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15 July 2021
Late event finishes & venue closures

Saturday 24 July – Old Hall Wedding, music until 11.30 pm, guests depart by midnight.

Upcoming MCR Closures
Tuesday 27 July – closed from 3 pm due to Garden Party preparation
Friday 30 July – closed from 3 pm for summer closure
Wednesday 1 September – MCR reopens
Tuesday 14 September – MCR closed at 3 pm for private function
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30 June 2021
Letter from the LIRA Chairman

​Please click the icon below to read a letter from the LIRA Chairman.

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22 June 2021
LIRA AGM 
The postponed LIRA Annual General Meeting (AGM) will now take place on Wednesday 14 July 2021, at 5.30 pm in Rooms 1-5 of the Ashworth Centre.

All residents are welcome and are encouraged to attend if able. Social distancing precautions will be in place and tea & coffee will be provided.
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6 November 2020
LIRA AGM Postponed
Please note that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Lincoln's Inn Residents' Association (LIRA) has been postponed until January 2021.
Further details will be posted as soon as a date has been agreed.

24 August 2020
LIRA AGM - Wednesday 2nd December 2020

​EVENT: The 2020 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Lincoln’s Inn Residents’ Association (LIRA)

TIME: The exact time of the event remains to be confirmed, but it is expected that the AGM will start at either 5.3 0pm or 6 pm with a reception afterwards

LOCATION: The Ashworth Centre, Lincoln’s Inn (underneath the Great Hall). AGM in the theatre, reception afterwards in the Ashworth Centre conference rooms.

3 August 2020
Letter to residents from Denise McFarland-Cruickshanks, LIRA Chair

Dear Fellow Residents, Friends and Colleagues,

We have all faced unprecedented times over the last few months, and personal and professional challenges. I sincerely hope that this letter reaches you all in good spirits and good health, with a sense of purpose as we move forward, adapting to the new norms. The primary purpose of this message is to wish you all well and send encouragement for your respective futures back within the community of the Inn.
I know that many people have endured Lockdown in their flats within the Inn, where Nick Bracey and his team have done a fantastic job of keeping the place safe and secure in the most difficult circumstances. Sadly, despite the best efforts of most to keep flushing the loos and running the water in their flats, legionella was found in separate locations within the Inn which has led to additional difficulties for many people. Including the temporary banning of use of internally supplied water and the use of external washing, cleaning and lavatory blocks located at various points within the Inn.
As general Lockdown eases, and the Inn is slowly returning to life, with the recent reinstatement of most of the outdoor and maintenance staff and the full gardening team, back from furlough, we can, I believe, genuinely be hopeful of brighter times ahead.
The LIRA Committee have continued to meet during the last few months, using Zoom-meetings on a virtual basis. Members of the Committee have continued to be active in pursuing various topics of relevance to residents and the secondary purpose of this letter is to bring you up to date with certain matters and issues, which are set out below:

1. The Fountain in New Square.  The Fountain has not been operating for some considerable time.  Nick Bracey is aware of the problem and steps are being taken by the Estates’ Dept.  to have it fixed. We can but hope that it is not long before we see it fully operational,  not least as I appreciate that many people have expressed concern as to the lack of water for the bird population of the Inn , particularly during the hot weather.
2. Keeping the Inn closed to the Public.  As you are doubtless aware, the Inn took almost immediate steps to lock down the Inn and close its gate ways and doorways at the start of Lockdown. This has proved a prudent and sensible step to protect the integrity and security of the Inn, its residents, and members of staff. The only public access has been (and remains currently) via the main gate in the S.E corner of Lincoln’s Inn fields. Residents and those with key fobs for other access points have been able to use those gates and doors, vis use of those electronic access fobs. This closure will continue for the time being, and there are no definite plans yet published by the Inn as to when it will re-open to the public. There has been a universal positive view expressed by most residents, particularly those  who stayed in the Inn during Lockdown, as to the benefits of having this additional layer of sanitization, security and protection from permitted free movement of external persons and members of the public into and around the estate. The gardens and open spaces of the Inn have also benefitted from the much-reduced traffic and footfall. 

