Programme & Exhibitor Information
Welcome I am delighted to welcome you to the third annual Conference. The Network team and I are delighted to return to Glasgow, where we held our first conference, and reflect on the growth of the Network over the past three years. Membership of the Network now covers 30% of the legal profession in Scotland and over the last financial year we recovered damages of 19m on behalf of clients referred through the Network. We also acquired the services of a dedicated network coordinator who is on hand to assist our members with their firm marketing strategy. It is interesting to note how the Scottish legal landscape has altered with many legal titans no longer having a place within the market over the same timeframe. This goes to show how excellent customer service and sound legal knowledge will only ensure the survival of your firm to an extent. The importance of savvy business management and business development are key to a firm s survival. Leadership skills are important and Mike Stevenson will provide tips to improve your leadership style and increase firm productivity overall. Threats still loom for us all, the Court reforms will be affecting everyone practicing within Scotland and so many questions remain unanswered at this stage. James Wolffe QC will shed some light from the bar and allow us all to consider the opportunities that the changes may create. Thank you once again for your continued support over the last year. It is truly appreciated. Enjoy the Conference! Gordon Dalyell, Partner Digby Brown Solicitors 2
Programme Noon 1.00pm 1.10pm 1.50pm Networking Lunch & Exhibition Welcome and introduction David Wilson, Digby Brown Solicitors Creative Leadership in the New Scotland Mike Stevenson, ThinkTastic Question & Answer Session 2.00pm Break out session 1: A: Product Liability & Accidents Abroad B: Serious Injury & Clinical Negligence C: Employment D: Brand Promotion 2.45pm Refreshments and Exhibition 3.00pm Break out session 2: A: Product Liability & Accidents Abroad B: Serious Injury & Clinical Negligence C: Employment D: Outsourcing 3.50pm 4.30pm 4.45pm 5.00pm The Court Reforms James Wolffe QC, Faculty of Advocates Question & Answer Session Closing remarks Gordon Dalyell, Digby Brown Solicitors Drinks Reception 3
Breakout Groups D1/D2 Brand/ Outsourcing THE ARCHES CONFERENCE CONFERENCE MEGALITHIC 1 MEGALITHIC 3 Ladies Toilet Mens Toilet MAIN CONFERENCE & Breakout Group A Breakout Group B Serious Injury & Clinical Negligence Product Liability & Accidents Abroad Cloak Room Lunch, Refreshments and Exhibition area Lifts Registration g KING TUTS 4 Employment Breakout Group C
Main speakers David Wilson, Partner, Network Department, Digby Brown Solicitors David is a Partner in the Network department which works alongside Compensation Personal Injury Network members. He is both a well-accredited specialist in personal injury and a top-rated training provider to the Scottish Government, bar associations, trades unions and the Law Society. David has years of experience in fatal and sudden death claims, public liability, employer s liability, occupier s Liability and professional negligence. David is currently engaged in the high profile fatal accident inquiry into the tragic event in George Square. Mike Stevenson, Managing Director, Thinktastic Mike Stevenson is owner of Thinktastic, and a much most sought after speaker, trainer and creative thinker. His own story is one of personal reinvention from rough sleeper and busker to entrepreneur. He is passionate about the power of people to achieve the extraordinary and before he started in business 21 years ago Mike was a founding member of the Wise Group in Glasgow, which helped thousands of unemployed people into jobs. Mike has done a lot in his 64 years from hod-carrying to biscuit packing - he has even appeared in Taggart. James Wolffe QC James Wolffe QC (Dean of Faculty) became an advocate in 1992 and took silk in 2007. In 2014 he was elected Dean of Faculty. He was First Standing Junior Counsel to the Scottish Ministers from 2002 to 2007, and served as an Advocate Depute from 2007 to 2010. He has extensive experience of both commercial and public law and has been instructed for cases at all levels, including the House of Lords, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom, the European Court of Human Rights and the Court of Justice of the European Union. James is highly recommended in Chambers UK 2014 for Administrative and public law and Commercial Dispute Resolution. He is a member of the Faculty Dispute Resolution Service. He has been called to the bar of England & Wales (2013) and is a door tenant at Brick Court Chambers, London. Gordon Dalyell, Partner and Head of Network Department, Digby Brown Solicitors Gordon is a Head of the Network Department which works with members. He is a recognised leader in civil litigation, access to justice and the wider Scottish legal sector. A Solicitor- Advocate, Gordon is accredited as a specialist in Personal Injury Law by the Law Society of Scotland, is a senior litigator member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and has served as the APIL Elected Executive Committee Member for Scotland since 2010. 5
