myCILEx

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CILEx’s exclusive members area

myCILEx provides you with information on the work CILEx is doing on behalf of its members.
For the latest branch events in your area, visit: www.cilexbranches.org.uk

 

Policy round-up

Simon Garrod, CILEx director of policy and governance, writes:

Election results 2017

After a somewhat tumultuous election period and the shock result that followed, we now have a governing party with a slender majority, which was achieved following weeks of negotiations between the Conservative party and the Democratic Unionist party (DUP). They have agreed upon a ‘confidence and supply’ deal that ensures the government has a majority in the House of Commons. The deal will not only see the 10 DUP MPs back Theresa May and her party on key policies, including any agreements resulting from the all-important Brexit negotiations, but in return a reported £1bn of additional funding will be provided to the DUP in Northern Ireland over the next two years.

The Queen’s speech, covering the first two years of the government’s legislative agenda, included various bills and draft bills that are of relevance to CILEx and our members (see pages 19–21 of this issue). We look forward to working with the new government in order to ensure that our position within the legal services industry, and the prominence of our members, continues to grow over the coming years. This is especially important when we consider the Brexit negotiations, and how they will end up impacting CILEx, our members and the legal services industry as a whole (see Richard Doughty, ‘General Election 2017. New government: what’s in the inbox’, (2017) June CILExJ pp8–11 ).

Judicial appointments and diversity

On Wednesday 21 June, Millicent Grant, the then vice-president of CILEx, attended a meeting of the Judicial Diversity Forum, at which she spoke about the launch of the CILEx Judicial Development Programme (see page 37 of this issue). The Programme received warm support from stakeholders, who described it as ‘vitally important’ and a ‘great success’.

The forum also gave its continued support to the Pre-Application Judicial Education Programme, the joint project involving the Bar Council, CILEx, the Law Society, the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC), the Judicial Office, and the Ministry of Justice to develop a curriculum of training modules for aspiring judicial candidates.

We have also been supporting the work of the CILEx Membership Team, which is currently scoping a CILEx Champion role from within the judiciary to complement the champion role from within the JAC. Candidates are currently being shortlisted.

Specialist Reference Groups

During the past month, we continued to engage with our Specialist Reference Groups (SRGs) about a variety of issues and topics, including programmes and events being introduced as part of the HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) modernisation programme. Additionally, not only have we asked for members’ opinions on issues pertaining to their practice area, but we have continued to provide members with invitations to exclusive events, when available.

To improve engagement between CILEx and our members, over the coming months we will be offering our SRG members, who feel able, with the opportunity to volunteer for an enhanced role as ‘CILEx Advisers’ for their SRG.

Their role will be one in which they will be contacted directly by CILEx when expert advice, guidance or views are sought on specific matters that the Chartered Institute identifies, and which falls within the SRG’s purview. There also may be occasions where a SRG member is asked to attend a meeting or event in their capacity as a CILEx Adviser.

Applications are now open for the ‘CILEx Adviser – Court Users’ roles for members of the Court Users SRG. E-mail : courtusers@cilex.org.uk for more details. Advisers for other SRGs will be sought in future, and more information on the role. and its requirements, will be provided to interested members when applications open.

If you are interested in joining one of our SRGs, you can find all the information you need to join on the CILEx website, or just search for ‘CILEx specialist reference groups’. Our list of active groups includes Conveyancing, Personal Injury, Court Users, Regulatory Affairs, Wales, Civil Practitioners, Criminal Practitioners, Family Practitioners, and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender. We are also proud to announce that we will be officially launching our Disability SRG at the end of July. To register your interest, please e-mail : disability@cilex.org.uk.

HMCTS modernisation

The HMCTS modernisation programme is complex, involving several projects across all the different courts and tribunal services (see Simon Garrod, ‘Policy round-up’, (2017) July CILEx pp41–42 ). We have been engaging with HMCTS on its modernisation programme, including attending various Professional Engagement Group meetings to follow the progress of the different programme strands.

Recently, this has included discussions around the Flexible Operating Hours project, which we expect will be carried out later in the year. We have concerns around the potential impact of the pilot, and further discussions are expected to outline, in greater detail, precisely what the pilot will be testing; however, our overall concerns about the impact on our members remain, especially on those with caring responsibilities (see also pages 22–23 of this issue).

We have also discussed, with HMCTS, how to achieve meaningful member engagement through the SRGs. In the coming months, there will be many opportunities for members to find out more about the development of the various projects and, if they wish, contribute to them by responding to surveys, taking part in interviews, and testing new products.

