LondonLawyer WHLS Summer Roundup
International Committee Updates
WHLS Summer Drinks 2025
Surviving the SQE
Time-saving solutions for busy solicitors
Clio makes running your firm, organising your cases, and collaborating with clients from one place possible.
• Simplify your workload: Manage cases, clients, and billing in one place.
• Save time: Automate admin tasks and focus on billable work.
• Stay connected: Access your practice anytime, anywhere.
• Boost performance: Leverage analytics and reports to enhance your practice.
Clio has revolutionised our practice. Billing that once took hours, now takes minutes. It took us far too long to find the case management software that fit our needs and now that we have, we’re not going anywhere..
SHAINUL KASSAM Firm Owner, Fortune Law
PUBLISHER
Ian Fletcher
Benham Publishing Limited
Aintree Building, Aintree Way,
Aintree Business Park, Liverpool L9 5AQ
Tel: 0151 236 4141
Fax: 0151 236 0440
Email: admin@benhampublishing.com
Web: www.benhampublishing.com
ACCOUNTS DIRECTOR
Joanne Casey
SALES MANAGER
Catherine McCarthy
STUDIO MANAGER
John Barry
MEDIA No.
2108
PUBLISHED
Summer 2025 © Benham Publishing Ltd.
LEGAL NOTICE
© Benham Publishing Limited.
None of the editorial or photographs may be reproduced without prior written permission from the publishers. Benham Publishing would like to point out that all editorial comment and articles are the responsibility of the originators and may or may not reflect the opinions of Benham Media. No responsibility can be accepted for any inaccuracies that may occur, correct at time of going to press. Benham Publishing cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in web or email links supplied to us.
DISCLAIMER
All views expressed in this publication are the views of the individual writers and not the society unless specifically stated to be otherwise. All statements as to the law are for discussion between members and should not be relied upon as an accurate statement of the law, are of a general nature and do not constitute advice in any particular case or circumstance.
Members of the public should not seek to rely on anything published in this magazine in court but seek qualified Legal Advice.
COVER INFORMATION
Photo: Image by N R on Unsplash
7th November 2025
For the Autumn 2025 edition
Advertising
Anyone wishing to advertise in Central London Lawyer please contact Catherine McCarthy before the copy deadline. 0151 236 4141 catherine@benhampublishing.com
Editorial
Members wishing to submit editorial please send to:
Editor in Chief: Kene Onyeka Allison. Co-Editor-in-Chief: Anita Winsome
Editorial Board: Anita Winsome, Sarah Bradd and Ella Atkins.
dyedurham.co.uk
The President’s Foreword
SUMMER 2025
Welcome to our (looking back at) summer edition of Central London Lawyer magazine, and what a summer it was for WHLS!
We had an incredible two days with our colleagues from the European Bar Federation at our Legal Links London event in June. It was a pleasure to welcome them all and it was a wonderful reminder that 'more unites us than divides us'. You can read more about the event on page 12. Thank you to our international sub-committee for their hard work on arranging such a successful occasion. They have also been busy with their series of international legal evenings, as Marta Sanchez Merino describes on page 18.
In July we held our annual summer party, which was a great evening of conversation, networking and catching up as Ella Atkins describes on page 14. Thank you to our hosts Barbie Green and our generous sponsors, No. 5 chambers. As always with these events, getting everyone together led to fresh ideas for future collaborations. Watch this space for future events already in the planning.
Amongst these flagship events we also supported the London Legal Support Trust at the London Legal Walk and held an online coaching session with Executive Coach, Lisa Lazell, which had us all thinking about our inner chimps!
Now our minds have turned to our annual dinner which is booked for Thursday 2 October at the House of Lords. Not surprisingly when we are in such a historic and beautiful venue our tickets sell out quickly so do buy yours as soon as you can. For details please see the advert on page 7.
I would like to end with a call out to everyone reading our magazine - do let us know if there is anything you would like to see from us that we are not already doing or if you would like to
Nicola Wainwright
get involved with, or support, Westminster & Holborn Law Society. We currently have some sub-committee vacancies which are a great way to get involved with your local legal community, raise your profile, diversify your skills and makes new connections. What’s not to like?
Finally, my thanks as always to the amazing Central London Lawyer editorial team.
Kind Regards.
Nicola Wainwright President Westminster & Holborn Law Society
“Now our minds have turned to our annual dinner which is booked for Thursday 2 October at the House of Lords. Not surprisingly when we are in such a historic and beautiful venue our tickets sell out quickly so do buy yours as soon as you can.”
WHLS OFFICERS
Nicola Wainwright President
Nicola Wainwright is a specialist clinical negligence solicitor with more than 20 years’ experience. She is a Partner and Head of Clinical Negligence-London at JMW Solicitors LLP. Nicola specialises exclusively in clinical negligence claims for patients arising from medical treatment that has gone wrong, or from a failure to provide medical treatment. She has expertise in a wide range of claims, but particularly those that are complex or that result in severe, life changing injuries.
