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I would like to welcome you to the latest edition of the Birmingham Law Society Bulletin.
If I had known as a young child that I would one day be President of the Birmingham Law Society, I probably would have been quite puzzled. After watching my favourite TV show called “Vets in Practice” many times, I had decided that my future lay firmly in looking after animals and not employment law cases. As the saying goes, it is often hard to be what you cannot see.
When I grew older and began my legal journey, I was advised on many occasions not to be wedded to a career in Birmingham. I was told not to go to university in the West Midlands because I would get a better experience if I moved away. I was told that if I wanted to be a successful lawyer, I would need to live and work in Central London. But despite this, my commitment to Birmingham has always remained strong. As I reflect on the impact and influence of our legal
community, I can think of no place that I would rather call home.
Birmingham plays host to some of the most exciting legal talent in the country. We have seen lawyers carrying out work here which may historically have only been done in London. We have seen firms of all sizes laying down roots and growing their practices. We are promoting inclusion and contributing to our wider society. We are educating thousands of law students who will help us continue to thrive.
During my Presidential Year, I aim to focus on two themes: community and opportunity. “Community” reflects my desire to foster connections and work together so we can continue to grow our impact and presence within the city. “Opportunity” represents my unwavering dedication to ensuring that everyone has an equal chance to achieve their aspirations and contribute to our success.
As my childhood experiences show, it is not always easy to be what you cannot see. But sometimes, we need to be the change that we want to see. Every member of Birmingham Law Society has something unique to bring to our local profession and it is important that we provide a platform for them to do that.
During recent Birmingham Law Society activities, this message has certainly shone through. On 15 February, we celebrated the launch of our LGBTQ+ subcommittee who will be working to promote the importance of LGBTQ+ inclusion within the workplace. On 29 February, we hosted our latest networking social and built connections with the West Midlands branch of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales. On 7 March, we marked International Women’s Day at Shoosmiths with an encouraging panel discussion around the topic of intersectionality, in line with this year’s theme of #InspireInclusion.
On 14 March, we hosted the 2024 Legal Awards, where 550 members of the legal community gathered for a wonderful celebration of talent. I am delighted that this year, we presented three brand new awards – for Outstanding Student Contribution of the Year, Legal PA of the Year and Junior Barrister of the Year – to ensure that every contribution to our profession could be appropriately recognised. I would like to congratulate everyone who won an award. In celebrating your achievements, we can continue to set an inspiring precedent for future generations.
On 17 March, a group of Birmingham Law Society members walked together in the revived St Patrick’s Day Parade in Digbeth. In the 1950s, my grandparents came to Birmingham from County Louth in Ireland in search of work and a better life, and if it had not been for their courage to seek out new opportunities, I would not be where I am today. The parade was a fantastic celebration of the diversity and multiculturalism in our city, and I hope that Birmingham Law Society can continue to be a part of it in future years to come.
On 20 March, we hosted an event to enable our junior members to discuss the impact of artificial intelligence on our operations. The product of that discussion will be presented to the Birmingham Law Society Council when it meets in April.
Amongst a busy events calendar, I have been continuing to train for the Manchester Marathon in aid of my President’s charity, the Social Mobility Foundation. As I write this article, I am about to complete a final 22-mile run before I begin to complete my final preparations for the race in a few weeks’ time. However, whilst the training weeks have flown, the importance of the cause remains constant.
The work of the Social Mobility Foundation ensures that talent from all backgrounds can be nurtured and rewarded. The charity also supports employers to develop the knowledge and resources they need to become more inclusive in their practices. Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not – and the more funding the charity receives, the more people they can support. I am grateful for all of the donations I have received so far. I am also grateful to the Hop Garden in Harborne, who kindly supported me to host a Charity Quiz at the beginning of March to raise further awareness. I would encourage you all to continue to donate, so that we together can enable the next generation to reach their goals. A link to my JustGiving page can be found here.
For those of you who are new to our region, or who are not yet actively involved, I would encourage you to make the most of the opportunities that Birmingham Law Society has to offer. Over the coming weeks and months, we will be hosting a range of events to enable our members to learn, collaborate and build useful connections within the legal community and beyond. We will be concluding our first online Vacation Scheme to support our member students to take their first steps into a legal career. My President’s Dinner will also be taking place on 7 June in the Great Hall at the University of Birmingham and I hope to see many of you there.
I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to making Birmingham Law Society such a success over recent months. We are stronger as a community when we collaborate and I have no doubt that together, we will continue to take very positive steps forward.
Birmingham Law Society thanks our Gold Sponsors
The
This comprehensive report presents a snapshot of the commercial property market in England, Wales and Scotland, analysing significant transactional markers, such as search order volumes, due diligence activity, planning applications and completions.
Commercial property: a market in a holding pattern
Landmark’s Commercial Property Trends Report offers insights into the commercial property transaction pipeline in England, Wales and Scotland.
In 2023, we saw an increase in large planning applications, with activity up by 1% compared to 2019. In contrast, small planning applications were down 26% vs 2019.
Key headlines for Q4 ’23 include:
• Environmental due diligence activity for Q4 ’23 was down 25% vs Q4 ’19 and 4% lower than the previous quarter.
• Large scale planning applications were down 14% in Q4 ‘23 vs Q4 ’19.
• Search order volumes in England & Wales remained low, down 33% in Q4 ‘23 vs Q4 ’19.
• The Scottish market is more positive in terms of search order volumes, with Q4 ‘23 down just 2% vs Q4 ’19.
• HMRC completion volumes in Nov ‘23 were down just 1% vs Nov ’19.
You can find out more and download the latest report at www.landmark.co.uk or by clicking the link here
Networking Social for Lawyers sponsored by Cornwall Street Barristers
17th April, 6pm – 8pm, Cornwall Street Barristers. FREE for members | £10 +VAT for non-members
BLS & Future Faces Social sponsored by Shoosmiths – SOLD OUT
30th April, 5.30pm – 7.30pm, Shoosmiths FREE for members only
An Audience with a Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) Underwriter in partnership with JMG Professional Risks
2nd May, 5pm – 6.15pm, Mills & Reeve FREE for members only
BLS Quiz
8th May, 6pm – 9pm, Revolución de Cuba £125 +VAT for member team of 5 | £150 +VAT for non-member team of 5
The Intermediate Track in practice: All you need to know in partnership with Irwin Mitchell and No5 Barristers’ Chambers
14th May, 8.15am – 10am, No5 Barristers’ Chambers. FREE for all to attend
Netwalking - Crime and Punishment
14th May, 12pm – 2pm, Cathedral Square £20 +VAT for members | £25 +VAT for nonmembers
Social Networking sponsored by Higgs LLP
23rd May, 6pm – 8pm, Higgs LLP FREE for members | £10 +VAT for nonmembers
Pride 2024 - Walking Group in the Parade sponsored by Eversheds Sutherland
25th May, 11.30am – 3pm, Eversheds Sutherland. FREE for all to attend
President’s Dinner 2024 sponsored by Landmark Information, LEAP and The College of Legal Practice
7th June, 6.30pm – 12am, University of Birmingham Great Hall. 120 +VAT for member ticket | £140 +VAT for nonmember ticket
To reserve your place and find out more, make sure that you visit www.birminghamlawsociety.co.uk
The winners of the 22nd Birmingham Law Society Legal Awards have been announced with Shereen Johal, Shoosmiths LLP (Birmingham) scooping the award for Solicitor of the Year and their firm also picking up National Law Firm of the Year; and Sarah Ramsey of The University of Law (Birmingham) honoured with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement award.
Held at the ICC Birmingham on 14th March, the glittering awards ceremony – created by Birmingham Law Society, the largest Law Society outside of London – was compered by Peter Hill – who appeared on Dragons’ Den and is an acclaimed host and comedian – and celebrated the exceptional quality of professional talent that the city’s legal community has to offer.
