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Local News
MTSG Update
Thank you
I feel it would only be ap- propriate to open my first contribution to the Messen- ger magazine by saying a big ‘Thank You’ to the out- going 2016/17 MTSG Com- mittee. The last 12 months have been extremely suc- cessful, with events such as networking socials, educa- tional talks, the biannual balls, sporting triumphs and a ski trip to Val Thorens filling the diaries of Man- chester’s paralegals and trainees. The hard work and commitment put in by all the members of the out- going committee was fun- damental to the success of these events and I am sure that I speak on behalf of everyone who attended an MTSG event last year when I extend my thanks to them all. Thank you also to all the
sponsors and supporters of the MTSG over the last year, whose support and gen- erosity enabled us to pro- vide and deliver the events to our members.
We’ve had a busy few weeks since the ‘Election Night’ when the new 2017/18 Committee was revealed, and I know many of the committee have already thrown themselves into or- ganising some fun and in- formative events for the next few months!
The Year Ahead
Since I joined the MTSG three years ago, I have seen first-hand how beneficial being part of the group, and attending their various ac- tivities and events through- out the year, can be. I am excited for my role of Chair
over the next 12 months, and can’t wait to meet this year’s new intake of trainee solicitors, paralegals and other MTSG members.
Planning for the MTSG Launch Night is well under way – and I can safely say Loretta, Georgina and Naana have plans in places to make sure we are set for a fantastic evening! Keep your eyes peeled for details of the night which will be circulated to our members over the next few weeks. Looking further ahead, the MTSG calendar for the year ahead is already filling up nicely and looks to be jam- packed full of exciting events and informative talks to keep us all busy. The MTSG is widely known as being one of the nation’s best trainee solicitors groups, and we are very for-
tunate that we continue to have the on-going support of our sponsors which make the wide range of activities and events on offer possi- ble. Over the coming year, we are excited to build on existing relationships with current sponsors, and are enthusiastic to explore the possibilities of working alongside new sponsors and supporters who wish to get involved with the MTSG.
On behalf of the new 2017/18 committee, I think I can say safely that we are all looking forward to the year ahead, and to developing and expanding the MTSG. Here’s to a year of network- ing, educational opportuni- ties, meeting new people, investing in our careers, supporting each other and taking on new challenges.
See you at the launch party!
Charlotte King
Chair of MTSG
Trainee Solicitor at JMW Solicitors LLP
The Manchester Trainee Solicitors Group provides social, education, sport- ing and networking op- portunities for junior legal professionals in and around Greater Manches- ter. If you would like to become a member, whether you are a parale- gal, prospective trainee, trainee or newly qualified solicitor, please visit the ‘Join Us’ section of our website (www.mtsg.org.uk), contact us via twitter (@mcrtsg) or via the Facebook group
(MTSG 2016/17).
CILEx Update
Summer BBQ
The Greater Manchester CILEx would like to thank everyone who attended the annual summer BBQ on 20 July 2017 at Missoula. We would like to then Sacco Mann for sponsoring the welcome drinks and providing helpful advice on recruit- ment to everyone who attended the BBQ.
The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives CEO, Linda Ford attended along with the new Deputy Vice President Patricia White.
Everyone had a fantastic evening and we are all looking for- ward to our next event at Christmas.
Training:
The Greater Manchester CILEx branch next training session will take place at 6pm on Thursday 24 August 2017 Glaisy- ers Solicitors, One St. James’s Square, Manchester, M2 6DN.
Michael Fletcher, a Charted Legal Executive and Costs Lawyer at Glaysiers will provide a Civil Costs update.
If you would like to attend, please email greatermanches- ter@cilex.org.uk
This training session will be suitable for all levels of experi- ence Michael’s talk will include a general costs update and overview of recent case law
CILEx Welcomes a New President:
The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) has inau- gurated Millicent Grant (Millie) as its 54th President.
A Chartered Legal Executive for almost 40 years, Millie, in- spired by her barrister uncle who came to the UK from Ja- maica, entered the profession as a legal secretary in the 1970s with the intention of qualifying as a Legal Executive. After qualifying as an Associate of the Institute, Millie has gone on to enjoy a career in both private practice and in- house for a number of public sector organisations.
Since 2006, she has run her own consultancy advising and investigating issues arising from a range of employment matters and is also a trained executive and personal per- formance coach. She has been a member of CILEx Council since 2013 and became a Fellow of the Institute in 1991.
Alongside this, Millie has been a trustee and vice-chair of Knights Youth Centre in Lambeth for over 15 years and last year, was appointed chair of the charity’s board. The centre provides transformational opportunities to hundreds of young people each year across South London.
Speaking about her inauguration, Millie says: “Becoming President of this great institute is one of the proudest mo- ments of my career. Had I not discovered CILEx, I would not have enjoyed the varied and rewarding career that I have had. CILEx gave me the confidence to progress and I feel very privileged to now be in a position where I can help oth- ers achieve their legal career ambitions.
“As I embark on my term as President, I will be focused on delivering progression in the profession for all CILEx mem- bers. I am proud to be the figurehead for a highly diverse membership of over 20,000 Chartered Legal Executive lawyers, other legal practitioners and paralegals and am a big believer, indeed an example, that there is more than one route into the law. Yet, there are many areas where chal- lenges lie ahead, one of which is tackling the notable diver- sity issues in the judiciary.
“There is currently a cap on how far CILEx members can progress in the judiciary, and alongside our new judicial de- velopment programme, we will be lobbying for the removal of this artificial barrier so that there is parity with solicitors and barristers. The make-up of our membership – with 74% women and 32% of new students from a BAME background – means that Chartered Legal Executives can play a major role in improving diversity on the bench.”
During her term, Millie will preside over significant regula- tory reform, which will see CILEx separate out its duties to the public interest, the profession and independent regula- tion with a new governance structure that means it is pre- pared should the government choose to make legal
regulators entirely independent.
The reforms, which will take effect from January 2018, are driven primarily by a desire to embed best practice within the organisation and ensure its operation is transparent and promotes good decision making.
Entries for the CILEx Awards 2017 are now open!
We encourage you to nominate yourself, a colleague or your employer for a CILEx Award and help celebrate excellence, outstanding achievement and dedication to the profession. The categories are:
• CILEx Apprentice of the year
• CILEx Employer of the year
• CILEx President’s Award
• CILEx Pro Bono Award
• CILEx Graduate of the year
All award winners will receive a commemorative trophy, cer- tificate and the winner's logo. Prizes include a £500 cheque provided by the award sponsor.
The closing date for nominations is 9am on Friday, 8 Sep- tember 2017, so don’t miss out on your chance to shine. The Awards will be presented at the CILEx Graduation and Admission Ceremony on Saturday, 7 October 2017 at Jury’s Inn, Milton Keynes.
Joining the branch
If you are interested in joining the Greater Manchester CILEx Branch or attending one of our events, please email us at greatermanchester@cilex.org.uk or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Rachel Stevens