Hampshire Legal March 2026 by Benham Publishing Limited

HampshireLegal

THE

JOURNAL

Self-esteem and success: a guide for junior lawyers

Happenings in Hampshire

Council Report

CPD Programme 2026

PUBLISHER

Ian Fletcher

Benham Publishing Limited, Aintree Building, Aintree Way, Aintree Business Park, Liverpool L9 5AQ

Tel: 0151 236 4141

Fax: 0151 236 0440

Email: admin@benhampublishing.com Web: www.benhampublishing.com

ACCOUNTS DIRECTOR

Joanne Casey

SALES MANAGER

Catherine McCarthy

STUDIO MANAGER

John Barry

MEDIA No.

2195

PUBLISHED

March2026 © Benham Publishing Ltd.

LEGAL NOTICE

None of the editorial or photographs may be reproduced without prior written permission from the publishers. Benham Publishing would like to point out that all editorial comment and articles are the responsibility of the originators and may or may not reflect the opinions of Benham Media. No responsibility can be accepted for any inaccuracies that may occur, correct at time of going to press. Benham Publishing cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in web or email links supplied to us.

DISCLAIMER

The Hampshire Incorporated Law Society welcomes all persons eligible for membership regardless of sex, race, religion, age or sexual orientation.

All views expressed in this publication are the views of the individual writers and not the society unless specifically stated to be otherwise. All statements as to the law are for discussion between members and should not be relied upon as an accurate statement of the law, are of a general nature and do not constitute advice in any particular case or circumstance.

Members of the public should not seek to rely on anything published in this magazine in court but seek qualified Legal Advice.

COVER INFORMATION

Image by Aaron Burden on unsplash.com

29th May 2026

For the June 2026 edition

Advertising

Anyone wishing to advertise in Hampshire Legal please contact Catherine McCarthy before the copy deadline. 0151 236 4141 catherine@benhampublishing.com

Editorial

Anyone wishing to submit editorial for publication in Hampshire Legal please contact Nicola Jennings before the copy deadline. administration@hampshirelawsociety.co.uk

@hampshirelawsoc

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President’s Review

MARCH 2026

Theresa Mills

My second report for the magazine seems to have come round so quickly, but actually I am 1/4 of the way through my Presidential year already. Perhaps the phrase should be “time flies when you juggle work, family and local law society commitments” although it has also been “fun” too and I am excited to share more social events with you as the year progresses.

In my first quarter as Hampshire Law Society President I have represented the Society at the Southern Area Association of Local Law Societies in January. This was an excellent opportunity to meet with presidents, vice presidents and secretaries of other local law societies and find out what they are doing for their members, it is also an opportunity to hear from our Law Society Counsel Members on what is happening at Chancery Lane. The consultation to pay a percentage of interest earned on client account to the Ministry of Justice was discussed at length and as a Local Law Society Hampshire have responded on behalf of our members with concerns that have been brought to our attention by our members.

We continue to offer a programme of educational events and I had the pleasure of attending the in person Private Client lecture by Helen Forster who is an incredibly knowledgeable lecturer. It remains a goal for my presidential year to increase attendance at our lectures. If there is training you would like to see provided please do let us know.

Preparations for our annual quiz are well underway as I write this report. I am looking forward to seeing many of you on the night. Hampshire Law Society exists for its members and we would love for more members to participate in our events, lectures and committee. If you have ideas, suggestions or time to volunteer on the committee we would love to hear from you.” ■

Theresa

Mills President Hampshire Law Society

Hampshire Law Society Contacts

The following is an up-to-date list of committee members’ names and addresses and the sub committees to which they belong

Hampshire Law Society are looking for new Committee Members.

If you would like to join us please contact our administrator Nicola Jennings. The committee meet every other month either via zoom or at an office. It is normally a Tuesday at 5.45pm. We would love to welcome you to our Committee.

President Theresa Mills Churchers

Law Society Council Member

Non Contentious

12 High Street, Fareham PO16 7BL

Tel: 01329 822333 tmills@churchers.co.uk

Vice President

Naomi Taylor-Davis Biscoes

Lake House, Port Solent, Portsmouth PO6 4TY

Tel: 02392 660261

Ntaylor@biscoes-law.co.uk

Honorary Secretary

Mo Aldridge

Jasper Vincent

44 Queensway, Southampton SO14 3GT

Tel: 023 8063 3225 maldridge@jaspervincent.com

Honorary Treasurer

Naomi Taylor-Davis Biscoes

Lake House, Port Solent, Portsmouth PO6 4TY

Tel: 02392 660261

Ntaylor@biscoes-law.co.uk

Immediate Past President

Kevin Richardson

Adrienne Edgerley Harris adrienneedgerleyharris@gmail.com

Administrator

Nicola Jennings Tel: 023 8044 7022 administration@hampshirelawsociety.co.uk

Complaints

Naomi Taylor-Davis

Ntaylor@biscoes-law.co.uk

Education & Training

Theresa Mills (Chair) tmills@churchers.co.uk

Kevin Richardson

Mo Aldridge

Rachel Tombs

Nicola Jennings

Membership

Tebo Sebitlo (Chair) Tsebitlo@churchers.co.uk

Naomi Taylor-Davis

Contentious

Russell Evans (Chair) russell.david@yahoo.co.uk

Kevin Richardson

Michelle Hurst

Melanie Lidstone-Land

Mo Aldridge (Chair) maldridge@jaspervincent.com

Matthew Robbins

Harry Dancer

Tebo Sebitlo

PR (inc Social)

Mo Aldridge (Chair) maldridge@jaspervincent.com

Millie Gregory

Rachel Tombs

Melanie Lidstone-Land

Sarah Jessup

Emily Shepard

Regulatory

Adrienne Edgerley Harris (Chair) adrienneedgerleyharris@gmail.com

Kevin Richardson

Diversity and Inclusivity

Michelle Hurst (Chair) mhurst@biscoes-law.co.uk

Naomi Taylor-Davis

Theresa Mills

Lou Earp

https://www.linkedin.com/ company/hampshireincorporated-law-society/

Self-esteem and success: a guide for junior lawyers

It’s easy for confidence to fluctuate in the early years of a legal career, especially when pressure is high and feedback is constant. This article explores why self-esteem, a steadier sense of self-worth beyond performance, matters more than confidence alone, and how it can help redefine early career success in law.

In any industry, transitioning from academic study and theoretical reasoning and putting this into practice can be a challenge.

The legal sector boasts additional pressures like high stakes, fast pace and little margin for error. Whilst these demands are synonymous for all, junior lawyers often face additional risk factors the likes of:

• Working primarily on lower-level tasks, which can create a sense of limited impact. While this work is essential to achieving strong outcomes, it can feel disconnected when one is not included in strategic discussions or client-facing opportunities. Spending extended periods behind the scenes without visibility can erode one’s sense of purpose and contribution.

• Managing heavy workloads and time pressures and distinguishing between healthy stress and anxiety. These challenges are often intensified by the billable-hour model. In some cases, a junior lawyer’s time may be written off entirely to meet a client’s fee estimate. When work feels undervalued or removed from the bill altogether it is unsurprising that junior lawyers may feel disillusioned with their day-to-day tasks.

• Finding the confidence to speak up and ask questions in an environment dominated by high achievers. This can fuel perfectionism and fear of failure, and create uncertainty around when to ask questions, how much responsibility to assume and how to communicate effectively with senior colleagues and clients.

This steep learning curve is often viewed as a necessary rite of passage, yet it can leave lasting effects on anxiety levels and feelings of inadequacy. Despite these early challenges, many junior lawyers remain in the profession, recognising that the role and its outcomes become increasingly rewarding beyond the initial years of practice.

Self-esteem vs self confidence

For junior lawyers, cultivating self-esteem is key to building lasting confidence. Unlike self-confidence, which fluctuates with feedback, billables, or task performance, self-esteem is identity-based and it answers the question, “I am enough” and remains relatively stable regardless of success or failure.

Believe you can and you’re halfway there. – Theodore Roosevelt

Confidence can be learned, practiced, or temporarily faked. Whilst it can be fast building, it can also be easily smashed and without self-esteem it is fragile. By investing in self-esteem, junior lawyers develop a stable sense of worth that supports growth, resilience, and a meaningful career beyond external recognition.

Self-esteem shapes how you relate to your work and yourself. It counters the belief that worth comes from overwork, encourages healthy monitoring of time and stress, and normalises emotional

responses. By confidently acknowledging your learning needs, you strengthen inner trust and reduce self-judgement. Over time, these habits create a stable sense of worth from effort and growth. With self-esteem as the anchor, authentic confidence follows, enabling sustainable performance, healthier interactions, and ongoing development.

Make self-esteem your bedrock

• Value yourself through daily actions: Treat asking for guidance, clarifying tasks, and managing your workload as acts of self-care, not chores.

• Affirm your worth independent of outcomes: Remind yourself “I am enough” even when cases are tough or feedback is critical; this stabilises confidence.

• Notice and normalise your responses: Acknowledge stress, mistakes, or learning needs without shame to build inner trust and reduce self-judgement.

Support networks

• For junior lawyers, Law Society of England and Wales membership offers access to valuable resources, professional support, and opportunities that can help navigate the early stages of a demanding career. This can help offer clear professional guidance, training, and skill-development opportunities, while also building esteem through mentorship, peer networks and wellbeing resources. This is an environment that normalises challenges, encourages asking questions, and reinforces that growth and effort, not comparison or overwork, define professional worth. You can also contact the Law Society or the professional body that covers where you work and the type of work you do, such as the Law Society of Scotland or The Law Society of Northern Ireland.