Alice Kinder, President of Birmingham Law Society, said: “The Legal Awards have once again exemplified the diverse range of talent in our region and placed Birmingham firmly on the map
as a dynamic, progressive and influential legal hub. I am delighted that this year, we have been able to reward talent in three brand new categories and ensure that every contribution to our profession can be appropriately recognised. I hope that by celebrating these achievements, we can continue to set an inspiring precedent for future generations.
It is now less than two weeks until
I run the Manchester Marathon in aid of my chosen President’s charity, the Social Mobility Foundation. Whilst talent is everywhere, opportunity is not, and as established professionals, we must work together to change that. I would like to thank everyone that supported the charity during the evening. In doing so, you have helped to empower individuals from all backgrounds to fulfil their potential and achieve their goals.”
Over 300 entries for this year’s awards were shortlisted to a final 70 nominees before the 14 winners were selected by a panel of judges made up of representatives of the Birmingham Legal community. The full list of 2024 winners are:
The Social Mobility Foundation – our chosen charity of the year – was joined by over 500 representatives from Birmingham’s legal and business community. This year’s awards are sponsored by 3PB Barristers, Access Managed Services, BCL Legal, Birmingham City University, Curium Solutions, Datalaw, Dye & Durham, Eminent Crisis Management Group, Fazenda, JM Glendinning, Landmark Information Group, LEAP Legal Software, No5 Barristers’ Chambers, PA Forum, St Ives Chambers, St Philips Chambers, The In-House Lawyers’ Coach and The University of Law.
Alice will be running the Manchester Marathon on 14 April 2024 to raise money and awareness for the Social Mobility Foundation and is delighted to have raised over £3,000 for the charity during the evening.
Specialist law firm Anthony Collins (AC) has appointed a new head of funding, returning partner, Jon Coane. Jon brings with him over 25 years of experience as a social impact finance lawyer.
Jon’s extensive background encompasses a wide range of services in funding and finance. This includes being nationally recognised for advising housing associations on all areas of funding (including capital markets) and the funding of joint ventures and supporting local authorities on funding structures, and funding of regeneration projects and housing delivery projects.
The appointment of Jon compliments and enhances the offering of the funding team. He will be working closely with clients across the firms sectors, including affordable housing,
local government and health and social care. Jon will also play an integral role in encouraging further expansion in the housing sector, with 15 years of his 25 years focused on funding for affordable housing.
Peter Hubbard, managing partner at AC, said: “It is great to welcome Jon back to AC, especially as our new head of funding. Jon’s invaluable wealth of experience will benefit both the team and our clients, offering advice and executing funding options that will bring positive impacts for their social businesses.
“Jon’s appointment, and in particular his expertise in affordable housing, comes at a time of growth within our housing sector and as a wave of increased regulatory demand and financial pressures mounts for our housing association clients. Creative financing – Jon’s sweet spot - is needed more than ever, making his arrival timely.”
Jon Coane said: “Returning during B-Corp month, I look forward not only to hitting the ground running with the funding team and supporting the goals of the firm, but delivering more projects that help housing associations and other organisations deliver more affordable housing, decarbonise and be sustainable businesses.”
EmpowHERing Together: Unleashing the Power of Inclusion on International Women’s Day was an eye-opening panel event, sponsored and hosted by Shoosmiths writes Iyanu Onalaja
Alex Bishop, co-head of Shoosmiths Birmingham office, and Alice Kinder, Birmingham Law Society President, opened the event with their own personal stories of experiencing inclusion and exclusion before introducing the panel members. The panellists were Shereen Johal, Iyanu Onalaja and Anaiah Ferdinand.
Shereen Johal, Associate at Shoosmiths, is the chair of Birmingham Law Society’s LGBTQ+ sub-committee and she shared how the legal community can be a lot more inclusive.
Iyanu Onalaja, Senior Associate at Shoosmiths, is co-chair of the Birmingham Law Society’s Health and Disability sub-committee and her insight into life as a lawyer with a disability was incredibly insightful and thought provoking.
Anaiah Ferdinand, a University of Law Student, is at the very beginning of her journey and she had some great ideas on how the profession can encourage those in similar situations to pursue a legal career. The event was well attended with a brilliant round of questions not only from the hosts but from those who attended.
There was a special mention of the sub-committees Shereen and Iyanu chair – so please don’t hesitate to get in touch with them if you’re interested in becoming allies to such great causes.
Beth King-Smith has today taken the helm at Harrison Clark Rickerbys’ Private Client team in Worcester. Beth has been with the firm for five years and specialises in Contentious Wills, Trusts and Estate issues. The move marks the ambitious growth plans for the team who are well established in Worcester, having supported individuals with their private client and personal wealth matters for decades.
Beth said: “I’m delighted to be leading the Worcester Private Client team at such an exciting time. We have many wonderful clients and I’m looking forward to developing and strengthening our offering, to help clients with their estates.”
The Science Based Target initiative (SBTi), a global body enabling businesses to set out ambitious greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets, has verified national law firm Clarke Willmott LLP’s science-based netzero target of 2040.
The SBTi has also approved the firm’s near-term science-based emissions reduction targets of reducing Scope 1&2 emissions by 50% and Scope 3 by 25% by 2030*.
Science-based targets give companies a clearly defined path to reduce GHG emissions in line with limiting global warming to 1.5°C. The latest climate science from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) - described by the UN as “code red for humanity” - shows it is still possible to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C, but we are dangerously close to that threshold.
The SBTi is focussed on accelerating companies across the world, to halve emissions before 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions before 2050. They define
how much and how quickly a business must reduce its emissions to be in line with Paris Agreement goals.
Karen Higgins, Head of ESG at Clarke Willmott, said: “Clarke Willmott is passionate about acting responsibly and minimising our impact on the planet.
“We’re committed to achieving net-zero by 2040 and to demonstrating our progress with the earlier near-term sciencebased targets.
“Business has a huge role to play to support the UK reaching its ambitious net-zero target by 2050. We are proud the targets we have set have had external verification and are working hard to transition across our business.
“A full review of our property portfolio is already well underway. Refurbishments and office relocations and use of more energy efficient solutions have
allowed us to reduce our carbon emissions. Our most recent move in Bristol reduced our floorspace by 65% and improved our energy rating of D to EPC A. Also, across our offices 99.6% of electricity is generated from 100% certified renewable sources.
“Working towards net-zero is a part of our ESG strategy reflecting our belief in the importance of being a responsible business. We recognise our responsibility to future generations to operate our business in a way which minimises our impact on the environment, while looking after our people in the present and adding value to the communities we work in.”
Clarke Willmott is a member of the SBTi’s Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign – the world’s largest and fastest-growing group of companies helping to halve global emissions by 2030.
The firm worked with Green Element, an environmental management consultancy to agree on and verify the targets.
Kyoko Yamafuji, Senior Climate Analyst of Green Element, said: “It is a pleasure to work with Karen and the team at Clarke Willmott, who are dedicated to following best environmental practice. This science-based targets validation is empowering their team to make informed decisions and take purposeful actions to meet their climate targets. We are extremely proud of what they have achieved and look forward to working with them on their journey to net-zero.”
Clarke Willmott is a national law firm with offices in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Taunton and is this year celebrating its 135th anniversary.
For more information about Clarke Willmott’s drive to be a responsible business and their ESG strategy click here
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented by the President of Birmingham Law Society to an individual who has made an outstanding and sustained contribution to the Birmingham legal community. The 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Sarah Ramsey, Dean of the University of Law Birmingham writes Alice Kinder, President of Birmingham Law Society.
Sarah began her legal journey in Lancashire as a solicitor specialising in family law. After a successful first career, she came to Birmingham in 2001 to be part of the first cohort of tutors at the newly opened College of Law. From her very first training session before the building was even complete, she had established herself with her huge sense of fun, and soon became very popular with students and colleagues.
