Following his recent visit to Bristol, Law Society John Wotton remarked on the excellence of Bristol as a legal centre, describing it as “a very forward-looking, innovative and competitive legal market”.

More details of the visit will follow.

Bristol solicitors Gregg Latchams have been awarded the prestigious Lexcel quality mark as the culmination of a number of recent awards. The Lexcel mark places the firm amongst an elite group of solicitors firms which have been able to demonstrate to their professional body the highest standards of client care and service.

Managing partner Richard Hill commented: “Attaining the Lexcel award has been an achievement by everyone in the firm, from the partners through to the backroom staff. It is a recognition of the high standards the firm aspires to achieve and maintain.”

Earlier the firm’s family law department was recognised by leading legal directory Chambers & Partners.  The 2012 edition notes that the team “handles an impressive workload, representing professionals in Bristol and throughout the South West.  It is well regarded for complex ancillary relief matters involving pension and property arrangements, family businesses and substantial assets.” Two of the team’s lawyers are again included as Leaders in their Field.  Department head, Victoria Daniell has “a fantastic reputation for her matrimonial finance practice and is extremely pleasant to deal with”.  She is rated in Band 1 placing her in the top 7 family lawyers in the South West region.  Sarah Atkinson is noted as an Associate to watch given her expertise in handling “matrimonial finance matters involving complex assets and pensions”. The directory also gives specific recommendations to other partners of Gregg Latchams, Richard Hill in Real Estate, John Dalby in Employment and Richard Gore in Dispute Resolution.

The firm’s residential property department has also recently received its own quality mark, the Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme. The accreditation is based on the integrity of the conveyancing staff and the adherence to prudent and efficient conveyancing procedures.

An excellent period of recognition for the firm began last October when it was joint winner of the Bristol Law Society’s Environmental Award for it’s commitment to the environment and green issues.

Gregg Latchams have offices at 7 Queen Square, Bristol BS1 4JE (0117-9069400)

The South West Legal Support Trust are currently accepting Application Forms submitted for funding no later than 4pm on 29 February 2012. The Trustees will consider all applications by the end of March and decisions will be communicated by the middle of April 2012. Funds are available for organisations providing pro bono legal services in the following areas: Cornwall, Devon, Dorset (inc. Bournemouth & Poole), Gloucestershire (inc. Bristol), Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Somerset & Wiltshire.

Applications should be for grants in the region of £250 to £3,000. Preference will be given to activities that enable the provision of free legal advice to members of the public who would otherwise be disadvantaged. The Trust will only fund not-for-profit activity and will not support projects where the Trustees consider that LSC funding is suitable and practical within a reasonable time frame.

Details can be found here:
http://www.swlst.org.uk/SWLST%20Grant%20Invitation.pdf

http://www.swlst.org.uk/Grants.html

The Bristol Law Society website has had a spring clean and we would invite you to look around. Of course the website still has all the local news about the Bristol and Bath legal scene, as well as all the news from the Bristol Courts and selected national news relevant to Bristol and Bath practitioners. On the Legal Life section of the site, the “Around the firms” section has all the news of local firms. We welcome all submissions of news from all local firms at news@legal-life.com

The website still has information about all forthcoming events put on for members by Bristol Law Society, but we have added other content and information for all our members and readers. We know that all local lawyers are busy, but in our new lifestyle section we are focussing on matters such as coping with stress, healthy living, local leisure events, arts and theatre, restaurants and cocktail recipes. Why don’t you see what life away from your desk can offer? Check out our suggestions for February’s events.

As well as the present, we are taking a look at the past with a focus on Bristol’s long and storied history of the Law and the Legal Profession. This month we look back at the founding of Bristol Law Society, some justice dispensed in the 1730s and also on Past BLS President A.H. Wansey. We are particularly interested in featuring the histories of local firms. If you would be interested in giving us information on your firm or any of its past lawyers and cases contact us at news@legal-life.com

Each month we will be publishing features written specially for BLS members on issues affecting the profession and the business community. We will also feature pro bono organisations and charitable organisation who work with and alongside the legal community. For February we focus in on Quartet, the BLS Charity of the Year, and also on the Jackson reforms. If you would like to submit an article on a current issue or on a pro bono organisation or a charity, please contact us on news@legal-life.com

We have also added a “member to member” section in which BLS members can ask for help from other BLS members. Are you trying to trace deeds or a Will? Then contact us at news@legal-life.com and we will add your request to our Legal Life site.

Check back regularly at the Bristol Law Society and Legal Life website for further developments.

Bristol Law Society President Nick Dell of Pardoes announced that this year Bristol law Society would be supporting the work of Quartet, the chosen charity of the year.

Nick Dell said: “I am pleased to announce we have agreed to support Quartet in its 25th anniversary year. This is a very worthwhile fund-raising charity with a strong record of supporting local voluntary organisations including in the last year the Brandon trust, Backwell & Nailsea Amateur Boxing Club, Care & Repair Somerset, Hartcliffe & Withywood Teenage Parents Project, and the Sofa Project. I am delighted that Bristol Law Society will be raising money for Quartet and would urge all members to support BLS events to raise funds.”

