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Regulatory Matters

Regulatory Matters

Ownership and Legal Status of the Firm

Veale Wasbrough Vizards LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales, registered number OC384033, registered office Narrow Quay House, Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA. A list of members may be inspected at the registered office. Reference in this website to a 'partner' is to a member of the limited liability partnership, or to a senior employee of equivalent standing in the firm.


Regulation

The firm is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA 597329) and practises in accordance with the SRA’s rules, regulations and code of conduct.


Complaints Procedure

We hope you will be delighted with our service. If, however, there is any aspect you are not completely happy with, please tell us so we can resolve it. Our complaints procedure sets out how we deal with complaints and the procedure for complaining to the Legal Ombudsman.


Compulsory Professional Indemnity Insurance

We have in place compulsory professional indemnity insurance, as detailed below.

Insurer:  Aviva 
Policy number: FINPL2350349
Extent of cover: 10 Million
Expiry date: 30th September 2024

Environmental Policy


Modern Slavery Act 2015 - Statement 

Published - 7 April 2022

VWV is a national law firm with a sector focused approach.  As part of our commitment to staff and clients, we are proud of our 'core values' which are the backbone of the firm and incorporated in our business plans, communications and every aspect of our business.   We are passionate about excellence and committed to complying with the highest standards of ethical and professional behaviour and we expect the same high standards of our suppliers.  

This statement explains the steps taken by VWV and the steps we continue to take to ensure modern slavery is not taking place in our own business or in any of our supply chains. 

We are committed to ensuring there is transparency in our own business and in our approach to tackling modern slavery throughout our supply chains, consistent with our disclosure obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 ("MSA"). We expect the same high standards from all of our contractors, suppliers and other business partners, and as part of our contracting processes, we include specific prohibitions against the use of forced, compulsory or trafficked labour, or anyone held in slavery or servitude, whether adults or children, and we expect that our suppliers will hold their own suppliers to the same high standards.

This policy applies to all persons working for us or on our behalf in any capacity, including employees at all levels, partners, directors, officers, agency workers, seconded workers, volunteers, interns, agents, contractors, external consultants, third-party representatives and business partners.

The firm's Management Board has overall responsibility for ensuring this policy complies with our legal and ethical obligations, and that all those under our control comply with it. The Head of Risk and Compliance has primary and day to day responsibility for implementing this policy and monitoring its use and effectiveness.

Suppliers

Our relationship with suppliers is critical to our business and success and we expect our suppliers to comply with the requirements set out in our Supplier Code of Conduct.  Our key suppliers are those which help us in the delivery of our services to clients and the operation of our premises.   We expect our suppliers to engage in fair employment practices,  free from forced or compulsory labour and without the threat of penalty or exploitation. 

Risk Assessment Process

VWV has a process for assessment of its suppliers for compliance with the MSA. This includes a requirement for suppliers to confirm adherence to VWV's Supplier Code of Conduct and complete a supplier questionnaire, the responses to which will determine the continuation of VWV's relationship with the supplier.

Risk Level and Response

VWV considers that the risk that slavery and human trafficking is taking place within its business or supply chain is low and has uncovered no evidence to indicate otherwise. VWV will act immediately to redress any matter that indicates that this sort of activity is taking place.

Training

All staff are required to read, understand and comply with the firm's Anti-slavery and human trafficking policy. Compulsory training is also provided for all staff joining the firm with update training provided thereafter.

Due Diligence

As part of the Compliance and Practice Standards Team's obligations of on-going monitoring and due diligence, all new suppliers will be assessed upon engagement and thereafter, as appropriate, to check on their MSA compliance status. All training of staff will be monitored to ensure internal compliance with VWV's own Anti-slavery and human trafficking policy.

Code of Conduct

All VWV personnel are required to read, understand and comply with its Anti-slavery and human trafficking policy.

Where appropriate, and with the welfare and safety of local workers as a priority, we may give support and guidance to our suppliers to help them address coercive or exploitative work practices in their own business and supply chains.

The firm aims to encourage openness and will support anyone who raises genuine concerns in good faith under its policy, even if the employee turns out to be mistaken. We are committed to ensuring no one suffers any detrimental treatment as a result of reporting in good faith their suspicion that modern slavery of whatever form is or may be taking place in any part of our own business or in any of our supply chains.

 

Steven McGuigan
Managing Partner


VAT Registration number GB 172 8860 77