From an early stage in her career, Sarah has always been a leader, heading up teaching teams, coordinating projects, and acting as the union representative. Over time, she progressed to lead the GDL and LLB programmes, and then moved her focus to supporting tutors as an Operations Manager and Academic Manager. In 2017, she was promoted to become the permanent Birmingham Dean at
what is now the University of Law. Relaxed but firm, innovative but mindful of tradition, she has very much brought her own style to the role.
Since becoming Dean, Sarah has welcomed 6,369 new students into the Birmingham community. Not only has she taught full-time courses, but has also given up her time at evenings and weekends to teach part-time cohorts too. Despite her years of experience, she has never stopped seeking to develop her knowledge for the benefit of her students. In 2018, she gained a master’s degree in educational leadership and management and is now working towards her Doctorate in Education.
Over the last 22 years, Sarah has gone above and beyond to support the next generation of lawyers and to promote equal opportunities. She has been a driving force on the university’s widening participation and access committee, has sat on several Birmingham Law Society committees, and in previous years, has volunteered her time as a judge at the Legal Awards.
Whilst the profession has evolved and routes to qualification have diversified, Sarah’s dedication has been constant. Under her
leadership, the University of Law has become a key stepping stone for many lawyers who have now built successful practices in the region.
Sarah’s influence across the Birmingham legal community can be seen from the reflections of the generations of people that she has taught and inspired.
“She is kind, approachable, and one of the best tutors I have ever had”, said one of her former students. “She takes great passion in helping her students to achieve their dreams and realise their potential, and I honestly believe I would not be where I am today without her guidance and support.”
Another former student said: “She may not fully appreciate the extent of the impact that she had on me and countless others, but I will forever be grateful for the time she invested in me”.
Another person, who is now a Partner in a leading law firm, said: “There are no words that can truly describe the impact she has had on her former students and the Birmingham legal community. It is no coincidence that so many that she has taught have gone on to develop successful legal careers. I think the greatest reflection of her impact is this: without Sarah Ramsey there would be far less family lawyers in Birmingham. She inspired all of her students in a way that made them feel that she would support them every step of the way, many years after the doors to the college had closed. And indeed she did. I am truly indebted to her and I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this award.”
Sarah has made a huge contribution to the Birmingham legal community and will continue to do so for many more years to come. Congratulations again on this fantastic and well-deserved achievement.
This year’s St Patrick’s Day Breakfast, sponsored by Irwin Mitchell, was a tremendous success and followed a weekend of fantastic celebrations of culture, heritage, and diversity across Birmingham, including the first ever Birmingham Law Society group to walk in the Parade.
Birmingham Law Society President, Alice Kinder, opened the networking breakfast by paying tribute to those who emigrated from Ireland to Birmingham, including her own grandparents.
Caroline Brogan, Senior Associate Solicitor at Irwin Mitchell, and former Trustee at the Birmingham Irish Association gave the keynote speech, in which she expressed how proud she was of her own Irish roots and to be part of our legal community. Caroline talked about her own grandad who emigrated from County Mayo, and the generations who came before us that really can say “We built this City,” from the engineers, the labourers, to staff in the NHS.
Caroline gave a special mention to some of the trailblazers in our profession who are also proud of their Irish roots, including Fergal Dowling (Partner, Irwin Mitchell, via Kerry), Mary Kaye (Past BLS President & Partner at Rayden Solicitors, via Limerick), Eileen Schofield (Past BLS President & Partner at Schofield & Associates, via Roscommon), and Tony McDaid (Immediate Past BLS President & CEO of No5 Chambers, via Belfast).
Caroline noted that Tony’s term as President came during the 25th anniversary of The Good Friday Agreement and recalled the special panel discussion held by BLS last year to mark the occasion. She told those attending that it is not
only a legally binding international peace treaty registered at the United Nations, guaranteed by both the British and Irish governments, but it also underpins the political framework in Ireland, guaranteeing human rights protections, equality, and parity of esteem. She encouraged everyone to read The Good Friday Agreement and she summarised the key provisions, relating to Strands One, Two, and Three and the legal mechanism for the re-unification of Ireland.
Caroline went on to talk about her time as Trustee at the Birmingham Irish Association and she thanked the newly appointed Chair, Joan Smith, for joining the event.
The Birmingham Irish Association is a registered charity based in Digbeth, offering services and support to the community, including outreach and befriending services, healthcare and well-being support, suicide prevention support, dementia support centres, welfare advice, a rambler’s walking group, Irish language classes and music groups. Special projects include emergency foodbanks during lockdowns and the annual Christmas Toy Appeal. If anyone would like to find out more about BIA or offer support; from donations to volunteering days and other practical support, please contact CEO, Maurice Malone on 0121 604 6111 or at Maurice@birish.org.uk
Caroline also told those attending about her plans to set up a Birmingham Irish Lawyers Association.
Anyone who would like to find out more can contact Caroline at: carolinebrogan1@hotmail. co.uk
West Midlands-based law firm, Sydney Mitchell, has announced that two local charities – one helping those facing severe and end of life dementia; the other a peer-led, 24/7 Mental Health support line – will be able to increase their services in the community thanks to two major donations by the good-hearted law firm.
Sydney Mitchell held a ‘Meet and Greet’ the charities event earlier this week to present the funds raised over the last 12 months to their chosen charities.
Cheques totalling £8,000 were presented to Brandon Scott-Omenka, CEO of The Solihull Carers Trust, who provide support to carers (old and young) in Solihull; and to Suzanne Al-
derson, Founder of Parenting Mental Health, who provide support to parents whose children have significant mental health issues.
Karen Moores, Senior Partner, Sydney Mitchell said; “Thank you to everyone for supporting and participating in our fundraising events and activities over the past year. We are planning many more future events, but we are pleased to present today £4,000 each to Solihull Carers Trust and Parenting Mental Health.”
Brandon Scott-Omenka, CEO of the Solihull Carers Trust and Suzanne Alderson, founder of Parenting Mental Health, gave an update on the great work that the charities are doing and thanked Sydney Mitchell for their fundraising.
Brandon explained that the funds would be utilised to provide much-needed respite for carers who are caring for a spouse, family member or friend facing end-of-life and severe dementia. Many of these carers have not had a break for several years, and the funds will help alleviate the stresses and give them a much-needed rest. Carers Trust supports 4,800 active carers in the Solihull area. In addition, the money will be used to provide vouchers for younger carers to provide a treat just for them.
Suzanne Alderson and Nikki Neale added that the team at Parenting Mental Health will use the funds to help keep their ‘Peer to Peer’ support community operational; this support costs around £20 per hour to keep on line 24 hours a day. The charity supports over 42,000 parents around the world 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days per year.
Legal 500 Top Tier Law Firm, Sydney Mitchell, is an award-winning Midlands based firm with specialist legal teams that include employment, commercial property, company and commercial services, business immigration, litigation and insolvency. Private client teams include family law, residential property, dispute resolution, immigration, and wills and probate, tax and trusts and personal injury. Sydney Mitchell LLP has been providing legal advice in the Midlands for over 260 years.
InfoTrack has been awarded Legal Supplier of the Year for the second year running at the British Conveyancing Awards, a prestigious ceremony celebrating the work of property professionals in England and Wales.
The awards recognise and celebrate excellence across providers of home moving legal services and ancillary services. The rigorous entry process requires organisations to submit evidence of their approach to people, technology, process, professional development, and technical excellence.
In winning the Legal Supplier of the Year category, InfoTrack has demonstrated excellence in exceptional customer service, providing benefits to conveyancers
and strategic partners, and delivering a best-in-class solution. Scott Bozinis, CEO at InfoTrack comments, “We’re thrilled to be recognised for the ongoing efforts we’re making to support conveyancers and making the home moving process easier for everyone involved. A big thank you to our clients and everyone in the InfoTrack team for their contributions to this outstanding achievement.”
