Notices
Law Society notices
Risk of money laundering - proposed amendments to the accounts rules
A major consultation paper which affects all practitioners is now available on the Law Society's Web site at www.lawsociety.org.uk (go to view all specialisms, our services, and rules review: consultation: minimising risk (money laundering): proposed changes accounts rules).
The aim of the proposed changes is to help prevent the use of solicitors' accounts for money laundering and protect solicitors from being targeted by criminals.
The money-laundering proposals suggest a change to the way in which client accounts can be used for client money and may affect the way in which solicitors practise.
Part 7 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, changing the law relating to money laundering, came into force on 24 February.
In addition, as from June most solicitors will have to comply with the statutory money laundering regulations.
The proposed rule change is intended to help solicitors avoid activities which give rise to a high risk of money laundering.
Let the Society know whether you support the proposals and how you think your practice might be affected by answering the questions at the end of the consultation.
Copies of the consultation paper are also available from the Society's professionals ethics department.
Contact Carol Giles, tel: 020 7242 1222 (extension 3343).
The return date for responses is 1 July.
Law Society bursary fund
Do you have a place on the CPE, graduate diploma in law or legal practice course in 2003/2004? Can you demonstrate financial hardship which is greater than that of the average student? Can you show that you have the ability and a commitment to complete the course? Are you committed to a career as a solicitor?
If you answered yes to all of these questions, you may be eligible to apply to the Law Society for an award to assist with your course fees.
If you would like additional information about the Society's bursary fund, contact the Society's Information Services, tel: 01527 504433; e-mail: info.
The closing date for receipt of applications for the academic year 2003/4 is 16 May.
Immigration law panel and mental health review tribunal panel - appointment of chief assessors
The Law Society is inviting applications for part-time positions to the immigration law panel and mental health review tribunal panel.
It is particularly interested in hearing from solicitors with significant experience of practice in immigration and mental health tribunal work, who can devote two to three days per month to panel-related work.
Both posts will involve:
l Assisting with the development and review of criteria, application processes and assessment mechanisms;
l Assisting with the appointment and training of assessors;
l Participating in assessor training days and seminars;
l Advising and reporting to relevant Society committees, and;
l Advising Society staff and adjudicators on individual applications, appeals and technical issues.
Both appointments will be for a term of three years.
The posts will carry an annual honorarium.
For details about these appointments and an application pack, telephone Barbara Bowater on 01527 504416 or write to the Panel Administrator, Professional Accreditation, the Law Society, Ipsley Court, Redditch, B98 0TD; DX 19114 Redditch; e-mail: barbara.bowater@lawsociety.org.uk.
The closing date for applications is 18 April.
The Society strives to ensure equality of opportunity for all.
Family mediation panel
The direct and development routes for practitioner membership of the Law Society's family mediation panel will be available from 1 May 2003.
Existing general members will be invited to complete the experience requirements via the development route, then apply to become practitioner members within two years from 1 May 2003.
Full details of those requirements are available in the new procedures document, which is included in the revised information pack.
Mediators who are eligible to join the family mediation panel, and who have not been assessed as competent in all issues by the Legal Services Commission (LSC), may apply to join the panel via the direct route.
The existing routes for general membership and for practitioner membership via the LSC competence assessment will continue.
Information packs on the family mediation panel are available via the Society's panels Web site at www.panels.lawsociety.org.uk, or by contacting Information Services, tel: 01527 504433.
General notice
Chancery business outside London.
Application days: April to July 2003
April May June July
Manchester 4, 16, 25 9 6, 20 4, 18
Liverpool 11, 2, 16, 23 13, 27 11, 25
Leeds 4, 11, 16, 25 2, 9, 14, 15, 30 6, 13, 20, 27 4, 7, 11, 18, 25
Newcastle 11 23 27 18
Birmingham 7, 14, 28 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 2, 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 4, 7, 11, 14, 18,
30 20, 23, 27, 30 21, 25, 28
Bristol 3, 10, 24 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 5, 12, 19, 26 3, 17, 24, 31
Cardiff 4, 11, 25 15, 16, 21, 22, 2, 3, 4, 13, 19, 20, 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9,
23, 30 27, 30 10, 11, 18 to 31
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