Nicola has been ranked in Chambers & Partners legal directory for 14 years and has been described as a ‘highly experienced lawyer who achieves great results’ for clients. Clients describe her as ‘incredibly empathetic and understanding’ and as ‘having great communication skills’. Nicola qualified as a solicitor in 1997 after training with Pictons. She specialised in personal injury and clinical negligence at Davies & Partners, Birmingham before joining Leigh Day in 2000, since when she has specialised exclusively in clinical negligence. She was at Leigh Day for 20 years before joining JMW.
Nicola is a member of the Law Society Clinical Negligence Accreditation Panel and an Association of Personal Injury (APIL) Senior Litigator. Nicola sits on the Westminster & Holborn Law Society CSR and Pro-Bono Committee. She is also a member of FOCIS (Forum of Complex Injury Solicitors), and the Association of Women Solicitors, London (AWSL).
Suzanna Eames Deputy Vice President
Suzanne is an Associate at Farrer & Co specialising in a broad range of private family law matters, including divorce, complex financial remedy cases, children matters, financial claims to support a child, jurisdictional disputes and pre-nuptial agreements. Suzanna was previously DVP of WHLS in 2020/2021 and is looking forward to getting stuck back into the Society again. In 2021 – 2022, Suzanna was the Chair of the Junior Lawyers Division of the Law Society.
Amanda Lathia Co-Deputy Vice President
Amanda is an Associate at TWM Solicitors specialising in commercial and company law matters. In 2012, she decided to study law (Graduate Diploma of Law and the LPC) part-time to fit in around her two young children and qualified as a solicitor in 2018. On qualification, Amanda joined a firm in Lincoln’s Inn and became a member of WHLS. She immediately joined the JLD committee and was co-Chair of the JLD from 2022 to 2024. In her spare time, Amanda is a keen musician, is currently learning the bass guitar and performing with a band.
Aneesha Bhunjun Co-Deputy Vice President
In her practice as a digital dispute resolution specialist, Aneesha assists in resolving disputes both in England & Wales and internationally, specialising in contested wills, probate, property, faith and estate planning. Her passion for mediation and conflict resolution underpins her work, and she is dedicated to helping parties find constructive solutions to complex challenges. Aneesha also focuses on advancing critical areas such as AI regulation and women’s rights in the judiciary, advocating for ethical practices and greater equity in the legal system. She is excited to channel this expertise into her work with the WHLS, supporting its members and the wider legal community.
Kene Onyeka Allison Editor in Chief
Kene is an in-house solicitor at Mizuho International plc, a Japanese investment bank. She is dual-qualified in England & Wales and Nigeria. Her areas of specialisation are Debt Capital Markets and Derivatives. She volunteers in different capacities with different organisations with the aim of improving ethnic and minority diversity.
Anita Winsome Co-Editor in Chief
Anita completed her LLM specialising in Comparative & International Dispute Resolution from Queen Mary University of London. She is a recipient of the SEED (Student Enhanced Engagement & Development) Award 2023 from the Humanities & Social Sciences department, QMUL. Her interests include domestic & international arbitration, competition law & intellectual property rights. She is a qualified lawyer in India and a licensed member (Advocate) of the Bar Council. Her favourite pastime activities include discovering beautiful cafes, exploring museums, and strolling around the royal parks near South Kensington.
Philip Henson Immediate Past President
Philip Henson is a Council Member of the Law Society of England and Wales. Outside of a busy work and active family life, Phil also produces award winning short films. He has recently finished a script for a dark comedy called Viking Funeral which is in pre-production. He is also a jury member of the British Short Film awards, and is also developing several children’s story books which are at various stages of development.
WHLS EDITORIAL TEAM
Kene Onyeka Allison
Kene is an in-house solicitor at Mizuho International plc, a Japanese investment bank. She is dual-qualified in England & Wales and Nigeria. Her areas of specialisation are Debt Capital Markets and Derivatives. She volunteers in different capacities with different organisations with the aim of improving ethnic and minority diversity.
Sarah Bradd
Sarah is a current trainee at Charles Russell Speechlys and has been a member of CWHLS since 2019. She enjoys contributing to the Central London Lawyer magazine and assisting the editorial team. In her free time, Sarah enjoys going on holiday to explore new places, eating at restaurants and watching films at the cinema.
Anita Winsome
Anita completed her LLM specialising in Comparative & International Dispute Resolution from Queen Mary University of London. She is a recipient of the SEED (Student Enhanced Engagement & Development) Award 2023 from the Humanities & Social Sciences department, QMUL. Her interests include domestic & international arbitration, competition law & intellectual property rights. She is a qualified lawyer in India and a licensed member (Advocate) of the Bar Council. Her favourite pastime activities include discovering beautiful cafes, exploring museums, and strolling around the royal parks near South Kensington.
Ella Atkins
Ella is currently an Associate at a PR and public affairs agency in London. A graduate of the University of Bristol, she has gained experience across the legal and policy sectors, having completed placements at DLA Piper, Dixon Ward Solicitors, and the Centre for Social Justice think tank. In addition, Ella is also a producer of Politics Inside Out, a podcast that lifts the lid on how Westminster really works.
