Welcome to the October/November issue of FD Legal.

There may be be 80 days until Christmas, but there are 17 days until my birthday (23 October – and I do accept cash, cheques, credit cards, food). This lead up to the big day always puts me in rather a reflective mood. And I see that it has been a year since my first issue of FD Legal, so happy anniversary to one and all at the end of our first year together. I hope that the changes we have implemented over the past year have improved your reading experience, and that the topics we covered hit your desks at just the right time. Let me know your views. There’s nothing like an anniversary to make you take stock!

‘I’ll show you mine if you show me yours’ – not a sentiment synonymous with how some firms are feeling about sharing their financial results. You couldn’t even prise the information from them with an oyster shuck. And trust me I know – I tried shucking an oyster the
other day in an attempt at romance, resulting in a broken knife, bent screwdriver and some incredibly inventive swearing. Actually, maybe that approach might coax firms into spilling some information…

I’m sure there are some out there who would be more than happy to wax lyrical about their finances, but may be facing the tragic situation of not having a financial future to talk about. As the PI renewal season begins to claim its first victims, high premiums threaten to cripple already struggling firms and administration seems preferable to turning over potentially huge percentages of hard-earned turnover.

But thankfully, for those less fortunate, the Law Society has launched their ‘Help, I need somebody’ campaign promoting solicitors’ services to individuals, running until 21 November 2009. They took their strap line from the Beatles’ great hit ‘Help’ – which does seem so very appropriate for current times. So, in support, I hope you’ll join me in singing my slightly adapted version…

Help firms if you can, they’re feeling down
And they do appreciate you being round.
Help them get their feet back on the ground
Won’t you please, please help firms?

On that rather tuneful note, I would like to thank all those who have helped me with this issue of FD Legal, and, as always, if there are any issues you would like to see covered or if you wish to contribute please do get in touch. Don’t be shy…

Also, please join me on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/in/joannapblee and become part of the LinkedIn FD Legal magazine community at http://www.linkedin.com/groupInvitation?groupID=2105782&sharedKey=09D54E7E5458

Joanna Lee

Editor