REQUEST
The LIRA Committee would like to try and gauge how residents have felt about the closure of the access gates ( save the main gate) to members of the public, and to ascertain if people have felt, for example, safer and more secure ? At less risk of contamination or unwanted social contact with strangers, or perhaps at less risk of crime ?  Happier with the quietness it has brought? Accordingly, if you could let any member of the Committee know how you have felt , and if you are happy for this situation to be extended on  longer basis, or have different view , then please let us know. My own  email contact details are above, and  any other committee members can be contacted  directly if their details are known to you.
  ​3. 

1. Car Parking.  The Inn introduced an early initiative in Lockdown, to help people avoid use of public transport, and have been allowing non-permit holders to park in the Inn and offer free parking to anyone who requires it. Nick Bracey has been very proactive in ensuring fair use of the parking spaces available whilst juggling all his other many duties and responsibilities, and once again, I personally extend sincere thanks to him and his team in this regard, on  behalf of everyone. LIRA requested that the Inn explain how there may be a future adjustment made in favour of those currently holding parking permits, for the period of the free parking. I am pleased to report that  the Inn has come up with a means of reimbursement for permit holders. The details of the adjustment will depend on several factors, and of course will not be made final until Nick is able to calculate the period during which the Lockdown and waiver of car parking fees persists, but generally, and for the future this is certainly a little bit of positive news. It  is likely that some sort of  mathematical calculation will be applied along the following lines: The cost of a relevant and extant permit (this will take into account all permit types) will be divided by 52, and once charging begins again the total amount based upon the  relevant number of “free parking” weeks can be taken off the cost of the 2021 permits for those who renew their permits .  

For those persons who choose not to renew  their permits for 2021 some form of  refund for the total number of weeks will be issued. The end result being that all permit holders will be reimbursed in some form or the other for the period of time that the Inn  chose to offer free parking .  For residents on the standard residential car park permit, Nick tells me that this will work out at approximately £17.60 per week. I would recommend that you await further information from Nick ( Bracey) directly and in due course once the free parking period is drawn to a close, unless you have any specific queries or are concerned about particular lack of parking spaces etc. In those circumstances, do feel free to contact the porter’s lodge staff or the office of the senior porter and speak with Nick or Ben directly for more help or assistance. I understand that if and when commercial Chambers do start to open back up again in a more general manner, to the extent that  parking space becomes over-crowded  the Inn will have to give priority to current permit holders.

  4. Extended Compensation. As we are all very much aware, the extensive building project which took place, creating the Ashworth centre and re-modelling Great Hall, the Bencher’s walks and the MCR etc. significantly overran its projected timetable. The Inn has previously approved an “ex-gratia” payment to LIRA members and residents based on an assumed 2-year project timeframe. At the time, LIRA’s then chairman (Francis Barlow QC) sent round details of the proffered payment, and how to apply , insofar as residents wished to take up the offer. Many residents did do so, last year.
However, on behalf of our members, LIRA did not feel that it was fair not to have a further payment of some form of extended  compensation. Accordingly, I applied to the Estates’ Committee seeking a “pro-rata” extended payment, to reflect the fact that the project was extended long beyond the 2-year estimate.   We hoped that the Inn would extend the compensation to reflect the “over-run” of some 15 months beyond the originally anticipated 2-year period. However, it has not. Although the Inn has agreed to make further, albeit small, ex-gratia payments to those residents who wish to apply for them.
 
The LIRA committee cannot apply on your behalf, nor can we dictate whether you take up the offer. However, given the history, and backdrop, the LIRA committee does wish to bring this offer to your attention , for your individual consideration, and confirm that it is  the best offer you are likely to get from the Inn in respect of this issue extended compensation issue . 
 
