Nottinghamshire Law Society AGM 2026

On Tuesday, 12 May 2026, Nottinghamshire Law Society held its Annual General Meeting in the beautifully ornate Old Courtroom at the Dryden Centre, part of Nottingham Trent University. The event welcomed members, Council representatives and guests for an evening of prize presentations and charity acknowledgements.

The meeting was chaired by President Marie Dancer of Richard Nelson LLP, who led proceedings with warmth and professionalism. This year’s AGM also saw the first member election for the 2026–2027 Deputy Vice President. Two candidates were nominated for the role: Gemma Hopper of Nelsons Solicitors and Natalie Haydon-Yeung of the University of Nottingham School of Law.

Members of the Society were invited to cast their votes on arrival, while those unable to attend were given the option to assign a proxy vote—adding a new and engaging element to this year’s AGM.

After approving the minutes of the 2024 AGM and end of year accounts, presented by Treasurer, Jeremy Allen, we moved onto the outgoing Presidential address and presentations.

Following the presentations to our legal competition winners, and the announcement of Molly Reek of Buckles Law as Junior Lawyer of the Year, alongside Kathryn Meir as the 2026 recipient of the President’s Award, we moved on to the charity cheque presentations.

The first cheque was presented to Nottingham Law Centre, following funds raised through the annual Nottingham Legal Community Walk. This was followed by a presentation to Peter Cartwright, representing the John Pearce Quiz Masters team 2026, with proceeds from the charity quiz donated to Nottingham Women’s Centre.

We then turned our attention to the President’s Charity for 2025–2026, The Wolfpack Project.

Joining the presentation was Jennine Fox, who provided an insightful overview of the charity’s important work and impact within the community.

Thanks to their dedication, and the generosity of our members and supporters, an impressive £10,321.00 was raised in support of this vital cause.

Last year, Immediate Past President Lauren Castle selected Harmless and the Tomorrow Project as her presidential charity. We were delighted to welcome Colin Menz and Jenni Parr this year, who shared how the remarkable £11,591.75 raised has made a meaningful difference—supporting the continuation of their vital work across Nottinghamshire.

The evening then moved to a significant moment as President Marie Dancer announced the result of the vote for Deputy Vice President. We are delighted to confirm that Natalie Haydon-Yeung will take on the role for 2026–2027. Marie extended her sincere thanks to both Natalie and Gemma Hopper for standing for the position, recognising their commitment and dedication to the Society’s future.

The highlight of the evening followed with the Presidential Handover. Outgoing President Marie Dancer had the honour of presenting the President’s Chain of Office to her successor, Drew Dennis of Knights PLC.

Drew then delivered his inaugural Presidential Address, outlining his vision for the year ahead and sharing his passion for the Society’s continued growth and community impact. His speech set a positive and inspiring tone for the new term.

We were also pleased to formally welcome the newly appointed office holders:

• Aldijana Hoad of ABEC Legal, stepping into the role of Vice President
• Natalie Haydon-Yeung of University of Nottingham, taking on the position of Deputy Vice President

Together, this new leadership team brings a wealth of experience, energy and commitment to the Society, and we look forward to an exciting year ahead under their guidance.

Building on the progress made at the AGM in 2024, which saw the adoption of our new Articles of Association, this year’s meeting marked another important step forward with the introduction of a further two new members to Council.

We were delighted to welcome our first two independent Council members:

• Shannon Mould, Austin Moore & Partners LLP
• Shiv Nand, Gateley Legal

Their diverse perspectives and expertise will be a valuable addition to Council as we continue to evolve and strengthen the Society’s governance and representation.

We were also pleased to be joined at the AGM by members of the Nottinghamshire Junior Lawyers Division (NJLD). Led by Chair Jack Stuart, the NJLD continues to be a valued supporter of the Society. Their presence and ongoing collaboration reflect the strong spirit of mutual support and partnership that exists between our organisations as we work together to strengthen the legal community

The AGM concluded with drinks and canapés, offering the perfect opportunity for members to relax, reconnect, and catch up with colleagues from across the legal community.

We’re already looking ahead to next year—mark your calendars for the next AGM on Tuesday, 11th May 2027!