News & Events

Listed below are the national news items and national events.

SRA Looking to the Future - We want your input
Publish date: 04/08/2016
The SRA are consulting on changes to its handbook and LLG are co-ordinating a response on behalf of its membership. The Law Society are engaging proactively with all solicitors and have organised a roundtable for the 17th August 2016 at which LLG will be in attendance along with a number of you from your own authorities. LLG would like you to send your views to us to enable a united voice. We would be grateful to receive your individual responses or indeed a copy from your own authority if you are submitting in your own right. The SRA deadline is 21st September 2016. Contributions to LLG are required 1 week before. Please contact the Development Officer and click the header above for contact details and relevant papers.
North East Conference Great Success
Publish date: 29/07/2016
The North East Conference held on 7th July was a great success and tribute to the high level of branch activity and networking in that region. Alongside a plethora of speakers from private practice and exhibitors, the event also acknowledged the longstanding and remarkable dedication of Dennis Hall (23 years!) who stepped down as North East Branch Secretary in June. As Chair of SLG, one of his most important legacies was establishing trainee solicitors on the board and which remains today in the form of the Junior Lawyers. A vital succession initiative saw the progression of junior lawyers through the organisation and great contributions spanning over a decade. As director of LLG Enterprises, Dennis has been pivotal in providing the first Masters Degree programme tailored for local government lawyers which is anticipated to roll out next year. His vision and drive has been inspirational to many. LLG wish Dennis a happy and invigorating retirement whatever pursuits await. You will be sorely missed. Click for photos
Tribute to Bryan McGuire QC
Publish date: 28/07/2016
LLG expresses its great sadness at the passing of Bryan McGuire QC who was a good friend to LLG and its predecessor organisations as well as a familiar face within local government legal circles. A gentleman of the first order, Bryan was always well received at the Weekend School and other special interest groups at which he freely gave his time to impart his well rounded knowledge and expertise. Bryan's company at such events was delightful and charming. His engaging demeanour and warmth stood him out and he will be greatly missed by all. His brother Richard pays an endearing tribute in the Guardian linked by clicking on this news item. LLG passes its sincere and heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues and friends.
Tribute to Jo Cox MP
Publish date: 28/06/2016
LLG wish to express its shock and sadness at the horrific events leading to the death of Jo Cox MP last Thursday. Thoughts are with her family, friends, colleagues and the people of West Yorkshire.
SRA delay Solicitors Qualifying Exam after negative responses to consultation
Publish date: 02/06/2016
The SRA have delayed the SQE implementation following 100 wholly negative responses to their consultation.
Mo Defence Scheme - Weightmans Press Release
Publish date: 09/05/2016
Weightmans go to press following launch of LLG's Member Defence Scheme
LLG Launch Monitoring Officer Defence Scheme
Publish date: 26/04/2016
LLG are delighted to announce the launch of a Monitoring Officer Defence Scheme in partnership with Weightmans Solicitors. The new full member benefit will apply to Monitoring Officers or their Deputies when acting in that capacity and is designed to provide advice and assistance with issues relating to the statutory role. The offer includes a telephone advice line, a conference facility and preferential terms in tribunal proceedings. For full terms and conditions go the LLG Membership in the documents library and click on Monitoring Officer Defence Scheme Terms and Conditions.
LLG feed into SOLACE Guidance on the EU Referendum
Publish date: 14/04/2016
The detailed paper including questions and answers provides guidance on the statutory rules regulating publicity produced at any time by the council or by other persons with the council’s assistance; the tighter rules on council publicity produced by the council in the run up to polling day for the EU referendum; and the areas of the council’s operations which are affected by the referendum process.
LLG Competency Framework Documents now available
Publish date: 11/04/2016
The LLG Competency Framework which includes the SRA obligations is now available within the Document Library. Just click on 'documents' in the top tab from the home page and in categories marked 'filter by category' click on Learning and Development. All documents are available including the Statement of Legal Knowledge and Templates to record your learning and development including examples to start you off. The Presentation on the Competency Framework will be available on Local Government Law TV later this week and will include all detailed slides.
Leading Counsel Advice on the Professional and Legal Ability of Authorities
Publish date: 29/02/2016

Blog

26 February 2021

Publish date: 26/02/2021

LLG was a flurry of activity this week thanks to our online training and networking provision. We were joined by Jacqui McKinlay from the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny on Wednesday for our LLG Brief on the Path to Governance Failure who focused on 'governance risk characteristics' and shared details of soon to be published research aimed at statutory officers. Jacqui was joined by Bethan Evans who explored the lessons learnt from authorities such as Croydon and provided advice on avoiding 'significant failings in leadership and management'.

Thursday, our newly appointed National Lead for Employment, Felicia Epstein, hosted an employment meeting which saw Doug Mullen from Anthony Collins present on pensions (including the thorny issue of disputed nominations upon death) together with the employment considerations of working from home. Following a useful breakout session where we listened to our members views, we are now putting together a focused webinar on covid-19 vaccinations and employment duties for the 3rd March (next week!)- so do book-on via our training pages. Thursday also saw the East Midlands Branch virtual meeting with two break out rooms for training provision on governance from Olwen Brown and Matthew Gregson at Anthony Collins aimed at Monitoring Officers and Amardeep Gill and Louis Sebastian from Trowers and Hamlins aimed at junior lawyers. We were delighted with the membership engagement from all these events reaching nearly 500 members live and of course, if you missed them, you can catch up on our website either within our on-demand webinars or within the national lead or branch pages.

On the subject of membership engagement, we are very excited to announce the date of our LLG Awards 2021 virtual ceremony on 15th July 2021. This year will see something a little different, which looks to recognise significant achievement, dedication and resilience during the pandemic. Details will be released very soon so start thinking about who has gone the extra mile to support your legal service or your community. Have you driven through a project despite the obstacles of covid-19? Did you volunteer in your community? We want to find the real champions of 2020-2021 despite the adversity. Last year's event was a real tonic and following the popularity of the best pet in lockdown, we will certainly be running further competitions to inject a bit of fun into the evening.

Best wishes

Helen McGrath

Head of Public Affairs

Helen@llg.org.uk