Current CPD Programme

 
CPD Programme: Sept - Dec 2010

No.

Date

Title of Seminar and Speaker

1

2.9.10

Money Laundering
Fergus McDiarmid (Partner, Macdonalds)
This seminar will outline some of the issues encountered in practice in implementing the procedures and regimes detailed in the Money Laundering Regulations and the Proceeds of Crime Act and highlight some real case studies which have required initiation of Suspicious Activity Reports to SOCA or other issues to consider.

(Management Seminar)

2

9.9.10

Immigration and Asylum Law Update
Joe Bryce (Advocate, Murray Stable) and Nicola Loughran (Partner, Loughran Barnes)
Immigration and Asylum law is a rapidly evolving field of the law - this seminar is aimed both at those new to the field and practitioners with a good deal of experience in immigration and asylum matters. Nicola Loughran will focus on immigration law (particularly – work permits and points-based immigration schemes, with particular reference to students). While Joe Bryce will concentrate on asylum and human rights (particularly – the reorganization of the tribunal structure; the commencement since February of this year of the First-tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal; appeals to the Inner House and judicial review of immigration decisions and decisions of the Upper Tribunal.

3

16.9.10

The Judicial Appointments Process in Scotland
Sir Muir Russell (Chairing Member of the Judicial Appointments Board), Sheriff Principal James Taylor and another member of the Judicial Appointments Board
A panel from the Judicial Appointments Board for Scotland will explain the process of applying for judicial office and give an overview of the Board's work and an insight into the judicial appointments process. The session will explain how the Board fulfils its obligations under the Judiciary and Courts (Scotland) Act 2008 and how to go about applying for judicial office.
The seminar will include presentations by Sir Muir Russell, Chairing Member of the Judicial Appointments Board, and a Lay Board Member, with opportunity for questions.

TANQ

22.9.10

TANQ Seminar - The New Sheriff Court Personal Injury Action Rules
Charles Hennessy (Partner, Charles Hennessy & Co.)
 

4

23.9.10

Developing resilience – the key to professional success
Fiona Westwood (Westwood Associates)
This seminar focuses on helping professional firms and their people develop their resilience - not only in relation to the market but also in the context of building for the future. The seminar will include -
• developing good judgement and intuition,
• leadership and self-management, and
• building a resilient future.
Developing personal resilience is essential for good professionals who care about the work they do. Professionals constantly have to make complex decisions in areas where there is no ‘right’ answer, only the best for that particular situation. More recently, the economic situation has resulted in professional firms needing to become more resilient in relation to their clients and market pressures. Leaders need to be able to bring out the best in their people to ensure high levels of service and consistent quality.

Fiona Westwood worked as a solicitor for 20 years before setting up her management and training consultancy, Westwood Associates (www.westwood-associates.com). Her new book ‘Developing resilience – the key to professional success’ will be published in September 2010 and attendees will be able to obtain a copy from her at the discount price of £15 (retail £25).

5

30.9.10

Seminar on Leadership
The Rt Hon Elish Angiolini QC, Lord Advocate
The Lord Advocate in the Devolved Context.
Elish Angiolini began her career in law as a trainee with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service on her graduation in 1982. She was installed as Solicitor General for Scotland in 2001 as the first woman, the first PF and the first solicitor to hold the post. She was installed as Lord Advocate in 2006. She remains Lord Advocate following the change in government at the last election, the first Lord Advocate to do so – and is now continuing to take forward the most wide-ranging programme of modernisation in the department’s history.
While she respects the strengths of the criminal justice system and the independence of its component parts she is unapologetically a moderniser, determined to ensure that the prosecution service in Scotland grows in strength to deal robustly with the challenges of crime in the 21st century.

(Management Seminar)

6

7.10.10

Claims under sections 28 and 29 of the Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006
Kate Dowdalls (Advocate, Arnott Manderson Stable)
This seminar will look at claims under sections 28 and 29 of the 2006 Act on cessation of cohabitation and the death of a cohabitant and will include an overview of the legislative provisions and examination of cases decided to date. The speaker was a solicitor in private practice from 1985 before coming to the bar in 2000. Since then she has practised mainly in the field of family law, in the Sheriff Courts and Court of Session, including Inner House appearances. She has also given numerous lectures to various audiences on matters relating to family law and on advocacy and pleading.

7

14.10.10

Financial Provision on Divorce: a review of recent developments
Kirsty Malcolm (Advocate, Murray Stable)
This seminar, to be presented by Kirsty Malcolm, Advocate, will review recent cases which have considered anew or for the first time specific issues arising in relation to applications for ancillary orders on divorce.
Ms. Malcolm called to the Bar in 2007, after practising as a solicitor in private practice for 17 years specialising in family law. Her practice at the Bar continues that specialism dealing with high value divorce cases, cohabitation claims, child abduction, cross border disputes over children, and related matters.