• LawCare’s support is always available not just in extreme situations, but whenever the pressure feels overwhelming. Their mental health charity helpline (and online chat) helps junior lawyers manage stress and maintain wellbeing, emphasizing that seeking support is normal. They also provide practical guidance on coping with pressure and staying focused and effective under stress. Call LawCare’s helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, on 0800 279 6888 (also see the pop up on this website for other ways to get in touch)

• When self-esteem is eroded, it’s still possible to appear confident and give off an “I’m fine” signal. Wearing that Teflon suit of armour can be exhausting. If you’re not actually “fine”, please consider reaching out to your firms’ EAP, a Mental Health First Aider, or someone who will listen, such as Samaritans (116 123).

Cultivating self-esteem is a gradual process built on consistent effort and self-compassion. It fosters resilience, a stable sense of self, and unconditional self-acceptance. While confidence helps you get through the day, self-esteem is the lasting foundation that supports a sustainable career. For junior lawyers facing high expectations and steep learning curves, investing in this internal groundwork is essential for long-term success and wellbeing.

CPD Programme 2026

CONVEYANCING SEMINAR

Thursday 30 April 2026 | 3.00-4.30pm Via Zoom

Richard Snape has been the Head of Professional Support at Davitt Jones Bould since 2002. He speaks a numerous courses for law societies all over the country, various public courses, in-house seminars within solicitors firms and has also talked extensively to local authorities and central government bodies. His areas of specialism include both commercial and residential property, in particular in relation to local government law, conveyancing issues, development land, commercial property and incumbrances in relation to land.

• TBA

SDLT

Wednesday 13 May 2026 | 2.00-5.00pm Botleigh Grange Hotel

Paul Clark has been a commercial property solicitor for over 40 years. He is an expert on many aspects of commercial property law and is a popular and engaging speaker.

• TBA

PROBATE UPDATE

TUESDAY 9 JUNE 2026 | 3.00-4.30pm Via Zoom

Kerry Morgan-Gould, Kerry is a Partner and Head of the Trusts & Estates Team at Ashfords LLP. Kerry has been qualified for 12 years.

She advises private individuals, charities and trustees in relation to all matters arising out of contentious Wills, Trusts and Estates. In addition, Kerry also advises clients in relation to contentious Court of Prote.

• TBA

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The programme will be updated once additional information received from speakers ~ Information will be distributed via email and in the quarterly magazine.

You can find more detail on each lecture on our www.hampshirelawsociety.co.uk

PRICING

ZOOM: 1.5 hour lecture = £35.00 (Non Member £50.00)

LIVE: 3 hour lecture= £90.00 (Non Member £130.00) Botleigh Grange Hotel, Hedge End

For Zoom Lectures the link will be provided in the days prior to the event Handouts will be emailed prior to each lecture

TERMS & CONDITIONS

All applications will receive a written confirmation of booking

Payment can be made securely online or is required with the registration form. No places can be reserved without payment

Booking is subject to availability of places

Delegates may be substituted at any time with an appropriate additional payment for any non-members

HILS accepts no responsibility for the views or opinions as expressed by the speakers, chairman or any other persons at the event

HILS reserves the right to alter the venue, programme and the speakers at any time

Claiming the member rate remains the responsibility of the claimant however HILS will ensure that you are charged the appropriate fee once membership status checked

Your membership also entitles you to attend live and online seminars run by some of our neighbouring law societies – check the website for details.

C H A R I T Y

G O L F D A Y 2 0 2 6

Includes 18 holes of golf, bacon roll & coffee on arrival, lunch to refuel

All proceeds go to Sebastian’s Action Trust, supporting families navigating life-limiting and life-threatening childhood illness.

Competitions, a silent auction, raffle prizes and a coveted winner’s trophy!

Whether you’re interested in sponsorship opportunities, entering as an individual, or booking a team, get in touch: susan@sebastiansactiontrust org or scan the QR code to book

Lester Aldridge Welcomes Estella

Newbold-Brown

as Partner and Head of Family

Lester Aldridge is excited to welcome leading family law specialist Estella Newbold-Brown as Partner and Head of Family, strengthening the firm’s growing Private Wealth group with her extensive experience and modern approach to family law.

Estella brings nearly two decades of specialist experience advising high-net-worth clients on complex financial matters, children issues and the full range of modern family structures. She often works on cases involving significant wealth, family businesses, international assets and offshore structures. Her expertise includes pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, children arrangements, relocation disputes and Schedule 1 Children Act applications. She also advises on pet-nuptial agreements and is recognised nationally for her work in pet-related family law, having co-founded the Working Group for Pets on Divorce and Separation.

Ranked in both The Legal 500 UK 2026 and Chambers UK 2026, Estella is known for being clear, supportive and practical in her advice. She regularly works with LGBTQ+ families and has a strong understanding of the issues that arise across different family set-ups. She also speaks at events, delivers webinars and has appeared on television to comment on family and fertility law. Most recently, Estella was recognised at the Citywealth Powerwomen Awards 2026 International, winning the Bronze Award for Woman of the Year Business Growth.

Alongside her work as a family law solicitor, Estella has written three children’s books, including one designed as a resource for family lawyers and separating parents to use with their children. Her next publication is A Practical Guide to Pets on Divorce for Family Lawyers.

Estella will be based in the firm’s London office and will work across all three of Lester Aldridge’s locations.

Estella Newbold-Brown said:

“I am absolutely delighted to be joining Lester Aldridge as a Partner and Head of Family. The firm has an excellent reputation and a strong foundation within family law, and I am looking forward to building on that success as we continue to grow the department. I bring with me nearly two decades of family law experience, together with a passion for supportive, strategic client care, and I am excited to contribute to the firm’s wider objectives and help drive its ambitions forward.”

Tom Alder, Managing Partner, said:

“We’re really pleased to welcome Estella to the firm. She is a brilliant addition to our Family and Private Wealth teams and brings experience that will make a real difference to our clients. Estella understands the realities of modern family life and the challenges people face, and she has a way of putting clients at ease while guiding them through complex situations. She boosts what we can offer individuals and their families, and we are excited to have her on board.”

John Townsend, Head of Private Wealth, said:

“Estella’s arrival is a great addition to our Private Wealth team. Family law is an important part of the support we provide to clients and her expertise, particularly in complex financial matters and modern family issues, strengthens our ability to offer a complete and joined-up service. I am delighted she is joining us and look forward to working closely with her across our offices.”

Biscoes Raises Over £6,000

for 2025 Charity of the

Year, Wessex Cancer Support

Biscoes Solicitors are proud to announce that a whopping £6,000 has been raised for our 2025 Charity of the Year, Wessex Cancer Support. This impressive total reflects the dedication, resilience and teamwork shown by staff throughout 2025, as they took on a series of highly physical challenges that pushed them to their limits in the name of charity.

Colleagues from across the firm volunteered their skills, strength and enthusiasm to activities such as Dragon Boat Racing (in the rain) and lacing up their trainers for the annual LawNet Walk or the (also very soggy) Great South Run. Even our much loved Christmas Raffle played its part, using the opportunity of bringing all staff together to fundraise for our cause in the spirit of the season.

The commitment shown by all involved has been inspirational, and we are delighted to be supporting the vital work that Wessex Cancer Support provides to local individuals and families affected by this disease. We are incredibly proud of our staff and excited to see how much we can achieve in the coming year for our new 2026 Charity of the Year.

Biscoes Breakfast Networking Mornings Making a Positive Impact

Since launching last year, Biscoes’ Breakfast Networking Mornings have quickly become a popular and well attended fixture in Portsmouth’s corporate calendar. Designed to bring together businesses, community organisations and legal professionals from across the South, the events offer a relaxed and welcoming space to connect, collaborate and share ideas before the working day begins.

Alongside fostering strong local relationships, the mornings also support four important charities that are especially meaningful to us: Spark Community Space, Pompey in the Community, The Elizabeth Foundation and The Parenting Network. From every ticket sold, £5 is donated, and by the end of 2025 we were proud to have raised and donated £400 to each charity through the funds raised from these events.

The continued success of the networking mornings reflects the enthusiasm of our attendees and the strength of the Portsmouth business community. We look forward to welcoming even more guests throughout 2026 as we continue to grow both the event and its charitable impact.

Dutton Gregory Quiz and Curry Night raises over £2,000 from the Romsey Opportunity Group

Now in it’s fifth successful year, Dutton Gregory Solicitors returned with their annual charity quiz and curry night.

With another packed house at the Winchester Wessex Hotel over 100 quizzers from over 15 different local business tested their knowledge on questions ranging from Nordic geography through to children’s books before the team of ‘dolphinately smarter than we look’ (who were also in the running for best team name of the night) from RBC Brewin Dolphin took home the win and trophy.

The evening also included a raffle with a number of prizes which had been generously donated by local business including champagne, chocolate hampers and Southampton FC tickets.

Jon Whettingsteel, head of Dutton Gregory’s family law team, and quiz host for the evening said, ‘this is always such a fantastic event in Winchester’s social calendar. I am always blown away by the generosity in companies supporting the event, whether that’s giving up their evening to take part, or donated a prize for the raffle. It’s so

wonderful to see local businesses getting together to support local charities and important causes. This is such a fantastic and important charity, and one of few Opportunity Groups that remain open in the country due to many of them having closed over the last few years due to financial challenges. That’s why evenings like the quiz night are so vital in raising funds to enable these charities to continue to operate and provide much needed community support.’