A full list of winners can be found at britishconveyancingawards.co.uk
Legal apprenticeships represent a paradigm shift in the way individuals enter the legal profession, offering an inclusive and dynamic alternative to traditional university routes. As the legal sector continues to evolve, embracing apprenticeships emerges as a strategic move, fostering growth, diversity, and excellence writes Jane Robson, CEO of NALP
University isn’t for everyone. There is the burden of student debt to deal with. According to the UK Government’s own statistics, students who started their course in 2022/23 will have an average debt of £45,600 by the time they complete. But being wary of committing to such a long term financial burden isn’t the only reason for eschewing university; many people prefer the idea of a more experiential learning journey over a purely academic one. They want to get stuck in as soon as possible.
Of course, it has to be acknowledged that apprenticeships aren’t where we find the big bucks. While some employers pay a reasonable wage, others stick to the National Minimum Wage for Apprentices of £5.28 per hour (age 16-18 or 19+ after you have completed your first year of apprenticeship). But, on the plus-side apprentices will gain real experience in working in the legal profession as well as having at least 20% of their time dedicated to training and studying towards their End Point Assessment and any other qualifications they may take to support their career, which also counts as payable time.
If an apprentice undertakes the Level 3 Paralegal Apprenticeship, they will come out with, on average, two years’ experience of working in the legal sector, as well as a certificate that they have achieved the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to successfully complete their apprenticeship.
In many other cases they may well have also achieved another recognised qualification alongside their apprenticeship, such as the NALP Level 3 Certificate for Paralegal Technicians and can therefore be eligible for membership to a Professional Membership body, such as the NALP Paralegal Technician membership.
All of this serves to increase the apprentice’s market value when looking for a permanent position in the legal sector or when negotiating their advancement at the organisation where they undertook their apprenticeship.
What’s the benefit for Employers?
There are a number of reasons for employers to look into getting an apprentice rather than just employing a recent graduate as a trainee.
There is the obvious cost saving. A graduate is likely to expect a much higher wage than the basic National Minimum Wage. Whilst we are certainly not advocating for all employers to pay as little as possible for their staff, it is a consideration in these days of rising costs affecting businesses, particularly small ones.
There is also the fact that taking on a paralegal apprentice is not just restricted to a law firm. Many organisations these days have their own legal teams as a way of reducing what they spend on legal advice and a paralegal apprentice can be a great way to get some help for the team whilst also training an enthusiastic individual and giving them some real-world experience in the workplace.
There are some general business benefits too. According to the Government’s statistics, 86% of employers found that apprenticeships helped them develop skills relevant to their organisation, 78% said they improved productivity and 74% said they helped improve their overall service. Employing apprentices has also been shown to improve the image of an organisation.
At the end of the apprenticeship, the organisation has an employee who has achieved a recognised qualification (the End Point Assessment, plus any others that may be complementary to the apprenticeship, such as the NALP Level 3 Certificate for Paralegal Technicians). Plus, they have someone who has been trained to that organisation’s specific needs. They will know the culture and standards of the organisation and already be an experienced member of the team.
Of course, we can’t forget the fact that apprenticeships attract Government funding. How much funding can be dependent on the apprenticeship standard itself and the size of the business. Larger organisations with salary bills of more than £3 million will be paying an apprenticeship levy of 0.5% of their annual salary expenditure. Otherwise, employers pay 5% towards the cost of training and assessing their apprentices.
Apprenticeships can be a prefect start to a career in a dream profession. They also allow employers to benefit from a talent pool that is not only well-trained but also familiar with the organisation’s culture and standards. This synergy enhances productivity and efficiency, setting the stage for a harmonious work environment. It’s a win-win. ww.nationalparalegals.co.uk
In today’s digital landscape, cybercrime is a threat to all modern businesses, however, law firms must take proactive steps to mitigate such risk as they’re more susceptible and impacted by the consequences of an attack given the nature of their work and their access to client information. According to the SRA, 75% of all law firms have been targeted by cybercriminals, and it’s easy to see why writes
John Flanagan, Head of Product & Innovation, LEAPWhat can law firms do to protect their businesses and clients in 2024?
The National Cyber Security Centre provides a handy 10 Steps to Cyber Security guide that any organisation should consider to improve their cyber security. Only a few of the steps have a technological solution, meaning technology itself won’t protect you. Humans can be your biggest cyber security asset, but also your biggest weakness.
On a technological level, law firms should ensure secure systems by adopting the use of up-to-date devices and software, multi-factor authentication, a strong password policy, or the rollout of a password manager, and finally ensuring that your devices are encrypted. When
investing in new software for your law firm, ensure its cyber security processes stand up to scrutiny by looking for SOC 2 or ISO 27001 certifications.
Without human awareness of the risks and how to manage them, technology is useless. Invest in training to explain to your staff how easy it is for your firm and client data to be compromised. Easyto-guess and reused passwords, using unsecured networks, and phishing are all very common ways for a hacker to compromise your systems. Continued education, coupled with some technological solutions, will mitigate most of these risks.
What is the impact of ChatGPT and other AI tools on the legal technology industry?
Those of us of a certain vintage will remember many great sci-fi movies from the 1980s where computers with artificial intelligence have taken over the world and are at war with humans. From the outside, AI can seem like a risk, but not harnessing its potential is foolish. Where we are with AI is where we were with the cloud 15 years ago, if we as a software business don’t use it, we will be left behind by those that do.
There have been some in the media who suggest that AI is no more than a manifestation of the Infinite Monkey Theorem, in
that if you put enough computer processing power behind a question, it will eventually come out with the correct answer. This is a misunderstanding of generative AI, which uses highly sophisticated algorithms and machine learning to analyse data to identify patterns and structures to produce coherent and meaningful output.
In the legal sector we will see the introduction of a co-pilot for the work you are undertaking. This co-pilot will digest huge quantities of data for the area of law, look at specific circumstances, reference case law and analyse other data to help you achieve the best outcome for your client.
What other innovations and trends will emerge in 2024?
The use of AI is rising rapidly. At the end of last year, three-quarters of the largest solicitors’ firms were using AI, nearly twice the number from just three years ago. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the use of AI in small and medium firms is also on the rise and over the next ten years will continue to grow, accelerating radical innovation.
The government’s proposed regulation of AI is expected to significantly impact the legal services sector, as it will attract investment and promote economic growth in the United Kingdom.* (*https://www.sra.org. uk/sra/research-publications/ artificial-intelligence-legal-market/)
2024 will be the year that the first legal AI products come to market with greater adoption. There are already some standalone products offering AI-based contract management, and lawyers practising in other areas will see tools becoming available. We are at the start of the next legal technology revolution, and it is an exciting time to be working in this sector.
Landmark Information not only offer climate change reports but also sustainability consultancy.
Our CPD-accredited sustainability training workshops cover a range of essential topics, catering to professionals at different stages of their sustainability journey:
1. Climate Change Courses: These sessions provide a solid foundation in understanding climate change, its legal framework, and its implications across industries. By the end of the course, you’ll be well-prepared to advise your clients confidently.
2. Net Zero Workshops: Designed for those embarking on their net-zero journey, these workshops guide you through the intricacies of recording, compliance, and setting science-based targets.
For more information visit
landmark.co.uk/sustainability-training-services
3. TCFD Workshops: For firms looking to disclose climate-related risks and opportunities, our TCFD workshops offer the knowledge to understand financial exposure and build resilience for the future.
4. ESG Workshop: If you’re involved in ESG due-diligence for corporate transactions or advise on mergers and acquisitions, these workshops are tailored to meet your needs, including those with private equity and investment clients.
