Welcome to my 5^th Newsletter as President of The Newcastle and North of England Law Society, in this our very special Bicentennial Year.

August brought much welcomed breathing space as we planned and now launch a full calendar of exciting events for the Autumn. 

However, August still delivered noteworthy news and hot topics in the National Legal Press, not least:-

1. The launch of the Law Society survey into the administrative burdens faced by legal aid providers. 

2. LexisNexis publishing its Legal Aid Desert report for 2026 highlighting that are almost 1 in 4 people in England and Wales are registered in a Local Authority area classed as a legal aid desert in at least one area of law - that is 14.49 million people !

3. The SRA issuing warnings regarding the misuse of Artificial Intelligence in legal practice stressing that AI adoption does not diminish professional accountability or confidentiality obligations. 

4. The Ministry of Justice advertising for 2 new senior civil servants to lead the Government's raid on solicitors' client account interest – even though it is yet to announce a final decision on the controversial policy. 

We have 9 exciting Upcoming Events:-

• Wednesday 16th September – Pan Professional Lunch
• Tuesday 22^nd September – AML Dinner
• Thursday 24^th September – Managing Partners & Heads of Office Forum (
• Thursday 24^th September – "With the Law on our Side"

I am really looking forward to this one-off event (which sold out in under 24 hours!). 

We thank our friends at Trinity Chambers for being so creative with this excellent idea and to have secured Lady Hale to speak about her latest book of that title is an absolute coup.

• Thursday 30^th September – 5^th Property Law Seminar
• Thursday 1st October - Beyond Banter: Rights, Risks and Responsibilities - Newcastle Law Society
• Friday 9th October - Our Bicentenary Dinner at The Hilton, Gateshead

I am delighted to report that we have sold 20 tables so far which is excellent but we could accommodate another 6 or so and it would be fantastic to certainly have all of the larger firms represented and to fill the room. 

Don’t be shy!  Colleagues in smaller firms or colleagues whose firms will not be committing to attend in some number, please still register for tickets.  Come along alone or as a small group and we will co-ordinate several mixed tables to accommodate everyone.

We are supported by no less than 8 of our key sponsors and also our esteemed colleagues from the Bar, the Judiciary and Academia with several Barristers’ Chambers and our local Universities taking tables. 

As in previous years we will be highlighting and celebrating the achievements of our Newly Qualified Solicitors and making awards to our highest achieving Trainee Solicitors.

Our speaker / guest of honour is Shaun Wallace, a practicing barrister, lecturer and television personality. He is one of the six "chasers" on the ITV quiz show The Chase.

As I hope you can tell we are very much trying to make this a very special evening – one night celebrating 200 years!

“Honouring the Past: Preparing for the Future” is our aim for this Bicentennial year and the theme of our Bicentenary Dinner.

Please can longer standing firms who have a very rich history and an impressive story to tell get in touch as we would really like to showcase your impressive stories at the Dinner as part of our endeavour to “Honour the Past.”  I am already in contact with our friends at Jacksons, Weightmans, Muckle and Sintons. 

As part of our commitment "Preparing for the Future" our friends in the Junior Lawyers Division are taking a segment in the proceedings to spotlight what they do and to encourage junior colleagues to get involved.

Please join with me, my fellow Office Holders and Standing Committee Members to make this a very special evening.

• Wednesday 14th October - Retired Solicitors' Association Luncheon - 14th October 2026 - Newcastle Law Society
• Thursday 15th October - Legal Tech Seminar - Thursday 15th October 2026 - Newcastle Law Society