Founded in 1971, Romsey Opportunity Group is a Hampshire based charity that provides specialist facilities and support for babies and pre-school children with additional needs and disabilities. The organisation creates a safe space for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to learn, develop, and thrive, while also offering valuable support to their families.

Funds raised during the evening will go towards repairing and refitting the charity’s playground and playhouse, helping to enhance the safe and inclusive environment it provides for children.

This year marks a significant milestone for Phillips Law as we celebrate our 40th anniversary. Since 1986, our focus has remained clear. We provide dependable legal guidance that helps people and businesses make confident decisions. Over four decades, we have grown alongside the Basingstoke and wider Hampshire community. This anniversary is a moment to recognise the relationships, trust and collaboration that have shaped our journey, and to look ahead to the future with confidence.

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Phillips Law celebrate 40

Phillips Law advises on Central London office lease

Our Commercial Property team, led by Consultant Clare Strachan, advised Circle on a new office lease in Covent Garden.

The transaction was completed within a tight timeframe and required careful coordination to support Circle’s operational and growth objectives. This work reflects our focus on delivering clear, commercially grounded advice that supports momentum.

Brew Monday at Phillips Law

In January, we marked Brew Monday by taking time to pause and connect as a team.

With coffee, conversation, and a moment away from busy diaries, it was a simple reminder that wellbeing is about connection and checking in with one another, not dates on a calendar.

£15,056 raised for the

Pink Place

We were proud to conclude our Charity of the Year partnership with The Pink Place, having raised £15,056.93 throughout 2025.

These funds will help support women affected by cancer across our local community. Thank you to everyone who donated, took part in events, or supported our fundraising efforts. The impact of this partnership will continue well beyond the year..

Paris Smith LLP welcomes two new senior recruits to its Property Department

Paris Smith is delighted to announce the arrival of two highly experienced property lawyers to its Bournemouth office. The appointments strengthen the firm’s growing property team and reflect its commitment to providing exceptional legal services across the South Coast.

Deborah Fenton joins as a Senior Associate, specialising in residential property matters. With extensive expertise in advising clients on all aspects of residential transactions, Deborah brings a wealth of knowledge and a client-focused approach that will enhance the firm’s offering in this area.

Kerry Houston-Kypta joins as a Partner, focusing on commercial property matters. Kerry has significant experience of advising on complex property transactions, property finance and investment work including SIPPS. Her appointment further bolsters the firm’s commercial property practice, ensuring clients benefit from strategic advice and practical solutions.

Stuart Allen & Rachel Saint, Joint Heads of Department for Property, commented: “We are thrilled to welcome Deborah and Kerry to the team. Their expertise in residential and commercial property respectively will add real depth to our department. Both are

highly regarded in their fields, and their arrival reflects our continued investment in strengthening the breadth of services we provide to clients across the region.”

Frank Prior, Lead Partner in the Bournemouth office, added: “The Bournemouth office continues to go from strength to strength, and the addition of Deborah and Kerry is a significant milestone. Their skills and experience will be invaluable in supporting our clients and in driving forward our growth ambitions locally. We are excited to have them on board and look forward to the positive impact they will make.” These appointments mark another step in Paris Smith’s strategy to expand its presence and expertise in Dorset and Hampshire, ensuring clients receive the highest quality legal advice across all property matters

Paris Smith named Corporate Legal Partner of Hampshire FA

Paris Smith has progressed from a smaller-scale sponsorship arrangement to become Corporate Legal Partner of Hampshire FA, reflecting the breadth and value of the support provided to the county FA.

As part of the partnership, Paris Smith continues to advise Hampshire FA across all areas of its business. In addition, Hampshire FA’s management workforce has benefited from tailored legal services and training delivered by the award-winning law firm.

The next phase of the partnership will see the Paris Smith brand featured prominently across a range of Hampshire FA marketing and communications collateral, as well as maintaining a presence on Hampshire FA’s sponsorship page. This resource helps grassroots football clubs access guidance on producing legally binding contracts, supported by practical checklists.

Neil Cassar, Chief Executive Officer of Hampshire FA, said: “We’re delighted to transition into a larger agreement with our partners who are a well-established, professional and reliable support in our partner programme. Paris Smith is widely regarded as a leading law firm which is evident having recently been presented with the ‘Best

Law Firm as of 2026’ award for corporate excellence. As a governing body, we want to be associated to companies which demonstrate excellence, professionalism and integrity. It is one of the reasons we have long been associated with the law firm”.

Clive Dobbin, Partner at Paris Smith LLP, said: “We are delighted to expand our long-standing partnership with Hampshire FA. Supporting grassroots football, local clubs and the people who make the game happen has always been important to us, and this new agreement reflects our shared commitment to the community. We’re proud to continue working alongside Hampshire FA to help the game grow across the county.”

Hampshire Law Society Annual Dinner & Awards 2026

Friday 22 May

Voco Winchester Hotel & Spa

Telegraph Way, Morn Hill, Winchester SO21 1HZ

Hampshire Law Society warmly invites members and their guests to the 2026 Annual Dinner and Awards, the leading black tie event in the local legal calendar, on Friday 22nd May.

This memorable evening will take place at the prestigious Voco Winchester Hotel & Spa. The dinner will be held in the Hampshire Suite, a sumptuous 3 course meal prior to the entertainment and presentation of the Legal Awards 2026.

The 2026 dinner should provide an ideal opportunity to entertain guests and colleagues plus plenty of networking at this prestigious venue.

Following the dinner, we will award the winners of the 3 categories. Please get your nominations in by the 30 April.

The evening will finish at midnight.

There will be fundraising and a raffle in aid of the President’s chosen charity

Sebastians’ Action Trust

Early Bird Price

£55ph members/ £60ph non members before 19 April

Corporate Member Table of 10 £500 before 19 April

From 20 April

£65ph members/ £75ph non members

Corporate Member Table of 10 £600 from 20 April

There is free car parking at the venue.

The President of Hampshire Law Society looks forward to the pleasure of your company on 22 May 2026 and hopes that you will enjoy the evening.

If I can be of any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me. (Nicola Jennings – administration@hampshirelawsociety.co.uk)

Kindly Sponsored by

Spotlight on Corp Firm - Trethowans

Trethowans opens new Winchester office at Wykeham Court to support ambitious growth

Trethowans, a leading law firm with offices across the central South of England, has officially opened the doors to its new Winchester office, moving into larger premises at Wykeham Court on Monday 2 March. The relocation reflects the firm’s strong growth trajectory in recent years and provides the capacity needed to support its ambitious plans for the future.

The new office is based in one of Winchester’s most established business districts, home to a number of leading organisations including Rathbones and Cala Homes. The modern space offers improved meeting facilities, more room for collaboration and a layout designed to enhance both teamworking and client service. Vail Williams acted as agents in securing the new premises.

With the move complete, Trethowans is continuing to expand its team and is currently recruiting for a variety of roles across several departments. The additional space at Wykeham Court ensures the firm can accommodate new talent in a positive, connected working environment.

Mike Watson, Managing Partner at Trethowans, said: “Relocating to Wykeham Court is an important step for the firm and a clear sign of the momentum we’re building. The demand for our services continues to

increase, and this new office gives us the modern infrastructure and space we need to support the next phase of our growth. Winchester is a key location for us, and the move strengthens our long term commitment to the city and the region.”

Laura Bell, Head of the Winchester Office and specialist family lawyer, added: “Our Winchester team has always had a strong community feel, and that’s something we’re proud to carry with us into our new home. We’re deeply rooted in the local area, from our partnerships with organisations including Theatre Royal Winchester and Winchester Cathedral, to the relationships we’ve built with clients and businesses across the city. Wykeham Court gives us the opportunity to grow while keeping the supportive, collaborative culture that makes this office such a brilliant place to work.”

The relocation represents a significant investment in Trethowans’ future and underlines the firm’s commitment to the people and communities it serves. The upgraded facilities and increased capacity at Wykeham Court will play a crucial role in supporting sustainable, long term expansion in one of Hampshire’s most dynamic professional centres.

Trethowans Celebrates Dual Award Success in National Legal Shortlists

rethowans is celebrating two significant achievements as both its pioneering family law podcast and a leading member of its team have been recognised in national award shortlists.

The Candid Divorce Lawyer podcast has been shortlisted for the Innovative Marketing Award at the Legal Growth Awards 2026. Launched to make conversations around divorce more open and accessible, the podcast blends expert insight with real life experiences to support people through major life transitions. Marketing Manager Kirsty Hughes said the recognition reflects the firm’s commitment to using modern, meaningful communication to support clients beyond traditional legal advice.

Trethowans Announces Five New Partner Appointments Across Key Practice Areas

At the same time, Family Partner Grant Cameron has been shortlisted for Legal Personality of the Year at the LexisNexis Legal Awards 2026. Grant’s nomination reflects his influential national leadership as former Chair of Resolution, where he championed early legal advice, non court dispute resolution and a more constructive, child focused approach to family law. Winners for the Legal Growth Awards will be announced on 17 March, with the LexisNexis ceremony following on 16 April 2026.

Trethowans has expanded its senior team with the appointment of five new Partners, strengthening specialist services across the firm.

Sue Clark has joined as Partner and Head of Court of Protection, bringing extensive expertise in Deputyships, Personal Injury Trusts, Statutory Wills and complex mental-capacity matters, along with significant experience supporting vulnerable individuals and their families.