There’s no doubt AI is having a moment right now. New AI tools are impacting a vast range of industries – with the legal sector no exception. Sarah Murphy, General Manager of Clio EMEA, discusses the potential impact of AI on legal firms and professionals
Curiosity and adoption are both gathering pace. At Clio, our latest Legal Trends Report, reveals that 68% of legal professionals want to learn more about AI, 21% believe AI could enhance the quality of services, and 38% believe AI will lead to greater efficiency. And for early adopters, the technology is already bearing fruit.
Here we look at how AI has been supporting law firms to date – and highlight the potential benefits of integrating AI-enabled technologies into current working practices going forward.
Where there is automation, workflows can be streamlined, and costs can be saved.
Take the tool that’s currently the most used and talked about: OpenAI’s generative AI model,
ChatGPT.
ChatGPT has a seemingly endless
set of use cases, from drafting legal documents to providing case analysis. It can also help develop a chatbot to serve as a virtual legal assistant, interacting with clients and providing initial consultation services – tasks which typically require considerable time and expertise.
This has the potential to leave solicitors with that valuable commodity: time. By delegating routine work to AI-powered systems, legal professionals can focus instead on case strategy and client engagement, which could, in turn, pave the way for greater client satisfaction.
There is understandable nervousness due to concerns about job security and client confidentiality.
This finding was substantiated by Clio’s Legal Trends Report, revealing that 41% of legal professionals express concerns regarding professional liability following AI integration, while 57% are apprehensive about the potential implications for client privacy and confidentiality.
Larger firms, particularly those with over 20 full-time employees, show heightened concern for copyright infringement risks at 47%, compared to 33% of solo practitioners and 36% of smaller firms. Notably, administrative staff worry more, with 46% of law firm administrators, 41% of paralegals, and 34% of solicitors concerned about this issue.
For some, trust is a critical factor, with 39% of professionals believing that client trust might decline and 37% of clients or potential clients saying they’d be less likely to trust a solicitor who uses AI.
Despite the challenges, AI is designed to enhance the work of legal professionals, not replace
it. Law firms should communicate transparently regarding AI’s role, positioning it as a supportive tool, not a looming threat.
Here are three predictions for how AI will continue to shape the legal industry:
1. The regulatory landscape will change. As AI tools become more integrated into legal work, the call for new regulations will increase to ensure AI is safe, ethical, and effective. Solicitors will need to stay across this changing legal landscape.
2. Access to justice will be top of mind. AI has the potential to increase access to justice by trimming down the time and costs required for law firms to perform various tasks. However, there are risks that AI could reinforce biases present in data, inadvertently widening the justice gap. Careful consideration is needed.
3. Law firm structure will evolve. AI could level the playing field between small and large firms by providing equal access to powerful tools, potentially disrupting the current legal services market, and seeing the emergence of new business models specialised in AI-driven legal services.
It’s evident, then, that the implications of AI integration are both promising and, to be honest, daunting. But while AI brings its own set of challenges for the legal profession around ethics, copyright, and confidentiality, the technology also has considerable potential for making law firms more efficient, justice more accessible, and clients more satisfied.
For any law firm, you should approach AI as a potential partner that can help deliver better client services, through its ability to take on routine tasks. By adopting this approach, you’ll undoubtedly find yourself at an advantage and remain agile in the face of AI.
Gifting during one’s lifetime is not uncommon. It is not unusual for those who are financially comfortable to gift monies or assets they own to their children or loved ones to assist them, particularly in times of hardship and it is their prerogative to do so.
However, the situation changes when someone starts losing or has lost capacity. How does one tackle gifting in this scenario?
Court of Protection: A Practical Guide to Gifting by Mitra BoyceMann – a senior litigator at top law firm, Sydney Mitchell, in Birmingham was officially launched on World Book Day with an exclusive book signing, meet&greet and wine tasting event at the plush Sydney Mitchell city offices.
At the event, Mitra read extracts from the book and talked about the key themes within the guide that
takes readers through the relevant statutory principles and case law and:
• introduces the relevant capacity which one is required to have to make a gift and the legal test used to determine capacity;
• reminds attorneys and deputies of the gifts which they are authorised to make;
• highlights the ramifications of making an unauthorised gift;
• provides practitioners with a checklist of the key points to consider before making an application to the Court of Protection;
• explains the procedure involved in preparing such an application.
Mitra commented “Over the years, I have come across attorneys and
deputies who fail to understand what they can or cannot do when dealing with a vulnerable person’s assets. These misconceptions can sadly lead to financial abuse, which as we all know, is a growing concern and a topical issue. The driving force behind writing this book is to raise awareness of the role of an attorney/deputy and the scope of their powers which hopefully will result in better protection for the vulnerable members of our society.”
It is available to buy on Amazon here.
Against the backdrop of the Axiom Ince debacle, the SRA has launched a Consumer Protection Review. The aim of the Review is stated to be “protecting consumers when they place their trust in a regulated law firm”. As we know, the SRA is awaiting the outcome of an investigation into its supervision of Axiom Ince which has been commissioned by the Legal Services Board and is being conducted by an independent law firm in Northern Ireland
writes Jayne Willetts Solicitor Advocate of Jayne Willetts & Co Solicitors Ltd.Some of my more sceptical readers may conclude that this Review is directed at deflecting attention from the SRA’s alleged shortcomings in relation to its supervision of Axiom Ince but I could not possibly comment.
The Review is focussed upon two main areas – client account and the Compensation Fund but the authorisation approval process and the ongoing monitoring of firms are also included. The Review is not badged as a consultation because there are no firm proposals being made by the SRA at this stage. A series of webinars is taking place to inform the profession and “to explore options” . The actual consultation is planned to commence in September 2024.
What is the problem here? The SRA discussion paper supporting the Review is heavy on lofty ideals and objectives – but light on evidence and data. One of the reasons for the Review is stated to be the overall increase in the number of interventions in 2023 but no data is provided as to the number of interventions and how this compares with previous years. The cost of these interventions, the type of firm involved and the reasons for the intervention would also
be essential information. Whilst one could hazard a guess that the increased cost is due to the failure of a small number of “accumulator” firms, it is unsafe to conduct a full-scale review based upon guesswork. Hard evidence and data need to be available to the stakeholders to explain the need for change before this Review gets off the ground. It is not good enough to begin overturning the key elements of client protection to deflect attention from the SRA’s shortcomings in the way it regulates and authorises firms and without more forensic evidence to underpin a review.
In relation to client account, the SRA has raised for debate a proposal to restrict firms from holding client money. The SRA intends to explore with other regulators, escrow account providers and insurers different approaches to managing the risks of holding client money and this could include alternative approaches to holding client
money or certain categories of client money. The SRA wants to consider “whether there are certain circumstances when it is or isn’t prudent for firms to hold client money”. It is worth bearing in mind that the SRA already has power to iimpose conditions on individual practising certificates or a firm’s authorisation. Is this not adequate protection where there are identified risks to client money?
Holding client money is a key element of the delivery of legal services. The majority of legal work involves transactions and the transmission of client money through client accounts. It is already difficult enough because of AML and sanctions requirements as well as the banking rule (Rule 3.3) for consumers to deal with solicitors. Does the profession need a further level of complexity imposed upon the solicitor-client relationship?
The “options to explore” for the Compensation Fund are more numerous and more specific. One of the more draconian ideas is to phase out the Compensation Fund and limit the safety net to insurance. The SRA suggests that “Firms can choose to insure against fraud/ dishonesty by their staff or other directors but the insurance could only cover those who were not involved in the fraud (i.e. you cannot insure against your own dishonesty)” Does this mean that some SRA regulated firms would have insurance to protect their clients and some would not? Where does this leave the hapless client in selecting a firm? The regulated legal services market is already tricky enough to navigate for consumers. Also, the cost of such insurance would be high and this would be passed on to the consumer.
Is this another example of the SRA’s changing the rules for the majority because of the
default of a tiny minority? Nondisclosure agreements: SLAPPs and well-being come to mind as examples. Client account and the Compensation Fund are key elements of the solicitor-client relationship – even unique selling points. Without them what use is the legal profession to the consumer – who might as well instruct an unregulated firm.
