Having given our views on the LFS Awards’ judging process, in preparation for tomorrow’s event, we’ve asked some of the other judges their views on the event and what they have looked out for in order to find the worthy winners.
Roger Wilson, Conveyancing Services Director at Connells, comments:
“The LFS Awards Evening is a great opportunity to acknowledge the blood, sweat and tears that goes into conveyancing throughout the year. It is also to recognise service, innovation and investment for the future – whether from big or small firms.
“Young Conveyancer of the Year and Small Conveyancing Firm of the Year are favourite categories of mine, and the new category of Conveyancers’ Conveyancer, as voted for by other conveyancers should be interesting, as long as Eurovision style voting tactics are not used!
“Certain firms perceive themselves as conveyancing Gods who can do no wrong, but how they interact with other firms day-by-day may paint a different picture – are they responding promptly, and working together with the other side to solve problems; or being reactive, unhelpful, combative or aggressive? Are they raising loads of unnecessary additional enquiries? If solicitors, are they living and breathing the CQS Protocol in practice?”
Simon White, specialist legal consultant, comments:
“I have no idea why I was chosen by Richard to be a judge, but it was a request I was happy to accept with minimum thought as long as I could make the date.
“I had spoken at the LFS Roadshows this year, but also as a practicing consultant who has been working the legal sector for over 8 years, it is actually a small world and those who have longevity do stand out. It is a smallish world and you do get to know the characters – and there is no doubt Richard Mathias is a character.
“I was the “newbie” judge. So everything was new to me! I was however very impressed by a number of issues, the quality of the other judges, stature of entrants. However the most outstanding aspect was the effort and determination that every entrant had made in completing what was a demanding entry form.
“It was clear that winning an award means something to the entrants. The quality, range, calibre and reputation of the participants told me in no uncertain terms that these were quality awards worth winning!
“In fact it has changed my opinion of awards in general. I have always been suspicious of these competitions and my opening thought has always been “Why make so much effort?” – now it is “Can you afford not to make the effort and why are you not entering them?”
“The judging process was rigorous – then you would expect that for the awards to attract the panel of judges of the calibre that were present and for the awards to have the reputation that they do. The checks and balances and the rigorous debates between the judges were open, honest and opinions were regularly and robustly challenged.
“The support I received from my fellow judges and Richard made me feel at home and comfortable with the work I had undertaken before.
“On the day, the winners were the right choices I am very sure of that. It was great fun and even for a world weary consultant like me, I learnt a great deal.”
