Spring 2003 Newsletter

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The Master’s Message

I am very pleased to report that I am thoroughly enjoying my year as your Master and so far it has been a very busy five months. I have met with some very interesting members of the City organisations, the Livery and the Corporation and have attended at many formal functions on your behalf. It is a wonderful experience and I am very much looking forward to my next four months which I suspect will be extremely busy and I will have to restrict my diet and wine consumption even more than usual.

Thank you very much for your support so far and I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible in the rest of my year.

It was fantastic that so many people came to the Annual Banquet at the Mansion House on 13 February, which was a most memorable and enjoyable evening.

The event was attended by a number of distinguished guests from the international arbitration arena. These included Prof. Karl-Heinz Bockstiegel who replied to the toast for the guests, Dr Robert Briner, Chairman of the International Court of Arbitration ICC, James Leckie, President-Elect of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Mr David Halligan, President of GAFTA and The Hon Mr Justice Forbes, Senior Judge of the Technology and Construction Court, London.

I presented to the Lord Mayor the Company's cheque in support of his Charity this year which is the "Save the Children's Fund in the UK".

This year the Master's Lecture was given very ably by Kay Linnell on the subject of "Arbitration and Fraud". We are grateful to King's College for hosting the lecture again this year. I am pleased to report that we had many more students turn up this year, which is very encouraging.

The Company's revamped website should shortly be up and running with improved graphics and a "members only" section where you can gain access to further company business. Roger Prentis is developing this in his own time and I would ask you all to be patient as not all the facilities will be available at the start.

Our current recruitment drive needs your help! We currently have just over 200 members however after our initial 20 years + we are now in the second phase of our life. The founding members have successfully set up and made the Company flourish with the initial influx of senior members furthered by us younger members joining within the following five or so years, however we are now in need of further members in order to bring the numbers up to 300 hopefully. If you are a branch member of the Chartered Institute then do please contract the Clerk for some brochures and circulate these among your colleagues in the branch. Chris Dancaster will be coordinating the branches and hopefully a few new ideas will be springing up.

We are planning events in Cowes, IOW and Yorkshire for those wanting to travel further, however if you have any suggestions, please let me know.

May I wish you and your families a very happy Easter break and hope to see you at the Spring Livery Banquet in the splendid surroundings of the Armourers Hall.

NEWSLETTERS

The Master's Lecture

I am very pleased to report the success this year of the Master's Lecture for Students which was given at my invitation by our Liveryman Kay Linnell, a Chartered Accountant MBA and FCIArb. Kay was previously in practice in the Midlands and has worked in government and industry. She is currently based in the London office of Morley Scott, Chartered Accountants, and responsible for developing dispute resolution, investigation, arbitration and conciliation as part of the forensic, expert and due diligence services offered by the practice. Her experience covers arbitration, business management, consulting, tax in depth enquiries, tribunal representation and litigation.

Kay's title for the lecture was "Arbitration and Fraud" which addressed the issues concerning the impact of dishonest conduct in arbitration and covered the implications, in terms of the legislation, of money laundering, the proceeds of crime, data protection and human rights.

A full text of the Lecture will be available soon in print and on the website.

The Wardens's Column

Finance
The Company's finances are in good shape. Two things that could transform our finances. If we each recruited one new Member and we all paid our Quarterage by direct debit then we would have the money to really go places.

Editor
The Master is pleased to announce the appointment of a Newsletter editor. Dr Derek Ross, a well known Liveryman and current President of the South East Branch of the C I Arb has agreed to become the Editor for the time being. Please submit any articles or items of interest, news etc to him for publication in future publications.

Contact Dr Derek Ross on Tel. 01932 857049, e-mail derek.ross@btclick.com.

Guildhall Art Gallery visit

Those attending this event on 5 December 2002 had a very informative talk from the Curator on the many pieces belonging to the City including the famous Roman amphitheatre and John Singleton Copely's large oil painting of the Defeat of Gibraltar.

Forthcoming events in 2003

Spring Livery Dinner - 7 May 2003
This year the event is being held at the Armourers Hall, a splendid venue close to Moorgate. The Hall has on show many fine pieces of armour dating from Elizabeth I's reign. Application form enclosed with this Newsletter or apply to the Clerk.

Cowes Week-End - 16-18 May 2003
The Master, Michael Wilkey, is hoping for support at his enjoyable week-end away on the Isle of Wight. Any member who wishes to join in the fun of leisurely cruising sailing in the celebrated centre of British Yachting and enjoy Dinner at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club.

A weekend event from Friday night to Sunday morning with a race on the Saturday for those who want to.

Contact Michael Wilkey Tel. 020-7374 0788 for more information.