8

21.10.10

The Home Owner and Debtor Protection (Scotland) Act 2010
Mark Higgins (Partner, Irwin Mitchell)
This seminar will cover the new Act and associated secondary legislation, all of which come into force on 30 September 2010, and which affect mortgages and other secured loans over residential property. The speaker, Mark Higgins, is head of UK collections and recoveries at Irwin Mitchell, leading a team which acts for major financial institutions. Mark is also author of the book "Scottish Repossessions".

9

28.10.10

Thorny Issues in Conveyancing
Professor Robert Rennie and Michael Nicholson (Harper MacLeod LLP)
An update on recent conveyancing case law and a presentation on dispute resolution: how to handle the thorny issues.
Professor Rennie has extensive experience in relation to all forms of property law work. In 1993 he took up the prestigious part-time post of Professor of Conveyancing at the University of Glasgow. He has been at the forefront of many of the most recent far reaching reforms of property law introduced by the Scottish Parliament being a member of the Scottish Law Commission Working Parties on the Abolition of the Feudal System, Title Conditions, Tenements and Leasehold Tenure.
Michael Nicholson specialises in dispute resolution. He has experience of representing clients in relation to claims, adjudication, mediation, arbitration, expert determination, and litigation in the Sheriff Court, Court of Session, County Court, High Court and the Supreme Court. Michael is a trained mediator and has experience advising clients in relation to mediation and other forms of alternative dispute resolution. He also provides training on mediation, negotiation and alternative dispute resolution.

10

4.11.10

Bribery Act 2010 - or "There Really is no Such Thing as a Free Lunch"
Christopher Kelly (Advocate, Arnott Manderson Stable)
The word "draconian" has been liberally used to describe the Bribery Act 2010. This seminar will present a summary of the new offences and will cover such topics as corporate liability, liability of directors or partners, and offences by partnerships, as well as the potential effect on corporate hospitality.
Christopher Kelly, Advocate (Arnot Manderson Advocates). Before going to the bar in 2002/2003 Chris was in private practice as a solicitor in Glasgow for 20 years, latterly also as a solicitor advocate.

11

11.11.10

Law Accounts
Iain Gallagher (John Gallagher Law Accountants)
This seminar will focus on expenses, auditing, taxation of expenses, negotiating with other parties, etc.
The speaker, Iain Gallagher, is a former Sheriff Clerk and Auditor of Court, he is currently director of John Gallagher Law Accountants and audits accounts for the Royal Faculty's Court Feeing Service.

12

18.11.10

The Role of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission in Complaints Handling
Rosemary Agnew (Acting Chief Executive, SLCC)
This seminar will deal with the following subjects - how legal complaints are dealt with, good practice for solicitors, impact of the Legal Services Bill
The speaker will be Rosemary Agnew acting Chief Executive of the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission

(Management Seminar)

13

25.11.10

Equality Act: in practice
Katy Wedderburn (Partner, MacRoberts LLP)
The Equality Act 2010 was one of the last to receive Royal Assent before the General Election. Many of its provisions are scheduled to come into effect from October this year.
This session will help you understand the proposed changes likely to take effect from October including:
* The introduction of the new harmonised regime of discrimination on grounds of protected characteristics
* The new measures to change disability discrimination rules including the reversal of the effects of the Malcolm case
* Changes to the law on discrimination by association and perceptive discrimination
* Changes to when pre-employment health questionnaires may be used
* The use of pay secrecy clauses
Katy is a Partner in MacRoberts and a specialist in Employment Law accredited by The Law Society of Scotland. She provides practical and strategic employment and HR advice to help clients manage their employees effectively. She has a particular interest in employee relations, business reorganisations, collective bargaining and consultation processes as well as the employment law implications of business transfers. She also advises on trade disputes and industrial action.

Seminar fees are as follows -
Member of the Royal Faculty £50
Non-member £75
Trainee member £15 (TANQ events are free)
Trainee non-member £25 (TANQ events are free)
Unemployed legal practitioner £25

The Seminars will be held in the Royal Faculty Hall. Coffee and biscuits will be available from 5.30pm onwards with the formal part of the evening starting at 5.45pm. We expect to finish by 7.15pm prompt.

To book a place - fill in and submit the online booking form or print out the form and fax it back on 0141 332 4714. For further details please contact the Royal Faculty.