CILEx launches its Judicial Development Programme

Louise Turner, CILEx membership manager, writes:

Twenty-second June saw the launch of the CILEx Judicial Development Programme (JDP), when the Chartered Institute welcomed almost 60 members and guests, including Judge David Zucker, District Judge John Collins and Deputy District Judge Simon Lindsey, to Armada House in Bristol for what was an exciting and information packed evening.

The then CILEx vice-president, Millicent Grant, opened the evening, reminding us all that it has been 10 years since Chartered Legal Executive lawyers first became eligible for judicial appointment. However, we are the least represented group among the judiciary.

There are a host of reasons why that is so, but with the benefit of a decade’s worth of knowledge and feedback, we were excited to be launching the JDP, which is a programme that has long been an ambition of CILEx.

With the JDP encompassing an intensive training programme for members that take part, including practical training such as getting in the mindset of being and thinking like a judge, learning skills to become successful in applications for judicial appointment, and gaining valuable experience through judicial mentoring, CILEx looks forward to witnessing an increased presence of Chartered Legal Executives within the judiciary over the coming years.

Of course, the JDP does not negate the need for other important changes to see more Chartered Legal Executives on the bench, but it is an important milestone and one we are very excited about. It will also be a comfort to members to know that the Judicial Appointments Commission (JAC), the Judicial Office (JO), and the Law Society all support the JDP and have been instrumental in its development. The support from the JAC was echoed at the launch by Lucy Scott-Moncrie ff CBE, who is a JAC commissioner. Lucy Scott-Moncrie ff actively encouraged Chartered Legal Executives to apply for positions within the judiciary. She talked about the importance of members preparing themselves for such roles, and that if they were not successful on the first or even second attempt (as is normal for many applicants across the professions), they should not let this faze them, and should continue to pursue their judicial career aspirations and apply again.

Members also received training from HHJ Mark Horton, a judge resident in Bristol, who honed in on the unique qualities of Chartered Legal Executives and how these relate to life in the judiciary (see Craig Tickner and Louise Turner, ‘Walking in the shoes of a judge – Part 1’ and ‘Walking in the shoes of a judge – Part 2’, (2016) December and November CILExJ pp40 and 41, and pp44 and 45 respectively; and see HHJ Horton, ‘Judges are not born: but they can be created by experience and training’, (2017) January pp16 and 17). He challenged members’ biasses - conscious or unconscious - and said that CILEx Lawyers have the skills to see beyond an accent or someone’s clothes. He tested members’ skills in using their common sense in relation to a courtroom scenario involving an intoxicated juror; this revealed that CILEx members have the skills which the judiciary needs because we deal with the public day in, day out.

As part of the evening’s events, Manjula Bray, who is a freelance business psychologist and executive/ career coach, also delivered training to members wishing to prepare themselves to apply for judicial appointment imminently. Members learnt how to use 'Situation, Objective, Action, Result’, known as the SOAR technique, to tackle the JAC’s competency-based framework, identify their relevant skills and experience, and most importantly have self-belief and the ability to stand out from the crowd.

If you are reading this article thinking: ‘I would like to find out more about what it would be like to become a judge’ visit: http://tinyurl.com/ybgjghmq. Applications to join the JDP, from Fellows with five years’ postqualification experience, can be made through myCareer at: www.cilex.org.uk

• Please save the date for our Judicial Awareness Day due to be held on 7 September 2017 at Friends House, Euston, London.

Legal Charities Garden Party

Joyce Arram, FCILEx, FRSA, Honorary vice-president of CILEx and CILEx Benevolent Fund trustee, writes:

On what must have been the hottest day of the year so far, the Legal Charities Garden Party became the peripatetic garden party, as this year’s event moved ‘lock stock and barrel’ to Middle Temple’s lush grounds. A smaller venue than in previous years, the lawns were crowded with lawyers from all branches of the profession and their guests.

Yes, as usual, the CILEx presence was pronounced, and our stand, with our brand-new CILEx Benevolent Fund banner, had a constant stream of visitors to see us. ‘Us’ comprised of our then President, Martin Callan on what was one of his last ‘official’ engagements before handing over the presidency to Millie Grant; Linda Ford, our CEO; Simon Garrod, director of policy and governance; Sharon Cooper, our corporate compliance manager; and Sharon Bruty, head of our communications team, and Amanda Brewitt, who is part of the team and responsible for the Journal’s marketing and advertising. In addition, as Benevolent Fund trustees, Diane Burleigh, who is a former CILEx CEO, and I were also ‘on parade’.  We were pleased to see Sarah Harding, and Emma King and Sharon Akumiah, the new chair and secretaries respectively, of the relaunched CILEx London Branch, as well as other CILEx members, making their way to our stand to enjoy our hospitality. We were pleased to see Professor Sara Chandler QC (Hons), Tim Drabble, Edward Macey-Dare, Joy Van-Cooten, Jeffrey Forrest and Robert Bourns (who has just completed his term of office as the Law Society’s president), who all found their way to our stand to come and chat with us and enjoy our hospitality.

