Questions for Northamptonshire Law Society Bulletin Autumn 2020 – COVID Edition
1.Please provide a brief description of you, your organisation, number of employees and areas of work.
I am Head of Department for Family at SP Law. SP Law deal with family, employment, civil litigation, immigration, conveyancing and wills and probate.
2.When did you first become aware of Coronavirus and what were your initial thoughts?
I first became aware of COVID-19 when it was being reported in China. Initially, I naively did not think that it would spread to other countries. I then stupidly watched, Contagion, which scared the life out of me!
3.What steps did you/your firm initially take and what problems did you encounter?
Initially my firm encouraged people to work from home. Several employees from both offices were subsequently furloughed ( I was one of them as I had no childcare). The firm cut back unnecessary expenditure, such as the DX.
4.Now we are slowly coming out of lockdown, how are you tackling this, what are your plans?
I am back to work, albeit some days at home. I plan to continue working from home at least one day a week.
5.Have you seen different sectors of Law, more affected than others, if so which eg. Conveyancing
Landlord and Tenant work really slowed down, as did conveyancing. Since the SDLT changes conveyancing seems to have picked up a lot, however, we are conscious there may be a drop again.
6. Have you seen any positives for you, your firm or more widely the legal sector come out of the pandemic?
Being furloughed allowed me to spend quality time with my twin girls before they started school. As they were born early they were in hospital for nearly 5 months and following their discharge they were in and out of hospital. I, therefore, felt as if I did not spend any quality time with them during my maternity leave. The time spent in lockdown with them, whilst on furlough, was extremely special and, in a strange way, it felt as if I had ‘got my time back’.
The firm has also adapted to more flexible working and more employees now work from home. Fee earners use new dictation software where possible, to free up secretarial support.
7.How do you see the future for you, your firm and the wider profession?
We have made in through the tough times- things can only get better !
8.Any top tips?
Kind Regards,
Mrs Lynsey A. Ward (Associate Solicitor)
SP Law IncorporatingMartin Adams & McColl
Tel: 01604 638 905
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