Reimagine Law

There are many different types of courts and one less discussed, is the Coroners’ Court. 

We are joined by Nadia Persaud, a Coroner for East London to unpack this interesting area.  This area discusses the role of a Coroner, the powers of the Coroners’ Court and how this type of inquisitorial judicial role is unique in the English legal system. 
We always encourage listeners to undertake practical actions after listening to the episode. 

-       Coroners’ Courts are open courts – go along to your local Coroners’ Court and listen to the proceedings.
-       Read “A Guide to Coroner Services for Bereaved People” https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-coroner-services-and-coroner-investigations-a-short-guide   

Useful resources -       The Coroners’ Court: https://www.judiciary.uk/courts-and-tribunals/coroners-courts/

In this special episode we are joined by Gordon Tsang and Amelia Mah who discuss their work in dispute resolution at international law firm CMS.  Gordon and Amelia explore the different approaches to working with their clients to settle disputes, including litigation through the courts and the alternative dispute resolution process of arbitration and mediation. 

Gordon and Amelia explain how it is hard to define a “usual” day in the life of a litigator as the work is so varied!  Working individually on drafting, speaking with different experts ranging from IP (intellectual property) or employment law colleagues at CMS, going to Court, or consulting with barristers or other external experts from industry who are needed to input into building the evidence base for a case.  Key skills for this career path are highlighted, including the skill to be able to adapt one’s communication style for different stakeholders, to make complex, technical issues readily understood, and the skill of being able to identify and summarise key points for your audience.  Time management and the ability to manage projects well are also emphasised and the need to be proactive and plan ahead, always keeping in mind too your client’s goal.  Is this dispute work about reputation management, recovering an investment or seeking to save a client’s business?  Every situation differs and a tailored strategy is needed each time.   

Actions and resources for listeners:   

See this introductory webinar guide to “Disputes 101” from CMS, covering lots of areas mentioned in this episode related to Civil Litigation.
See this summary of the arbitration process, understand what it is and some of the international dimensions to using this as a form of dispute resolution.

In this bumper episode we explore Real Estate Law, including areas such as what it really is, what a typical day looks like, the types of clients and work involved, as well as career path options within this area of law.  We also find out about ESG in the context of property and the impact of ESG advice for Real Estate clients.  We are joined by Cheryl Gurnham (partner), Amit Unadkat (partner) and Sofiya Yerokhina (Associate) from International Law Firm, CMS.

In this episode we speak with Roy Lee, a Legislative Counsel at the Law Officers of the Crown, Guernsey, who has worked across the world in many jurisdictions, consulting to governments for over 25 years to draft legislation in a range of areas.

Roy explains how his formative years led him to become passionate about Human Rights and Governance issues, and why the law became his chosen career, after exploring pathways in journalism.  Also, Roy explains his career choices, and how early experience in legal publishing led on to a career in “writing the law”, working with many different governments around the world, from New Zealand and Pacific States, to Guernsey.

Key skills for this career path are highlighted by Roy, including curiosity and an interest in a broad range of legal practice areas from transactional work to litigation.  We also discuss how those drafting the law work with government teams to co-create legislation and how it is updated through time.

Actions and resources for listeners:

·         Look at the Government’s webpages about Legislative drafting to understand more.

·         Also see the case studies from people who have taken up this career path.

We hear from two apprentices, Amy and Hamza, one in house and one in private practice, sharing their own and different journey into a solicitor apprenticeship & why is was right for them.

They also share the skills and behaviours you need and will develop to succeed, including why you need to be brave, the importance and power of building networks and accessing mentors, as well as their top tips for success!

Amy Marren on LinkedIn:  www.linkedin.com/in/amy-marren
Hamza Islam on LinkedIn: (7) Hamza (Yusuf) Islam | LinkedIn 

 Kerry (Jarred Consulting) explores this topic with Julie Harris (Head of Law BPP University South East) and Kathleen O’Reilly (Head of Law BPP University South West), in order to bring to life examples of the type of tech used in the sector, and what this means in the context of the role of a future facing lawyer.

We also hear from Julie and Kathleen about the kind of tech skills needed to flourish as a legal professional, and how technology is incorporated into the provision of legal education to develop students’ skills.

So if you are interested in de-mystifying this topic, listen on!

For those curious to learn more, some further resources are found below:

SRA | Technology and Innovation in Legal Services | Solicitors Regulation Authority

10 Trends in the Legal Tech Sector for 2022 | IE LawAhead

How Technology is Revolutionizing the Legal Sector? (appinventiv.com)

Nicholas Cheffings who was Global Chair at Hogan Lovells, and was also until recently Chair of the Prime Commitment shared his insights as to how the legal sector has changed in the last 10 years, with more law firms focusing more on their wider purpose and creating more routes into the profession for people from all backgrounds.

