The Council of the Isle of Man Law Society has a new line-up of members.
At the society’s AGM Simon Cain of Appleby was elected president and Jane Gray of Dickinson Cruikshank (Ramsey) vice-president.
Mr Cain succeeds Kevin O’Riordan of Kelly Luft Stanley & Ashton and Ms Gray, Paul Kerruish of Kerruish Law.
Newly elected members of the Council were Kathryn Clough of Callin Wild, Peter Clucas of Cains Advocates, Irini Newby of Simcocks, Walter Wannenburgh of Dougherty Quinn and Andrew Bridson of Bridson Halsall who join existing members and Terence McDonald of Carter Jones McDonald, along with associate member Andrew Johnston of Hansard.
Paying tribute to his predecessor Mr Cain said Mr O’Riordan had made a valuable contribution to shaping the Council as it was today, at a time when the legal profession was facing new and mounting challenges brought about by changes to the Island’s regulatory landscape.
Peter Clucas said the next 12 months would see something of a ‘revolution’ in the legal profession, with the Financial Supervision Commission being given statutory responsibility for overseeing advocates in relation to anti-money laundering and proceeds of crime compliance. The FSC would also be expanding its supervisory scope to other sectors of business including accountants, estate agents and high-value goods suppliers.
Mr Cain said: ‘This will be the first time the profession will be subject to such external oversight, but we recognise that it is deemed to be in the interest of the jurisdiction. Such public interest considerations are always to the fore in the society’s objectives and functions.
‘Having canvassed members’ views, it’s clear most accept the underlying concept of the new regime; it’s more the practical aspects that now remain to be clarified. The society is happy to continue to engage in the process and has been working in partnership with government. We are in regular dialogue with the FSC to determine the necessary processes and, importantly, identify what the resource implications might be for both organisations.’
Along with working to accommodate new regulatory legislation the society will be continuing its advocacy training programme. Jane Gray said: ‘The society is keen to expose advocates to specialist legal expertise and so arranges regular advocacy training courses to equip them with the skills they will need in court after they qualify.’
Mr Cain added that although there were changes and challenges ahead, for the Isle of Man Law Society, with its new and representative Council, it was very much ‘business as usual.’
Photo - Isle of Man Law Society president Simon Cain, Terence McDonald, treasurer Chris Webb, vice-president Jane Gray, Kathryn Clough, Irini Newby, Peter Clucas and Andrew Bridson.
