news from the Devon & Somerset Junior Lawyers' Division: July 2018 Update

SUMMER BALL   The JLD hosted its annual Summer Ball on 1 June 2018.  The Masquerade Ball was held at the Mercure Exeter Rougemont Hotel and featured Venetian stilt walkers, a three-course meal, a DJ and a photobooth.  With around 100 junior lawyers in attendance, the Ball was a great opportunity for members and non-members to catch up with colleagues and friends as well as make new connections. Thank you to Ashfords, Colleton Chambers, Foot Anstey, Magdalen Chambers, Paragon Costs, Stephens Scown and Trowers & Hamlins for their generous sponsorship which helped to make the ball such a success.     CHARITY FUNDRAISING   The JLD'...

news from the Devon & Somerset Junior Lawyers' Division

news from the Devon & Somerset Junior Lawyers' Division Devon and Somerset Junior Lawyer's Division – 2016 AGM and elections   The Devon and Somerset JLD is many things – a networking group, a voice for junior lawyers in the region and a contributor to change. We bring young lawyers in the region together. We host events introducing junior lawyers to their counterparts in other professions. And we take the opinions of our members to the national JLD to be put to the Law Society, the SRA and the Ministry of Justice on a range of issues.   This year, one of our key areas for development has been diversity. We are keen to carry this through to the...

Lack of housing legal aid services is leading to advice deserts across Devon and Somerset

Lack of housing legal aid services is leading to advice deserts across Devon and Somerset Families across large parts of Devon and Somerset are denied state-funded advice on housing issues because of legal aid deserts which have emerged due to drastic government cuts in spending, the Law Society of England and Wales said as it launched a new interactive map highlighting the problem.   Mark Roome, President of Devon and Somerset Law Society said: “Our region has just three firms of solicitors in Devon, and one in Somerset who specialise in housing and whose advice is available through legal aid.   “Advice on housing is vital for people who are facing e...

President's Charities - thanks from both Air Ambulance Services

Thank you for your continued support of both Devon Air Ambulance and the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance, which is very much appreciated.   We’ve been telling you about both Air Ambulances over the last year and although we are two separate charities, we do work together regularly both operational and charity wise.   We’re just two of the Air Ambulance services who are deployed by a specialist HEMS (helicopter emergency medical services) desk at South Western Ambulance Service Foundation Trust together with our colleagues at Cornwall Air Ambulance, Great Western Air Ambulance and Wiltshire Air Ambulances. The HEMS desk ensures that we are d...

President's Charity

President's Charity HOW A RAINBOW OF COLOUR CAN HELP THE HOSPICE PROVIDE CARE AT HOME   North Devon Hospice has been named as charity of the year for the Devon & Somerset Law Society, as nominated by new President Mark Roome. One of the biggest challenges faced by the hospice is explaining to the public the scale of the care provided, and how much support is available to patients and their loved ones.     One of the hospice’s newest services is called Hospice to Home, which offers care in someone’s own home right around the clock. This can be in place for when symptoms become more severe and the person’s main carer may be struggling...

DASLS needs you! Nominations for the Society's Committee invited

It is again the time of year when we invite members of the Society to help DASLS by seeking to join the main Committee and help with the Committee’s work.   The main Committee is at the heart of the work and decision making of the Society and also helps to co-ordinate the important work of the many Sub-Committees. As a result membership of the main Committee can make a real difference to the Society and to the working life of solicitors across our two counties.   The Committee is made up of the Officers of the Society together with (see Articles §7.1.5) “not less than 10 or more than 40 elected members”.   In order to continue the effective work...