Visit to Old Bailey - 4 June 2003
The Secondary of London and Under Sheriff has kindly agreed to host our visit to the Central Criminal Court. The event will consist of a conducted tour of the Court complex, including visiting the Courts, the cells and other historic parts of the building. Afterwards we will retire to Davy's Wine bar for a glass or two and informal meal for those who wish to.

This event will raise funds for the Second Charitable Trust and the Sheriff's and Recorder's Fund which looks after families of prisoners.

A Notice will be circulated nearer the time and an early response is suggested, as numbers are limited to 40.

Inter-Livery Events

Inter Livery Sail - 9-10 August 2003
An inter livery sail challenge is being held at Rutland Water in August organised by the Company of Framework Knitters. This is a dinghy sailing event and should be great fun organised over a week-end.

Contact Clerk Company of Framework Knitters Tel. 020-8502 1964 or e-mail Clerk@Frameworkknitters.co.uk.

Inter Livery Clay Shoot - 21 May 2003
Chris Parr of the Environmental Cleaners Company is again organising this event at the Holland & Holland shooting grounds in Middx. The cost of £130.00 per gun and the proceeds go to a named charity. Teams are made up of four guns.

Any member interested in organising a team on behalf of the Arbitrators please contact the Master. Otherwise individuals can enter by direct contact with C Parr.

Contact Chris Parr Tel. 020-8440 8779 or e-mail c_parr@pallmall.co.uk for more information.

Carmen Car Club - 27 July 2003
This is the first Carmen Car Club Concours D'Elegance to be held by the Worshipful Company and is to be held at the RAF Museum Hendon, London NW9.

Liverymen with interesting classic, vintage or veteran vehicles are encouraged to exhibit at this event with prizes awarded for various categories.

Contact Carmen Car Club, 55 Park Gate Crescent, Hadley Wood, Herts EN4 0NW.

Committee news

Events
Ian Wilson, Chairman of the Events Committee will welcome ideas for future events, and hopes to arrange a few informal meetings in London during the next few months before the summer break. Plans are well ahead to hold a June event in Yorkshire with a visit to Castle Howard. Hopefully some positive news will be released shortly.

Contact Ian Wilson Tel 01273-812143 or e-mail ianwilson@dorian.freeserve.co.uk.

Chaplain
The Master is pleased to announce the election of the Chaplain, the Rector of St. Mary-le-Bow, The Reverend George R Bush. The Court unanimously elected him Chaplain at our January Court meeting and he attended our Annual Banquet at the Mansion House. The Annual Service will be held at St Mary-le-Bow on the 9 July 2003.

City Livery Yacht Club
The Company has been asked to draw your attention to this Club, which is open to all freeman and liveryman and comes at a very reasonable subscription of £25 per year. The Club offers sailing and social opportunities to its members and boat ownership is certainly not a pre-requisite to join.

Meeting are held at Cowes, on the Thames and on the East Coast over the year as well as Laying-up and Fitting-out Dinners in London.

Members who own their own boats are entitled to fly the defaced blue ensign, a unique privilege and the Admiral of the Club is Sir Robin Gillett, a past Lord Mayor of London.

Please contact the Hon. Sec. Janet Walker on Tel 08700 664232, e-mail for further details. Also web site at www.cityliveryyc.co.uk.

New Court Assistant
Ian Wilson, was welcomed by the Master, Assistants and Past Masters as Court Assistant on the 22 January 2003.

NEW FREEMAN & LIVERYMAN
At the Court meeting on the 22 January 2003 the Master welcomed three new Liverymen and two new Freeman into the Company

Liverymen
David Altaras
Bruce Brodie
Dr Robert Gaitskell QC

Freemen
Christopher Gardner, QC, a practising Barrister (proposed by Hew Dundas)

Edward Walters, a retired arbitrator with the Grain and Feed Trade Association (proposed by Barry Duggan).

Forthcoming events

3 April 2003
Court Meeting at Guildhall

7 May 2003
Spring Livery Dinner at the Armourers Hall

16-19 May 2003
City Livery Yacht Club Cowes Week-end

4 June 2003
Visit to the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey

24 June 2003
Election of Sheriffs. June Weekend in Yorkshire

9 July 2003
Court Meeting, Annual Service at St. Mary-le-Bow followed by a Livery Dinner in Apothecaries Hall

13 July 2003
The British 10K - London Run. Held in aid of the Lord Mayor's Appeal for Save the Children.

Clerk's Notes

If you would like any information about the Company or events please do not hesitate to contact me.

Gaye Duffy, 13 Hall Gardens, Colney Heath, St Albans, Herfordshire AL4 0QF
Telephone: +44 (01727) 826578
email: clerk@arbitratorscompany.org
Web site: www.arbitratorscompany.org

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