THE COOK’S AND HATCHARD’S LAW PRIZE 2018 - new NOMINATION GUIDANCE AND CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

Earlier this year, the trustees revisited the criteria of the award to keep pace with the ever changing process of how candidates qualify to be solicitors. Traditionally and in the case of larger firms, individuals still qualify through university degree and training contract as well as the LPC and PSC from the SRA. It is increasingly common with smaller firms and Local Authorities that people qualify as solicitors through a more vocational route. For example qualification through conversion from CILEX meaning that while individuals have no law degree and did not undertake a training contract in the traditional sense, they have nonetheless undertaken an academic...

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...

Register of people with significant control

All companies (except certain listed companies) and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP’s) are required to keep a register of people with significant control (PSC register) and, file relevant information at Companies House. This requirement is in addition to those in respect of existing registers. The requirement to keep a PSC register has the objective of increasing transparency over control and ownership of UK firms and companies. However, this places additional obligations on their officers and the people with significant control over them.   What are the requirements?   The requirements include: Taking reasonable steps to find out whether there ar...

President's Charities - Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance news

Once again, from everyone at Dorset and Somerset Air Ambulance, we want to say a big thank you to the Devon and Somerset Law Society for your continued support. We thought we would use this opportunity to send over some of our latest news in hope that you will find it interesting. Additionally, we hope that it shows just how your support is making such a difference!   Mandy Bugler thanks Air Ambulance Team   On the 16th July, at 4.40pm, I was a passenger in a car accident near Somerton in Somerset. I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to each of you that attended and for taking care of me that day. I'm sorry that I don't remember...

Advertorial from new sponsor Unoccupied Direct

Providers of straightforward, hassle free insurance for unoccupied properties   Unoccupied Direct’s product has been developed to provide cover for properties that are unoccupied due to the owner moving into a care home, back in with family members or during probate. We work directly with solicitors to ensure that their clients have market-leading cover in place for their loved one’s property whilst it’s empty.   Our market-unique product and services were set up after 20 years of experience insuring unoccupied properties by our parent company, Vasek Insurance. As one of the leading wholesalers of property insurance in the UK, Unoccupied Direct’s...

Aston Court news including Environmental Sustainability

Congratulations to Arnold Harding who elevated me to ‘Master of the Rolls’ in the last edition’s caption competition. It is of course a tissue of lies. Arnold was not the only entrant to suggest this caption and so a prize draw was initiated for the fizz. There were several good entries including one from our Honorary Secretary; “No, no Tony, I said we need 144 chocolate rolls, not toilet rolls …….”.  We look forward to your entries from this month’s photo of the Dean of Exeter Cathedral; I gather he is keen to see the suggestions!   So, what’s happening at DASLS I hear you ask – well even if you didn’t I shall tell you anyway.   Our...