and much more to gain by getting management basics right.
There may be closures which will be sensible and may assist clients, particularly if there
are efficiencies to be gained. For example, you may know of local civic buildings which
might be used for temporary or ‘pop-up’ facilities; proposing flexible use of current facili- Employment Law Conference
ties may assist in constructing an argument for local provision. Clearly, if monies can be
spent on funding the services of solicitors rather than the court estate this should be
highlighted. 8th October 2015 CPD: 3.5 hours
The Midland Hotel, 16 Peter Street, Manchester M60 2DS
I would also recommend identifying the differences between areas of work so, for exam- Cost to attend: MLS Members £55.00 + VAT (£66.00) Non-members £80.00 +
ple, there may be a greater justification for keeping provision of a family court in one geo- VAT (£96.00)
graphical area as opposed to a combined court centre.
The Law Society will of course be compiling a response. In order to assist, please do share Join us for the ever popular Manchester Law Society Employment Law Con-
your response with us. ference with its mixture of presentations and interactive workshops.
If you have immediate observations please send your comments to The Law Society’s Judge David Franey will give a keynote address with an overview of the cur-
dedicated inbox [email protected] rent landscape in the sector. Hear how early conciliation is working 18
months on from Peter Monaghan, ACAS Area Director for the North West of
Yours sincerely,
Jonathan Smithers England. With workshops on unilateral variation of contracts, whistleblow-
President ing and restrictive covenants this is a conference not to miss.
[email protected]
Family Law Debate
Dispute Resolution – Yes or No?
Law Society Excellence
It’s an ongoing debate….where do you stand?
Awards Manchester Law Society intends to explore both sides of the argument by
inviting you to attend our Family Law Debate, kindly hosted by Exchange
Chambers. Facilitated by Judith Fordham, one team will present their case
A number of Manchester firms and individuals have been ‘for’ dispute resolution and another team will then discuss why they are in
shortlisted in the Law Society Excellence Awards, please the ‘against’ camp. There will be an opportunity for questions, and following
visit for the full shortlist the debate there will be nibbles and networking. An interesting evening not
to be missed!
http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/support-services/events- Date: Tuesday 13th October 2015
training/excellence-awards/shortlist/ Venue: Exchange Chambers, 5th Floor, 201 Deansgate, Manchester
Time: Registration 5.30pm – 6.00pm Debate – 6.00pm – 7.00pm
Nibbles & Networking from 7.00pm-8.00pm
The winners will be announced on 22 October at the Law Cost to attend: Members of MLS £15.00 + VAT, Non Members £20.00 + VAT
Society Excellence Awards ceremony, which will be held at
The Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, London. To book any of the above courses or for further information
please email [email protected]