Breakout Group A - speakers ROOM: Megalithic 3 Product Liability & Accidents Abroad Mark Gibson, Partner, Network Department, Digby Brown Solicitors Mark is a Partner based in the Glasgow office, specialising in workplace, road traffic, product liability and general personal injury litigation. Mark has a particular interest and specialism in product liability and medical product claims and is head of Digby Brown s product liability team. Mark is accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in personal injury law and accredited as a senior litigator by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL). Kim Leslie, Partner, Foreign and Travel Law Department, Digby Brown Solicitors Kim is a partner within the firm s foreign and travel department based in the Edinburgh office. With extensive experience of personal injury work, Kim is accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in personal injury law. Kim is a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL), a member of the Pan European Organisation of Personal Injury Lawyers (PEOPIL) and convenor of the Civil Justice Committee for the Law Society. 6
Breakout Group B - speakers ROOM: Megalithic 1 Serious Injury & Clinical Negligence Damian White, Partner, Network Department, Digby Brown Solicitors Damian is a Partner within the firm s Network Department, having previously been a partner with Allan MacDougall and Co and HBJ Claims Solutions Solicitors. He has a wealth of personal injury experience, from occupiers liability cases through to complex fatal cases. Damian is regularly invited by a number of professional organisations to provide professional training to fellow solicitors in Scotland on issues relating to personal injury law. Sue Grant, Partner and Head of Clinical Negligence, Digby Brown Solicitors Ranked as a Leader in their field by Chambers Guide to the UK Legal Profession, Sue has more than 20 years experience in personal injury and clinical negligence litigation and is a Law Society of Scotland and Association of Personal Injury Lawyers accredited specialist in these fields. Sue has successfully litigated some of the most complex and high value clinical negligence cases, particularly those involving cerebral palsy, in Scotland. Chris Stewart, Partner, Serious Injury Department, Digby Brown Solicitors Chris is a partner in serious injury department, specialising in cases involving brain and spinal injury. He has extended rights of audience in the Court of Session, House of Lords and Privy Council and extensive experiences in both the Sheriff Court and Court of Session. A member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and of the Society of Solicitor Advocates, Chris is responsible for Digby Brown s in-house advocacy training. 7
Breakout Group C - speakers ROOM: King tuts Employment David Nellaney, Partner, Network Department, Digby Brown Solicitors David is a partner in the firm s network department, working from its Glasgow office. He has experience across a range of types of personal injury cases, specialising in workplace, road traffic accident and public liability claims, and is experienced handling cases of these types in the Sheriff Courts and Court of Session. David is a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL). Douglas Jaap, Partner and Head of Employment, Digby Brown Solicitors Douglas is dual qualified in England and Wales as well as in Scotland. He has experience in all aspects of employment law including representing clients at employment tribunals, employment appeal tribunals and the courts. Douglas is a Civil Solicitor Advocate, accredited by the Law Society of Scotland as a specialist in Employment law and a member of that body s committee on Employment law. Rob Marrs, Senior Policy and Development Manager, The Law Society of Scotland Rob was educated in the north west of England and at the University of Glasgow. Upon graduation, after debating his way around the United States of America representing the UK, he worked briefly in financial services in New Zealand before heading up the English-Speaking Union s education programmes in Scotland. He has been a Senior Policy Advisor at the Law Society of Scotland since 2009 and advises on all matters relating to education and training. He headed up the Society s Fair Access review and is leading on its implementation (including the innovative Street Law programme). 8
