ABOUT SOCRATES

WHO ARE WE?

Socrates was established in 2003 to help firms deal with the challenges of money laundering compliance. Since then we have helped well over 1000 firms, mainly in the law and accountancy sectors. Many of our subscribers have been with us throughout our existence.

Bernard George is Director of Socrates. Bernard qualified as a solicitor in 1979. After practising as a litigator he joined the College of Law where he became Director of the College's operations in London. Since then he has been Director of Training at international law firm Dechert LLP, and has served on various Law Society and other committees on training matters. He has written on a wide range of legal topics, in publications from the Law Society's Gazette to the Times.

Over the years we have worked with a number of practitioners to ensure our materials always reflect current practice. We particularly thank the following:

  • Nicola Boulton, member of the Law Society’s Anti-Money Laundering Task Force and partner at Byrne and Partners;

  • Mike Calvert, Head of Forensic Investigations at the Solicitors Regulation Authority;

  • James Croock, Head of Corporate at Dechert LLP;

  • Stephanie Henshaw, Money Laundering Reporting Officer at Francis Clark, accountants; and

  • Maria Rodman, Head of Compliance at Goldsmith Williams;

  • Chris Vigrass, Compliance Partner at Ashurst LLP.

WHY ARE WE CALLED SOCRATES?

Socrates was an ancient Greek philosopher and teacher. He developed the dialectic method of enquiry, sometimes known as the Socratic method. It is the origin of the scientific method of enquiry.

Socrates observed that the influential citizens of Athens knew little but considered themselves to know much. He concluded that he was only wise in that “what I don’t know, I don’t think I know.”

He was put on trial for corrupting the young with such teachings, and was sentenced to death. Instead of fleeing he chose to remain in Athens, and to take his own life by drinking hemlock.

We adopted his name because we strive to match his honesty, originality and teaching skill.