to our last edition of
and it’s
with pictures. If you attended the Law Walk, Annual Dinner Awards night or the NCLS 40th Anniversary bash, you may see yourself inside! We also have details of our final events of the year, our AGM and a December drinks evening with th JLD.
As the final days of my year as President of the NNLS arrive, I wanted to take this opportunity to place on record, in writing, what I said orally at the recent annual Awards Dinner. I am so grateful for the support and encouragement that I have received during my term from the Committee, our members and the local profession. I could not have imagined as a young law student from Manchester that I might one day have the chance to represent the Norfolk legal community and it has been a true privilege. The legal profession in Norfolk should be very proud of its contribution to the community, whether that be in terms of its support of charitable initiatives, creation of jobs or advancing access to justice. The NNLS can always be proud of the part it plays in that and has played since 1843.
I wish all the very best to our next President, once duly appointed, and I will continue to support all I can as Past President. As
ever, there will be much to do – whether that be on the social front, in ensuring our members have access to the best training opportunities or in standing up for our profession at a national level, particularly in the face of ever-increasing challenges. I encourage everyone to be as active a member of the NNLS as they can be – if my year as President has taught me one thing, it is that I wish every lawyer took full advantage of what the NNLS can offer them and their firms, as we would all be the better for it
As I sign off, thank you in particular to my VP Milan Pandit, and the incredible Claire Clarke. Claire is stepping down after many years of loyal service to the NNLS as our administrator, and we are all indebted to her.
Best wishes
Kerry Read President, Norfolk
& Norwich Law Society 2025-26
Poppy’s
When Poppy’s Dog Guardian conta
• 50% of high net worth individuals have included a charitable gift in their Will
• Charitable Will Trusts and Donor Advised Funds used by one in three millionaires
• Legacy giving is more prevalent amongst millionaires with children than those without; a contrast to mass market trends
New research from Remember A Charity, the UK’s national legacy giving campaign, reveals the prevalence of charitable gifts in Wills amongst high net worth individuals (HNWIs), highlighting the opportunity for further growth.
Charitable legacies prevalent The study, commissioned by Remember A Charity and conducted by independent research firm Savanta1 , surveyed 500 people with over £1 million in investable assets. It reveals that half (50%) of millionaires have already included a charitable gift in their Will, rising to 75% for those with estates of £5 million+.
Noting that legacy giving amongst high net worth individuals may extend beyond a simple donation in a Will, the research finds that nearly one third of the group (32%) have established a charitable Will Trust, and three in ten (28%) donated using a Donor Advised Fund (DAF).
There are generous tax incentives in the UK for those who leave a charitable gift from their estate2. Donations
are tax-free and if 10% or more of the net value of the estate is donated this can reduce the Inheritance Tax rate from 40% to 36%.
Amongst those millionaires who have not included a charitable legacy in their estate plans, the large majority (58%) say they are open to doing so and just over 1 in 4 (26%) said that they simply hadn’t thought about it before. This indicates there is opportunity to engage this audience at the Willplanning stage.
Percentage gifts
Although only around one quarter of millionaires (26%) say they have prepared to leave a percentage of their estate to charity, rather than pledging a fixed sum, many more (40%) say they would be willing to donate a share of their estate. With market studies showing that around 90% of legacy income comes from residuary gifts3 and that high value estates are driving up legacy values, this demonstrates the importance and potential impact of increasing percentage gifts in this market.
Family dynamics and intestacy
In contrast to mass market trends, where child-free individuals are twice as likely as those with children to leave a charitable gift4, this study finds that – for high net worth individuals – gifts in Wills are more prevalent for those who do have children (50%) than for those who don’t (42%). This indicates that, at this level of wealth, individuals may well recognise they are able to both secure their family’s future and
provide support for charitable causes. This may also reflect the fact that intestacy tends to be higher amongst those without dependents, with 1 in 5 saying they don’t have a Will and have no plans to write one... Continues on p.22
1 Savanta / Remember A Charity, High Net Worth Legacy Study, 2025
This research on the high net worth audience was commissioned by Remember A Charity and conducted by Savanta, as part of its MillionaireVue omnibus study. The sample included 500 people with over £1 million
in investable assets (high net worth individuals). The fieldwork was carried out from February to March 2025.