Want to feature in Central London Lawyer?
To advertise in Central London Lawyer, please call Catherine McCarthy our Business Features Editor on 0151 236 4141 or email catherine@benhampublishing.com
International Committee Update
The International Committee had a busy time as we hosted lawyers from across Europe during June. We were delighted by the response from members wanting to meet them, both at the lunch in Middle Temple and for the evening dinner. Particular thanks to Eleni Nicolaou from Greenwoods for hosting at her firm Greenwoods. You can read more about the event in the article by Alex Kowalska and Sara Chandler.
Thanks to Marta Sánchez Merino, our international legal evenings have continued, and Marta outlines the most recent, where there was a discussion on the challenges of studying the SQE as a foreign lawyer whilst in full-time work.
There are changes to the committee as we say goodbye to Jessica Bennett who has helped organise our magazine contributions. Good luck with all your future plans Jessica. Below we introduce new member Lizzette and returning member Olivia.
New Faces at the Committee
Olivia Longrigg
We welcome back Olivia Longrigg, a longstanding member of the International Committee, from maternity leave. Olivia is a specialist family law practitioner at Forsters LLP. She says that her time away offered a valuable opportunity to reflect on the importance and practicalities of family life and relationships –both personally and professionally – and how best to support clients with sensitivity and care. It also marked the beginning of a new chapter, bringing a renewed sense of purpose and a fresh perspective to her work in family law.
Olivia will continue to support our international outreach as a German speaker. Having lived and worked in Germany during her year abroad at University, she values the opportunity to build connections across borders and promote collaboration between legal professions in different jurisdictions. This work also complements her practice, where she enjoys advising German-speaking clients navigating family law issues in England and Wales.
Olivia is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead, both in her family law practice and through her involvement with the Society. Her return marks not simply a continuation of her career, but a chance to refocus on what matters to her the most: guiding clients with empathy and clarity through the challenges and complexities of relationship and family breakdown. ■
Olivia Longrigg & daughter
Lizzette Robleto de Howarth
We are also very pleased to have a new member joining the committee, Lizzette Robleto de Howarth, a Senior Lecturer at The University of Law. She is a Birkbeck PhD candidate and her thesis entitled “A Clash Among Unequals” focuses on the tensions between international law, international economic law, and foreign policy in the power dynamics at global level.
She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and the Chartered Management Institute, a Senior Member of the Inter-American Bar Association, and a Member of the Honourable Society of Inner Temple. In 2022. She was awarded the 2022 Rule of Law Award for her contribution to advancing the rule of law. In 2023, she was shortlisted for the Justitia Award for her work on gender equality in the legal profession.
Lizzette’s stellar career includes working as Chief Programmes Officer at Advocates for International Development (A4ID) and as International Programmes Manager at the Law Society of England and Wales. She has over 24 years of combined experience in international development, the legal sector, and academia, working on areas such as capacity building, policy, research, advocacy, and fundraising at global level. She has also published several articles and reports on topics such as gender equality, human rights, governance, and environment. She says “I am passionate about promoting the rule of law, social justice, diversity, and inclusion in the legal profession and beyond.” ■
Coral Hill
We are delighted that committee member Dr Eunice Shang-Simpson has been inaugurated as the President of the Kent Law Society.
Sara Chandler was awarded a lifetime achievement award by Modern Law Awards
For future events, please keep an eye on LinkedIn and /or the website where the international committee posts upcoming events. ■
L to R Wildon Kaplan, Sara Chandler
Building Bridges in Law: Legal Links London 2025
From 5th to 7th June 2025 London became the meeting point for legal minds from across the globe at Legal Links London, an international gathering of lawyers organised by the International Committee of Westminster & Holborn Law Society.
We were honoured to host delegations from European Bar Associations including The European Bars Federation (FBE) and Bar Associations from Cluj, Bilbao, Murcia, Palermo, Cracow, Gdańsk and Vienna.
The event was not only about engaging discussions and exchanging experiences, but also about deepening the understanding of Common Law. One of the highlights was an engaging quiz led by Lizzette Robleto de Howarth from the University of Law and hosted by Dawson Cornwell. The quiz covered the English legal system and culture, as well as more specialised legal topics.
The learning experience extended far beyond theory. Delegates explored the inner workings of the English legal system through a diverse and enriching programme: visits to The Old Bailey (Central Criminal Court), the Royal Courts of Justice, the Law Society and The Middle Temple, along with meetings with barristers in their chambers. Outside the courtrooms and historic buildings, members of the committee also gave our guests a tour
of Legal London, allowing them to experience the city’s charm and atmosphere first-hand. We also visited Greenwoods Legal LLP and listened to a presentation about the firm's international practice and Church Court Chambers where our guests learnt more about the life of English barristers.
On the final day delegates visited the Sir John Soane’s Museum in Lincoln's Inn Fields and viewed the extraordinary collection including antiquities, furniture, sculptures, architectural models and drawings, and paintings including work by Hogarth, Turner and Canaletto. The group then relaxed in the gardens of the Inns and later sailed down the Thames to Greenwich, where they had a traditional fish and chips lunch.
