On Wednesday October 12, Lubna Shuja turned the 178th President of the Legislation Society of England and Wales. Nick Emmerson took workplace as Vice President and Richard Atkinson turns into assistant vice-president.
Lubna is the primary Asian, the primary Muslim and the seventh girl to function President of the Legislation Society in its almost 200-year historical past.
That is the primary time there will likely be two consecutive girls presidents, as I. Stephanie Boyce’s time period involves an finish.
For Lubna, this yr marks 30 years since she turned a lawyer. The beginning of her tenure additionally coincides with the a hundredth anniversary of the admission of the primary girl – Carrie Morrison – to the barrister’s roll.
Lubna is an unbiased practitioner specializing in skilled self-discipline and regulation. She additionally has expertise in contested wills and probate, divorce, entry to kids, private harm and contract disputes.
Lubna has been an authorized mediator with the Middle for Efficient Dispute Decision (CEDR) since 2005. She handles civil, household, property and industrial disputes.
“I’m honored to be President of the Bar. I tackle this function at a troublesome time for the authorized career,” Lubna mentioned.
“The rule of regulation has been within the highlight like by no means earlier than in latest historical past. The UK financial system is on the sting and companies are having to cope with rising rates of interest and excessive inflation.
“If the pandemic has confirmed one factor, it is that legal professionals are resilient and adaptable. They flip the wheels of justice by delivering companies remotely, innovating at tempo, and making certain that the general public can get the justice they deserve.
Lubna detailed the 5 principal targets of his presidency in a speech to Board and committee members at our Annual Normal Assembly.
His presidency will likely be a yr of pragmatism: targeted on a spread of points each nationwide and world.
Justice, rule of regulation and the worth of legal professionals
Following latest assaults by these in energy, Lubna will proceed to advocate for the function legal professionals play in making certain respect for the rule of regulation and entry to justice for all, no matter their circumstances.
To make sure that the financial, social and cultural contributions of the justice system are acknowledged, she is going to lead a venture to reframe how we discuss in regards to the rule of regulation so that folks higher perceive and worth its basic contribution to our society. .
“We’re within the midst of a value of dwelling disaster and at occasions like these the general public wants easy accessibility to authorized recommendation, assist and illustration,” Lubna defined.
She has targeted on speaking the worth of authorized professionals via public authorized training.
Skilled Ethics
Having labored for a very long time within the area {of professional} self-discipline and regulation, ethics are extraordinarily essential to Lubna and will likely be one other key focus of his presidency.
Discussions round what is supposed by “ethics” have gotten more and more complicated as many legal professionals grapple with environmental, social and governmental issues.
Lubna plans to “launch a serious deal with ethics within the career to assist members navigate this more and more complicated surroundings and search options to cope with the ever-changing narrative.”
Help member companies
In line with the targets of the Legislation Society, selling the career and supporting our members has at all times been on the coronary heart of Lubna’s work throughout the group.
Lubna will preserve a two-way dialog with the career and proceed to hearken to members’ issues, concepts and suggestions.
“Regardless of the measurement of your enterprise, wherever you might be based mostly, no matter stage of your profession and no matter space of regulation you apply. If it worries you, it worries us. If it issues you as a lawyer, it issues us.
Lubna will host a daily President’s Operation which will likely be open to all members and can journey as a part of the Legislation Society Touring Tour, which is able to take her via England and Wales to satisfy with members.
“Throughout my presidential yr, I intend to do no matter I can to assist legal professionals, their corporations or companies thrive regardless of these pressures.”
Selling the career internationally
The authorized system of England and Wales continues to guide the world: English regulation stays the regulation of selection for worldwide contracts.
Lubna is eager to proceed to defend our authorized system on the world stage.
She plans to have interaction with worldwide organizations with a deal with exploring new markets and alternatives for our members. She will even proceed to defend at-risk legal professionals abroad.
Range and evolution
In her 30 years as a lawyer, Lubna has witnessed many constructive adjustments, however acknowledges that additional progress should be made to make sure equity for all throughout the career.
Lubna will take steps to take away boundaries confronted by individuals within the firm making an attempt to enter the career or additional their careers. This contains working with our community of Decide Advocates to advertise various profession paths.
Lubna will even assist our Welsh members by selling a significantly better understanding of the alternatives and obligations dealing with all organizations beneath the Welsh Language Act 1993.
