SOCIAL EVENTS

JUSTICE SERVICE FOR THE COUNTY OF KENT 9.10.11

On Sunday 9th October 2011 members of the Kent Law Society attended the High Sheriff's Justice Service at Rochester Cathedral. Vice President Jon Pitt and Law Society Council Member Jonathan Smithers led the procession of solicitors, barristers, recorders, coroners, district judges, circuit judges and judges of the high and supreme courts down the aisle of the cathedral for a fully choral service officiated by the Bishop of Rochester.

Traditionally the service was held on the first day of each assize to pray that God give his blessing and guidance to the visiting High Court Judges in their work.

In our image, Kent solicitors pose with Chief Constable of Kent Ian Learmonth.

PRESIDENT'S SOCIAL EVENTS

Each year the Society organises a social event for its members, usually within the County. In recent years venues have included the Shepherd Neame brewery, the Kent & East Sussex railway, the paddle steamer 'Kingswear Castle', and the races at Lingfield.

This year, President Frances Pierce arranged a Ghost Walk in Canterbury on the evening of Thursday 1st December.

DINNER DANCE 18.5.12

The annual Dinner Dance takes place on the evening of the Annual General Meeting of the Society.  This is an opportunity to mix with colleagues and the distinguished guests, to enjoy a good meal and to dance the night away. the event also provides an opportunity for charitable donation.

The 2012 event will take place at the Mercure Hotel, Hollingbourne, Maidstone on Friday 18th May.  The guest speakers will be His Honour Judge Jeremy Carey and Anthony Berry QC.  Click here for further details and a booking form.

NETWORKING EVENTS

The Society runs a series of networking events for solicitors around the County of Kent.  These take place after work from about 6.00 to 7.00 pm. In the last year we have met in Hythe, Tunbridge Wells, Canterbury, Rochester, Broadstairs, Tenterden, Sevenoaks and Gravesend.

The next KLS networking event will be a drinks reception after work on Wednesday 13th June 2012, 6.00 pm to 7.00 pm approx at Zizzi Restaurant in Maidstone. Non member colleagues will, as always, be welcome.

Further events in 2012 are planned to take place in Herne Bay, Tonbridge and Ashford, and we plan to be in Dartford in January 2013.

TWINNING - KLS ENTERTAINS LILLE BAR 8.4.11

Members of the Lille Bar joined Kent Law Society for a day in London on Friday 8th April. We spent the morning as visitors in the Southwark Crown Court, in the court of His Honour Judge Andrew Goymer, where our visitors experienced a typical 'Friday list'.  Lunch in the Ship Inn on the bank of the Thames was followed by a viewing of the Globe Theatre, and a river trip to Greenwich, in warm, sunny weather.  President Kerry Waitt arranged and hosted a dinner for our visitors in the palatial Wallace Collection building in Manchester Square.

The Society has been involved in twinning activity for twelve years now, since first signing an accord with the Lille Bar. This has proved to be one of the most rewarding and enjoyable aspects of Society membership.  Close relationships exist with lawyer associations in Lille, Erie County (Buffalo, N.Y. state),  New York County and The Hague.  As well as the personal friendships that can develop, useful business contacts can be made to the benefit of members' firms and clients.

TRIPS ABROAD

Each President of the Society has had the privilege, and burden, of organising a visit abroad for members.  These short breaks have had a legal theme, but have combined recreation and the opportunity to meet lawyers from other jurisdictions.  In recent years, these visits have included Russia, Austria, Portugal, France, USA and the Netherlands. For reports on two recent trips, click below.

USA 2006

BRUSSELS & THE HAGUE 2009