The invaluable connections established and the knowledge exchanged have created a solid foundation for ongoing collaboration between our bars. The International Committee is excited about the forthcoming events and looks forward to continuing to create meaningful experiences together.
The organising committee: Coral Hill, Professor Sara Chandler KC (Hon), Alex Kowalska, Marta Sánchez Merino, Julia Splavska ■
By Professor Sara Chandler KC (Hon) and Alex Kowalska
Building Bridges in Law: Legal Links London 2025
WHLS Summer Drinks 2025
Thank you to everyone who joined us for this year’s Westminster and Holborn Law Society Summer Drinks at Barbie Green, set within the historic London Wall Place. It was a fantastic evening of conversation, networking and catching up with colleagues and friends.
Thank you to our sponsor, No5 Barristers’ Chambers, to the WHLS committee for organising, and to the team at Barbie Green for their excellent hospitality. Guests also heard from our President, Nicola Wainwright, who reflected on members’ recent achievements and discussed the exciting opportunities ahead for the Society.
We hope you enjoy the rest of the summer and look forward to catching up at our next events. Please keep an eye on our socials for details. ■
Ella Atkins WHLS Editorial Board Member
WHLS Summer Drinks 2025
“Thank you to our sponsor, No5 Barristers’ Chambers, to the WHLS committee for organising, and to the team at Barbie Green for their excellent hospitality.”
WHLS Summer Drinks 2025
Andrew Acquier FRICS FNAVA
CHARTERED ARTS SURVEYOR
Andrew Acquier FRICS FNAVA has been working as an independent valuer since 1982, specialising in fine art and antiques Instructions for probate, divorce settlement, tax/asset and insurance valuations as well as expert witness work are regularly received from solicitors and other professionals.
Andrew has many years experience of compiling reports for litigious cases, several of which have necessitated a subsequent court appearance as an expert witness to argue quantum Divorce valuations are a specialit y, usually as Single Joint Expert. Work is carried out throughout the UK and abroad
23 York Street
Broadstairs Kent CT10 1PB
Tel: 0207 353 6440
Mobile: 07760 768 416
Email: andrew@andrewacquier co uk
Website: ww w.andrewacquier.co.uk
Surviving the SQE while working full-time
On 28 June 2025 at Irwin Mitchell LLP, something quietly powerful happened. A room full of internationally qualified lawyers sat down and got real about what it actually takes to pass the SQE while holding down a full-time job.
This was the latest session in our International Legal Evenings series, hosted by the Westminster & Holborn Law Society’s International Committee, a series I’m proud to lead. And this particular topic is one I wish had been spoken about more openly when I was going through it myself.
As I always say, passing the SQE isn’t just about learning English law. For foreign-qualified lawyers, it’s about managing time, switching between legal systems, learning new terminology, and trying to stay afloat while your identity as a lawyer is quietly being reshaped.
Our brilliant speakers — Hugo Bittencourt (Irwin Mitchell), Milly van Beyere (Geldards LLP) and Rhea Yu (Thornhill Legal)— didn’t hold back. They shared the highs and lows of the journey: burnout, time management, mental health, failed attempts, and the odd “what am I doing?” moment. Some found comfort in socialising. Others in complete isolation. And all of them reminded us that the SQE is not just an exam, it’s a test of resilience.
But the message was clear: it can be done. And no one should do it alone.
Lawyers cross-qualifying via the SQE bring more than just dual legal knowledge, they offer a depth of experience and perspective that rarely shows up on a CV. Many of us have trained in another system, adapted to a new legal and cultural environment, and balanced study with full-time work, often in a second language. If you're hiring, mentoring, or walking this path yourself, pay attention: the SQE is shaping a generation of cross-border lawyers who are as tough as they are talented.
Thank you to Irwin Mitchell for hosting us so warmly. And to every reader — let’s keep the conversation going. Let’s keep embracing the complexity, the humanity, and the brilliance of practising law across borders! ■
By Marta Sánchez Merino
“A room full of internationally qualified lawyers sat down and got real about what it actually takes to pass the SQE while holding down a full-time job.”
Providing tailored solutions for the investigation of incidents involving road users of all types
Chris Cotterill
Acting as a trusted partner to review and advise on your company’s insurance risks and insurance requirements. Working with you to offer your clients a dynamic professional service.
Email: chris.cotterill@konsileo.com
Insurance Experience & Service Offer
I have 18 years industry experience with extensive knowledge of several insurance products listed below to name but a few, this list is not extensive.
• Professional Indemnity
• Cyber Liability
• Executor & Inheritance Insurance
• Office Insurance
• Management Liability
• Restrictive Covenants
• Group Healthcare
• Group Travel Insurance
Having experienced working for global companies and independent brokers. I bring the experience of working on complicated projects and offer that personal service as a specialist in this industry.
Solicitors Industry Experience
I have partnered with law firms as new startups and firms with over 100 years of experience. As well as the important Profesional Indemnity renewal. I willl work with the firms’ departments to promote risk management solutions such as;
• Cyber risk training and awareness.
• Provide insurance solutions for your commercial clients.