2 https://www. rememberacharity.org.uk/ making-a-will/faqs-aboutwills/faqs-inheritance-tax/
3 https://144850878.fs1. hubspotusercontent-eu1. net/hubfs/144850878/ LTR/The%20Legacy%20 Giving%20Report%20 2025%20-%20Smee%20 and%20Ford%20and%20 Legacy%20Futures.pdf
4 Remember A Charity / OKO Stages of Change Benchmark Study, 2024
The research showed a surprising lack of upto-date Wills amongst a demographic that is likely to leave considerable wealth to the next generation. Only 3 in 10 (31%) of millionaires have an up-to-date Will, and over one third (35%) of those aged 55-65 don’t have a Will at all. One quarter of the millionaires in this study say they are in the process of writing or updating their Will, reinforcing the opportunity to integrate charitable giving into estate planning.
“Charitable legacies are hugely valued across the sector, no matter the size of the gift or estate. But these insights into the high value legacy market reveal that legacy giving is even more prevalent in
this space than many of us will have anticipated,” says Lucinda Frostick, Director of Remember A Charity.
“While this is certainly encouraging for charities, many of which are becoming increasingly reliant on donations from those with wealth, this also helps to
reinforce to professional advisers just how relevant philanthropy is to their client base – and how crucial it is that they can support their clients in achieving their charitable legacy.”
Remember A Charity has developed a range of resources, case studies and practical tips for wealth advisers5, alongside materials for solicitors and Will-writers6 , equipping them to explore the topic of legacy giving with clients. A new training programme for wealth advisers will launch this Remember A Charity Week7 (08-14 September 2025).
Professional advisers are encouraged to use the platform of Remember A Charity Week as an
opportunity to raise the topic of legacy giving with clients.
To find out more, visit the campaign website.8
5 https://www. rememberacharity.org.uk/ about-us/for-wealth-advisers/
6 https://www. rememberacharity.org.uk/ about-us/for-solicitors-willwriters/
7 https://www. rememberacharity.org.uk/ about-us/remember-a-charityweek/
8 https://www. rememberacharity.org.uk/ about-us/remember-a-charityweek/
In commercial conveyancing, the margin for error is slim. Clients expect certainty, lenders demand accuracy, and one overlooked detail can jeopardise the deal. However, in practice, many solicitors still approach searches as a mere formality, a tick box, something to complete rather than something to analyse thoroughly. That mindset could be holding the profession back.
Clarity is more than data
The truth is, data is only as powerful as the insight it provides. A drainage and water report isn’t just a bundle of technical facts; it’s a window into the risks and responsibilities that shape your client’s decision-making. If the information is patchy, outdated, or poorly understood, you’re effectively advising in the dark.
That’s why clarity is the most valuable commodity in today’s commercial property market. As transactions become more complex, from mixeduse developments to portfolios spread
across regions, the need for complete, reliable, and expertly analysed data has never been greater. It’s not about having a report, it’s about trusting what’s inside it.
Celebrating 15 years of commercial drainage and water data
The CON29DW Commercial data has now been serving solicitors for 15 years. Its role has grown beyond providing drainage and water data: it has become an essential foundation for informed decisions. But the profession must challenge itself to use it to its full potential. That means asking not just “What’s in the report?” but “What does this mean for my client?” and “How could this affect the transaction six months or six years down the line?”
This is where experience matters. At Geodesys, with nearly 30 years of experience in the industry, we’ve seen firsthand the consequences of incomplete insight: disputes, delays, and renegotiations. We’ve also seen how the right information, presented
clearly and acted upon early, can transform outcomes. That’s why our reports are more than data dumps; they’re interpreted, quality-assured, and designed to give you confidence in every recommendation you make.
The challenge for conveyancers is simple: don’t settle for the minimum. In a world where clients judge you on speed and certainty, clarity isn’t optional; it’s your strongest asset. By unlocking the full picture, you not only protect your clients’ interests but also strengthen your role as a trusted adviser in every transaction.
If you’re ready for the full picture, head over to the Geodesys website to get in touch* or call on 0800 085 8050. The team is here to answer any questions you may have.