This should not stop any individuals seeking to make personal requests to the Inn for their situation to be reviewed on a case by case basis, particularly if they feel they suffered hardship or difficulty. Although I should point out that, on behalf of the “Estates Committee Residential Compensation Working Group” and the Chairman of the Estates Committee ( Jonathan Gaunt QC)  we have been told that “The offer is made in full and final settlement  of any and all claims the residents may have in any way connected with the construction of the Ashworth Centre…..The Estates Committee is further satisfied that  it is under no obligation of any sort to make any payments for disturbance or inconvenience or otherwise  arising from works to existing buildings. The goodwill offer made does not constitute any precedent for compensation or other payments for works to existing buildings”
 
I can also assure you all that there have already been lengthy negotiations about  the relevant period for the calculation of an extended payment, and  I am sorry to say that despite making robust representations to the Estates Committee, and working hard on behalf of all residents to seek the best deal possible from the Inn, the final offer is for a payment representing the limited period of only an additional 3 months .
To  confirm;  the Inn has offered  each  residential property tenant an “ex gratia” payment  which will be calculated as a percentage  of 3 months of the rent payable over he last 15 months of the project Works; the percentage based on the previous categories, upon which the payments made last year were based.
Obviously, this payment will only be available to those people who were residents with a flat in the Inn during the relevant period, and only on the basis of one payment sum per flat. (If you are concerned about any of the details or your eligibility please contact the Director of Finance (Sam Twomey) or Director of Estates (Philip Ardley) in the first instance for assistance.)
 The alleged rational for this relatively short period is, apparently that the Estates Committee have determined that  “In the last 15  months of the Works…the total disruption caused was calculated to add up to 3 months in total”
If you wish to take up this offer you are asked to write personally to the Director of Finance  (who is currently Sam Twomey, in placement covering whilst Katie Shubrook is on temporary leave) and apply for the  compensation payment sum relevant to your flat to be calculated and paid out to you . In your request you should refer to the term “LINCOLN’S INN RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION – DEVELOPMENT COMPENSATION”  which is the reference used in the correspondence I have had with Mr Gaunt QC. If you wish to use it, I have set out below a template form of draft wording which you may find useful to progress any application you decide to make. 

Dear Director of Finance /Sam Twomey,
Re: Lincoln’s Inn Residents’ Association Development Compensation
I am the leaseholder of the residential flat at [ t.b.a  ]. I am applying for the payment of a further ex gratia payment to be made to me, in respect of my residential flat. I understand that the approved additional compensation payment is to be calculated as a percentage of three month’s of the rent payable over the last 15 months of the Works project, and the approved offer was  as per the offer set out and referred to  by the  Chairman of the Estates Committee in his letters of  28 February and  23 April 2020, sent to the Chairman of LIRA .
I would ask that  you please acknowledge receipt of this request and advise me when and by what means payment has been made to me.  Thank you.
Yours etc.   

  5. Access for water treatment and regular check ups.   I am wholly appreciative of the fact that the intrusion of staff members and contractors into your homes for the purposes of water treatment and testing is annoying and can be disruptive, or worrying for residents. Some people have been concerned at the lack of PPE worn by outsiders entering their flats, or by the lack of proper prior notification ,  and security, social distancing and safety issues. These are all valid concerns , and LIRA committee have been  working with the Inn ( and Phil Ardley in particular and Bethany Styles of the Estates  dept)  to try and ensure that  access to individual flats is kept to the minimum amount necessary for the tasks that need doing to be done,  and  for you all to receive  proper advance notice  where possible ( in accordance with your leases).
However, if you have particular concerns, you  should be aware  that a member of the Inn’s staff ( usually someone familiar like Kenny or his colleagues) will accompany any external contractors , or if you feel vulnerable you can ask that face coverings are worn by anyone entering your home, and that proper precautions on sanitation ( in accordance with Government Guidelines) are  strictly followed.  In any event I have been advised by the Estates’ Dept. that the planned procedures are as follows:

• The water flushing teams should consist of one Inn member of staff and one specialist sub-contractor.
• There are two teams of two.
• All should be wearing PPE and following government Covid 19 recommendations.
• All should only be entering with permission or at agreed times.
• If that is not happening, the Estate’s Dept should be informed as soon as possible.

