All Law Society members are welcome to join the discussion and please do flag up with any colleagues that you feel might be interested in attending.
Bristol Junior Lawyers Division (Bristol JLD) are delighted to have raised £4,079.80 for the Children’s Hospice South West, who provide support and assistance for families who have children with life-limiting illnesses (http://www.chsw.org.uk/).
The money was raised at various events over the last 12 months including several Charity Pub Quizzes, a Summer Party and the annual Charity Ball. The group presented a cheque for the amount to Janey Hellman, Corporate Partners Fundraiser for Charlton Farm, at their AGM and Committee Election on 29 November 2013.
Accepting the cheque on behalf of the charity Ms Hellman said “We are thrilled receive such a large donation. Thank you to the Bristol Junior Lawyers Division for choosing Children’s Hospice South West as their charity partner for this year. It has been a great partnership, and the funds will go a long way in supporting our work with life-limited children and their families.”
Nicola Cunnington from Damar Training, out-going Chair of Bristol JLD, added “The close working relationship with the Children’s Hospice South West this year is unparalleled in our history, and a big thank you is extended to Janey for making the Bristol JLD so included. I am so proud of all the Bristol Junior Lawyers who have contributed to our exceptional donation total, which is going to make a positive direct impact on individual families who are dealing with tragic circumstances. I would urge readers to contact the charity to find out more, and assist where possible. On behalf of the whole Bristol JLD committee, I would like to thank all of the sponsors, law firms, and local businesses that have made this a successful year and I hope you will all support us going forward. As I step down as Chair of the Bristol JLD, after three years, I am reminded of how generous our industry can be. I hope that my continued charity work on the National JLD Executive and with the Bristol JLD continues to have as much support.”
Members who are on the Roll of Solicitors (NQ’s to 5 years PQE) can attend, comment, and vote on the motion.
The SGM will be held at 10:30am on Tuesday 17 December 2013. More details are available on the Law Society website. The meeting will consider a motion of no confidence in the Law Society’s leadership. The motion relates to the strategy adopted by the Law Society to influence the government actions regarding proposed cuts to criminal legal aid.
The JLD executive can report that, following consultation with our national representatives, it is apparent that our members agree with the following position:
“The Junior Lawyers Division (JLD) firmly opposes the government’s current proposals to cut legal aid and the executive committee of the JLD has previously responded to the government consultations on behalf of JLD members confirming our opposition to previous cuts to legal aid. The JLD also has supported, and continues to support, the Save Legal Aid campaign of the Young Legal Aid Lawyers.
For these reasons, the JLD supports statements made by the Law Society opposing the legislative changes that would make further cuts to legal aid. The JLD also supports proposals of the Law Society to mitigate the impact of changes to legal aid funding.
We, the executive committee of the JLD, call for the legal profession to be united in their opposition to further cuts to legal aid. We believe it is in the interests of both the profession and the public to minimise the damaging effects that the changes proposed by the government will have.”
On this basis, the JLD invites members to attend the SGM on 17 December 2013 to support the Law Society. Voting at the SGM is limited to solicitors on the Roll. Accordingly, no trainee solicitor members, students or paralegals are able to attend the SGM and vote.
For those qualified solicitors who would like to attend, please note that space within the Law Society is limited and so it will assist (and guarantee your place) if you email the Law Society in advance (by 12 December) to reserve a place via SGMattendance@lawsociety.org.
We look forward to welcoming you at the event in full support of the Law Society.
The Bristol and National JLD Committees
