NEWSLETTER 11th July 2014 LINKS COURT SANCTIONS AND THE INTERPRETATION OF THE MITCHELL CASE – LAW SOCIETY INTERVENTION For the latest LawCare News https://s5.newzapp.co.uk/t/gtp_pg.as px?LID=OSw0NzE5NTY5NzUsM w== AUTUMN COURSES http://www.kentlawsociety.com/tr aining-courses.html 17.9.14 Commercial Property 17.9.14 Residential L&T 18.9.14 Buy to Lets 18.9.14 Newbuild Issues 25.9.14 Sale of Family Business 25.9.14 Bail Applications/Pleas 2.10.14 Managing & Motivating 9.10.14 Tax and Trusts Issues 16.10.14 Boundary Disputes 23,10.14 Employee Covenants 23.10.14 Sch1 Childrens Act 13.11.14 Complex Property 13.11.14 LPAs and C of P 26.11.14 Anti-Money Laundering CONFERENCE 4.9.14 “The Future of Legal Services Regulation” Westminster Legal Policy Forum http://www.westminsterforumproj ects.co.uk/forums/book_event.p hp?eid=817 GET LINKEDIN TO THE KENT LAW SOCIETY! Join the Kent Law Society group on LinkedIn by clicking the link below, for news, views, and a lot more. http://www.linkedin.com/groups? gid=6643941&mostPopular=&trk =tyah&trkInfo=tarId%3A1395224 056505%2Ctas%3Akent%20law %20s%2Cidx%3A2-2-4 HONORARY MEMBER PETER SHERRED Law Society Chief Executive Desmond Hudson has written to the profession to highlight last week’s Court of Appeal decision. Following intervention by the Law Society at the invitation of the Master of the Rolls, the Court of Appeal handed down the judgement on 4 July issuing revised 'Mitchell' guidance on the interpretation of applications for relief from sanctions, pursuant to CPR Rule 3.9(1). The Court agreed with the Society’s strongly expressed view that the Rule had caused a breakdown in co-operation between solicitors and that subsequent judicial decisions had been inconsistent, leading to costly and unnecessary satellite litigation. The Court of Appeal’s decision should now lead to a less adversarial and a more co-operative approach to agreeing extensions of time to comply with court orders. This will remove a great deal of uncertainty in the profession about the operation of the case management rules in the postJackson environment. You can access Des Hudson’s full letter, further information from the Law Society website, and a copy of the full transcript of the Court’s decision from our Announcements Page NEW LAW SOCIETY PRESIDENT SETS OUT HIS AGENDA Access to Justice, Diversity and Inclusion, and Membership Engagement will be the themes of Andrew Caplen’s presidency of the Law Society, which commenced th yesterday on 10 July. In a letter to the profession, Mr Caplen introduces himself as someone who joined the profession to speak up for the most vulnerable. He wants to see an honest debate about the levels of legal provision in the country and will promote research to inform this debate. He highlights domestic violence as a key area for change. He wants to support pilot diversity and inclusion schemes, promote work to address the gender pay gap and develop further the Society’s Diversity Access Scheme. He pledges that he and his fellow officers will travel the country more than ever before. You can access Andrew Caplen’s full letter from our Announcements Page. NEW DESIGNATED FAMILY JUDGE FOR KENT – HHJ Richard Polden writes Dear all, I am pleased to be able to announce that HHJ Richard Scarratt has been appointed as DFJ for Kent for a 4 year term commencing 1 September 2014 to replace me when I step down ,after 6 years, on 31 August 2014. Richard will divide his time between Canterbury and Medway and will sit (as a minimum) at Medway for one week in four and for a day in the intervening period. In addition he will sit at other courts in the County for a period of 10 days in each year. I know you will want to join with me in offering congratulations to Richard on his appointment and I know that you will give him the same support that you have given to me in my term of office. I am not retiring and will continue to sit, hopefully in Kent, but the details have yet to be confirmed. Regards, Richard MATTHEW QUANTRILL Former KLS President Peter Sherred being congratulated after the 2014 AGM by President Deborah Hatton and two former presidents,Law Society Deputy Vice President Jonathan Smithers and Peter Gottschalk. It is with sadness we confirm the death of Matthew Quantrill on the 30th June. Matthew was a prosecuting lawyer based in Kent for over twenty years. He was much admired by colleagues and court staff for his diligence, dedication and sense of humour in the face of often difficult circumstances. His sudden death in court at the age of just 49 has shocked and saddened all who knew him. Matthew was a very keen cricketer who gave freely of his time and skills both on the field and off to his club for over 30 years. He leaves two teenage sons Edward and Felix and out thoughts go out to all Matthew's family and friends. They have asked we publish details of his funeral for those who would like to attend or make a donation in his memory.