We are delighted to share that our Senior Partner, Paul Dyson, was personally invited to attend the Middlesex & Hertfordshire Branch of the British Dental Association’s Annual Presidential & Scientific Meeting, which this year, took place in Riga, the capital and largest city in Latvia.
The event brings together people from across the dental profession for a few days of discussion, networking and shared learning. For Paul, the invitation was a welcome recognition of his long-standing work with dentists and dental practices in the Middlesex and Hertfordshire area.
Paul is a commercial and commercial property lawyer with a speciality and keen interest in dental legal work. He acts for dentists across the country, from associates and small clinics to larger dental practices, and regularly advises on the sale and purchase of dental practices involving both freehold and leasehold premises. His work includes transactions for private, NHS and mixed practices.
Paul and his team understand how dental practices work and the commercial pressures they face. He is familiar with NHS Contracts and he supports private practices, including those operating on a “pay as you go” basis or through capitation schemes. He is familiar with the regulatory and practical challenges dentists deal with every day, whether that be with the Care Quality Commission, staffing matters or otherwise.
Paul’s personal invitation to the 71st Middlesex & Hertfordshire’s Branch of the British Dental Association’s Annual Presidential & Scientific Meeting is something as a firm, we are very proud of, and reflects the trust and experience Paul has built within the dental profession for more than 20 years.
The weekend also served as a fitting tribute to Nikki Davey, the elected Branch President for the year, whose untimely passing following a courageous battle with cancer was deeply felt by all who knew her. True to her character, Nikki had insisted that “the show must go on” and that the event should proceed at her chosen venue of Riga. For Paul, the occasion carried particular significance. Almost 20 years ago, Nikki became the first member of the Branch to instruct him when she sold her dental practice. That relationship led to further introductions and referrals, enabling Paul to build long-standing professional relationships with many dentists across the Branch. Over the years, those connections have also resulted in Scott Richards Solicitors supporting not only dental professionals but also their families and friends with a wide range of legal matters. Being invited to attend the event in Riga was therefore especially meaningful for Paul, providing an opportunity to honour Nikki’s memory and reflect on the relationships and trust that she helped establish.
A busy few days in Riga
Paul was joined by his wife, Gaye Dyson, for a packed programme of professional events, sightseeing and celebrations. The weekend began on the Thursday evening with the traditional Welcome Drinks Reception, which Scott Richards Solicitors was proud to sponsor.
On Friday, delegates spent the day visiting Rundāle Palace in the Zemgale region, followed by a visit to a brewery. It was a chance to see more of Latvia beyond Riga and enjoy one of the country’s most impressive historic landmarks.
Paul commented that Rundāle Palace was spectacular and reminded him and Gaye of the Hermitage Palace in St Petersburg, which they had visited ten years earlier. He added that the brewery visit provided a lovely cultural contrast, and that the beer samples were superb!
Saturday morning was spent exploring Riga by foot and by bus. The tour included the city’s Art Nouveau, or Jugendstil, district and the famous Alberta iela, as well as the UNESCO World Heritage Old Town, the Freedom Monument, Dome Square, the House of the Blackheads and the Central Market.
Paul and Gaye were particularly impressed by the architecture of the various buildings and gained a deeper understanding of the Russian occupation, especially during the Cold War period following the Second World War. Their tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and brought a personal perspective to the experience; having been born in Riga, she was able to share first-hand insights into life during those years, adding a valuable human dimension to the historical narrative.
The highlight of the weekend came on Saturday evening, with the Presidential Drinks Reception followed by the Gala Dinner. The evening also included the unique Loving Cup ceremony, a fundraising raffle for the Benevolent Fund, and the induction of Louise Conway as the new President of the Branch.
Paul and Gaye were delighted to be toasted on several occasions throughout the evening, with tributes paid to Paul and Scott Richards in recognition of the legal assistance they had provided over the years to many of the members. Thanks were also extended to Scott Richards for sponsoring the drinks reception on the opening night.
Sunday was left free for delegates to further explore Riga or simply relax and recover after the celebrations. Paul and Gaye, together with a small group of fellow delegates, chose to visit the KGB Museum before enjoying cocktails at a rooftop bar overlooking the city—a striking contrast to the morning’s historical experience. As Latvia only regained its independence from Soviet rule in 1991, signs of Russian influence remained evident throughout Riga. Gaye reflected that she was “particularly struck by the harrowing accounts of living conditions and executions depicted in the KGB Museum,” which provided a powerful insight into this difficult period of the country’s history.
The 71st Presidential and Scientific Meeting then concluded on Monday morning with the final Scientific Meeting, featuring guest speaker Assistant Professor Dr Ilze Maldupa from Riga Stradiņš University.
It was a memorable few days and a real honour for Paul to be part of such a special event in the Branch calendar. We look forward to continuing our close work with dental professionals and supporting them with practical, specialist legal advice.