The Employment & Immigration team has grown with the dual appointment of Charlotte Farrell and Tabytha Cunningham, both highly experienced employment and immigration specialists. Working seamlessly in a

long-standing job-share arrangement, they bring significant expertise in business immigration, sponsor licences, right-to-work compliance, and advising employers across a full range of HR and employment matters.

Trethowans has also appointed Peter Worrall as Partner and Head of Restructuring & Insolvency. Peter brings deep experience in contentious corporate and personal insolvency, multi-jurisdictional asset recovery and high-value litigation, further strengthening the firm’s restructuring capability.

The Family team has also welcomed Alice Balcombe as Partner, an expert in high-value financial settlements, private children matters and complex High Court cases, based in the firm’s Winchester office.

The Productivity Paradox: Why

UK Law Firms Are Working

Harder

Than They Need To

Law firms today aren't short of technology. Most practices run on a mix of case management software, billing tools, document systems, and communication platforms. The problem isn't having too little tech. It's that the tools rarely talk to each other.

When Systems Don't Connect, People Pay the Price

Disconnected software creates a hidden drag on day-to-day productivity. When a fee earner has to re-enter client details across three separate systems, export data into a spreadsheet to track billable time, or chase down a document stored in a different platform from the one they're working in, those minutes add up quickly. Research shows that 59% of law firms experience system integration issues, leading to manual data entry, inconsistent records, and bottlenecks that slow down the entire practice.

It's not a technology problem so much as an architecture problem. Piecemeal tools, each doing one job well but none of them connected, create workflows that are fragile and time-consuming to maintain.

The Real Cost Is in the Detail

The inefficiencies don't always announce themselves. They accumulate quietly: a duplicated client record here, a missed followup there, a billing delay that pushes an invoice from this month to next. Clio's Legal Trends Report found that 24% of firms take too long to invoice clients after completing work, and that late invoices are significantly less likely to be paid in full. Firms using integrated billing and payment tools, by contrast, get paid more than twice as fast.

Staff satisfaction follows a similar pattern. When people spend their day wrestling with systems that don't work well together, it erodes their sense of accomplishment. Clio's research found that 67% of lawyers

in firms using cloud-based practice management software reported good or very good relationships with colleagues, compared to just 35% in firms that don't. Better tools don't just improve output. They improve the experience of work itself.

What Modern Practice Management Looks Like

The shift towards integrated, cloud-based platforms isn't about chasing the latest trend. It's about giving legal professionals a single source of truth for their matters, clients, documents, time, and billing. When those elements work together, firms spend less time on admin and more time on the work that only they can do.

Platforms like Clio bring these workflows together in one place, so fee earners can move from a client call to a billed time entry to an updated matter record without switching between tools or duplicating effort. The administrative overhead that once consumed a sizeable portion of the working day shrinks considerably.

The Firms Already Making the Shift

Across the UK, the firms already seeing results aren't waiting for a technology mandate. They've recognised that efficiency is a competitive differentiator, and they're acting on it now rather than when the pressure becomes unavoidable.

If you'd like to see how an integrated approach could change the way your firm works, book a walkthrough of Clio and we'll show you what's possible. ■

Vivian O'Brien Head of Marketing, CLIO

Welcome to this Spring report, incorporating the latest developments discussed in Council since our last meeting in December 2025.

Mazur

The Law Society (TLS) successfully applied to intervene and the hearing was in February. The main consideration is over the line between conducting litigation and supporting an authorised person to do so. The decision is expected around Easter.

SRA

The new Chief Executive, Sarah Rapson, wants a more constructive engagement with TLS. The two parties have already met and she is reporting to Council in March.

There is a focus from the Government and SRA on firms who conduct high volume consumer claims litigation.

The big development, although not expected for a few years, is the transfer of money laundering regulation to the Financial Conduct Authority.. There is no indication whether the FCA will adopt the SRA’s requirements or impose its own. My hope is for a transitional period. I am asking Sarah Rapson for more information on this.

SQE

Discussions are underway between TLS, SRA and Kaplan about the SQE exam and content. There are concerns about the lack of preparatory resources, the multiple choice format and content, the disparity in results between demographic groups and whether the exam prepares students for life as a solicitor- students feel the content is lacking, so there will be gaps in the future of advice in these areas.

TLS activity

An enormous amount of activity takes place by TLS staff in lobbying the government. For example, whilst TLS would not claim the success is entirely theirs, their input certainly contributed to the withdrawal of references in the budget to make LLPs pay NI contributions. Representations were also made on removal of the Level 7 apprenticeship, which resulted in it being kept for those up to 21 years.

A high profile priority is lobbying on the restrictions on jury trials, which go way beyond the Leveson report. How the proposals will help with court backlogs is unclear. What is clear is that it will reduce fundamental rights for defendants. Even the SRA is against the proposals. This is a fast developing scene to watch.

What I am hearing from you is your concerns about the way the SRA is regulating you. I and many Council members are talking about how we can improve the way TLS and SRA interact, mindful that the governance rules have strict restrictions on what TLS can do to challenge SRA actions- publicly at least. There is likely to be a review of- and perhaps challenge to- reserved services. We need to be clear about what we want for the future, particularly if we state that the Legal Service Act is not fit for purpose.

ADRIENNE EDGERLEY HARRIS, Council MemberYOUR VOICE AT THE LAW SOCIETY

Council Members Report

March 2026

Cient account interest

You will have been aware that the government consulted recently on a proposal to skim off client account interest from solicitors. TLS responded robustly against the proposals as, amongst other things, unsupported by evidence, the funds not being used for the benefit of the justice system and the detrimental impact on many firms. There has been considerable resistance. The outcome is awaited.

For your participation

Remember that you can sign up to TLS Get Involved project through myLS. It will give you the opportunity to take part in surveys, round tables and working groups on topics of interest to you and with a time commitment that suits you.

TLS is looking ahead to the legal landscape in 2040 so if any of you are interested in contributing to this project, please let me know.

Legal Heroes- if you wish to nominate someone for this, you have until 3rd April to do so- see TLS website.

Technology purchase – not just AI- is something we all need to consider at some point. TLS will be issuing a practical guide to buying it, with useful templates (for selecting your provider for example) which I highly recommend.

Next meeting

Meeting of Council are taking place in March and May 2026. Do get in touch if you wish to discuss any of the topics above, or anything else of concern.

Adrienne Edgerley Harris, 07526 705571

Freelance Solicitor supporting firms with regulatory compliance. adrienneedgerleyharris@gmail.com ■

Adrienne

Edgerley Harris Council Member for the South Constituency

Lessons from the Cheshire Cat –

why your law firm needs to know where it is before it can reach its

destination

Running a law firm isn’t easy. Partners often must juggle fee-earning with management responsibilities, and it can feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day. The problem is, if you don’t take a moment to look up from your desk, you often can’t see the bigger picture or where your law firm fits in it.

“If you do not know where you are going, any road will take you there”, is an oft-cited but not-quite-accurate quote by the Cheshire Cat in Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, but the underlying message still applies to partners of law firms who are trying to achieve their goals.

Without understanding where you are now, it is impossible to plan a deliberate route to achieve your desired destination, causing you to wander and arrive “somewhere” by chance rather than by intention. Not the best way to run a law firm, but unfortunately, not uncommon.

To get somewhere intentionally, you must clearly

• assess and understand your current situation, resources, and, in a metaphorical sense, your “where”

• set out your “destination” and what you want to achieve

• create a “map” to guide actionable strategies, replacing aimless wandering with deliberate, purposeful steps.

So, do you know where you are, where you want to go, and how you are going to get there? Here are a few questions you may wish to ask yourself:

Have you defined your strategic direction?

1. We have a good understanding of where our firm fits in the market, our main competitors, key target clients, and a clearly defined strategy for both the immediate and long term.

2. We know which departments need to grow and where we want to be; we just haven’t decided on a plan of action for that yet 3. We have always managed, so we will just continue as we are

What is your firm’s growth plan?

1. We have analysed our client base across all practice areas, understand who gives us repeat work and where we need to strengthen relationships, what type of work achieves the best margins, where we can make efficiencies, and what we need to do to achieve our growth plans

2. We know who our clients are, and our fee earners keep in touch with them during instructions, and we should hopefully meet our targets

3. If we provide a good quality service, our clients will keep working with us

What differentiates your law firm from the competition?

1. We have a clear positioning statement that defines our firm’s target audience, service offering and unique value proposition, which has been communicated to all partners and staff so they know how to embody and communicate it

2. We know what makes us different, although we haven’t written it down per se, and we think we’re all saying the same thing if someone asked 3. Aren’t all law firms created equally?

How do you measure your Marketing & BD ROI?

• We monitor all of our marketing and BD activity, so we know where we spend our budget delivers targeted return on investment in the form of quality prospects and client retention

• We do a number of marketing BD activities each year and think they are working well, although we don’t actually compare the activity to see if it links to client instructions or referrals

• We have always done the same events, newsletters, etc., so we can’t change that now.

Do you regularly communicate with prospects and clients outside of ongoing matters?

1. We have a 12-month plan of communication activity across a range of media (e-marketing, social media, blogs, etc.) which showcases the breadth and depth of our work, key individuals, our culture and values

2. We produce newsletters, articles and post on social media as and when time allows

3. Our clients already know us, and we have a good reputation locally, so we don’t need to do this

If your answers are:

Mainly A’s: You clearly have a good understanding of your firm, your clients, competitors, and the wider marketplace and have a proactive plan of how to achieve our ambitions. If you practice what you preach, and roll out your plans and monitor them, you should achieve your goals.

