Key Network takes two "Oscars" in Cornwall

04-03-2011

As the King’s Speech continued its success at the 2011 Oscars, the Key Network collected gongs of their own at the Cornwall Law Society’s annual awards dinner.

Alison Nicholls, a partner in Stephens Scown, scooped the “outstanding contribution” award in recognition of her work for the Key Network while the network itself won “Law firm of 2011” thanks to the efforts of Alison and the network’s committee.

The awards were presented by Cornwall Law Society president Tim Goldburn at a dinner at the Hotel Bristol in Newquay on Monday, February 25.

The Key Network was formed by property solicitors from around the county who recognised that by working closer together, and improving links with estate agents, they could help to streamline the house buying process and make purchases more likely to succeed.

Presenting the awards, Tim Goldburn, said: “Started last year, this new concept in Cornwall consists of 20 firms who have agreed to work in a similar way in conveyancing to deal quicker with house transactions.

“This is beneficial to both the client and other property professionals. They recently came to the notice of the Law Society in London and have been working with them in regard to a new quality conveyancing scheme. In these difficult times for the housing market it is good to see Cornwall being creative.

In addition to her role as a solicitor within her firm, Alison has been an active and crucial member of Key Network and has worked tirelessly to get this project off the ground.

Mr Goldburn added: “She has listened to 20 other member firms of the Key Network, assimilated their views and revised legal forms agreeable to all the firms within the network. It is for this hard work and dedication that Alison has won the award for outstanding contribution of the year.”

Alison responded: “Having an active role in the founding of the Key Network has not only been an honour, it has also been a privilege to see first hand how new techniques in working together can achieve impressive results that improve the legal landscape for house buyers, house sellers and all the people involved in the sales process.”

The Cornwall Law Society, founded in 1883, is a county-wide association of more than 300 solicitors and trainees. The awards were set up to promote the quality of Cornwall’s legal profession by identifying specific individuals and firms that have made significant contributions to the legal and local community.