Breakout Group D1 - speakers ROOM: the arches Brand Promotion - 2pm Craig Semple, Director of Marketing, Digby Brown Solicitors Craig joined Digby Brown Solicitors in 2011, having previously worked as the firm s marketing consultant for 10 years, running his own Design and Marketing company. Craig s role in Digby Brown encompasses all facets of the marketing mix including online activity, media relations, event management and direct advertising. As well as Digby Brown Solicitors, Craig has worked in the field of branding and corporate identity for some of Scotland s leading blue chip organisations in the legal, financial and professional sectors. Chris Davidson, Director, Moore Legal Technology Chris joined Moore Legal Technology as a Director in 2013 following specialist in-house legal marketer and business development manager roles. Chris s primary focus is to build awareness of Moore Legal Technology s unique capabilities among prospective clients in the legal sector and develop long term relationships with current clients by continuing to add value to their businesses. As an advocate of MLT s vision to be the UK s leading provider of online business generation solutions for lawyers and law firms, Chris also manages the brand strategy of the firm and their value proposition amongst clients and in the business community at large. Janice Burns, Journalist Janice Burns is a Scottish journalist with a wealth of experience of reported local, regional and national stories. Janice has been a journalist with newspapers such as the Daily Record, Evening Times and The National and has covered and investigated some of the most high profile events in Scotland over a number of years. She will be providing insight on working with the Scottish media and how this can benefit law firms of all sizes. 9
Breakout Group D2 - speakers ROOM: the arches Outsourcing - 3pm John Keenan, Director of Finance, Digby Brown Solicitors Having recently joined Digby Brown as Finance Director, John is the newest member of the management team. John is a qualified accountant and joins Digby Brown with over 10 years board level experience gained in the Financial Services and Retail sectors where he has worked with a number of high growth companies. John s key responsibilities include Treasury, Financial Reporting, FP&A and Financial Strategy. David Calder, Managing Director, The Cashroom Ltd David qualified as a solicitor in 1991. After working in a number of law firms (and a period working for the New Zealand Law Commission) he set up a niche commercial law firm, in 2005 with 3 others. Until he joined the Cashroom in 2012, he was Managing Partner and cash room Partner of this firm Jo Styles, Business Development Director, Intelligent Office Jo joined Intelligent Office as Business Development Director in December 2012.. Jo works with prospective law firm clients to understand their requirements and helps to design an administrative support structure which delivers the fee earners, and ultimately their clients, with outstanding service. Prior to joining Intelligent Office, Jo spent five years at legal research firm Acritas Jo also led Acritas advisory board of senior in-house counsel and law firm leaders. Before Acritas, Jo worked at Legal Week for five years in both commercial and research roles. Neil Alan Stevenson LL.B. (Hons), M.Sc., Director of Representation and Professional Support Neil is responsible for maintaining and developing the Law Society of Scotland as the hub of the legal profession. One part of this is responsibility for the Society s compliance with equality legislation and public sector duties; which have been significant and highly positive drivers for change within the organisation. Neil is also a director and trustee of Lawcare. Wholly independent of the Society this is an advisory and support service to help lawyers, their staff and their immediate families to deal with problems ranging from bullying and harassment through to health problems such as depression, addiction and emotional difficulties. 10
List of Exhibitors Alex Quinn & Partners Limited 62 Newhaven Road, Edinburgh, EH6 5QB Tel: 0131 555 3552 Email: marktraynor@alexquinn.co.uk Website: www.alexquinn.co.uk incorporating W. Brian Irvine & Co. Alex Quinn & Partners (AQP) provide a full range of services to the legal profession including Legal Aid, Private client accounts executry and trust feeing and all manner of judicial accounts across all forums in Scotland as well as bills of cost for cases taken to the UKSC. ACQ also provides seminars to the legal profession on all aspects of expenses and have been actively involved in providing input training and advice on court reforms and the taylor review to clients, the justiciary and the profession as a whole. AQP work