Mainly B’s: You think you know what you should be doing, but none of it is part of a plan, and you are not sure how or if you can monitor what’s working and what isn’t. You need to take an objective look at your firm, the competition, and your clients and define what success looks like. You then need to create a practical plan that can achieve these ambitions and distil it across your firm.

Mainly C’s: You are relying on the ‘If I exist, my clients will come’ theory. Whilst this may have worked at one point, the legal marketplace is much more competitive, clients are more demanding and prospective clients are more discerning before making their purchasing decisions. Whilst you have stood still, everyone else has moved on. If your competitors answer mainly A’ or B’s from the above, they will have a competitive advantage that will continue to grow.

In summary, if your partners wish to arrive at a place that ensures you achieve your growth goals, you need a strategic roadmap and an actionable plan based on proven methodologies. Without a clear vision, you cannot evaluate which strategy is correct.

At Orion Legal Marketing, we help law firms take an objective look at themselves, their overall strategy, what is needed to help them achieve it, and provide them with a practical roadmap for the future.

We do this via a “Discovery Day,” during which we undertake an appraisal of your existing business strategy and marketing environment, followed by a plan of action. By confidentially reviewing key firm information, we can provide you with a thorough analysis that highlights your firm’s strengths and weaknesses, identifies threats and opportunities, and provides a practical framework to ensure that key changes are implemented.

Once we have made our recommendations, your partners can make sound judgments based on facts rather than hunches, and you can determine where to best focus efforts and resources with more certainty. This is particularly helpful when reviewing your firm’s business plan, budgeting for Marketing and BD activities, and recruitment.

Whilst we have the benefits of over 100 years combined expertise in our team (it’s actually a lot more than that, but the real figure makes us feel old), and can base some of our recommendations on proven strategies that have worked at other law firms, our audit will be tailored to you, as every law firm should have a different strategy based on its own unique characteristics spanning practice areas, size, geography and client base.

So if you would like to discuss how we can get you and your law firm on the right path, please contact Rachel Tombs at Orion Legal Marketing on e:rachel@orionlegalmarketing.co.uk for an informal discussion about how we might assist you. We promise to put a smile on your face. ■

Orion Legal Marketing

The Solicitors’ Charity announces Wealthbrite’s membership of Firm Friends

The Solicitors’ Charity is pleased to announce that Wealthbrite has joined Firm Friends, the corporate giving scheme for the sector, launched last year.

Firm Friends enables law firms, legal suppliers and partners like Wealthbrite to join a programme that helps to fund direct support for solicitors, from therapy to emergency grants, and career coaching after redundancy to practical help during illness.

By joining, organisations are recognised as champions of wellbeing and part of sector-wide positive change.

At the same time, the charity is also expanding its approach to corporate and sector fundraising, introducing new ways for law societies, legal firms, suppliers and partners to play a more visible role in supporting the wellbeing of solicitors across England and Wales.

Nick Gallagher, CEO, The Solicitors’ Charity, said: “Life in the law rarely presents a single challenge. Pressure can build over time professionally, personally, and financially. When support is visible and trusted, concerns surface earlier, and careers are more likely to remain sustainable.

We are delighted Wealthbrite has been among the first to demonstrate commitment to wellbeing in the legal sector through its membership of Firm Friends. We are aligned in terms of values and both organisations are committed to supporting sector health – in all its forms.

With Firm Friends along with an expanded range of corporate giving options, we hope our colleagues within the profession and suppliers to the sector will find it even easier to support our vital work in a way that fits with their organisation.”

Carla Hoppe, Founder of Wealthbrite, said: “Becoming a Pioneer member of Firm Friends reflects a natural alignment between the work we do at Wealthbrite and the mission of The Solicitors’ Charity.

Through our work with law firms across the profession, we see first-hand how financial pressure can affect people’s confidence, wellbeing and decisionmaking at work. The Solicitors’ Charity provides vital support when individuals

face difficult periods in their lives and careers.

For us, joining Firm Friends is about standing alongside that work and playing our part in strengthening the profession’s overall wellbeing. While the charity provides essential support in times of need, our focus at Wealthbrite is on building financial confidence earlier in people’s careers so that fewer individuals reach crisis point.

Together, that combination of prevention and support helps strengthen the long-term resilience of the profession.

Being part of Firm Friends allows us to contribute to that broader ecosystem of support for solicitors across England and Wales, while also helping raise awareness of the resources available to those who may need them.”

As regulatory change, economic pressure and rising client expectations continue to increase strain across legal practice, the charity has three straightforward ways to get involved:

1. Firm Friends – structured annual corporate giving

2. Charity of the Year – 12-month partnership programmes or single gifts

3. One-Off Giving – flexible donations and sponsorship opportunities

Since 1858, The Solicitors’ Charity has supported solicitors through emotional, physical, professional, and financial challenges. Support ranges from counselling and therapeutic services to short-term financial assistance, professional guidance during career transition, and help in navigating periods of acute pressure.

It encourages others, like Wealthbrite, join in standing alongside the profession and provide visible support. Read more about the ways to get involved below.

From precedent libraries to prompts The next step for legal drafting

Almost every lawyer maintains a Precedent Library, collections of letters, documents, and draft orders that serve as reliable templates for routine legal tasks. Whether housed centrally within a firm or kept individually by lawyers, precedent banks save time, promote consistency, and ensure that essential information is communicated accurately. They prevent lawyers from having to repeatedly craft the same content from scratch.

Yet while precedents are widely used, most lawyers do not yet have something that may soon become equally indispensable: a bank of prompts for automated legal drafting. A prompt is a set of instructions given to artificial intelligence, essentially a command or description designed to generate a specific output such as a document, letter, or analysis. Writing a good prompt is much like instructing a trainee solicitor: the instructions must be clear, unambiguous, and thorough. The more detail the prompt contains, the higher the quality of the result. These prompts often include instructions that might seem obvious, such as avoiding Americanised spellings, but are crucial for consistent outputs.

My recent move from private practice to a role with LEAP, a legal technology company specialising in case management software, has given me a new perspective on both precedents and prompts. As Head of Family Law, I now help shape the software to better support family lawyers. Leaving practice meant leaving behind 18 years’ worth of carefully curated precedents; I was hardly going to commit intellectual property theft to take them with me. Instead, I now work closely with LEAP’s precedent libraries, which contain a wide range of template letters and documents designed to streamline legal workflows.

In exploring these templates, I have begun adapting and creating precedents that offer enhanced automation. One example is a letter of instruction to an actuary, which not only pulls through key case details but also uses LEAP’s Word Add-in to offer dynamic questions. The lawyer indicates, for instance, whether a report is ordered or agreed, and the remainder of the letter changes automatically. This creates a more sophisticated tool than a static template, one that reduces repetitive drafting and accelerates routine tasks.

But this still raises an obvious question: what if technology could answer those questions itself by analysing information within the case file? This is where prompts rather than precedents begin to show their potential.

When I joined LEAP, I had limited experience with AI prompting. My early use of ChatGPT had been purely personal, such as asking

it for the correct reading order of John le Carré’s George Smiley novels. The idea of drafting complex legal instructions for AI was daunting; it seemed faster simply to type the letters myself. Yet the capability of AI systems to read and interpret case data changes that calculation. In theory, AI could identify pensions, values, dates, or factual circumstances directly from the matter, eliminating the need for manual data entry. A precedent could therefore evolve into a prompt, an automated set of rules that instructs AI on how to assemble the necessary document.

Once created, a prompt could be reused just like a precedent. It could tell the AI to consider the Pensions Advisory Group guidance, relevant Practice Directions, or even the terms of a specific court order. It could dictate formatting, tone, style, and legal framing. After the prompt runs within the secure environment of the case management system, the lawyer would receive a completed draft ready for review.

Another example is the preparation of briefs to counsel. Traditional precedents can pull basic information such as names, dates of birth, or case identifiers. But a prompt could go much further. It could analyse the matter file, summarise the children’s arrangements, extract the current issues in dispute, and compile the factual background. This would not replace the lawyer’s judgement, but it would provide a first draft similar to the one a trainee might prepare on their first day, only produced in seconds rather than an hour.

Artificial Intelligence is already reshaping legal practice, whether lawyers embrace it or not. The familiar saying captures the trend well: “AI won’t replace lawyers, but a lawyer using AI will.” Replacing or supplementing precedents with prompts is one way to harness the benefits of AI while preserving the lawyer’s expertise, oversight, and control. Just as precedents did not replace lawyers, prompts will not either. Instead, they represent a natural evolution in how we create, structure, and automate legal drafting in an increasingly digital profession.

Read our White Paper Artificial Intelligence (AI): Optimising law firm profitability in six simple steps

Katie Phillips Head of Family Law in LEAP Verticals

Thrings Solicitors

Family Associate / Partner

We are Thrings; a successful full-service law firm with sector expertise in Agriculture, Banking & Finance, Development of Land, Private Client and Business Growth across a number of practice areas, managing high quality work. We are proud to be ranked in many areas by the Legal 500 and Chambers, due to our client-centric approach.

Our welcoming and inclusive culture provides an attractive place to work, including the valuable benefit of hybrid working.

About the Family role

We’re seeking an experienced, Associate or Partner to join our ‘top tier’ Family team in Hampshire.

This Hampshire based Family team has a strong reputation in the region and acts for clients across Hampshire, Dorset, the Home Counties, London as well as other national and international clients.

We’re regionally recognised as one of leading Family law firms with a reputation for providing clients with a firstclass service and providing a supportive environment for family clients who are going through a family breakdown.

