Birmingham Law Society Dinner & Local Law Societies Lunch
On Thursday 18th September, I attended the Birmingham Law Society Dinner at the Grand Hotel. Attending events where Local Law Societies get to meet up is very inspiring, particularly when you hear the conversations of how other societies work. The autumn lunch at the Cosy Club in Birmingham at the beginning of October was no exception – the buzzing conversation that filled that beautiful building was energising.
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Chill and Chat at Fothergills
We held our second “chill and chat” session at Fothergills earlier this month, having previously been held at Copper. It was great to see so many friends and colleagues drop in after work to connect, as well as some new faces stepping out their comfort zone to make new connections – watch this space for the next one!
A Memorable 150th Celebration & Reflections on the Mazur Case
Our 150th celebration at the Trent Navigation, featuring an ABBA tribute band, was a true success and a night to remember. Huge thanks go to Michelle, who organised the entire event so brilliantly. Her hard work and attention to detail made it a memorable evening that everyone thoroughly enjoyed and it was a fitting tribute to a significant milestone for the NLS.
By now, most of you will be aware of the recent Mazur case, which has caused quite a stir in the legal profession. In summary, the ruling confirmed that only an ‘authorised person’ can conduct litigation, whether criminal, civil, or family.
Whilst it has long been common practice for Chartered Legal Executives to manage their own litigation files, the judgment makes it clear that, unless they hold specific practising rights, CILEX-qualified lawyers cannot conduct litigation, although they may still support litigation work.
One of the major challenges at present is the lack of clear guidance distinguishing between supporting and conducting litigation. Existing guidance suggests that these distinctions must be made on a case-by-case basis.
Understandably, many CILEX lawyers feel let down by the lack of clarity from their regulator and are concerned that the profession may have been misinformed in the past. The national Law Society have said that they are working with the SRA in the hope of achieving clearer, more consistent guidance moving forward.
In the meantime, CILEX’s current statement on litigation practice rights can be found here:
🔗 CILEX Statement: Litigation practice rights | CILEX
If you remain uncertain about what activities you are authorised to carry out, or what steps to take next, you are encouraged to contact either:
- SRA Professional Ethics Helpline: 0370 606 2577
- CILEX directly for further guidance.
And finally…
On a personal note, I’ll be heading to Chicago shortly to support my husband, who is running the Chicago Marathon. While he takes on the 26.2 miles, I’ll be spending some quality time with our daughter (and possibly doing a bit of shopping!). A few days away will be very welcome.
Marie Dancer
President 2025-2026