The SRA does have an unenviable task in policing the profession but it does have the opportunity every single time an authorisation application is made to scrutinise the financial common sense of the merger or acquisition. Two insolvent firms with poor management do not magically become one well managed solvent firm. The SRA could set up a panel of managing partner type experts to assist on a consultancy basis – they would know in a nanosecond whether a proposal was realistic or whether it needed further detailed investigation or immediate rejection.The SRA needs to focus much more closely upon improving its authorisation procedures. After all it was the SRA that approved the expansion of Axiom Ince and the other “accumulator” firms. It also needs to concentrate on its monitoring function. There was a time when the SRA (and its predecessors) used to inspect each firm every five years or so via its Practice Management Unit. This enabled a closer working relationship between the regulator and the profession. The regulator staff had more of a hands-on experience of the workings of law firms and the profession was given constructive criticism and the impetus to improve.
The SRA does undertake thematic reviews but these focus upon specific issues as opposed to a more holistic review. There are fewer firms now than there were. The SRA
could consider reorganising its risk-based approach to a more interventionist approach – even perhaps targeted at the high-risk firms.
In considering these proposals, the SRA is sending out the message that the profession cannot be trusted, yet being able to trust in the honesty and integrity of solicitors is the bedrock that sets the profession apart. Instead of considering restrictions on holding client money and abolishing the Compensation Fund and thereby damaging yet further the worth of the legal profession to the public, the SRA should look internally to its own performance and focus upon self-improvement particularly in authorisation and monitoring. An admission of failure and proposals for improvement would go a long way to restoring the reputation of the SRA in the eyes of the profession. If the SRA needs expert help from the profession it should say so. After all it is in the interests of all of us to avoid disasters such as Axiom Ince.
This Review needs to be followed closely by the profession. It is not enough to expect others to comment. It is too important for that. The SRA tends to be influenced by the number of responses – so this needs more than a detailed response from the Law Society. I would encourage as many as possible to become involved in this Review and to follow its progress through this year.
https://www.sra.org.uk/sra/ consultations/discussion-papers/ consumer-protection-review/
Trowers & Hamlins are a full-service international law firm with 4 offices in the UK and a rich 240-year history. Luqmaan Ayaz, senior legal recruiter within the Midlands Private Practice team at IDEX Legal, recently sat down with Paul Scott to understand his career journey and the growth plans for the Birmingham team.
Could you share some insights into your career path and the journey that led you to Trowers and Hamlins?
Since qualifying in 2008, I have worked as a construction litigator at several national and international law firms. I have been fortunate to work with some excellent construction litigators over the course of my career to date and have worked on a range of interesting and varied matters for great clients. In the first few years after qualification, I was focussed on learning as much as I could about construction disputes and, with the benefit of hindsight, I probably didn’t truly recognise the full significance of the wider economic situation at that time. This may have been because the disputes market remained pretty buoyant throughout the financial crisis compared to transactional work, but it was probably another two years later before I was able to view that period with a bit more context.
After 10 - 12 years of working as a construction litigator in Birmingham, I’d started to think about moving into a
role where I had the opportunity to develop my own team. It was around that time that the opportunity at Trowers & Hamlins presented itself. For me, the chance to lead the construction disputes team at the firm’s Birmingham office offered the ideal opportunity for me to achieve two things: to lead a Birmingham based construction team in a market I have a great deal of experience in, whilst also benefitting from the size, expertise and reputation of Trowers & Hamlins as a full service national and international law firm.
I decided to move to Trowers & Hamlins in late 2019 and was working out my notice period at my previous firm when the Covid-19 pandemic hit. I started at Trowers just as the national lockdown was imposed and, whilst the new remote working requirements made integrating into a new team more challenging, the pandemic presented a range of interesting work in relation to the impact of those lockdowns on the construction industry.
Whilst the pandemic was undoubtably a challenge for many, it did speed up our adoption of technology. For us, amongst other things this included a heavy reliance on Teams and video conferencing software, which helped us maintain strong communication channels with our clients and intermediaries, whilst retaining cross-office cooperation between our UK and International teams. As we’ve moved forward into our current hybrid working model, we’ve successfully balanced the benefits of remote working with the collaboration that stems from working together in an office environment.
Could you describe what it’s like being a Partner at Trowers?
Being a Partner at Trowers & Hamlins is an inclusive and multi-faceted role, and I am proud to work alongside 16 other talented Partners at the Birmingham office. As well as being specialists in our respective practice areas, Partners contribute to the strategic direction of the Birmingham office and can expect to lead on initiatives that support: the delivery of a first-class service to clients; the personal and professional development of the wider team; proactive regional marketing and profile raising; and client origination – all of which involve a strong focus on internal and external relationship management.
There’s an understanding of clear metrics and strategic direction, and Partner contribution to the firm’s ‘responsible business’ activities is encouraged through our wider contribution metric. It’s a particularly exciting time to join Trowers & Hamlins given our investment into new offices in new locations, our commitment to innovation and our purposeful ED&I and ESG strategy - all of which will take us forward as a firm.
Thoughts on the construction market in the Midlands?
The construction and engineering industries will always be seen as drivers of wider economic growth –be that through large infrastructure projects or ambitious targets for the construction of new homes. This will continue to generate work for both transactional and disputes focussed construction lawyers and I suspect that firms will therefore continue to be competing hard to recruit and retain the best talent to help them access this work and deliver to a high standard.
Why do you believe Trowers and Hamlins stands out as the top choice for Construction Lawyers?
There are some excellent opportunities at Trowers & Hamlins for talented construction lawyers who want to progress in their careers. Very few law firms in Birmingham are able to offer ‘the best of both’ that we do, which is by being able to play an important role in contributing to the direction of the firm locally, whilst also being able to capitalise on the experience and expertise that comes from being at an international law firm.
Trowers & Hamlins has over 170 partners and more than 1,000 people located across the UK, Middle East and Asia, including dedicated teams focussed on Korea and India. In the UK, we have our headquarters in London and three regional offices in Birmingham, Exeter and Manchester.
As a full-service law firm that advises clients locally and across the globe, Trowers & Hamlins are recognised experts in corporate, commercial, dispute resolution and litigation, real estate, social housing, banking and finance, private wealth and employment, with specialists in areas such as construction,
planning, tax, pensions, IP, energy, environmental, manufacturing, owner-managed business and cyber.
All of this is reinforced by our valuesdriven culture and a fantastic working environment which has been fostered over our 240-year history. We have held fast to our values and characteristics – such as service, quality, integrity and innovation – that have made us not only a leading law firm, but also an inclusive and exciting place to work and establish a career.
What advantages do you see in collaborating with a specialized legal recruitment agency like IDEX Legal?
With the competition around recruiting and retaining the best talent expected to remain strong, we have found it to be incredibly useful to partner with specialist recruiters such as IDEX Legal, who take the time to really understand our legal recruitment needs and find a bespoke solution to fit with that.
If you are a Midlands based lawyer interested in hearing about the opportunities available to you, please contact Luqmaan Ayaz at IDEX Legal on Luqmaan.Ayaz@Idexconsulting. com or call him on 07425 806576 for a confidential chat.
Where you grew up, what your parents did, and where you went to school are still huge predictors of career outcomes in the UK. Sadly, it is often who you know, not what you know, that shapes outcomes. For example, a person is 17 times more likely to become a lawyer if they have a parent who is a lawyer.
The SMF is a charity that aims to make a practical improvement in social mobility for highachieving young people from low socioeconomic backgrounds. With the help of our volunteer mentors we support thousands of young people every year, who have the ability to flourish in the top universities and professions but who lack the encouragement and networks to help them get there.