The ability to recognise the needs of our client’s and to

The Family team are recognised in Chambers and Legal 500, with active members of Resolution on a regional and National basis and have a strong presence across Hampshire and beyond.

The work is wide ranging, including finances on divorce, children matters and co habitation disputes. The team also specialises in pre and post nuptial agreements. We have a wide range of clients often with complex financial matters to address on separation.

We’re renowned for our significant agriculture practice and many of the family teams clients are landowners and farmers or work in the rural sector.

The role is based at our Hampshire office in a converted barn in Romsey which is a unique and special environment highly regarded by our clients and employees.

The team has a strong culture for giving individuals responsibility to progress their careers and encouraging individuals to carve out their own futures, in a supportive and friendly environment.

Day to day, you’ll have a varied caseload, including:

• Having a strong reputation and presence for your work as a family lawyer

• Managing a team and leading on strategy and approach

• Providing a first-class service to clients in providing constructive and thorough legal advice with a clear understanding of approach and strategy to meet their needs

• Planning and engaging in business development activities to obtain new clients for the Family team, and wider firm

• Working collaboratively across teams and to grow and develop Thrings service sectors at our Hampshire office

• Building networks of client referrers, by understanding the marketplace both locally and regionally About you

We’re extremely proud of the relationship we’ve built with our clients and referrers, being recognised as their trusted legal partner. It’s important to us that you have the right blend of skills to service their needs and develop new relationships.

• You will be an experienced senior family lawyer with a minimum of 5 years PQE

• Experienced in running your own cases and delegating to team members

• Strong communication and management skills, with a strong network of referrers

• Ready to lead and engage in strategy and business development opportunities

• Ideally, you’ll have skills and experience in undertaking Non-Court Dispute options such as Mediation, Collaborative Family law or be able to undertake One Couple One lawyer work.

What’s on offer

By joining Thrings you’ll become part of a supportive, inclusive firm offering a relaxed and trusting environment allowing balance between being in the office and working from home. We also offer a great working environment and plenty of social/networking events to get involved with!

In return for your hard work, you can expect to receive a variety of flexible benefits which can be tailored to your personal and family needs including Private Medical Insurance, Life Insurance, Health cash plan and much more.

If this sounds like an exciting opportunity and you have the experience to join our team, we’d love to hear from you.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, gender, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.

Link to apply: Thrings | Jobs | Search here for your perfect career - Job Information | Apply for Family Associate / Partner (https://www.jobtrain.co.uk/thringscareers/Job/JobDetail?JobId=370)

Or contact ahoney@thrings.com

Wilson Wakefield Solicitors

Conveyancing Solicitor

Job Description

We are seeking a full-time, dedicated and detailoriented Conveyancing Solicitor to join our team. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing property transactions from inception to completion, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and providing exceptional client service. This role offers an excellent opportunity for a professional specialising in conveyancing within a dynamic legal environment. The position is paid and suitable for solicitors with a strong interest in property law and excellent negotiation skills.

Duties

• Manage a caseload of residential and commercial property transactions, including sales, purchases, remortgages, and transfers of equity.

• Liaising with clients, estate agents, lenders, and other stakeholders to facilitate smooth transactions.

• Ensure all transactions comply with current legislation and internal policies.

• Provide clear advice to clients regarding legal processes, risks, and obligations throughout the conveyancing process.

• Keep accurate records of case progress and ensure timely completion of all tasks within deadlines.

• Assist in business development activities to expand the firm’s conveyancing services.

Skills

• Proven experience as a Conveyancing Solicitor or in a similar property law role.

• Excellent organisational abilities with meticulous attention to detail.

• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, tailored to diverse client needs.

• Ability to work independently whilst collaborating effectively within a team environment.

• Sound understanding of property law legislation and regulatory requirements.

Salary: Commensurate with experience

Work Location: In person

How to Apply

If you think this would be an opportunity for you and you would like to know more, please apply in writing by email with your CV and covering letter to: lauria@wilson-wakefield.co.uk

MacDonald Oates LLP Solicitors

Family Lawyer

We are looking to recruit a Family lawyer to join our friendly, forward-thinking team. Ideally you will be 2- 4 years PQE, have excellent drafting and communication skills, plus an ability to manage clients confidently and professionally. You will be a member of Resolution, or at least willing to join and adopt the code, as this is important to us and how we seek to resolve matters. Exposure to forms of ADR as well as court proceedings would be advantageous.

We pride ourselves on a high quality of service for our clients. You will have your own caseload, with appropriate supervision and full administrative support. We cover a range of private family matters including some with complex issues and/or mid-high net worth finances.

We are proud of our welcoming and supportive culture, which is based on our values of being Open, Responsible and Fair. The right candidate will also be committed to these values and be able to work as a team within our busy Family department.

We can offer you the opportunity to thrive as part of a forward-thinking firm with strong values and a rich history. Whilst the role is office based, we do offer flexible working and you will have the opportunity to work remotely from home.

We also offer a competitive salary, generous annual leave entitlement, firmwide bonus scheme, individual performance bonus scheme, private health insurance after one year of service, plus other benefits.

We have a Culture team and Charity team that arrange various events and social gatherings throughout the year and you can get involved with these as much as you wish.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

We would be delighted to hear from you if you are interested in this role and our firm. Please apply with your CV to hireme@macdonaldoates.co.uk

Loose Legal

Family Consultant Solicitors/ Partners

Which Consultant will you be?

Due to growth, we are looking for:

• Consultant Lawyers: Family Law professionals with 3 years + PQE

• Head of Team/Partners: Family Lawyers with 8 years+ PQE looking to build a team

• Junior Consultants: Newly Qualified Family Lawyers up to 3 years PQE

About the Role:

Are you an experienced Family law practitioner?

Are you looking for a change in the way you work?

Would you like to become a Consultant Family Law professional but unsure of how to make those first steps?

If any of these statements sound familiar, then this may be the right path for you.

We value our consultants and are committed to achieving a work life balance that fits around you. As law professionals we know the role is not without its challenges, but we aim to strive to support you through all aspects of your work.

We are an ever-growing bespoke firm of Solicitors, accredited mediators and collaborative lawyers whose focus is on giving clear and straight forward advice tailored to individual needs. We are looking to recruit committed individuals with a strong work ethic with the capabilities to build your own business and the opportunities to build your own team all under the umbrella of our fee sharing consultancy model.

We offer the flexibility of working from a location that suits you, or provisions can be made for office and meeting space on request. Whilst we work across multiple areas, we function as a team.

Candidate Specification

Who you are:

• Hard working

• Self-motivated

• Ambitious

• Able to work independently as well as part of a team

What we can offer:

• Unlimited earning potential

• Competitive fee share arrangements

• Access to case management and the latest software packages

• Support, compliance and insurance

• Networking

• Unlimited growth to fit in with your own goals

We recognise that each consultant is different and your journey unique. Let us help you to discover your potential.

How to Apply

If you think this would be an opportunity for you and you would like to know more, please apply in writing by email with your CV and covering letter to Naomi Loose, office@looselegal.co.uk or call 0331 630 0243

Heppenstalls

Private Client Solicitor (2+ Years PQE)

Location: New Milton/Hybrid

Job Type: Full-time, Permanent (35 hours per week)

Salary: Competitive, plus benefits

About the Role:

We are seeking a Private Client Solicitor with at least 2 years’ post-qualification experience to join our wellestablished Private Client team. You will manage your own caseload of Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs), and Probate files. Experience with Will Trusts and the Trust Registration Service is highly desirable.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage a varied caseload of Wills, LPAs, and Probate matters

• Advise on and draft Will Trusts; handle trust registration

• Provide clear, practical advice to clients

• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations

• Build and maintain strong client relationships

About You:

• Qualified Solicitor with 2+ years PQE in Private Client work

• Experience with Will Trusts and Trust Registration Service (desirable)

• Excellent communication and client care skills

• Strong attention to detail and organisational skills

Benefits:

• Competitive salary

• 32 days holiday (including bank holidays)

• Additional Birthday day off

• Pension scheme

• Networking & community collaboration opportunities

• Opportunities for development/career progression

• A supportive and inclusive working environment

• Discounted legal fees

• Multiple social events

Please email tracey.dobson@heppenstalls.co.uk with a copy of your CV and a covering letter. Please also get in touch if you have any questions.

Missing Wills College Chambers

First Junior Clerk

The successful candidate will be joining a hard-working and busy clerking and administration team based in Southampton. The position of First Junior is a senior role in the Clerks Room and the individual will have sole responsibility for deputising for the Senior Clerk in their absence. Accordingly, this role requires the individual to have clerking / administration / people management experience and to be able to the provide clients and barristers with the highest standard of service without supervision.

The successful candidate must have first-class communication, decision-making and interpersonal skills, possess significant attention to detail, be an effective problem-solver, have demonstrable and confident decision-making skills together with exceptional organisational and multi-tasking abilities.

The role requires the candidate to have experience in mentoring and motivating team members to ensure Chambers’ high standards are consistently achieved.

Consideration will be given for the role to be job shared, subject to suitable arrangements being available between multiple applicants.

- Remuneration in the region of £50,000, subject to experience.

- Annual leave entitlement is 20 days per year plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service.

- This is a full-time role. Candidates will be expected to work 40 hours per week between 8am and 6.30pm.

Full terms and conditions of employment will be provided to successful candidates.

If you would like a confidential discussion regarding this vacancy, please do not hesitate to contact our Senior Clerk/Practice Director, J-P Schulz, on 02380 230338

Please apply by email to jp@college-chambers.co.uk enclosing a CV and a covering letter setting out your suitability for the role together with details of salary expectation.

