Initiatives
Closing the Gender Gap at Partner Level: Why is Progress So Slow and How Do We Overcome This?
The inaugural London Solicitors Litigation Association Roundtable delved into the issue of gender disparity at the partner level within the legal profession. Despite over 60% of solicitors being women, only 35% hold partner positions, with a gradual increase from 31% in 2013. Participants identified key themes crucial for accelerating change, emphasising the need to nurture individual potential, create a supportive culture beyond the 24/7 norm, promote diverse role models, enhance transparency in partnership criteria, and leverage client pressure for diversity. While progress is evident, the consensus is that more concerted efforts are required to break barriers and achieve genuine gender parity.
Mentoring Programme
Thank you to everyone who has contacted us to take part in the proposed mentoring programme. We are working on developing this to begin later this year and to provide our members with an opportunity to connect and learn from the expertise and experiences of someone outside their firm.
If you would be liked to be involved in the programme, either as a mentor, a mentee or both, please email lsla@lsla.co.uk to register your interest.
Pro Bono Initiative
Over the years the LSLA donated to many charitable and pro bono organisations to give back to the profession.
Our latest Pro bono Inititative aims to increase access to justice and encourage engagement by promoting pro bono opportunities to our members. These include opportunities for solicitors to provide support to barristers offering pro bono representation and assisting litigants in person. We also focus on highlighting lesser-known initiatives. We have published a list of organisations to which we have links, and which offer pro bono services. The list is available here, with details for contacting them, if you wish to support or assist with their work.
The list is not exhaustive. If you have any suggestions for organisations you think should be included on the list please email lsla@lsla.co.uk so our committee may consider including it.
Additional pro bono opportunities can be accessed on the National Pro Bono Centre Portal using the link which is below. This includes opportunities specifically seeking solicitors with commercial or civil litigation experience, as well as remote assignments.
Pro Bono Subcommittee
Natalie Osafo, Sub-Committee Co-Lead
LSLA Committee Member and Senior Associate at Stewarts Law LLP
John Rogerson, Sub-Committee Co-Lead
LSLA Committee Member and Partner at White & Case LLP
Alexander Beaton
Associate at White & Case LLP
Benjamin Smith
JLSLA Committee Member and Dispute Resolution Associate at Lewis Silkin
Lauren Gest
JLSLA Committee Member and In House counsel at Johnson Matthey
Nadya Rouben
JLSLA Committee Member and Senior Associate at DLA Piper UK LLP
Siân Akerman
LSLA Committee Member and Senior Associate at Schillings Partners
Chancery Guide
On 15 November 2022, Mr Justice Fancourt & Master Kaye, who led the work on producing the new Chancery Guide 2022, spoke along with other contributors ICC Judge Mullen and Maura McIntosh of Herbert Smith Freehills, to introduce the new Guide and explore how this has been updated and why.
Law Society Litigation Handbook
The Law Society has published its litigation handbook which is a helpful and practical guide to practice and procedure in the Business and Property Courts.
The handbook sets out the litigation process in an accessible form and explains the stages of litigation from pre-action conduct through to trial. It also covers interim applications and is a comprehensive guide to bringing a claim in the Business and Property Courts.
The handbook is a useful single source to update both newly qualified and seasoned practitioners. It is easy to read and should supplement both the CPR on-line and other authorities.
Judicial Appointments Commissions
If you are considering applying for a judicial appointment, the JAC has published some useful guidelines on the process which can be found at the link below.