On the skills needed, strong technical legal skills are key but IT and coding skills, as well as a wider knowledge and set of skills can bring real advantage when it comes to clients in different sectors.

Covid-19 has proved lawyers can perform at a high level and not need to be in the office, and that is leading to a rise in more flexible and hybrid working, as well as outsourcing and a rise of contract lawyers. But spending time in office around others is still important to grow knowledge, especially in early stages of your career. 

Nicholas shares his views on the Partnership model in law firms and also discusses the issues around when to specialise.

Finally, he encouraged all who either want to come into and are working in the legal sector to ‘believe in yourself’, as everyone has doubts and fears (some hide it better than others|)  and enjoy your work!

It is no secret that studying Law can be expensive.  This episode explores all the ways that you can look for support and assistance to help pay for your studies.  

Hilary Chadwick and Vicky Walden from BPP take an in-depth look at the options available for undergraduate Law courses, apprenticeships and post graduate studies.  They share their tips and tricks and outline the breadth of funding available for both the barristers and solicitors arms of the profession.  

We always encourage listeners to undertake practical actions after listening to the episode. 

-       Look at the BPP employability webinars which are freely available to all.  You can find out more about the schedule by emailing [email protected]. 

-       Look at the Student Loans Company website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/student-loans-company

Useful resources

-       Scholarships from the Inns of Court: https://www.lawcareers.net/Barristers/Inns-of-Court-Scholarships 

-       The Law Society Diversity Access Scheme: https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/campaigns/diversity-access-scheme 

-       Aspiring Solicitors: https://www.aspiringsolicitors.co.uk/ 

Our guests this week are Mary Westcott, an extradition Barrister at Doughty Street Chambers, Rosemary Rollason a Solicitor who specialises in regulatory law (including the regulation of barristers and solicitors) and Lisa McClory an independent consultant who set up Fractal Knowledge advising businesses on ethics.   

This panel discussion considers what we mean by legal ethics and why it is important for lawyers in practice.  Our guests discuss ethics in the general sense, and whether lawyers have a duty to be ‘ethical’? The specific rules which govern the behaviour of barristers and solicitors are considered and illuminated with specific examples from practice. Amongst other things our panel consider the purpose of legal ethics?  Is it to regulate and restrict the behaviour or lawyers or should the regulation of lawyers be more aspirational to seek to achieve something in society? 

We always encourage listeners to undertake practical actions after listening to the episode...
 
Take a look at the Bar Standards Ethics Hub and see some of the common dilemmas that arise in practice:
 https://www.barcouncilethics.co.uk/subject/ethics/       
Take a look at the Solicitor Regulation Authority Principles:
https://www.sra.org.uk/solicitors/standards-regulations/principles/       
Take a look at the Bar Standards Board Core Duties:
https://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/for-barristers/compliance-with-your-obligations/the-core-duties.html   

Useful resources         
Law Students for Climate Accountability: https://www.ls4ca.org/       
The Law Gazette https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news       
The Bar Standards Board website has useful resources about how Barristers are regulated: https://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/       
The Solicitors Regulatory Authority has useful resources about how Solicitors are regulated: https://www.sra.org.uk/       
The Law Society Guidance on refusing to provide a service: https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/contact-or-visit-us/helplines/practice-advice-service/q-and-as/refusing-to-provide-a-service   

Today we are talking about diversity and inclusion within the Solicitors Profession.  This episode considers the progress in the profession to date and the vital need to keep momentum going to drive further change.  This week our guest is Chris White from Aspiring Solicitors who talks frankly about the work still to do and the importance of data to progress diversity initiatives.  One of the values of Aspiring Solicitors is “be impatient for change” and Chris discusses the importance of sharing your data to help progress that change.  

The team discuss; the importance of long term change and programmes rather than short term initiatives, diversity as a strength which is individual, and the importance of workplace understanding of difference once in a role.  

We always encourage listeners to undertake practical actions after listening to the episode. 

-       Do a simple Google search for “diversity in law” or your diversity characteristic and the area of law you want to get into. 

-       Use your initiative and look for practical opportunities you can do to help understand the profession. Think differently about how you can bring your desires and passion to life – do what others don’t (within the boundaries of legal and ethical). 

-       Go to court and watch a hearing in any area of law. 

Useful resources

-       Aspiring Solicitors https://www.aspiringsolicitors.co.uk/ 

-       Aspiring Solicitors Foundation https://www.theasf.org.uk/