10/11/10
On Wednesday 10 November 2010, the President of the ILA, Peter Cranston, welcomed leading insolvency judges, ILA members and their guests, and sponsors Law Debenture, to the ILA's 21st Anniversary Annual Dinner, held as usual under the dinosaur in the Great Hall of the Natural History Museum in London. Over 500 members and guests from solicitors' firms, barristers' chambers and other leading UK and overseas organisations attended the prestigious black tie event, whose entrance to dinner was accompanied by the Londinium choir.
ILA members enjoyed the annual pre-dinner lecture from Professor Sarah Worthington QC, on the implications and efficacy of certain provisions in contracts which may on insolvency be considered void on public policy grounds: in other words the "anti deprivation principle". A copy of Professor Worthington's insightful lecture will soon be available on the website.
Following dinner, Peter Cranston gave his Presidential address, looking at the achievements of the ILA over a 21 year period, not least of which was the significant and growing number of overseas members. For the first time a table of overseas members joined other members at the dinner. Notwithstanding the achievements to date, the clear message was that the Association cannot rest on its laurels as it strives to maintain and advance its position as the organisation of choice for restructuring and insolvency lawyers. With the support of Council members, vice-president Chris Mallon, and the many unsung heroes and heroines involved in the ILA, the Association would rise to the challenges ahead.
As a finale members and their guests were entertained by Sarah Willingham who has been acknowledged by The Times (amongst other(s)) as one of "35 most successful women under 35". Sarah gave an insightful view into the "thrills and spills" of turning around the Bombay Bicycle Club restaurant business. Sarah highlighted some of the challenges in business by using recordings from BBC2 T.V. series, "The Restaurant", to entertain guests.