Professionals: Barristers join forces to retain legal work in region; Garbutt + Elliott launches in-house probate service; and more

A NEW association to promote the benefits of retaining specialist commercial legal work in the region has been launched by a group of Leeds barristers’ chambers.

The initiative, driven by Kings Chambers, has resulted in the creation of the North Eastern Circuit Commercial Bar Association (NECCBA).

It aims to promote the expertise of local commercial barristers and to attract specialist commercial work to the region, particularly that which might otherwise be dealt with in London.

Eleanor Temple, barrister at Kings Chambers who is the driving force behind establishing the NECCBA, said: “Despite the availability locally of some of the best expertise in the country – sometimes there is a perception among those in the region seeking top level commercial legal services that the very best expertise can only be secured in London – which certainly isn’t the case.

“In order to realise the growth potential of legal services in Leeds, Yorkshire and the North Eastern regions – it is essential that regional businesses utilise regional expertise, not just to keep work local, but to help create a local knowledge economy that can itself grow and be nurtured. Our objective in establishing the NECCBA is to promote the excellence of the local commercial bar and to foster relationships between the local bar and the wider legal and professional community.”

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ACCOUNTANCY firm Garbutt + Elliott has launched an in-house probate service for private clients following a change in the rules governing regulated legal services.

Recently the government opted to deregulate certain aspects of the legal profession to increase competition, meaning that licensed accountants can offer probate services. The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) is now an approved regulator for accountants licensed to undertake this work.

Two of Garbutt + Elliott’s tax consultants, partner Nigel Shaw and private clients senior manager Robert Peel, are now fully licensed to undertake probate services, with partner Alan Sidebottom acting as head of finance and administration for the probate service.
 
Mr Peel said: “There are several advantages to accountants being able to offer probate services.  As accountants we have detailed knowledge of our private clients’ finances and assets, which means that we are well placed to act quickly and efficiently. Using Garbutt +Elliott is also likely to be more cost efficient, due to both our inherent knowledge of the client’s tax and financial affairs, and our expertise in completing the necessary tax forms.

“In the past we have often been approached by private clients looking for guidance in making their probate application, and it is wonderful to now be in a position to help our clients with what is often a sensitive matter.”

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AN insolvency and business turnaround specialist has launched a financial brokerage division.

Wilson Field, which has expanded from its headquarters in Sheffield to establish a network of offices across the UK, has set up Wilson Field Financial Solutions, based in Newport, to offer a more complete service to its clients and the wider business community.

The brokerage will be managed by an initial team of four staff, including two business development managers, a sales director and a business development executive, and will provide financial services aimed at business growth.

Nick Wilson, managing director at Wilson Field, said: “Our business has continued to grow, despite operating in a market which has contracted over the past few years, but we know that we have to continue to innovate and diversify to meet the changing needs of our clients.

“As economic uncertainty raises its head because of Brexit, we expect some companies to face challenges, but we also anticipate companies capitalising on the changing trading environment and we are able to provide financial solutions to these businesses to help them achieve their ambitions. The team at Newport are extremely experienced within commercial finance and we can offer these services nationwide and across all business sectors. What we expect to see is an uptake in financial services which will help to form part of the overall growth plan for our business.”

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A PROVIDER of solicitor support services is launching a new ‘matchmaking’ recruitment offering specifically designed for the legal sector.

Leeds-based Albion Legal, which has been working with law firms across the country for over 15 years, is using its industry experience and connections to help legal practices fill vacancies more efficiently and underpin employment longevity.

The purpose of the new service, MP Albion Legal Recruitment, is to ease the pressure on legal firms looking to recruit by matching them up with appropriately qualified law professionals seeking their next move.

It will operate at all levels of the legal profession, undertaking requisite, systematic pre-interview candidate vetting and applying a more sophisticated approach based on market knowledge.

“This is by no means a typical legal recruitment service model,” says Daniel Black from Albion Legal.  “It’s more a logical, natural progression for us because we know and already work with so many law professionals at every level of the industry.

“Over the years, we have developed and maintained some very deep and long standing relationships with solicitors who know and trust us. That means we often instinctively see who needs to recruit and in what discipline, and who is looking for a move up the ladder or into a new specialism.

“Our well-established, extensive network of legal industry contacts and connections puts us in the ideal position to offer a matchmaking recruitment service for law firms.  That knowledge can save employers time and money in finding a legal specialist in a particular discipline, or assist candidates in attaining suitable new roles.”

MP Albion Legal Recruitment caters for the recruitment and selection of partners, solicitors or paralegals, as well as the latest crop of law graduates.  It is a partnership with Martin Pooley Associates, which has been recruiting in the legal profession for over 25 years.