Introduction
PRESIDENT’S REPORT SPRING 2014 In my last President’s report I told you about my aim to raise the image of Hampshire Law Society. Your committee are quietly working to learn the skills of public relations and to get to know their local MPs. It will take some time to achieve noticeable results. We have had one small positive result, showing that even a Local Law Society can have some influence on policy. The Care Bill 2014 has been amended so as to permit the establishment of a Social Services Tribunal. Hampshire Law Society’s voice, added to lobbying from major organisations, helped achieve this small change in the law. Social Services Tribunals could become a major new area of work for solicitors. This year I will resume the practice of appointing a President’s Charity. This year my charity will be Solent Mind. Solent Mind helps the hundreds of people with mental health difficulties in Southern Hampshire. I am sure it has some less-fortunate solicitors among its clients One of their staff will be present at our annual dinner to introduce the charity. I hope you will dig deep in your pockets to help this worthwhile cause.
Many of the solicitors I speak to in Hampshire report that they are working hard and their practices are making money. The difficult times since 2008 have finally left us behind.
Criminal Legal Aid Practitioners will disagree that the hard times are over. They have fought the Legal Aid cuts but without any realistic prospect of success. Hampshire solicitors have played their part and the article in this newsletter by our Vice President Ian Robinson tells you what has happened locally, see page 21.
INTRO TO HILS Hampshire Law Society was incorporated in 1897 and during the past century has sought to assist solicitors in Hampshire in a variety of ways. These including the provision of educational and social events for its members, providing a means of reflecting the views of its members on both national and local issues to the Law Society, local and national government and promote the standards of solicitors and assists in the regulation of the solicitors' profession in Hampshire. More generally it seeks to
promote a better understanding in Hampshire of the work and function of the profession. These ideals have stood the test of time over the years and the Society remains an active organisation for the solicitors of Hampshire with over 600 members from Ringwood in the west, Emsworth in the east and Basingstoke in the north.
Andrew Caplen is likely to become the second Hampshire solicitor to serve as President of the Law Society of England and Wales at the AGM in Chancery Lane in July. We intend to organise a coach from Southampton to celebrate his success. I hope to see you at our annual dinner on the 22nd May and on the coach to London on 10th July, see page 20.
Simon Whipple
COMMUNICATION
In order to cut down on the number of emails you receive on a weekly basis, Hampshire Law Society are now sending out weekly enews updates. These will include links to legal issues, CPD, social events, committee activity and items of local interest. I hope you are receiving these and finding the content both more concise and useful They are sent out as follows: CPD events – Every Wednesday News and updates – Every Friday If you have any relevant content please send it to administration@hampshirelaw society.co.uk.
Hampshire Legal
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