Property partner takes on compliance role at Tilneys

FORMER Lace Mawer property partner David Wetherell has moved in-house to run the compliance department of a group of stockbrokers and fund managers.

Wetherell, who was a partner at the Manchester firm for four years, has been appointed group compliance officer and company secretary at The Tilney Group.

He says he was not looking to make a move in-house but was approached by his predecessor at The Tilney Group, Jeff Whitfield, who has now retired.

Wetherell is responsible for compliance for both branches of the Liverpool based group, Tilney & Co, the stockbrokers and fund managers, and Tilney Unit Trust Management.

He is also a director at Tilney & Co, which has six offices in England and three in Scotland. The company describes itself as one of the UK's largest stockbrokers and fund managers.

As well as his compliance and company secretary responsibilities Wetherell also acts as what he describes as the "first filter" for legal advice, the majority of which is handled externally.

He is very positive about his move in-house. "It's a challenge and there's a steep learning curve, but I'm thoroughly enjoying it and I can honestly say that I haven't looked back," he says.

He says he particularly appreciates the back-up he receives at the company.

"I have been able to work as part of a team, rather than being on my own which is how I have felt in the past when I've been in private practice."

LORD Justice Saville is to deliver a keynote speech on arbitration at the Denning Lecture held by the in-house barristers' group Bacfi.

The Appeal Court judge has accepted an invitation by the Bar Association for Commerce Finance and Industry to deliver the annual Denning Lecture on 22 May.

Judge Saville will speak on arbitration and the courts and is likely to cover the new arbitration bill he is currently drawing up for the Government.

Bacfi chair Austin Allison says the talk is likely to be of major interest to lawyers involved in the arbitration field particularly in light of the forthcoming bill.

"It is expected to be a major event," he says.

Judge Saville is a former head of the Commercial Court and chairs the Department of Trade and Industry's departmental advisory committee on arbitration which is currently revising its draft arbitration bill after a period of consultation.

He is no stranger to controversy having spoken out in 1993 about the disarray and "grave injustice" caused by a lack of judges in the Commercial Court.

Advisory committee member Anthony Bunch, managing partner at Masons, describes Lord Saville's role in the drafting of the bill to improve the arbitration process as "crucial".

He says it is hoped the bill, which needs substantial redrafting following a period of consultation, will be included as part of the Government's legislative programme to be outlined in the Queen's speech in the autumn.

LAWYERS willing to take on a new way of life while practising their profession are being invited to join the army.

The Directorate of Army Legal Services is on the look-out for four recently qualified solicitors or barristers in their 20s to join the army's 50-lawyer department.

Directorate head Lt Col Stephen Vowles is holding a three-day selection board next month for lawyers who would be commissioned into the service at the rank of captain with a salary of u22,571.

Eight candidates will be invited to an army base for a series of aptitude tests which will include a physical element.

Lt Col Vowles says: "You join as an army officer, you take on a whole new life and could be posted anywhere in the world."