I am aware that many people have been puzzled by the apparent complexity of the  water treatment issues , but can assure you that even if your water supply has been treated with chlorination, it does need further testing on an ongoing basis, to ensure proper health and safety checks are carried out. There have been instances of post-treatment problems arising in some cases, necessitating further cessation of use of the water systems until further steps are taken. Water cleanliness and hygiene are matters for the entire blocks of buildings. Accordingly ,  no matter how good you may have been at keeping water flowing within your own flat, if another premises ( flat or chambers) in your building has failed to do so, that can lead to  isolated stagnation and other  problems impacting on everyone in the building.  Therefore, I would strongly urge you to please comply with the reasonable requests made by the Inn with regard to water checks etc.
 
As mentioned above, if you are concerned about compliance, then do contact the Estates Dept  and explain what your issues are. There have been some hiccups in various communications which are regrettable , but hopefully lessons have been learned and things will improve so that  the Inn will be more promptly reactive and willing to try and meet most people’s worries  in efforts to facilitate the smooth and safe operation of all the premises in the Inn, and that water-borne contagion risks are kept to a minimum which is something we should all strive for.

  5. Inter-Inn social event .  As you may recall, at the most recent LIRA AGM I explained that it was hoped that we would host a social event on 22 May this year, to invite fellow residents from the other Inns. For obvious reasons this was not possible, but we hope to plan something along these lines, perhaps, in 2021.
 
  6. AGM. Although it is rather too early to fix a date for the AGM yet, we should be announcing  it in circa September,  just to give you advance warning, it is likely to be  held in the very early part of December 2020. We will obviously take all prevailing advice into account when fixing a planned date and considering the most appropriate means of holding the AGM to keep everyone as protected and safe as possible.
 
I shall close by wishing you all well, and with sincere hopes that before too long we can return to meeting one another sociably, in person, as neighbours and friends within the Inn.
 
With best wishes,
Denise McFarland-Cruickshanks
Chairman – LIRA 

3 August 2020
Email to residents from the Assistant Under Treasurer

Dear Resident,
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Please see communications recently shared between the Chair of the Estates Committee and the Chair of the Lincoln’s Inn Resident’s Association (LIRA).  The letters will also be delivered to your Inn address this week.

If you are not a member of the Association and would like to join, please contact its secretary, James Manning, on james.manning@nexuschambers.com who will be able to provide you with further information.  
 
Should you wish to respond directly, please contact Phil Ardley on Philip.Ardley@lincolnsinn.org.uk for the Estates Committee and/or Denise McFarland on mcfarland@3newsquare.co.uk for LIRA. 
 
Kind regards,
 
Murray Campbell

28 February 2020
Letter from Jonathan Gaunt QC - Chair of the Estates Committee

Dear Mrs Denise McFarland-Cruickshanks,
 
LINCOLN’S INN RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION – DEVELOPMENT COMPENSATION
 
As you will be aware, the Estates Committee Residential Compensation Working Group recently met to discuss LIRA’s request for further compensation as a result of the overrun of the Development Project.  I can confirm that the Working Group reported to last week’s Estates Committee meeting.
 
The Estates Committee and the Finance and General Purposes Committees have approved the Working Group’s recommendation that a further ex gratia payment should be paid to residents.  This will be equivalent to a percentage of 3 months of the rent payable over the last 15 months of the Works.  Each payment will be calculated according to the original categories proposed by the LIRA Committee in 2018 and on which the original payments made last year were based.
 