closely with the independent bar providing input on fees and advice to Counsel on issues affecting expenses. Our Chairman sits on the Law Society Remuneration Committee and has been involved in advising LPAC on fees. ACP will be on hand throughout the day to provide fee advice on any expenses issues which you may have. Asbestos Action Caledonian House, Greenmarket, Dundee, DD1 4QB Tel: 01382 225715 Email: dianne@asbestosactiontayside.org.uk Website: www.asbestosactiontayside.org.uk AsbestosAction Asbestos Action is a Scottish organisation that has been set up to assist sufferers of asbestos related diseases and their families. We offer practical and emotional support tailored to the person s individual requirements. We also advise on available state benefits as well as civil compensation, If someone is diagnosed with asbestos related lung cancer or mesothelioma we will immediately arrange to visit at a time of convenience. Asbestos Action is delighted to extend access to their welfare support services to CPIN member clients. 11
The Cashroom Ltd Craglea House, Quarrywood Court, Livingston Village, Livingston Eh54 6AX Tel: 01506 401270 Email: gregor.angus@thecashroom.co.uk Website: www.thecashroom.co.uk @thecashroomltd @GA_casgroomltd The Cashroom Ltd provides outsourced cashiering, payroll and management accounting services to law firms throughout the country. We recognise that every practice has different needs and challenges, and are therefore flexible and responsive in our delivery of services to you. For example, you may require somebody to replace a retiring cashier, taking over the entirety of the cashroom function. However, it may be that you have a very competent cashier, but need somebody to produce monthly management accounts. Our expert team of cashiers and accountants can provide a service tailored to your requirements, saving you money, management time, recruitment and training costs/time and office space. Holiday and sickness cover are also no longer your problem. Offer to CPIN members: For CPIN member firms who become clients of The Cashroom, we will offer the first month free AND waive the Set-Up Fee. Digby Brown LLP Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Kirkcaldy, Inverness & Aberdeen Tel: 0333 200 5925 Email: katie.mckenna@digbybrown.co.uk Website: www.digbybrown.co.uk @DigbyBrownLLP Digby Brown is Scotland s largest specialist personal injury practice with offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Inverness, Kirkcaldy and Aberdeen. Acting almost exclusively for claimants, the firm is known for its expertise across personal injury and clinical negligence-related claims, as well as work on trade union and employment issues. At the 2015 Scott & Co. Legal Awards, Digby Brown won the Community Contribution, Employer of the Year and Litigation Team of the Year awards and was recognised as the Firm of the Year. Digby Brown is the only firm in Scotland to be top ranked for personal injury work by both the leading independent guides to the UK legal profession, Chambers and Legal 500. 12
Intelligent Office Kilncraigs, Greenside Street, Alloa, FK10 1EB Tel: 0845 658 9443 Email: jo.styles@intelligentofficeuk.com Website: www.intelligentofficeuk.com Intelligent Office is the UK s leading provider of support services to the legal sector with over 750 people based in 41 client sites and two shared services centres. We re here to help law firms save time and money by improving the quality of support delivered to partners and fee-earners. How? We take charge of administrative and secretarial services, allowing you to concentrate on the big picture: growing your firm, your partners and your ambitions. The result? More flexible, modern and professional support services. Improved delivery for your clients. Increased profitability for you. Better opportunities for your support staff. Intelligent office is delighted to offer 10% off standard Intelligent Office Transcription Services rates. LawCare PO Box 17301 Edinburgh EH12 1AD Tel: 0800 279 6888 Email: trish@lawcare.org.uk Website: www.lawcare.org.uk @LawcareLtd LawCare is an entirely independent and confidential, free service to provide support and advice to anyone working in the legal profession including students, trainees, support staff and family members. Although we receive funding from various professional bodies, they have no involvement in the provision of our services and we do not share identifying details relating to callers. LawCare is a registered charity, number 1061685 in England and Wales and SCO39335 in Scotland. We have an important task in raising awareness about the emotional needs of legal professionals and believe in promoting well-being within the legal community. We provide CPD accredited education and training on relevant issues and have a range of free downloadable fact sheets on topics such as stress, depression, sleep problems, bullying etc. 13