• Risk Management Services with The Strategic Partnership.
• Promote Executor & Inheritance insurance to reduce Probate claims on the Professional Indemnity insurance.
• Proud to sponsor local law societies.
• Working with law firms during mergers and acquisitions.
• Provide pro active claims services for all the policies we provide. 1 claim may trigger more than 1 policy.
www.konsileo.com
Insurance News
We have heard about the M&S cyber-attack and even the Legal Aid Agency have suffered a ‘security incident! Supply chain attacks can have devastating consequences, particularly for law firms who handle sensitive client information.
Fraudsters are bypassing MFA, Microsoft 365 is not configured correctly, cloud suppliers being targeted so fraudsters can re-configure customers firewalls! these are but a few of the things I am seeing within insurance claims.
To address these challenges, partnering with experts who specialise in supply chain risk mitigation can be highly beneficial. These partners can deliver tailored programmes that focus on identifying and addressing vulnerabilities within your supply chain, ensuring that your firm is better protected against potential cyber threats.
Cyber Insurance is there as a last resort. Working with Hubtel IT, we are teaming up, to provide proactive risk mitigation services alongside our insurance proposition. They will work alongside your current IT provider to add in that additional layer of security.
Hubtel IT is a leading Managed Service Provider specialising in proactive cyber security for businesses. They deploy robust defence controls, implement tailored security solutions, and conduct regular vulnerability testing to mitigate cyber threat exposure. Their strategic approach ensures compliance, resilience, and peace of mind so you can focus on running your business, knowing your data is secure.
Contact me for further details and see how we can help your firm be protected. ■
Solicitors under pressure:
The Solicitors’ Charity Big Report shows threefold rise in demand for support
A new report by The Solicitors’ Charity paints a stark picture of the profession’s growing mental health and financial struggles, with a threefold increase in requests for support from solicitors across England and Wales.
The Big Report 2024, just published by the charity, reveals that more solicitors than ever before are reaching out for help –particularly for emotional wellbeing. Referrals for professional mental health support soared by 178% last year, reflecting the intense pressures faced by those in the legal sector.
Solicitors grappling with burnout, long-term illness, redundancy, and the rising cost of living made up the majority of those seeking support. The charity’s work in 2024 focused not only on emergency relief, but on helping individuals become self-supporting once more through a range of wellbeing services.
Financial wellbeing support also surged, with a 60% year-onyear increase in demand. Many solicitors approached the charity due to growing debt, mental health difficulties, or physical health challenges.
A safety net for the profession
£1.17m was paid out as grants for support through expert partners and in direct financial support by The Solicitors’ Charity. The Big Report shows £896,000 of debt being written off for solicitors seeking help thanks to the charity’s partnership with personal budgeting and debt advice service, Pennysmart.
Further support included:
• 178% increase in referrals for emotional wellbeing services
• 110 people referred for debt, benefits, and money advice
• A doubling in the number of solicitors accessing funded career coaching through Renovo
Nick Gallagher, CEO of The Solicitors’ Charity, emphasised the growing need for a united approach across the legal sector:
“Another year has passed – and once again, it’s been far from easy for many working in the legal profession. The surge in emotional support referrals shows just how deeply many solicitors are struggling.
“Our role as a safety net is more vital than ever. What’s clearly needed is a more compassionate, collaborative, and connected profession – one that takes care of its people as much as it does clients and consumers.”
Reaching every solicitor in need
“We must reach every solicitor who needs help. We’re asking firms and institutions to play an active role and to support us in making sure no one slips through the cracks.”
The report also highlighted changing demographics among those seeking help. More younger solicitors are now coming forward, and 68% of supported clients identified as having a disability – far above the rate in the wider population.
Real people, real impact
One client, Nina*, said the charity’s intervention was life-changing: “The Solicitors’ Charity was a lifesaver. My levels of stress were high, so finding the charity was a Godsend and knowing it would help lifted a huge weight from me.”
A Case Manager from the Wellbeing & Grants Team added: “The support we offer is a real lifeline. It validates the role of The Solicitors’ Charity as a critical safety net for the profession.”
A holistic approach to wellbeing
• Emotional support: Through providers like Onebright and Lawsight, solicitors access assessments and funded psychotherapy. The charity also part-funds LawCare, the mental health charity for the legal sector.
• Financial advice: Partners like CAM and Pennysmart help solicitors with budgeting, benefits, and practical money management.
• Career coaching: Through Renovo, solicitors receive tailored career support, whether they’re returning from leave, facing redundancy, or considering a career pivot.
• Physical support: Working with The OT Practice, the charity funds occupational health assessments to help individuals adapt to life with illness or disability.
Focus on London
As in previous years, a fifth of individuals and their families helped by The Solicitors’ Charity had addresses with a London postcode.
Play your part
As demand continues to rise in 2025, The Solicitors’ Charity is calling on firms, individuals, suppliers and legal institutions to get involved. Financial donations, including unclaimed client balances (RCBs), and awareness campaigns can make a significant difference.