* https://www.geodesys.com/contactus
At FHM Forensic Accountants we have two experienced experts in the team. Both Fiona and Tom take instructions and focus exclusively on forensic accounting and business valuations. We typically accept 60 to 70 instructions annually and most are as expert witness. We also take instructions as Single Joint Expert, Party Expert and Shadow Adviser, and prepare business valuations for tax planning and commercial purposes.
Team members Kirsty Shuckford and Graham Hines help our experts and, beyond FHM, we work with a wider team of professional contacts when specific input is needed such as on international tax.
In this article we asked the Experts to give some insight into what makes them tick.
What do you enjoy about forensic accounting and expert witness work?
Fiona: I enjoy the challenge of working through a tricky financial dispute or valuation - large or small - and putting together a report that is clear, concise and credible. It is important to me that our reports are understandable to all parties and their legal counsel. At the outset of a new instruction, it can be quite daunting but by methodically working through the financial disclosure and technical arguments, the most complex issues often become relatively simple.
Tom: Without doubt it is the variety of different cases that we take on. No case or day is the same so it keeps things fresh and interesting. There is also a strong
sense of satisfaction when our reports can help clients settle their disputes and result in a fair resolution.
What is the most challenging aspect of your work?
Tom: When a particularly complex case comes along, it can be challenging to determine the most suitable approach to take as there is no “rule book” for forensic accounting. This means taking each case on its own merits and sometimes thinking outside of the box to ensure that specific characteristics of the case and their impacts are fully considered and well-evidenced. Whilst this is no doubt a significant challenge of the role, it can at the same time be very rewarding to present an argument that perhaps the client or their instructing solicitors had not identified.
Fiona: Managing several ongoing cases and unpredictable deadlines and client requirements. At FHM we work closely as a team and the added resource helps alleviate that stress and allows us to maintain the high service levels that we set ourselves to ensure we deliver to the agreed timetable at each stage of a financial dispute.
How do you find working in a specialist independent practice (FHM)?
Fiona: It has been great to start the practice from fresh adopting the latest technology and best practices without the challenges of historical systems or internal politics. A focus on our key values has allowed us to build a sustainable practice which delivers the service we aim for and allows each team member flexibility.
Tom: I really enjoy the autonomy and flexibility that comes with a specialist independent practice. As a small but close-knit team we are able to adapt to meet the various demands of ongoing cases and can manage our own workload independently. This allows for flexibility and promotes a good work-life balance as much as possible whilst ensuring a high level of client service.
Fiona: (1) In a commercial dispute I recommend early engagement with your expert as early input on the quantum of a dispute tends to help contain costs; (2) In family cases, I recommend thinking about making more use of shadow experts, both on disclosure and to review the Single Joint Expert Report; and (3) attend our regular free webinars for more tips on valuation, tax and demystifying company accounts, and our recent case studies (contact us via the website to join the invite list)
Tom: (1) In the case of business valuations, obtain full statutory accounts with detailed profit and loss statements as early as possible. If these can be provided upon initial instruction, then it can save a lot of time and also enables us to quickly get a grasp of the key issues and provide a more reliable quote for our work. This gives both lawyers and their clients a bit more certainty during what can be a very uncertain process.
(2) Always ensure that instruction letters are clear and unambiguous. Sometimes instructions can be interpreted in several ways so it helps to be clear on requirements from the outset to prevent any unnecessary delay in the process.
(3) Maintain full and transparent communication with the expert throughout the process. If we are fully informed of the position of cases and made aware of any potential delays with, for example, the provision of information then it can make the process much more efficient and costeffective. If we know the latest position of each case and its likely timeline, then we can manage our workload and ensure we are in position to prepare our report
on a timely basis in line with the lawyers’ anticipated timescales.
How do you see FHM developing over the next year?
Tom: I am now beginning to take on assignments in my own name as a second expert in the firm in addition to Fiona. This is an exciting development and I anticipate that by the end of the year I will have a good variety of cases under my belt in my own name. Having worked with and learnt from Fiona for many years, I have gained significant experience in a broad range of matters and am looking forward to putting my own name to reports and assisting clients in my own right.
I would also hope that growth of the team would be a natural consequence of
having an additional expert and therefore would hope to expand the team within the next year.
