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Law Society Professional update February 2nd 2012

06.02.2012

Professional Update

2 February 2012

Society welcomes delay to civil litigation changes

The Law Society has welcomed the government's decision to defer civil litigation reforms until April 2013. We believe the current proposals to change 'no win, no fee' agreements will have a damaging effect on access to justice and serve only to benefit insurance companies.

- read our full reaction to the delay
- Is compensation culture a myth? - listen to chief executive Desmond Hudson challenge the Association of British Insurers in a BBC radio debate (at 9mins 50secs)
- civil justice changes will wreak havoc on the rights of injured victims
- read our briefings on the committee stage of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill
- overview of the proposals
- join our Civil Justice Section

Information on letterheads, emails and websites

We have updated our letterheads practice note to clarify the obligations for limited liability partnerships and companies under the SRA Code of Conduct 2011 and statute.
View the updated practice note

Chamber president vacancy

The Judicial Appointments Commission is looking to recruit a chamber president for the War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Chamber. You will be required to hear appeals from ex-service men and women relating to war pensions or compensation for physical or psychological injuries.
Application details - closing date: 22 February
Judicial appointments - Law Society support

Society scrutinises employment law legislation

The Law Society has highlighted the potentially damaging effect on workplace relations of reducing the minimum consultation periods for collective redundancies. We also believe that the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 require more clarification and guidance.
Read our response on collective redundancies
Read our response on the TUPE Regulations 2006

International women in law: survey results

Thank you to all those who completed our online survey on the issues affecting the progression of women to senior roles in the legal profession. We had over 1,000 responses and the findings will be presented at the International Women in Law Summit 2012 on Thursday 8 March.

Spread payment facility for regulatory fees

Firms renewing their regulatory fees online are able to use the Law Society endorsed programme to help spread the cost of their fees over time. The facility, operated through Syscap Ltd (formerly EB Commercial Finance), has been restructured for this year and spread over a nine month term.
Read more about the spread payment facility

Training and events

AWS returner course - 10.5 hours CPD

This two-day course is suitable for solicitors who wish to return to practice after a career break. It is run by the Law Society and the Association of Women Solicitors (AWS).
Book your place

Planning, real estate and the Localism Act - 3 hours CPD

This event will introduce you to the main planning provisions in the Localism Act and also the changes to the ways in which local planning authorities will operate.
Book your place

International private client conference - 5.5 hours CPD

This intensive course will ensure that you have all the preliminary information you require when dealing with cases involving foreign estates.
Book your place today

The new HMRC litigation and settlement strategy - 1 hour CPD

This one hour webinar is designed to help you understand the new approach to dispute resolution by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
Book your place today – 12:30 on Thursday 16 February

Membership cards available

Do you have a new Law Society membership card? The card enables you to gain entrance to the member facilities at the Law Society's Hall in Chancery Lane, and can be used as proof of your Law Society membership.
Find out how to apply

Stand out in the mediation market

Make sure you stand out in the growing mediation market by joining our Family Mediation Accreditation Scheme. The Family Justice Review recently highlighted that our family schemes 'give confidence to users’.
Find out more and join the scheme

Making the most of your membership

	Hertz is the Law Society's endorsed provider of car hire services offering five per cent off best available retail rates. Find out more
	Certainty gives your firm the opportunity to maximise the earning potential from your clients and the wills you write. Find out more