Read the full Big Report 2024: https://thesolicitorscharity.org/bigreport/
*Name changed to protect the client’s identity.
more information visit our website at: dogstrust.org.uk/support-us/wills-legacies T: 020 7837 0006
Beyond the Software: Colin Bohanna Talks About Empowering Legal Professionals Through Tech
“Customer-First
Dye & Durham has appointed Colin Bohanna as its new UK Managing Director, ushering in a new era of regional focus and customer-centricity for one of the country’s leading legal technology providers.
With over 20 years’ experience spanning Oracle, Indeed, Clio and mentoring several high-growth startups, Colin brings a rare mix of commercial acumen and leadership depth to the role. His appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Dye & Durham as it moves to a regional operating model that reflects the unique needs of the UK legal sector and unifies its extensive portfolio of acquired technology and service brands.
“This is a business with an incredible foundation,” Colin says. “We’ve brought together some of the UK’s most respected tech and service providers. Now we have the opportunity to deliver all of that experience, knowledge and innovation under one brand and that’s a very strong proposition. It’s one I’m really proud to lead.”
Since joining, Colin has focused on operational efficiency and customer experience. The introduction of a centralised support system has helped streamline service, drive first-contact resolution and improve consistency across the organisation, closely aligning with his priorities. The result? Faster answers, better outcomes and a stronger connection with customers.
“Customer-first isn’t just a strategy, it’s a culture,” he adds. “Everything we’re doing, from internal realignment to external engagement, is about making it easier for firms to work with us and succeed.”
Looking ahead, Colin is optimistic about the opportunities for legal professionals particularly in how they can harness innovation without losing focus on client value.
“AI is a huge conversation in the industry right now, and rightly so,” he says. “It has the potential to create big efficiency gains but it also challenges traditional business models like the billable hour, for example. What matters is how we help firms adopt it thoughtfully, making sure tools are fit for purpose, secure and genuinely improve the client experience. That’s where Dye & Durham has a real role to play.”
Outside of work, Colin is equally committed to helping others grow. He’s mentored start-up founders through Enterprise Ireland for nearly a decade, offering commercial and structural advice to early-stage businesses.
“I’ve always been very passionate about mentoring,” he explains. “Start-ups are driven by brilliant ideas, but they often need help scaling commercially. Whether it’s in business or with the teams I lead, I love supporting people to unlock their potential.”
That philosophy carries through to his home life, too. “These days, most of my spare time is spent on the sidelines watching my daughter play football,” he laughs. “There’s a lot of crossover - it’s about backing talent, creating the right environment and being there to cheer people on as they find their stride.”
Looking ahead, Colin’s vision for Dye & Durham UK is clear: a trusted, agile partner delivering practical tech that makes life easier for legal professionals. “We’re here to help firms grow faster and with less effort. That’s what we’re building and we’re already seeing great momentum.” ■
About Dye & Durham Limited Information on Dye & Durham UK can be found here: www.dyedurham.co.uk
LEAP Estates Launches 2025 Will Writing Trends Report Gifts, Charities, Exclusions and much more
LEAP Estates announces the launch of its 2025 Annual Report, offering a comprehensive snapshot of will writing activity and trends across England and Wales. The report is based on anonymised data from over 200,000 wills and more than 400,000 total documents, providing useful demographics and information relating to Estate planning, plus a range of fascinating trends. These trends include insights into charitable gifts, the frequency of branded gifts bequeathed, such as Rolex watches and Pandora jewellery, and family members excluded from Wills.
AI has a profound impact on staff productivity. Human resources are the most expensive and vital asset in any law firm. By taking over repetitive, low-value tasks like legal research, document drafting, and even matter analysis, AI allows lawyers to focus on higher-value activities that require human expertise. AI-driven research tools, for instance, sift through vast legal databases in a fraction of the time it would take a lawyer, offering comprehensive insights while reducing possible errors from lapses in human concentration.
This latest edition of the report draws on unique insights gathered through WillSuite, LEAP Estates’ key integration partner. Since its integration into LEAP Estates and LEAP Legal Software in 2023, WillSuite has generated more than 900,000 wills and 1.7 million legal documents, with approximately 7,000 new documents being drafted every week. The software enables professionals across the estate planning industry to work more efficiently by reducing duplication, minimising errors, and ultimately delivering an improved service to clients.
Craig Matthews, CEO LEAP Estates/WillSuite says,
“For the first time we’ve been able to combine data from our LEAP, LEAP Estates and WillSuite users to bring about our largest report to date. Seeing an eight-fold increase in documents produced through our combined platform in just four years is really exciting and a testament to the hard work that goes into the development and support of our products.”
The 2025 report explores a wide range of valuable facts and trends shaping the estate planning process. It covers key demographic insights, the types of trusts being included in wills, the frequency of charitable legacies and exclusions, and provides detail on funeral wishes and organ donation requests. It also highlights patterns in popular gifts and the specific brands frequently mentioned by testators. This data offers not only practical insight for the profession but also a fascinating perspective on evolving societal habits and values.
