President's Blog - March 2026

Hopefully spring is on its way, bringing with it some much needed sunshine and lighter evenings for us all.

It has certainly been a busy month. We enjoyed a wonderful evening at the Mandarin restaurant celebrating Chinese New Year. The food was outstanding, and the dragon dance was a real highlight. My own sporting abilities were put to the test when I spectacularly failed to catch the orange thrown to me during the performance; hopefully not a sign of bad luck to come! It was a fantastic event and one I hope we continue in future years as part of celebrating the diversity of our membership.

I was also honoured to be invited to assist in judging the Derby and District Law Society Awards. It was a pleasure to learn more about their members’ achievements and to be part of such thoughtful discussions. Closer to home, preparations for our own Annual Awards Dinner on 17 April are well underway. Menu tasting has taken place, meetings with our videographer and photographer are in hand, and invitations will be sent to firms shortly.

Many of you will be aware that the Court of Appeal recently heard the Mazur appeal. We are now awaiting the judgment. As soon as it is handed down, we will circulate it to members along with guidance. I know a number of CILEX members have already obtained their practising rights, but I also appreciate that the outcome of this appeal will be significant for many.

This past weekend marked International Women’s Day. I am proud to be the ninth female President of the Nottinghamshire Law Society in our 150th year. I have had the privilege of watching many of my predecessors shine, and it was their encouragement that helped me take on this role. I am also fortunate to serve on a Council filled with strong, dynamic women who continue to make a lasting impact.

Past President's of Nottinghamshire Law Society

Today I returned from Newark, where we hosted a lovely networking lunch at Gannets café. The food was excellent, and it was a pleasure to meet some of our Newark‑based members. If you find yourself in the area, it is definitely worth a visit.

See you at an event soon - maybe the Annual Dinner in April!



Marie Dancer

President 2025-2026