Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Chief Executive of the Law Society to present Leeds public lecture
The lecture, entitled ‘What does the future have in store for the solicitors’ profession?’, will take place on Thursday 14 January, from 6-7.30pm, at the University’s city centre Rose Bowl building.
The event marks the launch of Law in Practice, a new guest speaker series organised and hosted by Leeds Law School, and will see Catherine Dixon return to Leeds Beckett University where she completed her LLB (Hons) Law degree at the university’s predecessor institution, Leeds Polytechnic, in 1991.
Deveral Capps, Head of the Leeds Law School at Leeds Beckett University, said: “I am delighted that the Chief Executive of the Law Society has accepted our invitation to be the first guest speaker of Law in Practice. Her topic, the future of the solicitors’ profession, is especially timely given changes to legal service delivery occurring across the profession. It will be wonderful to welcome Catherine back to the university where she obtained her law degree.
“Law in Practice draws internationally-renowned speakers to talk about legal issues that impact on the way that we all live and work. The talks will appeal to students, academics and practitioners as well as members of the public.”
Catherine was brought up in Yorkshire, qualifying as a solicitor after completing her degree and Law Society Finals. Catherine’s career began in private practice, working for organisations including Eversheds. She then joined Bupa as Head of Legal and subsequently became Commercial Director of Bupa Care Services. Catherine then moved to Vancouver, Canada, where she worked as an instructor for Outward Bound and then as a Director at Vancouver Coastal Health Authority.
Returning to the UK, Catherine joined the NSPCC as its General Counsel and Company Secretary. In April 2012 she became the Chief Executive of the NHS Litigation Authority which indemnifies the NHS against legal claims and supports learning and improved patient safety across the NHS. Catherine is also a trustee for the PDSA which provides care to animals whose owners cannot afford to pay.
In January 2015, Catherine took up the position of Chief Executive of the Law Society of England and Wales.
Law in Practice provides an opportunity to hear from professionals from a range of backgrounds and contexts who will provide insight into developments and key issues of relevance to the legal sector and professional practice. It will run between January and March 2016.