Among the most frequently gifted items in wills over the past year were cash, property, pets and chattels. Beyond these, the ten most popular specific gifts included jewellery, wedding rings, engagement rings, watches, and cars, followed by records, bonds, coins, instruments and medals.
The average mean value of a gift in 2024 was £15,138, calculated from 46,976 cash gifts included across 208,793 wills. Where specific brands were named, the most cited were Rolex, Pandora, Tag Heuer and Omega. Brands were more likely to be specified when the gifts related to jewellery or watches, whereas vehicles were typically described as “the family car”.
The LEAP Estates 2025 Annual Report offers essential insights for professionals and an engaging look at the ways people in England and Wales are planning their legacies.
To access the full report, https://www.leapestates.co.uk/ brochures/annual-report/ ■
By Craig Matthews CEO, Leap Estates/WillSuite
Be part of Pro Bono Week 2025!
Pro Bono Week takes place across the UK this year from 3 to 7 November 2025. Through events and comms it is an opportunity to recognise, showcase and discuss the voluntary contribution of the legal profession in giving free legal help to those in need.
For the latest updates follow @ProBonoWeekUK on LinkedIn Bluesky or X (Twitter)
Arrange an event
Pro Bono Week is a great time to arrange an event to promote or discuss pro bono. Many events are external occasions organised in partnership with others, while others are internal events for colleagues at an organisation. The overall theme for 2025 is “Pro Bono in Action”, with some additional subtopics:
▪ Pro bono: Stories of impact – hear from the frontline about how pro bono lawyers transform lives and support charities to make a difference in our communities and abroad.
▪ Pro bono: win-win for professional & business development – develop skills, experience and a professional network, and an asset in recruitment and retention.
▪ Pro bono: Getting involved – advice and practical steps about how to start making a difference through pro bono.
If you organise an event whether internal or external please do let us know! For help planning an event visit probonoweek.org.uk/event-plans
Share content on social media
Pro Bono Week is a perfect time to post on social media or your website about your commitment to pro bono, or to thank your volunteers, or to showcase a particular pro bono lawyer or project. #ProBonoWeek
For a toolkit & resources such as #IDoProBono posters visit probonoweek.org.uk/media-resources
Attend events in Pro Bono Week
Events you can attend are continually added to the calendar at probonoweek.org.uk/events
Sign up to do pro bono
For lawyers or organisations not yet involved in a pro bono scheme, Pro Bono Week is an opportunity to sign up, see probonoweek.org.uk/volunteering
And finally, raise dough!
Get baking with the Great Legal Bake and raise money for local advice charities
Don’t Let Your Law Firm’s Data Be Held Hostage
Why data ownership and portability should be at the heart of your legal software choices
In today’s digital-first legal landscape, case files, billing records, and sensitive client information rarely live in a filing cabinet; they’re locked inside the systems you use every day. But here’s the real question: Do you actually own that data? And if you ever need to switch software, can you get it out easily?
If that made you pause, good. You’re not alone. Far too many firms sign up to legal software without knowing what happens to their data if they ever decide to move on. So let’s break it down. Your Data. Your Rules?
Data ownership sounds obvious; you enter it, so it’s yours, right? Not always. Once data lives in a third-party system, ownership can get murky fast, especially if your contract doesn’t explicitly state your rights.
For law firms, this isn’t just an IT headache, it’s a compliance risk. Your data contains confidential client details, financials, and internal strategy. If your provider controls access, that’s a problem waiting to happen.
What to look for: Contracts should make it crystal clear that you own all data, and that you have full control over it—even if you end the relationship. Anything less? Red flag.
Portability: The Power to Move On
Even if you own your data, that doesn’t mean it’s easy to get it out. That’s where data portability comes in; the ability to export your data quickly, cleanly, and in formats that actually work elsewhere
This matters when you:
• Outgrow your current system
• Want a better fit for your growing team
• Need to back up your data independently
• Face new regulatory obligations
Without portability, your firm could be stuck in a system that no longer serves you; paying extra to retrieve data that should’ve been yours all along.
Ask yourself:
• Can you export your data easily?
• Will it work in other systems (e.g. CSV, PDF)?
• Will it cost you a fortune to do so?
• Is data transfer secure and GDPR-compliant?
If you’re not getting straight answers from your provider, it might be time to start asking tougher questions.
Switching Doesn’t Have to Be Scary
Many firms fear the pain of switching. But with the right provider (one that values transparency, offers standard export options, and supports firms during onboarding) the process doesn’t have to be a nightmare.
Look for a provider who:
• Offers free or affordable data export
• Uses open, industry-standard formats
• Has clear policies around contract termination and data return
• Is happy to talk specifics, not just sales jargon
The Bottom Line
Your data is one of your firm’s most valuable assets. You should never have to beg, bargain, or overpay to access it.
So before you renew another long-term contract or sign on the dotted line with a new vendor, ask the right questions. Understand the fine print. And make sure your firm’s future isn’t being quietly tied up in tech you can’t walk away from.
Ready to regain control of your firm’s data?