More information on Quartet can be found on the BLS website in our new Legal Life Features section.

The parents of a three year old West Country girl who has severe cerebral palsy and relies on a wheelchair to get around have today spoken of their delight at seeing her keep up with her twin sister for the very first time with the aid of a new motorised Wizzybug.

The bright red fun buggy, based which sports a smiley face and eyes and is controlled by a colour coded joystick, now means little Sophia McCormack from Stockwood in Bristol can gain independence in moving around for the first time.

Now her family, who say it wouldn’t have been possible to get her the Wizzybug without some financial support, have expressed their thanks to the South West office of law firm Irwin Mitchell Solicitors who have funded the initial cost of the Wizzybug as well as its maintenance.

The firm, developed a partnership with the Bath Institute of Medical Engineering (BIME) who have set up the loan scheme, after it saw how much the fun bugs could improve the lives of their clients, many of whom have been victims of severe medical negligence, and other local disabled youngsters with severe mobility problems.

Julie Lewis, a partner and medical lawyer with the Bristol office of Irwin Mitchell explained: “We have seen firsthand how youngsters have benefited from a Wizzybug during their early years and how it has helped them gain independent movement, as well as teaching them from an early age how to use a powered wheelchair.

“The new loan scheme now makes the Wizzybug accessible to more local families with disabled children. For a child who cannot walk it makes such a huge difference to have an electronic buggy which has been designed especially for their needs. We are delighted to help support BIME’s loan scheme because we know that the Wizzybug changes youngsters’ lives for the better.

“Sophia has cerebral palsy and her mobility is very limited so we are very excited about being able to give her the opportunity to use a Wizzybug which will hopefully improve her quality of life.”

Claire McCormack, Sophia’s mother commented: “Both Sophia and Layla were born with cerebral palsy; however Layla’s mobility has not been as badly affected. Bringing up twins is never easy but when one has such severe mobility problems; it makes even the simplest of tasks very difficult.

“It is upsetting when she so desperately wants to move around and experience things for herself but she has to rely on me all the time.

“We are really excited about Sophia receiving the Wizzybug. Hopefully, now she will be able to make independent decisions herself and learn to interact with others. I am so thankful to everyone involved who has made this happen for her.”

February sees two new Law Books published with local authors.

The first book is “Avoid Legal Pitfalls for Small Businesses: Teach Yourself” is published by Hodder Education and written by the team from Bevans, the firm based in Redland and in London. Legal complications can be costly for small businesses, but Bevans Solicitors believe they have produced the ultimate handbook for small business owners to avoid them. Employment, premises, intellectual property, even setting up the business – all these vital aspects for small businesses can carry heavy legal costs if mishandled or overlooked. The team at Bevans Solicitors take the small business owner through all these hazards in their indispensable guide to legal pitfalls the reader may face – as well as providing solutions in the unlucky case of falling foul of these hazards.

The second book is written by former Employment Judge Colin Sara, who sat as a salaried employment judge in Bristol for over 20 years, and who retired in 2009. He has been busy in his retirement and has just written the Fifth Edition of his well received book, “Boundaries and Easements”. Published by Sweet & Maxwell, the book has been praised as an excellent and clear exposition on all aspects of the law in this area, containing cases and statutes and many practical tips and steps for anybody engaged in litigation in this area.

Two charities are set to benefit in 2012 after staff at the Bristol office of a national law firm voted for them in a new corporate responsibility initiative. Clarke Willmott LLP staff were asked to suggest charities. 11 charities then presented to the whole team and through a new voting system, 213 employees chose to support the AT Society and Bristol-based Jessie May.

A launch event to welcome the charities and introduce a year-long programme of fundraising activity to staff was held on Wednesday 11 January at Clarke Willmott’s riverside office.

Leading South West housebuilder Linden Homes, the housing division of Galliford Try, has announced the appointment of Peter Carr as Company Solicitor. Peter has over 28 years experience in the residential development sector and has chaired the House Builders Federation (HBF) Lawyers Group for the last five years.

In his new role, Peter will act as General Counsel, managing the company’s legal services and providing dedicated legal support to the business. This includes overseeing the company’s land acquisitions, compliance procedures and external legal firms working in partnership with Linden Homes, as well as aligning legal service delivery with the needs of the business.

In a move that may be good for LPC graduates looking for work, Integreon has launched what it believes to be the first-ever onshore legal process outsourcing (LPO) centre in the UK. The new LPO centre opened in Bristol this month after a request from a global client.

The Bristol arm marks the first of its kind in the UK, with LPO work traditionally carried out in offshore regions such as India and the Philippines. The new centre will provide services in document review, contracts, M&A, due diligence and compliance support.

The news comes alongside an official launch of Integreon’s paralegal service, which will see the outsourcer provide firms with temporary staff when extra capability is required.