Students from the University of Liverpool met on April 26 at the Liverpool offices of Brabners Chaffe Street to participate in the first Charity Law Moot Competition.

A moot is a legal debate, based on a factual situation, where two teams of counsel, representing appellant and respondent, try to persuade the judges of the strength of their case by reference to legal authority.  The moot problem is a pre-drafted factual situation in which a point or points of law are in dispute.  In this particular moot, the debate was around the legal definition of charity.  The task of each team is to support the side of the argument with which it has been presented.  This is done with reference to legal authority, such as case law or legislation.

The judges weigh up the arguments presented and question counsel during the course of their submissions.  At the end of the moot, the judges give their judgement on the law, and they also decide, in terms of mooting skills, who is the winning team.

Rachel Sephton and Lauren Easton were both respondents, whilst Amy Thomas and Michael Pinder were both appellants. Amie Harrison was the Clerk. John Picton and Warren Barr (both of Liverpool Law School) and Stephen Claus (Partner and Head of Charity and Social Enterprise at Brabners) comprised the judging panel. Debra Morris, Director of the Charity Law & Policy Unit, was also present for the event.

In this competition, the judges also chose one overall winner, Michael Pinder, whose prize is a week-long work placement at Brabners Chaffe Street, to be taken up over the summer holidays.  The winning team (the appellants) and the respondent team will all receive a small gift from Brabners Chaffe Street to mark their overall achievement in the competition.

Debra Morris, Director of the Charity Law & Policy Unit, praised the students, all of whom are currently in the second year of their studies, for their commitment, preparation and performances.

She thanked the judges, and Brabners Chaffe Street for supporting the competition and for providing such a valuable prize.

On April 25th, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce hosted a special member-only ‘Business Hustings’, with the leading candidates for the prominent role of Mayor of Liverpool.

The candidates who were present were Joe Anderson, Labour; Tony Mulhearn, Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition; Richard Kemp, Liberal Democrats; Tony Caldeira, Conservatives; Liam Fogarty, Independent; John Coyne, Green Party; and Jeff Berman, Independent.

The event was chaired by Geoffrey Piper, of the North West Business Leadership Team.

During the Hustings, all of the seven candidates were given an opportunity to introduce themselves and explain why they were suitable for the Mayoral post. In addition, each candidate was asked a number of questions on a variety of topics, including the implementation of transport needs in Merseyside, the perception of Liverpool outside the city, and how the Mayor’s position would interact with local businesses.

Other subjects that the candidates were quizzed about included how to handle potential conflicts with the local and national Governments, whether the emphasis for growth would be placed on businesses or key sectors, and the struggles of smaller retail companies.

Each of the candidates was given the opportunity to express their final thoughts, focusing on what accomplishment they would like to be remembered for if they served a four-year term as Mayor.

Carole Crosby, Deputy Chief Executive of Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, said: “It has been a pleasure to host this event. We are entering into a new era in Liverpool. Liverpool Chamber of Commerce wishes all of the candidates the best of luck.”

Merseytravel projects have been recognised by the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation.

Bidston Moss Viaduct Strengthening project has won the prestigious accolade of Transportation Project of the Year at the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation North West Regional Awards ceremony, held at the Park Royal Hotel in Warrington.

The Highways Agency commissioned the works on the viaduct, and worked in partnership with Merseytravel and Wirral Council. The scheme has seen the strengthening of the viaduct’s structure, meaning that the weight restriction on vehicles using the outside lanes was lifted in September 2011. This reinstated free flowing traffic across the structure which carries around 63,000 vehicles a day, including around 5,000 HGVs.

Jim Barclay, Interim Chief Executive of Merseytravel, said: “We are pleased that the work on Bidston Moss Viaduct has been recognised in this way as it shows great partnership working between the Department for Transport, The Highways Agency and local authorities.”

Merseytravel was also commended for the Kingsway Tunnel Fire Main, in the Best Practice Project of the Year, and received a commendation for the Sherlock Lane Footbridge Replacement in the same category. The Mersey Ferries Access Gangways were similarly praised in the Safety Project of the Year Award.

On 24th April, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce welcomed a trade delegation from Romania arranged by the National Association of Exporters and Importers Romania (ANEIR) to discuss services provided to importers and exporters, their experiences of international relations and their difficulties in the internal markets, particularly the support provided by banks and other associations.

The 19-strong multi-sector delegation, lead by Dr. Mihai Ionescu, General Secretary of ANEIR, were greeted by representatives from Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, UKTI, Knowsley Chamber of Commerce and The Export Network.  With representatives in the delegation from sectors ranging from tourism to construction and finance to textiles, they were keen to learn about the processes involved in finance, how local companies are faring the current economic climate and the support offered to exporters from UKTI.

During the short meeting, there were discussions about how companies can avoid exchange rate risks through forward trading and the range of support offered by UKTI, including a number of programmes such as Passport to Export, the services offered through overseas embassies and the free consultations available through their network of International Trade Advisors across the region.  They were also eager to learn about how local manufacturers were faring in the face of competition from high growth markets such as China and the increase in the prices of raw materials.

For more information about the opportunities available in Romania or about the members of the delegation, please contact Dr. Mihai Ionescu (aneir1@yahoo.fr).

ChargePoint Technology Ltd has been named as the winner of the prestigious Queen’s Award for International Trade 2012.

This prize recognises an outstanding achievement in enterprise; in this case, the success that ChargePoint has enjoyed in overseas markets.

Chris Eccles, Managing Director, said: “We are proud to receive this recognition of our exceptional performance in export business.”

Export sales now account for over 85% of the company’s turnover, with notable success in such emerging growth markets as India and China, as well as existing strong markets, including the USA, Japan and Central Europe.

Meanwhile, ChargePoint have invested in a new manufacturing facility at their Liverpool HQ which is ISO9001 accredited and uses the latest production technologies.

This investment strategy has been critical to its success, coupled with a strong Research & Development program and a dynamic sales and marketing strategy to achieve a 160% increase in turnover in three years.

Mr. Eccles added: “We are able to maintain our market leading position by providing high quality, innovative products to succeed against foreign competition overseas.”

The Royal Court Liverpool Trust launched an Adopt-a-Seat campaign to renew the 403 seats in the Grand Circle.

The Trust, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce Charity of the Year for 2012, has done this as part of the £10.6 million campaign to renovate the magnificent grade II listed theatre on Roe Street. Work has now begun on Phase One following a successful Heritage Lottery bid back in December 2011.

Stacey Lavery, Development Manager at the Trust, said: “The Royal Court Theatre is known as ‘the people’s theatre’ and we are really keen to engage individuals, businesses and community groups with our campaign and to help us renovate the theatre that we all love and know so well. These are exciting times for the Royal Court and this is a great way for the people and organisations of Liverpool to be involved in its rich heritage.”

Businesses can adopt a seat for £500.00 and in return they will receive their name on a plaque for 10 years, priority booking opportunities and ten tickets to a Royal Court show. They will also be able to visit their seat when the theatre re-opens in June 2012. Local community groups, schools, charities and individuals can also adopt a seat in the theatre for £250.00. By adopting a seat, it will help the Trust to develop and deliver their community education programme.

To adopt a seat, you can visit www.royalcourttrust.org/adopt-a-seat, telephone 0870 787 1866, or collect a flyer from the Royal Court Box Office.

The theatre will re-open in June, with newly redecorated stalls, a new and updated layout, improved heating and lighting, improved access and toilet facilities.

To find out more on how you can help with the renovation of the Royal Court, visit www.royalcourttrust.org.