To mark the 10th Anniversary of the Lawyers Network, the Whitehall and Industry Group (WIG) held its Annual Networking Reception in London on 18th November.
Kindly hosted by Bupa, the reception featured a keynote address by Lord Hunt of Wirral and provided a timely opportunity to reinforce the importance of the public and private sectors.
Against a backdrop of seismic changes to the shape, size and remit of both the public and private sectors, WIG has maintained its neutrality and independence and commitment to creating a safe, non-lobbying space for meaningful cross sector dialogue. Key to this has been the involvement of public and private sector lawyers, particularly through the WIG Lawyers Network.
The network started in November 2000 with an inaugural meeting featuring one of its co-founders, (now Dame) Juliette Wheldon, who had been appointed the new Treasury Solicitor in July of that year.
As one of the first of WIG’s professional networks, it was designed to bring together public and private sector lawyers together to debate and discuss legislative and regulatory developments in WIG’s neutral and safe space. This secure and sympathetic environment encouraged the high quality, open and constructive dialogue and engagement that WIG is known for facilitating.
Since its inception, WIG’s Lawyers Network has provided a platform to discuss and debate some of the most important developments impacting the public and private sectors, such as Privilege and without Prejudice; Bribery and Corruption; Public Sector Tendering; the Inquiries Bill; Corporate Manslaughter; Equality; Freedom of Information and Data Protection.
It has also provided a platform to hear from elite representatives from Ministry of Justice; Treasury Solicitors Office; Serious Organised Crime Agency; Attorney General’s Office; Competition Commission; the Supreme Court; and the Legal Services Board.
Over the last decade, such activities have drawn over 1,000 attendees and with many new activities planned in 2011, it continues to go from strength to strength.
The network is now nearly 500-members strong, so if you if you would like to join the WIG Lawyers Network, please contact lawyersnetwork@wig.co.uk
<
Go back to News