The Newcastle and North of England Law Society

President's Newsletter – March / April 2026

Welcome to my first newsletter as the newly elected President of The Newcastle and North of England Law Society, a very great honour which I am delighted to accept.

We have certainly cranked up the pace a couple of gears at the Society and especially as we are now in our Bicentennial Year.

Firstly, a recap of the events which have happened this month:-

Thursday 5^th March – Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence Seminar

The PI & Clinical Negligence Seminar brought together legal and medico-legal experts to explore key developments in managing complex, high-value claims and improving client outcomes. Stuart Jamieson of Parklane Plowden shared practical insight into the challenges of handling complex disputes, while Helen Wall of Fortius Expert Witness Services delivered a thought-provoking session on the medico-legal impact of the UK’s “hidden epidemic” of birth trauma, highlighting issues of preventable failings, informed consent, and long-term harm. The seminar concluded with Lisa Fricker, who emphasised the importance of early, tailored rehabilitation and introduced Temple Legal Protection’s latest rehabilitation solution.

Tuesday 17^th March – Heads of Office and Managing Partners Forum

Kindly hosted by Muckle LLP at their offices we were delighted to welcome Julie Swan, Director of Education and Training at the SRA. This was a sellout event.  Julie shared valuable updates following feedback from our December 2024 session, including upcoming changes to the SQE, revised policies, and improvements to the booking process which are now in place.

Thursday 19^th March – 3^rd Property Law Seminar – PEXA and Bell Howley Perotton

We welcomed Angela Hesketh from PEXA UK to talk us through their lead in transformational digital conveyancing in the UK coming off the back of their significant achievements in Australia.  Such a system in the UK would enable a vastly improved experience for property lawyers and house buyers and sellers alike. 

It was a pleasure to also host Amanda Perotton, Partner at Bell Howley Perotton LLP who calmly alleyed all of the scaremongering about the impending changes requiring registration with "Tax Advisor" status at HMRC and the overriding message of "Don't Panic".  Some very timely well received advice!

Monday 23^rd March – AML Dinner hosted by Amiqus

This was an excellent evening, the exclusive surroundings of the tasting room at Blackfriars Restaurant conducive to meaningful private conversation on some very important topics.  Huge thanks to Graham McKenzie, Cristina Escobar and Gregor Angus from Amiqus for hosting and sponsoring this event for us and steering through in depth conversation about some challenging compliance issues in legal practice.  It was fantastic to be joined by lots of MLRO and COLP colleagues from numerous member firms who wholeheartedly entered into our discussions.

Tuesday 24^th March – Property Interest Group Visit to HM Land Registry, Durham

We were treated to an excellent behind the scenes tour at HM Land Registry in Durham kindly hosted by Ian Harrison and his colleagues who demonstrated live systems to us, showed us first hand the scale and enormity of the of the Local Land Charges Digitisation Project and told us about exciting plans for future innovation at HM Land Registry.  We are so hoping that this can become a regular event as this is our 2^nd visit now.  Visits like this help myself and fellow property colleagues fully appreciate how a robust fully digital and user friendly Land Ownership Register underpins the entire success of the Property Sector in England and Wales.

Thursday 26^th March – AGM – Northern Counties Club

Our highlight for this month has been the 155^th AGM of the Society at which I was voted in as the Society's 200^th President.  I am only the eighth Female to hold the title, Lucy Winskell OBE, His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant for Tyne and Wear having been the Society's first Lady President in 1999.

Paul Brown has done a fantastic job as President last year and truly delivered on his Presidential theme of "Growth" most notably through the successful merger of The Newcastle Law Society with both Carlisle and Tees Valley Law Societies to form The Newcastle and North of England Law Society.

Great to welcome:-

• Clare Hurst, Deputy Director of North East Law Centre as our new Vice President
• Russell Hewitson, Associate Professor of Law at Northumbria University and National Law Society Counsel Member for Commercial Property Our Deputy Vice President.

My sincere thanks go to all who attended the AGM and supported the Society.  We were truly delighted to welcome 4 newly elected members to the Standing Committee namely:-

• Sean Linley (Carter Burnett)
• Keith Turnbull (Marshall Levy Solicitors Limited)
• David Dewar (Winn Solicitors Limited)
• John Hendry (Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP)

We will also benefit enormously from the appointment of 2 new co-opted members:-

• Melanie Morley, Past President of Tees Valley Law Society
• Claire Logan, formerly of the Carlisle and District Law Society and currently a National Law Society Counsel Member for Lancaster and Cumbria.

I am blessed to be working with such a fantastic Standing Committee during this very important Bicentennial Year.

Please look out for our Upcoming Events (more information on these to follow in due course):-

• Thursday 16th April - County Durham Area Visit at Ramside Hall at 12.30 p.m.
• Thursday 23rd April - North and South Tyneside Area Visit at Tynemouth Golf Club at 12.30 p.m.
• National Law Society President Mark Evans visit:-
  • Wednesday 27th May - Carlisle Area Visit and Relaunch at Armstrong Watson at 12.30 p.m.
  • Wednesday 27th May - Managing Partners Private Dinner at Dakota Hotel, Newcastle at 7.00 p.m.
  • Thursday 28th May – LegalRunner 5k run at 7:15 a.m. on the Quayside, Newcastle
  • Thursday 28th May - Tees Valley Area Visit Relaunch and Wellbeing Round Table at Top Floor, Double Eleven at 12.00 p.m.
• Thursday 4th June - Private Client Seminar at Ward Hadaway at 2.00 p.m.
• Thursday 11th June – 4^th Property Law Seminar with Judge Laura D'Cruz at Ward Hadaway at 4.00 p.m
• Thursday 18th June – Tyne Valley & Northumberland Area Visit at Bouchon Bistrot at 12.30 p.m.
• Thursday 25th June - Summer Soiree – The President's Summer Party at The Riverside Terrace, Baltic at 7.00 p.m.

Finally, we are delighted to announce that the Charities we will be supporting this year are Smart Works North East and Suitability.

"We help unemployed women and men to get the coaching, clothing and confidence they need to secure employment and change the trajectory of their lives."

Please remember to bring all clothing donations (Work Appropriate or otherwise) to any of our events where I would be grateful to accept them and ensure their safe delivery to Smart Works North East and Suitability.  Failing that, please feel to drop them off or deliver them to Ward Hadaway's office in Newcastle (Sandgate House, 102 Quayside) or at Tobias House, St Mark's Court, Teesdale Business Park, Teesside,TS17 6QW.

I would like to thank all of our members for their support and to Sanchia, Megan and Andrea at the Law Society for their tireless work behind the scenes to make everything possible.

We hope to see you at our forthcoming events.  Please do encourage colleagues to attend or better still to join as members!

A very Happy Easter to you all.