Please contact 023 8023 0338 clerks@college-chambers.co.uk college-chambers.co.uk LinkedIn

19 Carlton Crescent Southampton SO15 2ET

Martin Lacey DOB 09/09/1939

Hilary Margot Lacey

DOB29/11/1940

Address –Birchen Close Farm, The Warren, West Tytherle Salisbury SP5 1LT

Elizabeth Margaret Ethel Price

DOB 16/04/1935

DOD 04/11/2025

Address –18 Mill Lane, Romsey (previously at 17 Grange Mews, Winchester Hill, Romsey)

Donald William Miell

DOB - 17/04/1931

DOD – 15/09/2025

Address –Beau Geste Green Lane, Blackfield, Southampton

for more details please see https://hampshirelawsociety.co.uk/vacancies/

Just some reasons why you should consider the £50 HW Property Logbook.

The HW Residential Property Logbook is designed to streamline property ownership and management for homeowners and potential buyers. Here ’s what ’s generally considered good about it:

1 . Centralised Property Info

• It stores all important documents related to a home (e. g. title deeds, warranties, planning permissions, gas/electric certificates) in one digital place. No more digging through drawers or emailing solicitors.

2. Helps with Selling:

• Speeds up conveyancing by giving potential buyers and solicitors instant access to verified property data . That can cut down delays and reduce fallthroughs.

3. Compliance Made Easy

• Flags up when you need to renew things like EPCs, gas safety checks, or insurance so you stay compliant and avoid fines or holdups when selling.

4. Digital Proof of Work

• When you’ve had renovations or repairs done, you can store photos, receipts, and building control sign-offs. It ’s a tidy way to demonstrate added value and reassure buyers. Now with “before and after ” project photos.

5. Ownership History & Continuity

• If the logbook is maintained through ownership changes, it becomes a “service history ” for the home, like a car ’s logbook — adds transparency and trust . To receive a FREE logbook , just reach out to andrew@hantswight .co.uk .

Invasive Plants, Bamboo & Buyer Risk: What Conveyancers Need to Know

Japanese knotweed remains the most recognised invasive plant risk in UK property transactions.

Recent television coverage of invasive garden plants — particularly bamboo — has brought the issue back into the publics mind. For conveyancers, however, this is not simply a gardening story. It is increasingly a transactional risk issue.

Most practitioners are familiar with Japanese knotweed and the long-standing lender sensitivities surrounding it. However, knotweed is only part of a wider and evolving landscape. Increasingly, other fast-spreading species — including certain forms of bamboo and Horsetail — are appearing in survey reports, property enquiries and neighbour disputes.

The key question for conveyancers is not whether these plants exist, but how they translate into risk for buyers, lenders and future liability

Bamboo – Attractive Screening or Emerging Liability?

Running bamboo varieties can spread rapidly via underground rhizomes, sometimes extending well beyond the original planting area.

Unlike knotweed, bamboo is not currently listed under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 as a controlled invasive species. However, this does not mean it is without risk.

Issues increasingly reported include:

• Encroachment into neighbouring gardens

• Damage to patios, paths and lightweight structures

• Boundary disputes arising from root spread

• Costly specialist removal programmes

• Historic or ongoing neighbour disputes

In practice, it is often lender reaction and disclosure obligations, rather than the plant itself, that create delay or renegotiation within a transaction.

What Will Searches Reveal?

A common assumption is that invasive plants will appear in a standard local authority search. In reality, most planting issues will not appear unless they have triggered formal enforcement action or environmental health involvement.

Environmental searches may highlight certain environmental risk factors or known treatment sites associated with knotweed. However, bamboo and horsetail rarely appear in search datasets unless linked to official intervention.

Searches cannot see every root system beneath the soil. What they can do is provide context by:

• Identifying environmental risk indicators

• Highlighting historic enforcement activity

• Supporting informed follow-up enquiries where appropriate

As environmental risks become more varied, interpretation of search information remains as important as the data itself

The TA6 Disclosure Gap

The TA6 Property Information Form specifically asks sellers whether the property is affected by Japanese knotweed. It does not ask about bamboo or other invasive species.

From a legal perspective, the problem frequently becomes one of private nuisance rather than statutory control. Where roots encroach and cause damage, liability can arise — sometimes years after completion.

For buyers, the distinction between a decorative garden feature and a potential legal dispute is rarely obvious.

A Broader Invasive Landscape

Horsetail is extremely resilient, with deep root systems that make eradication difficult.

While Japanese knotweed remains the most high-profile plant in conveyancing, the underlying concern is consistent: structural risk, mortgage security and remediation uncertainty

Alongside knotweed, conveyancers are encountering a wider range of problematic species, including:

• Horsetail — a resilient plant with deep root systems that are notoriously difficult to eradicate

• Running bamboo varieties capable of rapid lateral spread

• Giant hogweed, which can present health hazards and potential enforcement issues

The legal framework varies between species, but the transactional risks often arise from:

• Disclosure issues on the TA6 Property Information Form

• Surveyor down-valuations

• Mortgage lender requirements for treatment plans

This creates a potential disclosure gap.

If a seller is aware that bamboo has caused neighbour complaints or that removal has been attempted unsuccessfully, failing to disclose the issue could potentially give rise to misrepresentation claims after completion

Where surveyors raise concerns about aggressive planting near boundaries or structures, conveyancers may wish to consider targeted enquiries or specialist reports.

A Measured Approach

It is important not to create unnecessary alarm. Many properties contain bamboo or other vigorous planting that remains well managed and entirely problem-free.

However, as environmental awareness grows and buyers become more cautious, invasive plants are likely to appear more frequently in conveyancing enquiries.

The conveyancer’s role is not to become a horticultural expert, but to recognise when a garden feature may cross the line into legal, lending or neighbour dispute risk

As with many conveyancing issues, early identification and clear advice remain the most effective way of managing potential problems before they become costly disputes. ■

Andrew Prismall HW Conveyancing Searches

CHILD CARE AND PROTECTION

Law and Practice WILDY, SIMMONDS AND HILL PUBLISHING

By Safda Mahmood and Julie Doughty

A COMPREHENSIVE SHORT GUIDE COVERING CHILD CARE AND PROTECTION FOR THE BUSY FAMILY LAW PRACTITIONER

ADOPTION LAW: A PRACTICAL GUIDE

WILDY, SIMMONDS AND HILL PUBLISHING

By Nasreen Pearce

AN UPDATED COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO CURRENT ADOPTION LAW FOR 2020s

An appreciation by Elizabeth Robson Taylor MA of Richmond Green Chambers and Phillip Taylor MBE, Head of Chambers, Reviews Editor, “The Barrister”, and Mediator

Safda Mahmood and Julie Doughty have edited this popular family law title from Wildy for 2024. The book has been extensively updated to provide practical guidance over the complexities arising from the Children Act 1989 which we have found most helpful.

The book examines subsequent child protection legislation, guidance and case law for both established practitioners and those new to the subject.

Among the developments included in this edition are the changes brought about by the Public Law Outline in January 2023 to family justice, particularly in relation to expert evidence, time limits, care plans and delay.

In addition, the editors explore the law surrounding deprivation of liberty as it relates to children, regarding the interface between care proceedings and Article 5 ECHR, and consideration of key case law, such as Re T (A Child) [2021]. They cover the revision of important Practice Directions, such as PD12A (Care and Supervision Proceedings and other Part 4 Proceedings: Guide to Case Management), Child Arrangements Programme (PD 12(B), and Revised PD12J – Domestic Abuse and Child Arrangements, Pilot Reporting and Private Law Review.

As is to be expected with all Wildy practitioner titles, there are significant case law developments in children law which are set out since publication of the last edition, together with a review of the revised edition of “Working Together to Safeguard Children” (2023), which has changed the position in relation to safeguarding and child death reviews, as well as assessments.

Legal commentators have rightly welcomed this book for the breadth of the legal topics covered, plus their application and use within family practice. The specific references and analysis on updating legislative provisions, regulations, practice guidance, and case law are very well covered in our view.

Mahmood and Doughty offer us a break-down of the issues that one must bear in mind in each chapter, so all we need to do is read it, apply it, and reap the benefits. And we described the last edition as “the practitioner’s friend during these times of increasing changes and revision in child law proceedings, plus the ever re-modelling of our process as more and more legislation and guidance is produced”. Ever more so now, as the authors have done that again, brilliantly, to keep us up to date! Thank you.

The seventh edition of this paperback book from Wildy was published in 2024. ■

An appreciation by Elizabeth Robson Taylor MA of Richmond Green Chambers and Phillip Taylor MBE, Head of Chambers, Reviews Editor, “The Barrister”, and Mediator

For law students and practitioners alike, there has been concern in recent years that some fundamental reform of the law of adoption is urgently needed. We welcome the new, second edition of “Adoption Law: A Practical Guide” by Nasreen Pearce from Wildy, Simmonds and Hill Publishing for 2025. The title arrives at an interesting time for the modern development of adoption as the strains on the system continue to show. Wildy have provided us again with another excellent book in their practical guide series of titles. We thank Nasreen Pearce for her wise counsel in offering a comprehensive guide to the law, practice, and procedure for lawyers, adoption agencies, support services and other professional bodies who are concerned with adoption for a wide readership. It can make all the difference to the advice we give clients.

