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Chair's Blog - August 2010

What better way to start this month than with the significant news by way of confirmation from the SRA of the Practicing Certificate Fees for 2010/11. As solicitors employed in local government the fee is to be the Individual Fee of £428 plus a Compensation Fund Contribution of £10 making £438 in all. This is excellent news for all of us and also for our employer authorities showing not only a significant saving on previous years but a recognition of the ‘low risk’ posed by local government practitioners who do not handle client’s money. This is an achievement to which we have all contributed as the debate progressed and we are indebted to those who championed and articulated our cause. There is still work to do as I consider that this is just the starting line rather than the finishing post and I think that there is more ground to gain alongside the development of output base regulation currently under discussion.
July was another busy month as in the week following the NEC meeting I was privileged to attend the Law Society Summer Reception held in the lofty space of the glass restaurant at the Tate Modern with its magnificent views over the Thames. An intriguing venue not least because I was aware that some Peregrine Falcons have nested in recent years atop the central tower of the building and I was hopeful of catching a glimpse of them being myself perched on the seventh floor! Alas it was a no show for them. The President of the Law Society Robert Heslett (who did show) spoke of his year in office shortly to end and the general good health of the Profession but with significant challenges to come for us all. The Principal Guest was The Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor Kenneth Clarke who took the time to reflect that his career in law and politics had taken him to some very interesting (and somewhat unexpected) places and positions not least his current High Office. I also caught up with our former WES Administrative Director Linda Walker (now in private practice) and she asked me to pass on her regards to you all.
In the following week I was again at the Law Society, this time for the Annual Council Dinner on the eve of the AGM and the installation of the incoming President. It was a magnificent evening billed by the outgoing President in his address as ‘Bobs Big Night Out’. It was a fitting end to and tribute his year in office. I took the opportunity after the Dinner to write to him expressing thanks and the congratulations of SLG on the success of his year. I also wrote to the new President Linda Lee after her appointment at the Law Society AGM the following day to wish her well in her term on behalf of SLG and received a very positive response saying how much Linda was looking forward to her year and to working with SLG to achieve common aims.
Well here we are in the high days of the British summer! I hope many of you are taking or about to take a well earned break from your labours with family and friends. Have fun and come backed refreshed for the many challenges that lie ahead of all of us.
September will soon be here..................