This year, the SMF will be supporting nearly 2,500 new aspiring young people across the UK, including many who would like to study and pursue careers in Law. The SMF is currently recruiting volunteer mentors to support these young people as they make crucial decisions about their futures. You can sign up to volunteer online. Please do share our volunteering opportunities with your colleagues and networks too so that we can provide life changing guidance to as many young people as possible. Any support that you can give would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!
Sign up Link: Mentoring | The Social Mobility Foundation
Contact: mentors@socialmobility. org.uk
The Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship is revolutionising the path to becoming a qualified solicitor by combining practical work experience with academic study. This approach is particularly appealing for law graduates seeking an alternative to traditional legal qualification routes. In this article we will discuss all the benefits of the Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship for employees and aspiring solicitors.
Thanks to the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA), your firm could claim up to £27,000 in funding for each new and existing employee to be used for training and SQE costs. Helping them on their journey to becoming qualified solicitors.
Approved by the SRA
The approval of solicitor apprenticeships by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) signifies a pivotal moment in legal education, endorsing the quality and standards of this alternative pathway. This validation not
only boosts the credibility of apprenticeships but also promotes inclusivity, welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds into the profession. By providing flexibility and opportunities for a broader spectrum of talent, SRA approval ensures the legal profession remains dynamic and relevant in today’s evolving landscape.
Learn more about what the SRA have said about the Solicitor Apprenticeships here:
A key feature of this apprenticeship is that it allows trainees to earn a salary while working towards their legal qualifications, reducing the financial burden often associated with legal education.
Practical Experience in Legal Practice
Apprentices gain handson experience in a law firm, dealing with actual legal cases. This exposure is invaluable in enhancing their professional skills and deepening their understanding of the law.
Early Professional Networking
By starting their careers in a
law firm, apprentices can build important professional relationships early on, laying the groundwork for future career opportunities and collaborations.
Tailored Educational Experience
The program blends practical work experience with part-time study for the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), providing a holistic and customised educational journey.
Mentorship from Legal Experts
Apprentices receive guidance and support from experienced legal professionals, which is crucial for their professional and personal growth.
The structure of the apprenticeship offers flexibility, allowing apprentices to effectively juggle their work and study commitments.
Completing the apprenticeship demonstrates commitment and adaptability and equips graduates with a comprehensive skill set, making them attractive candidates for law firms.
The Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship provides a distinctive and forward-thinking pathway for law graduates aiming to become solicitors. It uniquely merges the advantages of earning while learning, gaining practical experience, and building a solid professional foundation, rendering it an appealing choice for those embarking on a legal career.
If you would like to learn more about the Graduate Solicitor Apprenticeship please feel free to book a 1-2-1 call with Datalaw’s Apprenticeship Coordinator.
www.datalawonline.co.uk
Six-strong South-American restaurant operator, Fazenda Group made their Birmingham debut in November 2018 in the commercial heart of the city. Tomás Maunier, co-founder and managing director shares his love of Birmingham and the group's expansion plans after their recent opening in London in August 2023.
This year will mark your sixth year of trading in Birmingham. How have you seen the restaurant evolve in that time?
How time flies! It feels like yesterday that we opened the doors in Birmingham and I feel very proud to say that the restaurant is flying and in a stronger position than ever. We've seen growth of almost 30% yearon-year growth, paired with a consistently high NPS score across the past twelve months.
Our location means that we've been able to cultivate personable, long-lasting relationships within the corporate community, which for us in integral to creating a sustainable business. We've seen an impressive increase in demand for the use of our private dining and events space, too.
Birmingham is experiencing
a renaissance with major developments like Paradise Square and One Centenary Way transforming the city centre. How does Fazenda's vibrant SouthAmerican dining experience complement this revitalised urban landscape and cater to Birmingham's growing professional demographic?
Since we stepped foot in the city, there was an air of excitement and I absolutely loved the active community of young professionals.
Having been raised in Brazil before spending my early adult life in Argentina, the vision we had for the brand was to share the essence, traditions and history from back home. We feel everything we celebrate as a restaurant is reflected in the city of Birmingham and it's professional community - culture, diversity, connection.
Of course, we place emphasis on quality of our food, our wines, our drinks and service, though at Fazenda it's more of a feeling; it's the creation of memories through shared experiences.The concept of Fazenda simply lends itself perfectly to business lunches, corporate events and more relaxed dining, too.
You had a legal background before co-founding Fazenda back in 2010. How did that experience inform your approach to building and operating a successful hospitality group?
I feel my past experience within the legal sector has certainly armed me with key skills that have helped drive the business forward. The legal sector instilled in me a strong sense of ethics, which I believe is imperative for any business leader. Of course negotiation and an ability to navigate complicated situations diplomatically are also areas in which I'm proud to have carried with me.
The group has seen impressive growth since inception. Are there any plans for further UK or international expansion in the pipeline?
The past 14 years have been a remarkable journey for Fazenda. If I think back to 2010, when we had just opened the doors of our first restaurant in Leeds, I could only dream of being where we are today.
Moving forward, our strategic focus is to solidify our presence in London while actively exploring opportunities for expansion within the United Kingdom. We have also set our sights on the European market in the next few years, which is incredibly exciting for the future of the business.
Our commitment to delivering authentic and exceptional South American dining experiences remains unwavering, and we are keen to share the vibrant flavours and traditions of our cuisine with a broader international audience. We want people in the UK and beyond to visit us and Experience the Pampas.
www.fazenda.co.uk
LinkedIn: Fazenda Rodizio Bar & Grill
Today’s digital legal landscape is fast paced and ever evolving to keep up with changing marketplace needs, cater for new rules and regulations, and tackle growing cybersecurity risks. Because of this, your practice management software (PMS) is regularly updating. When enhancements, improvements and additions occur, you need to know about each-and-every one of them. The best way to address this challenge is through training.
Here, we’ve compiled some of the key advantages of consistently refreshing and expanding your software skills:
Increased productivity and profitability – Regular PMS training enables your staff to gain a full understanding of the features at their fingertips. When initial training takes place, everyone’s overwhelmed with the amount of software-related information they need to take on board while still doing their day job and progressing through a backlog. Retention is fractional. That’s why regular refresher training is so important, to provide a deeper insight into functionality, and identify handy shortcuts and time-saving techniques – to get more work done in less time which your bottom line will thank you for.
Streamlined collaboration – Many PMSs offer collaborative features which allow teams to work closely
together – a significant factor to success. Collaboration with clients is equally vital. To quote a few examples, there’s document sharing, email integration, task management, defined workflows and more. Your software will offer expansive collaboration assistance with colleagues and consumers alike.
Improved problem solving – PMSs evolve to solve new challenges as and when they arise. A formal training programme ensures you stay abreast on the latest additions and modifications triggered by the introduction of new-and-revised legislation. Training also exposes you to different scenarios and case studies where similar issues to those faced have been resolved. Your staff are empowered to act quicker and iron out problems independently.
Optimised client satisfaction – There’s an unfortunate tendency for only a fraction of the capabilities on offer actually being used as staff are unaware of the complete range of functionality at their disposal. Training unlocks your PMS’s full potential so your employees discover tips and tricks that revolutionise processes, permitting you to deliver the highestquality services and achieve superior client outcomes. Happier clients bring repeat instructions and recommend you to others – for business development benefits.
Confidence and personal growth – There are always going to be people who are hesitant about their ability to understand and use something new – including their software. Training instils confidence as your staff’s self-belief soars and they become more proficient in their daily tools. Ongoing learning also keeps your staff up to date with hot-new trends, best practices and innovative solutions – for continued professional development at its finest.
Staff retention – The ‘Great Resignation’ is impacting law firms UK-wide, with attrition being as high as 28% in the largest practices and talent being in short supply. Showing staff you’re investing in them via training has a positive knock-on effect on retention thereby lessening the strain on your entire workforce (with no short-staffing problems) and reducing the workload of your HR department (from a recruitment perspective).