Fiona: I am very proud to see what Team FHM has already achieved. I look forward to seeing Tom develop his career further as an expert and issuing reports in his own name. Alongside Tom, I am delighted to see the contribution Kirsty is already making to FHM. I hope we will see another year of growth both in terms of expansion of the team and continuing to build new relationships with instructing lawyers in family law and dispute resolution across the East of England, the UK and beyond.
The work can be stressful and time pressured. How do you wind down after work?
Tom: I always make sure to find time in my day to get out and get some fresh air whether that is a walk or a run. It helps clear the mind and sometimes this is when the best ideas for solving a particular issue come to me. I also have a two-year-old son who keeps me on my toes and seeing him at the end of the day quickly helps me switch out of work mode.
Fiona: I enjoy travel and with the benefits of technology, it is great to be able to work anywhere in the world. This year has seen me sitting at my desk in 20 countries.
fiona@fhmforensic.co.uk
+44 (0)7770 642491
www.fhmforensic.co.uk
Mistakes are a normal part of life. But in the legal sector, where accuracy and high standards are expected, the fear of making a mistake can feel overwhelming. At LawCare, we often hear from people who worry about past mistakes or feel anxious about what could go wrong in the future.
For some, this fear takes over. We’ve spoken to people who keep going over past decisions, questioning themselves, and believing they’ve made a huge mistake they can’t fix. Others worry so much about making a mistake that they struggle to focus, put things off, doubt their choices, or even avoid tasks completely.
These worries don’t just disappear when the workday ends. Many legal professionals tell us they struggle to sleep because of anxious thoughts, replaying case details or conversations in their heads late into the night. Some describe waking up with a racing heart, feeling physically sick at the thought of what might happen if they make a mistake.
Why does this happen in the legal sector?
The legal sector places high expectations on its people. Lawyers, paralegals, trainees, and support staff often work in environments where mistakes can have serious consequences - for clients, cases, the reputation of the employer and careers.
There are several reasons why people have a strong fear of making mistakes:
• Pressure to be perfect – Many people in law feel they must get everything right, often setting impossible standards for themselves. The work can be complex with tight deadlines and high regulatory standards.
• High stakes – In legal work, even small mistakes can feel significant due to the potential for serious outcomes.
• Fear of judgement – Worrying about what colleagues, supervisors, or clients think can make mistakes feel like personal failures.
• Blame culture – In some workplaces, mistakes aren’t treated as learning experiences, making it hard for people to admit errors or move forward after making one.
The impact of constant anxiety
When the fear of making mistakes takes over, it doesn’t just affect work - it can harm mental and physical health too. Constant worry can lead to burnout , making it harder to focus and stay motivated. It can also knock confidence , causing self-doubt even when things are going well. Some people start putting off tasks or avoiding opportunities because they’re afraid of getting things wrong. Anxiety can also show up in physical ways , like headaches, stomach problems, tense muscles, and trouble sleeping.
Moving forward: how to manage fear of mistakes
If this all sounds familiar, here are a few ideas that might help:
1. Acknowledge negative thoughts – It’s common when we’re under stress to jump to worst-case scenarios, particularly in law where it’s often part of the training. If you keep stressing over a mistake, take a moment to acknowledge those thoughts. What would you say to a friend feeling the same way? Indulge in some self-care, which might free up some headspace to think things through more clearly.
2. Speak to someone you trust –Whether it’s a mentor, colleague, or a support service (like LawCare). Talking about your worries can help you see things more clearly
3. See mistakes as a chance to learn – No one gets everything right 100% of the time. Instead of viewing mistakes as failures, try to see them as opportunities to grow and improve.
4. Be realistic – No one is perfect. Focus on doing your best instead of trying to be flawless.
It is so important to be kind to yourself. Mistakes don’t define you; they’re a normal part of life.
You’re not alone
If you’re feeling anxious about making mistakes, you’re not alone - lots of people in the legal sector feel this way too. Support is available, and you don’t have to deal with it on your own.
Talking about your worries can help. At LawCare, we provide confidential, nonjudgemental support to anyone in the legal sector who is struggling with stress, anxiety, sleep problems, or anything else that’s making life difficult. We’re here for you.
Call LawCare for a confidential chat on 0800 279 6888
Use LawCare’s online chat at www. lawcare.org.uk to connect with a real person who understands Email LawCare at support@lawcare. org.uk