Millar & Bryce Bonnington Bond, 2 Anderson Place, Edinburgh, EH6 5NP Tel: 0131 556 1313 Email: paul.kerr@millar-bryce.co.uk Website: www.millar-bryce.com @millarandbryce Millar & Bryce, Scotland s premier legal business information group is the principle supplier in residential, commercial, infrastructure related property transactions in Scotland. It employs over 90 people at its Edinburgh base and recently won the Support Team of the Year at the 2015 Scott & Co Scottish Legal Awards. At Millar & Bryce we are dedicated to providing you with the most enhanced, accurate and reliable property information in an easy and accessible way. Using our online ordering portal MBOnline you can order and manage search requests at the click of a button. Our reports service has been significantly improved since the introduction of the Land Registration (2012) Scotland Act and we are currently the only alternative suppliers to Registers of Scotland of the new Plans Reports. Our aim is to provide the Legal Profession with the most supportive information to make conveyancing as stressfree as possible. Another service which is available from Millar & Bryce is our stress-free and reassuringly inexpensive title indemnity insurance. Standard residential policies are available online for as little as 26.25 (plus 6% Insurance Premium Tax). Moore Legal Technology Curated House, Gordon Chambers, 90 Mitchell Street, Glasgow Tel: 0808 301 7434 Email: chris@moorelegaltechnology.co.uk Website: www.moorelegaltechnology.co.uk @moore_legal Founded in 2003, Moore Legal Technology is a leading strategic technology consultancy. We specialise in helping our clients generate business online. We assist our clients maximise the opportunities that the internet presents b enhancing their online visibility, helping them to dominate the online space relevant to their service offering and location and ultimately, generate more business online. 14 Offer: Free audit of your website and digital strategy.
Towry 220 St Vincent Street, Glasgow, G2 5SG Tel: 0141 227 8000 Email: personal.injury@towry.com Website: www.towry.com/personal-injury @TowryPIClinNeg Towry is an established wealth advice business with Chartered Financial Planner status. We provide financial advice and investment management services to private clients from 20 offices across the UK and have a national team of specialists who focus on personal injury and clinical negligence cases, including first tier APIL expert witnesses. We ensure claimants not only benefit from the best possible advice both pre and post settlement, but also that they feel informed and in control of their financial future. We charge fees on the basis of time spent and will always provide a fee estimate in advance of any work. Our specialist services and areas of expertise include: Periodical Payment Suitability Assessments Part 36 Offer Assessments Interim Payment applications Investment management services for claimants and/or their representatives Pension losses Statutory funding Personal Injury Trusts and Trustee Act compliance Lifetime financial planning for claimants, including children and those who lack mental capacity Walker Love 16 Royal Exchange Square, Glasgow, G1 3AB Tel: 0141 248 8224 Email: dorothy.love@walkerlove.com Website: www.walkerlove.com Walker Love is a long established firm of Messengers-At-Arms and Sheriff Officers. For over 65 years we have provided Citation and Diligence services to principle firms of solicitors and other court users across Scotland. Through our international network, Connexx, we now provide our clients with debt recovery and citation & diligence service across the whole of Europe and beyond. Our services include: Service of Scottish/English& foreign actions throughout Scotland, the UK and overseas Service of citations in Scotland Intimation of statutory notices Execution of diligence Witness tracing and citation Judgment enforcements Evictions and repossessions With 15 partners and associate partners, we hold commissions for all of the Sheriffdoms across Scotland. We have a network of 10 offices strategically placed throughout Scotland, to provide the services you require. We have the experience, resource, local knowledge and all-round expertise you require to provide an efficient, sensitive and professional service which will exceed your expectations. 15
Thank you for attending the Annual Conference today. We hope you have found it useful and informative. Please take a moment to complete the feedback form to help us to improve future events. If you would like any further information on the Network, speakers or exhibitors, please contact: Katie on 0141 566 9553 katie.mckenna@digbybrown.co.uk 16