President's Report - June 2025
PRESIDENT'S NEWSLETTER - JUNE 2025
Over the last month I have taken part in a number of Law Society events as President. Indeed it was a very busy month for the society.
On the 1st May we had the latest in our series of Managing Partner/Head of Office forums where we had some engaging talks from our friends at Amiqus including thought provoking presentations by Graham MacKenzie and Gregor Angus regarding Compliance issues, Anti Money Laundering and Sanctions.
On the 2nd May I had the great honour and privilege of taking part in a swearing in ceremony for District Judge Reynolds at Newcastle Civil & Family Courts and Tribunals Centre at Barras Bridge. Helping to welcome him formally to the judiciary alongside many other members of the Northern Circuit judiciary and Elizabeth Hodgson of Park Lane Plowden Chambers on behalf of the bar.
Following this on the I was proud to be part of a contingent of our standing committee who took part in a Counties Law Society Group reception on the 13th May in Parliament hosted by Steve Darling MP. We were privileged to hear an insightful address from Mark Evans, Vice President of the Law Society of England and Wales, followed by a valuable update from Frank Hayes on key developments with the SRA. As well as meeting other members of the Counties Societies Group from across the country.
On the 16th May I was very proud to be part of the panel discussion at The Law Society Bicentenary event at The Vermont Hotel Newcastle representing Newcastle Upon Tyne Law Society as President and my own firm Burnetts Solicitors . We had some lovely conversations with the Law Society team including Vice President Mark Evans and Louise Hanson as well as many solicitors in the area including my fellow panel members Liaquat Latif, Tori Towers and Andrea Proudlock and Caitlin Edwards representing the Junior Lawyers Division.
We have an exciting year ahead planned with lots of events and activities with some of those being listed on our website and your regular newsletters. Some highlights over the next few weeks include:
Thursday 26th June - Presidents Summer Party at Wylam Brewery with a BBQ, live music, raffle and whilst we can’t guarantee the sunshine we can guarantee beer. All for a good cause as we will be raising money for my Presidents charity of the year the Child Brain Injury Trust. Tickets are £45 per person.
Thursday 3rd July - Join us for a sponsored walk around Newcastle City Centre in support of the Access to Justice Foundation. The event starts at 5.15pm from outside Womble Bond Dickinson offices at The Spark heading around a new course to the Cycle Hub on the Quayside.
Please do get involved and encourage your firm or others to do likewise and join as members. There are corporate rates for larger firms also. Please also follow our page on LinkedIn.
If you would like any more information about any of the above or book any tickets, please contact Sanchia or our office via e-mail