At CRL, our current focus has been on the implications of the Mazur Judgment. In our role as a regulator, we are actively working to address some of the challenges faced by Chartered Legal Executives as a result of the judgment that are appropriate for us to do. So far, we have:
- Issued and updated interim guidance on the conduct of litigation Litigation and supervision – Interim guidance – CILEx Regulation.
- Updated our FAQs based on the questions we have been receiving Conduct of Litigation FAQs
- Submitted an application to the LSB to allow standalone litigation practice rights.
Next steps
We have a number of activities currently ongoing. These include:
- Planning webinars for CILEX practitioners and entities on November 10th and 17th respectively, which will cover a range of topics including Mazur. We will send out invitations next week.
- Ensuring we, and others, are operationally ready to consider a large number of applications for practice rights, including recruiting additional staff as necessary.
- Streamlining practice right application processes as far as possible.
- Continuing to update our interim guidance and FAQs as appropriate.
- Working with CILEX to understand the likely near term demand for practice rights.
- Continuing to work closely with our partners, including CILEX, the LSB and ULaw.
More information about practice rights
We have received a number of questions about practice rights. The Mazur Judgment has made clear that practice rights are required to conduct litigation or conduct litigation under supervision. Currently, you can obtain combined litigation and advocacy practice rights via one of two routes:
1. Portfolio route. The portfolio route is intended for experienced Chartered Legal Executives, who can demonstrate that experience. Under the portfolio route, you have to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the relevant area of law and evidence your workplace experience of it. Successful applications explain how the evidence being submitted meets the learning outcomes, whereas those that are delayed often do not include a log book sheet, miss evidence out or only partially address the learning outcomes. We have guidance available here to assist you Become a CILEx Practitioner – CILEx Regulation, which sets out what is required.
2. The University of Law runs both assessment only and assessment and training routes to gain practice rights. The assessment only route is intended for Chartered Legal Executives with 5 years’ experience in the legal sector and 2 years’ experience in a specialist area. The training and assessment route is intended for Chartered Legal Executives with 5 years’ experience in the legal sector. For more information, see: ULAW Route for independent practice rights for Chartered Legal Executives.
We hope to have the same options for standalone litigation rights soon, subject to LSB approval. You may wish to prepare your portfolio or contact ULaw to enroll in a course in advance of the LSB’s decision on our application, although we are unable to give a specific date as to when standalone litigation rights may become available.
If you have a current practice right application ongoing, you can email practicerights@cilexregulation.org.uk
For other queries please contact info@cilexregulation.org.uk
Due to a large volume of current contacts, it may take us a little longer to get back to you than usual.
We will continue to provide updates as required.
