Social Events & Meetings
President's Review - Stephen Mahoney
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Two months in and what has the President been up to?
In summary: one conference, one County Societies Group (CSG) meeting, one Parliamentary visit, four meetings relating to DASLS Awards, one Twin Bars meeting, one Sunday Legal Service, three formal dinners, one 10 kilometre walk, one Sub-Committee and one main Committee meeting. |
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The conference was for Presidents and Honorary Secretaries and meant that, for the first time, I made it over the threshold of 113 Chancery Lane. The Friday was particularly busy, starting with the CSG Meeting at which Fraser Whitehead, Chair of the Council Membership Committee outlined the thoughts of his committee on the reform of The Law Society Council. Between addresses and debates, there were workshops to attend as well before the black tie dinner in the Common Room that evening.
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L-R DASLS President Stephen Mahoney, Law Society President Joe Egan, with CEO Paul Tennant and DASLS Hon Secretary Chris Hart |
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I was back in London a few days later with several other DASLS Solicitors for a tea time meeting kindly sponsored by Kevin Foster, MP for Torbay. We were, for the first time, joined by representatives from our CSG colleagues from Kent, Leicestershire and Surrey. This enlarged deputation certainly grabbed the attention of MPs and Lords alike. The Lord Chancellor David Gauke attended and spoke early on. Then the Chair of the Justice Select Committee Bob Neill responded supportively on the subject of the reinstatement of legal aid for early advice in housing law and family law cases, one of the topics I highlighted in my speech. Kevin Foster, himself a former criminal litigator, also spoke recognising the looming crisis in the criminal legal aid system, brought about by cuts in legal aid rates, the resulting low numbers of duty solicitors, ageing community of criminal law specialists and few young solicitors choosing the specialism. |
Reception at Westminster on 15 May 2018 |
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The good news to come out of the meetings about our Legal Awards is that DASLS has a new partner for the 2019 Awards and beyond in the shape of Grow Marketing. Based in Exeter, launched last year but with a wealth of experience amongst their staff of working for national news media groups, Grow have impressed us with their energy and enthusiasm. A shining example of this is Alice Bryan. Having previously worked for DC Media and Trinity Mirror, our partners for the past three years, Alice has been involved in the detailed planning and delivery of the Awards since their inception. To say that she is excited to be working with DASLS again is an understatement.
On the international front, I was pleased to represent DASLS at the Twin Bars meeting hosted by the Young Bar of Leuven which was also attended by representatives from Bilbao, Erlangen, Gdańsk and Rennes. I was accompanied by trainee solicitor Lucy Ferrat who did sterling work researching the case study on criminal litigation prepared by Leuven and then assisting me on the day with the presentation itself. Lucy being a fluent French speaker was even more of an asset as she and the lawyers from Rennes got on like a house on fire. Much better than my stumbling efforts to recall my O Level French. |
Lucy Ferrat with Stephen Mahoney |
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Within a couple of weeks it was DASLS’ turn to play host to our European colleagues for the Exeter Sunday Legal Service. The Saturday evening dinner and Sunday procession and service itself were attended by lawyers from Bilbao, Erlangen, Gdańsk, Leuven, Rotterdam and Verona. It was a privilege to also welcome the new President of the Federation of European Bars, Michele Lucherini and his wife Barbara, as well as immediate past President Prof. Sara Chandler QC (Hon) and her husband José. This year’s procession was between the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and the Cathedral, a longer route than last year and one which meant the Sunday shoppers had even more time to gaze in mild bemusement at the gowns, wigs, cloaks, chains of office, uniforms, medals and other finery on display. As ever, the lawyers from European Bars loved the pomp and ceremony of the occasion. There is real value in nurturing good relations with our Twin Bars and others we have got to know through attending each other’s events. For clients whose business and property interests are not confined to this country, one never knows when the contact details of lawyers in other parts of Europe may come in handy. |
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At a more work a day level I attended the recent Non-Contentious Business Sub-Committee meeting, with new chair Rachael Morley in charge and, a few days later, it was my turn to chair my first full Committee meeting. There we approved the Vice President’s Committee’s draft response to the SRA consultation paper: “protecting the users of legal services: balancing cost and access to legal services.” In short, we think the SRA’s proposals to reform the Compensation Fund are a bad idea. Together with other members of the Strategy Review Working Party and input from other Sub-Committee members, the final touches have been put to DASLS Strategic Plan for the next three years. My thanks to everyone involved in the process for the time and thought they devoted to it.
Aside from the mental input required for such meetings, physical effort was the order of the day for the 10 kilometre legal walk on 4th June in aid of the South West Legal Support Trust. I was joined by immediate Past President Sue Aggett and Executive Director Tony Steiner. Sue and Tony got soaked to the skin on the walk last year. This time the weather stayed dry and we were closer to being soaked in perspiration on a route which involved some steep climbs in humid conditions. The drink at the Cosy Club afterwards was most welcome.
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Above processing into Exeter Cathedral Below start of the Exeter Legal Walk with Sue Aggett, Stephen Mahoney and Tony Steiner  |
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With DASLS a Member of the Association of South Western Law Societies, I was pleased to attend the Dinner and Summer Ball of Monmouthshire Incorporated Law Society on 15th June held at the Celtic Manor. New President Mel Bevan-Evans and her team did themselves proud in organising a great evening of fine food and entertainment.
Looking forward, I will shortly be off to The Hague, joining the celebrations for the 80th anniversary of their Bar. Then I will be taking part in the DASLS v JLD Rounders on 12th July. JLD pipped us by one run last year, so we are looking to put the youngsters in their place this time.
Finally, returning to the Presidents’ and Honorary Secretaries’ Conference, one of the workshops I attended was on use of Social Media. I was so impressed by the speakers from other local law societies who had put this to good use that I agreed to do something I would never have considered before becoming President – tweet! You can follow me: @DASLSPresident. |
MILS Dinner & Ball Law Society Council Member Mark Evans and Stephen Mahoney 
MILS President Mel Bevan-Evans and Stephen Mahoney
L-R MILS Past President Clive Thomas, ASWLS President Anthony Earl and Stephen Mahoney
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