PRO BONO WEEK 2021 – GET INVOLVED! Events in Birmingham. The Birmingham Law Society Pro Bono Committee are holding two events this year and members of the legal community are invited to both. Why not come and visit us in Cathedral Square over lunchtime to find out what Pro Bono work is happening in Birmingham? You will find us there in Pro Bono Week at the following times: • • • •
Monday 11:30 – 14:30 Wednesday 11:30 – 14:30 Thursday 10:30 – 13:30 Friday 11:30 – 14:00
Alternatively, the Committee invites you to an evening of Celebrating Achievements and Looking To The Future, with examples of great Pro Bono work already happening in the city and asking what the next 20 years should look like for Pro Bono. This event will be held at Gowling WLG. Refreshments and an opportunity to network will be followed by presentations from guest speakers.
Pro Bono Week 2021 is fast approaching; this year it will take place from the 1st to 5th November 2021. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Pro Bono Week. The events and campaigns taking place throughout the week will provide a fantastic opportunity to exhibit and appreciate the longstanding commitment of the legal profession in providing free legal help to those in need. Pro bono is vital to making sure that everyone has access to justice, but it is also a key tool in professional development and wellbeing for lawyers, as well as playing a role in staff recruitment and retention.
Invitations will be sent to anyone on the Birmingham Law Society mailing list, or for more information please email: probono@ birminghamlawsociety.co.uk National Events Resources and updates are available on the Pro Bono Week website, where you can also find plenty of event ideas and tips. Plan your event now and get it added to the national calendar online by emailing mary@probonoweek.org.uk. If you want tips on a specific event you would like to host, or details on campaigns you can join, do get in touch via the above email and we would be happy to advise. For the latest updates make sure you follow Pro Bono Week on Twitter and LinkedIn.
BIRMINGHAM HOUSING SOLICITOR APPOINTED AS DEPUTY DISTRICT JUDGE MIDLANDS Associate who sits as an assistant coroner. Helen Tucker, incoming deputy district judge and partner at Anthony Collins Solicitors, said: “I’m hugely honoured to be appointed as a deputy district judge for the Midlands Circuit. I’m looking forward to drawing on the experience I’ve gained at ACS over the years and learning a great deal more in this new role.”
Helen Tucker has been appointed a deputy district judge (DDJ) for the Midlands Circuit. Tucker, who is a partner at Anthony Collins Solicitors (ACS), will start sitting part-time in county courts in the Midlands’ circuit from early 2022.
Tucker will remain an active partner in ACS’s housing management team, co-leading the social purpose law firm’s housing litigation service supporting housing associations and local authorities in the delivery of their housing management operations.
DDJs deal with a wide spectrum of civil cases including, housing, personal injury, claims for money, divorce and domestic violence matters.
Tucker follows in the footsteps of Rankeshwar Batta, partner who is currently a deputy district judge on the North West Circuit and Sarah Huntbach, Senior
Tucker was appointed by the Lord Chancellor after a fair and open competition administered by the Judicial Appointments Commission. The appointment is for five years and can be automatically extended by the Lord Chancellor for further successive terms of five years – subject to the office holder’s agreement and the retirement age of 70. Peter Hubbard, senior partner at Anthony Collins Solicitors, said: “On behalf of everyone at ACS, we’d like to congratulate Helen on her appointment as a deputy district judge. We are proud to support our staff and partners who pursue part-time judicial roles and recognise the importance of doing so to support the administration of justice by our court service and judiciary.” www.birminghamlawsociety.co.uk 9
