Miller is pleased to announce the hiring of James Gowen-Smith as its new Head of After The Event insurance. James’ hiring forms part of Miller’s Professional Risks team’s wider strategy to grow the range of expertise and products it can offer to clients. James will report into Joint Head of International Professional and Financial Risks, Ed Pickard.

Ed Pickard commented: “We’re excited to have James joining us at Miller. He brings with him an in-depth understanding of After The Event insurance, and how it can empower claimants during litigation proceedings. I’m confident the clients of the solicitors and litigation lawyers Miller works with will greatly benefit from the peace of mind this product offers.

Read moreMiller hires After The Event insurance specialist as part of continued growth in the Professional Risks space

Following the announcement that the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) will be extending the Solicitors Indemnity Fund (SIF) by a further year to 30 September 2022, Miller examines the age-old issue of how firms look to protect themselves when the safety net of SIF is eventually gone. 

Click the logo read Millers solicitor focused insight.

Insurers use your proposal form submission to determine if your law firm is a good risk. In the current hard market where capacity is reduced, it’s more important than ever to present your firm in the best possible light.

Click the logo read Millers top tips.

Landmark Academy: Helping you reach your Learning & Development goals

An important aspect for any legal professional is maintaining their professional development and learning requirements.  For property lawyers, conveyancers, legal executives and trainees in property, an online hub is available that provides free access to a wealth of resources.

The Landmark Academy was launched in 2020 to provide access to free training and development videos, webinars and articles, to meet professional development targets, set out by the Solicitors Regulation Authority’s (SRA).

Allie Parsons, Customer Success Consultant for Landmark Information’s Legal team explains how legal professionals can benefit: “Having spent many years visiting law firms to train teams on environmental issues, it became clear that it wasn’t always convenient for those requested to attend – busy days meant they either disrupted their schedule or missed out on updating their knowledge. Add to that the restrictions posed by the pandemic, the Landmark Academy offers a learning solution that suits the way we work today.

Read moreLandmark Academy

Recent updates to the Criminal Procedure Rules and Practice Directions encourage the court to be astute in identifying potential flaws in expert opinion (CrimPD 19A.6). This seems a reasonable suggestion, but may be rather more difficult to implement. What do Counsel need to know in order to determine the admissibility of DNA findings? CrimPD 19A.5 suggests considering a variety of factors in determining the reliability of expert opinion.

These are complex issues relating to matters including validity of methods, reliance on inference, degree of accuracy and precision involved in formulating opinions, and indeed, the degree of uncertainty. Counsel are likely to require expert assistance with such considerations. Consultant forensic scientist and chartered forensic practitioner, Sue Carney, provides here, her Top 5 tips to assist Counsel in understanding and challenging DNA expert reports.        

Read moreAn expert’s Top 5 Tips for Counsel dealing with DNA evidence?

Can you challenge an expert determination?

About a year ago, I wrote an article (“Is an Expert Determination always the final answer?” – see https://chrismakin.co.uk/is-an-expert-determination-always-the-final-answer/ ) in which I explain how difficult it is for a party to a dispute settled by ED to challenge the expert’s decision.  Here is an update.

I am keen that ED is used for many kinds of dispute, not just those arising under rent or company sale/purchase agreements.  Most of mine, of course, are of the latter type, though I have recently determined disputes over the rent payable to a farmer for wind turbines on his land, or the amount payable in royalties on music downloads.  But for the present I will stay with company sale/purchase disputes; as a chartered accountant this is my home territory.

ED has a number of advantage: speed, confidentiality, you can chose an expert with the appropriate qualifications, and so on.  But the main advantage is finality; the parties need to know where they stand, and they don’t want to be kept waiting months for a court date, and then a series of appeals if one party or the other doesn’t like the result.

Read moreCan you challenge an expert determination?

The global pandemic is changing the way people approach end-of-life planning and inspiring more people to write charitable gifts into their Will than ever before, but myths around how it works can impede that growth, according to the charity consortium, Remember A Charity.

Growth of gifts in wills

In 2020, many legal firms recorded an uplift in wills, with the Law Society reporting a ‘striking shift’ – that 7% of UK adults had written a will during the first lockdown. But the crisis prompted another notable shift; heightened awareness of the critical role of charities in our communities, inspiring the public to use their will to give back.

Read moreOne in five people writing wills now include a charity

Having just celebrated its 25-year anniversary, Derby Grammar School is using their Open Day to celebrate with ‘A Co-curricular Extravaganza’. This comes after a year of changes in 2021, including appointing a new Head to join the School in September.

Mr Paul Logan, joins the School with an impressive history of roles at both Uppingham School and Wisbech Grammar. Mr Logan explains, “I feel privileged to be taking on this role at Derby Grammar School. I am committed to building on the great developments led by Dr Norris, and the strong academic achievement the School stands for.

“The challenge of piloting the School through the changing times ahead is exciting, and I cannot wait to become part of this unique community. I feel the School is in a very strong position, with a talented and committed staff and Governing Board who will build on the already excellent education and pastoral care offered.”

Read moreDerby school hosts co-curricular extravaganza

Recent AML audits by the SRA have once again highlighted the challenges of AML compliance for the conveyancing industry.  As we know, conveyancing is one of the highest risk areas for AML so, if your practice hasn’t yet been audited by the SRA, the chances are that it will happen at some point in the future. With that in mind, we’ve put together a quick update for conveyancers with some practical tips to help with AML compliance.

 What have the SRA audits identified?

Although emphasising that most law firms take AML very seriously, as a result of the audits, the SRA has identified that there can often be a difference between a firm’s AML policies and procedures and what actually happens in practice.  Nearly two thirds of firms reviewed needed some form of engagement with the SRA and a further nine were referred to the SRA’s AML investigation team.

Read moreAnti-money laundering back in the spotlight for conveyancers

Quill makes document management easier and better with release of DocsHub

• All-new documents hub delivers a unique integration pack between Quill and Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word and Windows desktop.
• Accessible using any device anywhere, promoting secure file management, efficient time-recording and team collaboration.
• Quill is the only legal practice management software provider that also offers outsourced legal services including legal cashiering, typing, payroll and bookkeeping.

Leading legal software provider Quill is setting out to make legal professionals’ document management more streamlined and efficient than ever before through the launch of its improved DocsHub service.

Read moreQuill makes document management easier

Children Law position

Tallents Solicitors are looking to expand their successful Children’s department at their Mansfield and Newark offices and requires an experienced (3 to10 years PQE) solicitor. The role will be largely public law matters, though it is hoped you will have experience of handling a mixed caseload.  You will be have Law society Children Law accreditation

The Mansfield and Newark offices offer pleasant and friendly working environment in the heart of the town centres.

If you would like to discuss the position informally prior to an application contact Mark Hawkins on 01623 666700, or by email to mark.hawkins@tallents.co.uk

Please apply providing your CV to the Practice Manager 3 Middlegate, Newark, Notts NG24 1AQ or by email to helen.hopkins@tallents.co.uk.