Top of the strops

Just when the legal aid fraternity thinks matters can get no worse, they suddenly become quite impossible '“ the government's green paper effectively signals the end of large-scale legal aid practice in England.

But, with Christmas fast approaching, we shouldn't dwell on the unpleasant and unpalatable, so I've thought of ten things which might represent good news in the year to come.

1. Days off over Christmas

Fortunately, Christmas falls on a Saturday this time, so, as my staff have worked particularly hard this year, I am giving them Christmas Eve off. And, as New Year's Day falls on Monday 3 January, we are shutting the firm for 11 days, giving everybody a well-earned breather.

It is easy to lose sight of the importance of holidays and, in a high-pressured business where the stress of instant communication and other people's problems can become unbearable, it is more important that ever to get away from it all. I will value the time off this Christmas, but sadly I suspect I will glimpse occasionally at my Blackberry!

2. A step closer to retirement

With a new year comes that holy grail of retirement floating ever so slowly towards me. Retirement is a tricky business. Quite good fun if you have lots of exciting things to do, but rather miserable if you simply give up work and are consigned to daytime TV and little else. The best form of retirement package is one where you go into work a little less and combine the advantages of getting away from the clients and 'keeping your hand in' with legal work which the older and perhaps wiser among us are just as able to do as those pugnacious youths entering the profession.

3. Quicker communication

Each year, means of communication seem to improve. Google is now thinking of taking over email or Facebook, or something of that sort, and the result will be even quicker communication between clients and their solicitors '“ something to look forward to or be worried about?

The problem is that we are in a client-led business. We are here to serve the clients and, if we can communicate more efficiently and speedily with them, that is probably on balance a good thing.

4. Firms offering gargantuan salaries

The US law firms are offering their trainees £50,000. Interesting. I wonder what a 30-year-qualified property specialist like me would be worth in a US law firm? Having spent 30 years litigating property issues through the county court, High Court, Court of Appeal and House of Lords, I like to think I have a certain expertise and the mind boggles at what my potential value would be. Perhaps when I retire US law firms will start offering half a million pound salaries to consultants like myself '“ happy days.

5. Good luck

With another year comes the chance of a premium bond to get lucky, for your lottery numbers to come up on the screen, for that long-lost aunt to leave you the massive inheritance. Who knows what the year will bring? The wonderful thing about life is its unpredictability. It is full of ups and downs and the helter skelter of human experience never ceases to surprise me. Maybe next year my lottery winnings will replace my legal aid loss...

6. Brown labrador website

I must shamelessly plug the website jacquielawson.com, the best animated Christmas cards I have seen '“ particularly the range involving a brown labrador. Nothing gets us dour, depressed legal aid solicitors laughing more than the antics of that dog. Visit the site, get yourself in the Christmas spirit and forget about the fact your practice will probably close in a year's time.

7. Another year, another holiday

With the new year comes the expectation of a holiday somewhere. Last year I only had a week off work, which was a huge mistake. I felt burnt out and depressed, but the clients were happy. Next year I have resolved to take as much holiday as possible. Perhaps a doggy-friendly holiday in a cottage in England, or maybe I'll leave the dog at home with my son and go somewhere far-flung and exotic. In the cold, foggy days of December, it is always good to look forward to next year's holiday.

8. New Solicitor's Regulation Authority

Ah yes '“ outcomes focused regulation rules. Next year will see the introduction of the new SRA Regulatory Code. Apparently completely overhauling what we had before. Something to look forward to?

Perhaps. The SRA says firms will have greater freedom than they do currently, and the new approach will take into account the particular needs of clients '“ all of which is to be welcomed.

9. Surge in divorce work

Faced with the likely abolition of legal aid for most types of divorce in 2012, 2011 promises to be the year when just about everyone gets divorced. Everyone will want to get divorced using lawyers, rather than waiting until 2012 when they will have to do the wretched paperwork themselves. What effect this huge spike in divorces will have on matrimonial life, children and the courts, I suppose nobody will have contemplated.

10. Cosmo's birthday

Cosmo will be five in 2011 and well on the way to being a doggy teenager. He continues to delight the clients in reception and nowregularly receives gifts from them. Whereas I might have received the occasionally bottle of wine, he gets the much cheaper bone or bag of treats.

So, a big happy birthday to Cosmo, and merry Christmas to everyone '“ let's hope 2011 will be a year that we can all look forward to.

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