I am therefore authorised to offer (ex gratia) one off payments to the residents on the above basis. The offer is made in full and final settlement of all and any claims the residents may have in any way connected with the construction of the Ashworth Centre.
 
The offer made and accepted in 2018 was made as a gesture of goodwill towards the residents.  This offer is made as a further gesture of goodwill in recognition of the fact that the works continued for a longer period than was envisaged in 2018 and that on some occasions during that period there may have been some disturbance or inconvenience to residents. 
 
The offer is of a goodwill payment only because the Working Group and the Estates Committee are entirely satisfied that the carrying out of the works placed the Inn under no legal obligation to make any payment to the residents.  
 
The Estates Committee is further satisfied that it is under no obligation of any sort to make any payments for disturbance or inconvenience or otherwise arising from works to existing buildings.  The goodwill offer made in this letter does not constitute any precedent for compensation or other payments for works to existing buildings. 
 
Once you have confirmed the Association’s agreement to this proposal, each resident will need to apply to the Director of Finance for their compensation payment.
 
Yours sincerely,
Jonathan Gaunt QC
Chairman Estates Committee

28 February
From Monday 2 March access to Library will be via the turret


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6 February
 AGM Presentations and issues raised
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​1) At the LIRA AGM on 30 January, Phil Ardley presented the 2020 plans of works. You can view the presentation by clicking here.
​See image below for a visual overview (this is included in the presentation).

We will update the website with dates, but as mentioned at the AGM, these are likely to be out of date as soon as they go up.

2) There will also be major works at 9 New Square (Hunters). Please note: The contractor carrying out the major works at 9 New Square, Sorrels, is in the Considerate Contractors’ Scheme.
As such, a contact number will be displayed outside their site. Should you have any comments or wish to make a complaint, please use that number.
​You can view the presentation by clicking here.

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14 January
Announcement of 10-week plan of works around New Square - starting 20 January
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Due to building works, the main entrance to the Library will be closed from Monday 2 March until further notice.
Please use the access via the turret staircase.
IF YOU REQUIRE ACCESS BY LIFT:
Please use the access by the office.
During main office hours, please ring the bell.
After 5.30pm please call the Library on 020 7242 4371.
Click here for a map.

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Several other points were raised at the AGM - here are the responses from Phil Ardley:
Fire extinguishers: arrangements are being made for a fire extinguisher specialist to visit the site and assess whether the current FE provision is suitable for the threat.

Lights: The Inn will be look at developing a policy on this. Please note some chambers do want lights on all the time. I’m afraid there is not a PIR (passive infrared sensor) roll out. When there is a replacement of lighting wiring, the latest regulations are complied with, which usually means PIR control is required, as per the Ashworth.

Gas & Electric lighting: Franklyn Air are working to get all the gas lamps operating again, but it is a little bit “Forth Bridge”. Our in-house team got all of the electric lights working at the end of last year, except for the tree mounted ones. They will look at these again in case there have been further failures. The tree mounted ones will be rewired/part renewed in Summer when the ground under will permit safe access (it is too soft at the moment).


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Works from Monday 20 January will involve masonry repairs, structural reinforcement and specialist cleaning of all stone posts located around New Square Lawn, Benchers Lawn & Old Square Bank (please see attached drawing showing all posts). The works will also include redecoration of all existing metal chains, associated fixings and Brewster’s Gate.
The Contractor will start works on the stone posts around the Old Square Bank & Benchers Lawn from Monday and works in this location are expected to last up to 2 weeks. Works to the stone posts around New Square Lawn will begin after this and we will be cordoning off 3-4 parking spaces around New Square to facilitate the works.
All noisy works will be carried out in accordance with the Inn’s noisy working policy (Monday – Friday: 8-10am & 12-2pm).
If you have any questions or queries, please contact
Paayal Hirani | Building Surveying Technician
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