Maximised return on investment (ROI) – After spending valuable funds on purchasing your PMS, the sooner you experience ROI, the better. It just makes good financial sense. ROI comes about by your staff engaging wholly with your software, tapping into its complete catalogue of functionality and working at their most productive levels.
Inflated self-reliance – If your people miss training sessions, the volume of calls made to your vendor’s technical support helpdesk rises. Support calls are reactive. If the support technician is busy, the caller may not receive help immediately and can feel they’re not being serviced correctly. By being proactive and attending training, this unnecessary situation can be avoided as there’s a better chance of navigating your software without the involvement of technical support.
Heightened cybersecurity – Cyber risks are a real-and-present danger. With home-and-hybrid workers across multiple offices, your weakest link is your employees. When your software’s developed to become more cyber robust, make sure your staff are trained on this functionality so your infrastructure is less vulnerable to cyber threats.
Stronger brand creation – As a services business, you’re dependent upon your people. With happier, engaged, motivated and loyal employees, your staff effectively become your brand ambassadors and your branding is strengthened –the combination of which gives you a marketing boost and competitive edge that’ll make your rivals green with envy while simultaneously elevating your revenue.
Final words - As software technology advances, staying up to date and expanding skillsets through training is an investment that pays numerous and varied dividends. At Jayva, we deliver training services that help practices reach their transformational efficiency goals.
Discover more by visiting www. jayvaglobal.com/training-services, emailing info@jayvaglobal.com or calling 0333 2020995.
Your industry’s never still writes Nicola Moore-Miller.
Realise ROI from your software investment
Thrive in today’s challenging legal space
Benefit in many more, expansive ways
“The training of super users was a genius stroke. It spreads the technical know how around and prevents one sole person being inundated with system queries.”
Andrew Horwich, Symes Bains Broomer Solicitors
“Our Jayva trainers showed us around the software features relevant to our diverse roles in practice. The staff are friendly and efficient which is a formidable combination.”
Andrew Gray, Truth Legal
You may manage a legal practice, might be a client-facing fee-earner, or you may keep the back office running smoothly. Whatever your role in your firm, you’re busy and your time is precious.
Technology has a big role to play in unlocking efficiencies for law firms and there are any number of options on the market. But how can firms maximise the impact these innovations offer?
The best way is to bring together disparate systems onto a single platform, enabling streamlined operations, efficiency gains, and risk reduction. From practice management to conveyancing, due diligence, company formations, legal accounting, and document
management, the firms who can access all these tools seamlessly from a single place will give themselves a distinct advantage in productivity.
Imagine having access to a range of products and services in one location, accessible with a single login. This level of integration eliminates the time-consuming task of navigating through multiple applications and managing several suppliers.
The impact? Removing administrative bottlenecks and reclaiming precious fee-earning time.
The Future of Legal Tech
Dye & Durham’s new Unity® Global Platform is a next-generation solution that introduces an array of
new applications and features—all accessible in a single, user-friendly platform. Think of Unity® Global Platform as your single destination for everything you need to run a thriving legal practice, including:
• Practice & case management including legal accounting and billing
• Client Onboarding with full KYC/ AML, Source of Funds, and integrated TA6 property information forms
• Due diligence searches
• Conveyancing workflow & data
• Automated forms, document creation & management
• Calendaring, task management, and time tracking
• And more
All of these essential applications are easily accessible by logging in at dyedurham.co.uk.
Step into the future of legal tech — and make sure you are getting the full return on your technology investment — with Unity® Global Platform.
Visit https://dyedurham.co.uk/unityglobal-platform/to learn more or contact our team for an introductory discussion at salesteamuk@ dyedurham.com
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO RUN YOUR LEGAL PRACTICE, IN ONE PLACE
PRACTICE & CASE MANAGEMENT
LEGAL ACCOUNTING & BILLING
CLIENT ONBOARDING
DUE DILIGENCE SEARCHES
CONVEYANCING WORKFLOW & DATA
DOCUMENT CREATION & MANAGEMENT
AUTOMATED FORMS
CALENDARING & TASK MANAGEMENT
TIME TRACKING
AND MORE...
We all love a city break, and with Birmingham Airport recently adding Valencia – a vibrant city on Spain’s eastern coast – to their roster of flights, Rebecca Rhodes jumped at the chance to pack her weekend bag and explore.
A short flight time of just over two hours saw us arriving at Valencia Airport early on Saturday evening. From there, it was a half hour journey by taxi to our hotel (there are excellent links via Metro as well), allowing us plenty of time to settle in to our accommodation – the centrally located, stylish and spotlessly clean, Hotel SH Colon – meet the rest of our travel companions, and enjoy a delicious three-course meal with wine in the hotel restaurant.
Valencia’s historic city centre has a rich, artistic heritage and we were lucky enough to have our very own tour guide on our first full day Catalina (CBM Visitas Culturas) was incredibly knowledgeable and really enhanced our experience. We learned so much about the history and culture of the city, from the stunning La Lonja (The Silk Exchange) Unesco World Heritage Site, to The Centro de Arte Hortensia Herrero – a newly opened modern art centre that boasts the finest collection of contemporary art in the old Valeriola Palace, an iconic 17thcentury building.
The juxtaposition between the old and the new continued as we headed to the futuristic City of
Arts and Sciences. We hired bikes and our journey took us through the Jardin del Turia, an impressive nine-kilometre route of gardens and sports and leisure spaces that crosses the city where the Turia River once flowed. After a wobbly start, I soon found my balance and this part of our trip turned out to be one of my favourite activities of the weekend and a perfect way to explore in the surprisingly warm February sunshine.
Did you know that the Cathedral of Valencia not only holds one of the most important pieces of art from the first Spanish Renaissance, but that the Holy Chalice (otherwise known as the Holy Grail) is also kept there? One of the most beautiful buildings I’ve ever been in, I plugged in to the virtual guide
and got lost in its history, art and architecture – the perfect way to while away a couple of hours before our flight home.
The Food
Paella is Valencian cuisine’s most international dish – their claim to global gastronomy fame – and a delicious one at that! We were able to sample some with a view of
the beach and sea at El Tridente de Neptuno, accompanied by a chilled glass of white wine. It was heavenly!
There was plenty of opportunities to tuck in to some tapas as well, and we were spoilt with even more amazing views for our second lunch date of the trip at Atenea Sky, a beautiful rooftop restaurant where we dined whilst being serenaded by live jazz music. Alongside a mouthwatering burrata and tomato salad, we were also served ham and cheese croquettes, succulent meatballs and a traditional fish dish called Sebia – and that was just for starters!
every year. We enjoyed a tranquil boat trip around the lake, learning more about area, including the rice fields that provide one of the key ingredients to paella.
As someone who grew up by the sea, an opportunity to walk alongside the beach wasn’t to be missed. The beautiful promenade lined with bars, restaurants and hotels all looking out across the beach was a perfect place to spend an afternoon in the sunshine.
Whether you’re looking for a holiday with friends, a break with your partner, or a solo trip, Valencia ticks all the right boxes for your next adventure.
Another must-visit for foodies is the Central Market – Europe’s largest fresh produce market. Situated in yet another beautiful building formed of iron columns, tiles and stained glass, your senses immediately go into overdrive as soon as you step inside. With more than 1,200 stalls selling everything from fruit, vegetables, spices, meat, fish, cheese and alcohol, it’s full of Mediterranean life.
Although we were only in Valencia for a short amount of time, the proximity of the city to the Marina, beach and Albufera Natural Park meant that we were able to enjoy a variety of different landscapes whilst we were there. Situated just half an hour away from the city, Parque Natural de l’Albfera is a veritable oasis, both for us humans and the thousands of birds that frequent its wetlands
For more information about Valencia, it’s history and where to go on your trip, visit: https://www. visitvalencia.com/en
