Hampshire: R3 to host event on legal financial stability

Lawyers and legal professionals from Hampshire are invited to find out the latest on developments regarding financial stability issues affecting law firms at an event held by the Southern Committee of R3, the trade body for insolvency professionals.

The event is taking place at 6pm on Thursday September 18 at the Solent Hotel & Spa, Rookery Avenue, Whiteley, Fareham, and is open to R3 members and non-members.

The legal profession is posed with many changes that threaten its financial stability, including the so-called ‘Tesco Law’, which allows firms with alternative business structure (ABS) licenses to offer legal services alongside services like supermarkets and high street shops.

The event has been organised by the trade body’s Southern Regional Committee and is sponsored by Portsmouth solicitors, Verisona Law, and Portland Business Support and Advice. It will take place in Whiteley and will include talks from: Samantha Palmer, manager of regulatory management for the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA); Mark Feeney, managing director at Consergo; and Chris Marston, chief executive at Law Net and the former head of professional practices at Lloyds Bank.

Andrew Watling, chairman of the Southern Committee of R3, said: “The meeting will let professionals know what’s really happening at the front line, and our speakers are uniquely placed to be able to answer questions and offer advice. We’ll be discussing rescues of law firms, and the opportunities that exist for progressive firms to acquire practices or files.”

The event will also cover cuts to legal aid, the Jackson reforms and other factors affecting the legal profession, and will conclude with a panel session where the speakers will take questions from the audience.

The meeting is likely to sell out, so attendees are advised to book in advance. Tickets cost £25+ VAT and can be ordered from the R3 website: www.r3.org.uk.