ISSUE 80


WINTER 2012


In this issue Committee Reports p.4


Policy and Committees Coordinator’s Report p.9


The newsletter of the City of London


Solicitors’ Company and the City of London Law Society


CitySolicitor www.citysolicitors.org.uk


Lord Mayor’s Show p.10


Wig and Pen Prize p.14


The best of the old and the best of the new


Martin Roberts, Master, Pinsent Masons LLP


I can’t believe I am almost half way through this extraordinary year.


People keep calling me “Master” instead of “Martin”, I wear a gown and very splendid gold chain and badge at official events, I am regularly donning White or Black tie to attend Banquets and Dinners in the most magnificent locations. It sometimes feels like one of those out of body experiences as I look down on this robed figure who is me but not really me. Of course, I then find myself back in the Pinsent Masons office brought swiftly down to earth by the need to deal with the usual deluge of emails from clients, day to day management issues and, of course, my time sheets.


It is a rather peculiar mixture of the real and surreal. Day to day


commercial life in a large city and international law firm merges with hundreds of years of history and tradition.


But that’s what the modern Livery is all about - using tradition in a modern context to the benefit of the craft or profession and, of course, to help others less fortunate. Who better to exemplify the role of a truly modern Livery Company than us.


My theme for this year is “the best of the old and the best of the new”, because that’s what I believe we can achieve. Combining the traditions which link us to the civic City – the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, Alderman and Court of Common Council, with the day to day work of our [300] Liverymen and the [58] member firms of our sister organisation the City of London Law Society to ensure that London remains the premier centre for global legal services.


We can both help each other. City solicitors can benefit from the City’s reputation as the world’s leading centre for financial services and from the respect which the Lord Mayor commands on his international visits. The City can benefit from a vibrant legal profession which is “best in class”, a true global brand acknowledged as being at the forefront of innovation in the delivery of legal services.


Last year’s Lord Mayor, our own David Wootton of Allen & Overy, visited 27 countries on 13 separate visits and spent 101 days out of the country promoting UK financial and legal services. Our thanks and congratulations to David and his wife, Liz, on their fantastic year. Long may the close links between our profession and the City continue.


John Wotton, Immediate Past President of the Law Society, was presented with the City of London Law Society’s award for Lifetime Achievement at the 2012 British Legal Awards.


The City of London Solicitors’ Company Master’s Top 20 p.15


Fox dreams about a trip to Brighton p.16


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