For practitioners new to the work, the author covers each stage of the adoption process, including what are difficult issues of contact between the child and their birth parents. It includes the alternative options available by reference to the relevant case law and regulations in relation to domestic adoptions as well as adoptions involving overseas jurisdictions.

The title considers registration of adoption and the sensitive issue of disclosure of information which are explaining in straightforward terms to both knowledgeable readers and those new to this subject. Pearce explains the rights of those parties to challenge decisions made by the professional bodies involved in the process so do use the detailed index at the back for any specific areas you are interested in exploring further.

Nasreen Pearce in updating the second edition has included important developments in this principal area of family law for those wishing to adopt. The book looks at the impact of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms on all aspects of the law relating to adoption.

As we expect with all Wildy guides, recent case law has been included in areas such as the notification to fathers and the child’s birth families of any plans to place a child for adoption. We are grateful for the inclusion of the procedure relating to preparation before proceedings begin, and the procedure for applications in the Family Court and, where relevant, the High Court.

The book also includes case law citations in relation to placement orders. It covers leave to revoke a placement order and to oppose adoption and postplacement arrangements for contact. The text sets out new coverage of postplacement contact, and post-adoption contact details to update advisers. The commentary covers recent reports and research plus the important decision in R & C (Adoption or Fostering) [2024].

We also found the inclusion of two recent lectures by the President of the Family Division on the modern approach to adoption and open adoption to be of great additional assistance.

The second edition of this hardback book from Wildy was published in 2025. ■

ISLAMIC FINANCE A Practical Guide

GLOBE LAW AND BUSINESS LTD

Consulting Editor: Rahail Ali

AN UPDATED PRACTICAL GUIDE TO ISLAMIC FINANCE FOR 2020s

An appreciation by Elizabeth Robson Taylor MA of Richmond Green Chambers and Phillip Taylor MBE, Head of Chambers, Reviews Editor, “The Barrister”, and Mediator

“Islamic Finance” edited by Rahail Ali is now available in a new third edition. It remains a compelling book for lawyers, economists and bankers examining what is undoubtedly a complex and confusing area for many readers, so thank you, Globe Law and Business for publishing it!

It’s correct to state that demand for financial arrangements which are compliant with Sharia, plus an increasing alignment between both the Islamic finance and the ethical finance movement has led to unprecedented and accelerating growth in Islamic finance. As a result, there is an urgent need to understand what we mean by “Islamic finance” in the 2020s. And this book arrives just at the right time for the international community as international economics seems to become ever more complex.

This is evidenced not only by the size of the Islamic finance market itself, but also by the growing range of Islamic finance providers in addition to Islamic banks and the increasing range of sophisticated products and services. The markets for Shariah-compliant funds and takaful (Islamic insurance) are now considered as sectors “in their own right”. Tech has played its part in that growth and with the exponential growth in artificial intelligence (AI) has created an increasing awareness of ethics.

Today, Islamic finance attracts sovereigns, financial institutions, multinationals, corporates and customers across the retail spectrum who are looking to tap Islamic liquidity from sukuk (Islamic bonds), corporate, retail, acquisition, funds, development and project financings. This book offers readers a refreshing view of how the system, if we can call it that, works.

This third edition features fully updated, insightful chapters by leading practitioners in Islamic financing and analyses market trends, key developments and structures for sukuk, syndications, funds, takaful, project financing and Islamic liquidity management. New to the third edition are chapters on fintechs, AI ethics and derivatives.

Amongst all the legal titles available, this is a unique title and will be essential reading whether you are already engaged in Islamic financing transactions or interested in understanding the Islamic finance market and the structures underpinning the world’s fastest-growing finance sector. Thank you, Globe, for publishing this new edition.

The third edition of this hardback book from Globe was published in 2025. ■

DRINK- AND DRUGDRIVE CASE NOTES

WILDY, SIMMONDS AND HILL PUBLISHING

Compiled

and edited by P

M Callow

A MOST IMPORTANT CASE BOOK FOR CRIMINAL PRACTITIONERS IN 2020s

An appreciation by Elizabeth Robson Taylor MA of Richmond Green Chambers and Phillip Taylor MBE, Head of Chambers, Reviews Editor, “The Barrister”, and Mediator

Pauline Callow’s notes from Wildy remain legal gems for practitioners, comprising as they do summaries of the many cases on the drink- and drug- driving offences which have come before the higher courts. Over 600 judgments are summarised in this fourth edition.

Each note is presented simply as a headnote summarising the “ratio” of that case, a short statement of the facts, the issues in any appeal and an extract from the judgment for ease of reference. These notes are intended to provide a broad outline of the trends in the case law and as starting points for readers seeking guidance on specific points depending on what you are looking for.

The book is divided into chapters which follow, generally, the stages in any investigation with the following headings: the requirement to provide specimens of breath, blood or urine; the offence of failing without reasonable excuse to cooperate or to provide specimens; challenges to the breath testing and breath analysis devices; the “statutory assumption” that the proportion of alcohol or a drug at the time of the offence was not less than in the specimen; evidence, including issues such as the admissibility of the printout from the breath analysis device and of the contemporaneous records of the procedure completed by the investigating officer; the discretion under PACE to admit or exclude evidence; definitions, notably of “public place”; defences, including no likelihood of driving while over the limit; special reasons for not disqualifying; and finally a host of procedural issues, featuring the courts’ insistence on compliance with the Criminal Procedure Rules.

Callow’s fourth edition includes notes from over fifty cases decided since the third edition was published. The themes which run through the new case law include the availability of judicial review as a means of challenge, case management, the appropriateness of adjournments and preparedness for trial.

What we also found very useful were the longer-standing issues which the editor also re-visited, such as the disclosure of records, consulting the forms completed during the investigation to refresh memory at trial, the discretion to admit or exclude evidence and burdens of proof. Very helpful for all levels of practice.

This hardback book was published by Wildy in 2025. ■

The New Leaders of Law

By Colin Bohanna

A monumental shift is taking place in the UK legal market – one that will affect every part of the profession.

As one of the leading legaltech providers in the world, a large portion of Dye & Durham’s activities is to research, track, and foresee changes in the legal industry before they have become mainstream. We did this in our 2024 report, “Digital Pioneers: Leading The Tech Revolution,” which charted how the digital fluency of Millennial and Gen Z legal practitioners was reshaping expectations of the workplace and accelerating adoption of modern systems. That research was important. What we are observing now is more consequential and is likely to have an even greater effect on the legal sector for decades to come.

The UK legal market is entering a period of structural change that will influence how firms operate and compete for years to come. We are seeing how consultant-led and platform models are scaling at pace, alternative business structures (ABS) account for a growing share of regulated firms, and private equity (PE) interest in legal services is now an active feature of the market rather than a distant prospect. This trifecta is the beginning of what we see as a historic moment, one in which operating expectations are shifting faster than the profession typically moves.

Dye & Durham will be releasing original research on this in the coming months that will chart how ownership, working models, and capital are influencing the way legal organisations are structured and expected to perform. In a later article, I will also expand on the changing dynamics that are leading to this structural change. Today, I concentrate on one of the biggest drivers of it: A new type of leader that is at the forefront of the trend.

Ahead of that, here are the broader trends all law firm owners, partners, and CEOs should already have on their radar.

A New Type of Leader

When we first wrote about Digital Pioneers, the picture of a new type of legal professional was already beginning to emerge. As we found then, as Millennial and Gen Z legal professionals rise in prominence, their expectation of digital fluency is reshaping what “good” looks like in a workplace, as well as what “modern” looks like in a law firm. That still remains true. Digital competence is no longer a differentiator for many firms; it is increasingly a baseline expectation among junior lawyers and early-career professionals. But it is not just junior professionals who are embracing this change.

Through our research and many recent conversations with the legal market, we are charting an unmistakable trend in how leadership is changing. For generations, the UK has had a largely predictable set of operating standards that we’re all familiar with: law firm ownership and promotion to senior leadership have most often followed a well-worn path, one that relied heavily on progression through apprenticeship, promotion, presenteeism and networking. Management and leadership were often assumed to be “learned by doing”, a skillset one developed in the office rather than a separate track.

In a different era, that process worked – and it still does for many firms – but the world that law finds itself in now is undeniably different: massively increased investment, particularly in lawtech, evolving client expectations, advancing regulation standards, and crucially, different attitudes within the profession. Where once many law firm owners remained technology sceptics, a growing number of

legal organisations are now shaped by leaders who are digitally fluent themselves and commercially oriented in their outlook. These are CEOs, COOs, CIOs, and operationally minded partners responsible for multi-entity groups, consultant networks, or acquisitive growth strategies. Their day-to-day concerns are not only legal delivery, but scalability, compliance visibility, performance management, and how the organisation functions as a coordinated whole. That marks a clear departure from an earlier era, when technology decisions often required persuasion driven by regulation or IT advocacy.

This leadership mindset aligns with wider market signals, particularly in how firms are structured. There is an appetite for new ways of practising and delivering legal services: ABS adoption has risen from around 8% of firms in 2017/18 to approximately 14% by 2024, reflecting steady growth in structures that allow non-lawyer ownership and different approaches to investment and governance. Consultant-led and fee-share models are operating at significant scale, with leading firms numbering in the hundreds of lawyers. At the same time, industry analysis highlights record levels of private equitybacked platform activity in legal services. These are not disparate events; they display a change in attitude and a different standard for success. Increasingly, those who treat legal service provision as a business are likely to be the most successful in a busier and more tech-savvy market.

This is a topic we will be expanding upon more in our upcoming and market-defining research. To get access to that report when it is available, please visit www.dyedurham.com/resources ■