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Welcome W
elcome to the latest issue of Modern Law. In this issue, I speak to John Beggs QC, the high-profile silk recently named in the Lawyer Hot 100, and currently representing Surrey Police in the Deepcut inquest, about his role as Head of Chambers at Serjeants’ Inn, how the set is innovating, and their decision to appoint a senior management team. The full interview with John appears on page 13 onwards. I also caught up with legal consultant, Stephen Gold, about his views on why the Top 200 firms will continue to pull away from the rest of the legal profession, and why pricing is not the dark out it is sometimes made out to be. The interview can be read in full from page 17. Continuing the consultancy focus for this issue is our news author Chris Bull, who takes an in depth look at the recent issues faced by a number of high-profile Alternative Business Structures (ABSs), including the Parabis Group and Slater & Gordon. Chris asks whether these problems are attributable to the ABS status, and whether firms should be generally wary about the personal injury market, in his article on page 7-8. Andrew Otterburn also looks at strategies for profitability in firms, and considers some innovative charging models in his article on page 59.
I would also like to take this opportunity to urge you to keep an eye out for Modern Law’s upcoming events. These include the annual Doctors Chambers Modern Law Conference, which takes place on 14th June at Old Trafford, Manchester United. To book tickets to the conference, visit www.modernlawevents.co.uk. We also have two upcoming Awards ceremonies - the practice area specific Eclipse Proclaim Modern Law Conveyancing Awards, which takes place at the Rum Warehouse, Liverpool on 14th July, and the Eclipse Proclaim Modern Law Awards, which is returning to the Hurlingham Club in London and takes place on 10th November. Nominations are open now for the Conveyancing Awards, and nominations open for the Modern Law Awards in June. For more information on how to submit an entry, visit www.modernlawevents.co.uk. I hope you enjoy this issue of Modern Law, as always if you have any feedback or ideas for a future edition, please do get in touch with me via the details below. Happy reading!
Charlotte Parkinson, Group Editor, Modern Law Magazine. @modernchar | 01765 600909 charlotte.parkinson@charltongrant.co.uk
Dates for your Diary: Doctors Chambers Modern Law Conference | Tuesday 14th June 2016 | Old Trafford, Manchester United Eclipse Proclaim Modern Law Conveyancing Awards | Thursday 14th July 2016 | The Rum Warehouse, Liverpool Eclipse Proclaim Modern Law Awards | Thursday 10th November 2016 | The Hurlingham Club, London
Modern Law Magazine
Issue 23 – April 2016 | ISSN 2050-5744
Project Director Kate McKittrick
Group Editor Charlotte Parkinson
Project Manager Rachael Pearson
Events Director Julia Todd
Production/Editorial Assistant Ebony Lawson
Project Manager John Margett
Events Sales Martin Smith
Modern Law Magazine is published by Charlton Grant Ltd ©2016.
Contact t: 01765 600909 or e: info@modernlawmagazine.com Modern Law Events: www.modernlawevents.co.uk Modern Law Awards: www.modernlawawards.co.uk All material is copyrighted both written and illustrated. Reproduction in part or whole is strictly forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. All images and information is collated from extensive research and along with advertisements is published in good faith. Although the author and publisher have made every effort to ensure that the information in this publication was correct at press time, the author and publisher do not assume and hereby disclaim any liability to any party for any loss, damage, or disruption caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident, or any other cause.
ML // April 2016