Clio gives you full ownership and secure, straightforward data portability—no strings attached. Visit Clio.com/uk to learn more. ■
CELEBRATING 1O YEARS OF DIGITAL CONVEYANCING
In 2015, InfoTrack opened its doors with a mission to make conveyancing better for everyone. A decade later, we’re proud to support over 25,000 professionals across 2,400 law firms, helping redefine how property transactions are managed.
From launching the UK’s first digital AP1 to onboarding over one million clients through eCOS, we’ve consistently delivered technology firsts that remove friction and empower law firms to work with confidence.
DISCRIMINATION IN HOUSING LAW
LEGAL ACTION GROUP
The access to justice charity
By David Renton
ESSENTIAL READING FOR HOUSING PRACTITIONERS ACTING FOR CLIENTS FACED WITH REPOSSESSION
An appreciation by Elizabeth Robson Taylor MA of Richmond Green Chambers and Phillip Taylor MBE, Head of Chambers, Reviews Editor, “The Barrister”, and Mediator
There is very little that strikes more terror in the souls of its victims than the threat of impending homelessness via the judicial processes involved, which culminate in the process of eviction.
There ought to be an erudite and readable le book about it — and there is, thanks to this very useful publication from the Legal Action Group (LAG), the access to justice charity, who are justly famed for producing legal texts accessible not only to lawyers, but to the average concerned reader. David Renton, the author, is a barrister who represents tenants and mortgage holders embroiled in possession hearings.
Published in handy paperback format, the book offers a broad and concise coverage of ‘the use of the principles of equality in housing law’ — and equally of prime importance — the duty of landlords to fulfil their duties under the general categories of fitness and repossession.
As the publishers point out, the book covers the often complex and controversial matters, for example, of council houses let by housing associations, as well as houses held in thrall either to mortgages, or long leases. It should be added that homeowners in mortgage arrears suffer the same anxieties as those who rent — hence the general and urgent need for all practitioners to be duly bound in support of clients who struggle with these and other difficulties in the housing sector.
Practitioners and clients alike coming to grips with these problems will find this book especially helpful. As a concise work of reference, it truly excels. The precise introduction points directly to the subject of the book, namely the Equality Act of 2010 and its related principles — which apply both to business premises and residential properties.
Straightforward to navigate, the book has a detailed table of contents, enabling the reader — lawyer of not — to find the necessary advice they may be looking for, and for those doing further research, the book contains extensive footnotes, plus a detailed and useful index at the back.
Note too, the particular advantage of a 30-page section of precedents — including for example, the precedent entitled ‘Case Summary Application to Set Aside Possession Order.’ Also included in this concise text are Tables of Statutes, Statutory Instruments and also a Table of European and International Legislation.
For practitioners and clients alike, this book emerges as a practical and indispensable purchase. ■
MAKING LAWFUL DECISIONS
The 2024 Standard Civil Contract and A guide for decision-makers on acting within the law
LEGAL ACTION GROUP The access to justice charity
By Victoria Butler-Cole KC and Steve Broach KC LAWYER OR NOT,
A
DECISION MAKER
NEEDS
TO KNOW THE LAW
An appreciation by Elizabeth Robson Taylor MA of Richmond Green Chambers and Phillip Taylor MBE, Head of Chambers, Reviews Editor, “The Barrister”, and Mediator
If you have found yourself — or your client — in the position of being appointed as a decision-maker over a number of issues in either the public or private sectors, you need this book, recently published by the Legal Action Group (LAG), the access to justice charity, who are justly famed for producing legal texts accessible not only to lawyers, but to the average concerned reader.
Pertinent, applicable and directly accessible to lawyers and nonlawyers alike, this book emerges as an essential guide — no doubt about that — to both the basics and the possible and probable complexities which, more often than not, are likely to emerge in the decision-making process.
With depth and clarity, a wide range of issues are discussed, with a focus on the most controversial, including for example, cases pertaining to equality and human rights. The book therefore covers a lot of ground in explaining an extensive and complex subject, with the thoroughness and clarity that makes it accessible to all decisionmakers — lawyers and non-lawyers alike.
As the LAG explains, the book’s overall aim is to ensure that “a decision-making process follows a lawful process.” And that includes, appropriately, answers to the problems of those who are aggrieved by a decision and therefore considering a complaint, or a legal challenge.
The first chapter to turn to is the ‘Checklist’ and an invaluable checklist it is. Certainly, it covers such necessities as powers, problems, evidence and much, much more, including what to do if your decision is challenged — a challenge indeed.
Certainly, this compact volume provides a treasure trove of useful resources for further research. Note the almost twenty pages of Tables of Cases plus the Table of Statutes and Statutory Instruments - and a Table of European and International Instruments. Also note the handy index, the glossary of legal terms and the extensive footnotes — indispensable if more detailed research is required — and it usually is, in so many circumstances.
“A guide for decision makers on acting within the law” is the book’s subtitle and an excellent guide it is. Any lawyer advising clients embroiled in these or similar problems should very quickly acquire a copy. ■
Access every case file in seconds, not days.
Improve efficiency and cut costs by digitising your firm’s contracts, affidavits, and court submissions.
Scan the QR code to learn more or give us a call on 0800 107 7250