As I mentioned at the start of this report, our venue was smaller than in previous years, which meant that the place was packed. But such was the crowd that although one could hear the music, the musicians remained hidden by the masses. So, I must assume that the garden party’s good friends and perennial entertainers – the Southern Rag-A-Jazz Jazz Band was, once again, playing for our delight.

Now the question remains, where will the garden party be held next year when we have run out of the Inns of Court to visit? In the meantime, the charities benefiting from the event: the CILEx Benevolent Fund, SBA - The Solicitors’ Charity, the Barristers’ Benevolent Association, the Institute of Barristers’ Clerks Benevolent Fund and LawCare - wait to know the proceeds from the event as, without these moneys, none of these charities will be able to give the help which members of our respective branches of the law may need: and where CILEx is concerned, this could be any one of you reading this report.

Finally, ‘Thank you’ to DASolutions and Baxter Hoare for sponsoring the garden party. Also, ‘Thank you’ to the City of Westminster and Holborn Law Society (and its newly elected (current) president Nicholas LeRiche), which as usual hosted this major event in the legal social calendar.

New head of qualifications joins CILEx

Elizabeth Kemp will be responsible for operational management of the function responsible for the creation and delivery of assessments (Level 2 to Level 6, including professional regulated qualifications, Trailblazer Apprenticeships, Tech Level and Customised Awards) as well as contributing to development and delivery of the education directorates strategic objectives.

Elizabeth commented: ‘I am delighted to be joining CILEx at such an exciting time. Having spent my first couple of weeks meeting the qualifications team and other colleagues across CILEx, I am even more enthused about the work to be done.’

CILEx Branch Personnel Day

Ellen Birch, CILEx branch officer, writes:

CILEx held its annual Branch Personnel Day on Friday 7 July. This was a great opportunity for our branches to get together, to share their ideas, and to forge links with each other to help support our members.

CILEx branches are such an important network. They are out meeting our members, potential members and students and employers, and raising the profile of CILEx. We cannot thank branches enough for their time and dedication.

Reviewing and monitoring

The Branch Personnel Day began by reflecting on what branches told us last year, what changes could be made for improvement, and looking at how we have moved forward in our plans to support branches in the important work they do. Some of the changes and improvements we have made over the past year for branches include creating a central database of current branch members. In addition, we have created a monthly branch newsletter, which is sent from headquarters to our branch committees, and we have also improved our key annual return process with our branch committees to ease the workload of the branches.

We are also looking closely at developing links between CILEx branches and local employers and businesses, which we believe is extremely important in supporting our local members and expanding our branches too.

We had a different approach to our Branch Personnel day this year, providing external speaker Deborah Ogden, of DO Positive Impact, who spoke about communication, networking, influence and engaging members, which was very interesting and useful.

The CILEx branch awards

There were also five branch awards on offer this year; these were awarded to the grateful recipients at the branch ball, which was held at CILEx headquarters that evening. This was organised by Nicola Dunne of the Northants & Beds Branch, with financial assistance from the Hertfordshire Branch and the Buckinghamshire Branch.

The winners of the awards were as follows:

• New Branch of the Year: Brighton and Hove Branch
• Branch Chair of the Year: Angus Nairn (Bournemouth and District Branch)
• Branch of the Year: Bristol, Bath & Surrounds Branch
• Branch Member of the Year: Gemma Rowe (Devon Branch)
• Most Innovative Branch of the Year: Devon Branch

Laura Karpinski, chair of the Brighton and Hove Branch, which won the New Branch of the Year award, commented: ‘Starting up a new CILEx branch has been a great opportunity to meet other CILEx members in the local area and improve awareness of CILEx. Over the past two years, we have held activities ranging from giving presentations at local colleges and universities, and CPD training sessions for members through to drinks on Brighton seafront with the CILEx President. It has been a real roller coaster, but very rewarding’.

Emma Davies, chair of Devon Branch, the most Innovative Branch of the Year award winner, commented: ‘We are a proactive branch, constantly seeking to provide quality events to meet the needs of our members and to raise the profile of CILEx locally. Through the creation of new committee roles this year (for example, a CPD officer and a social media officer ) we ensure our 11-strong dedicated committee also have the opportunity to develop transferrable skills and feel empowered within the branch.’

Emma said of Gemma Rowe’s achievement of Branch Member of the Year: ‘A dedicated champion of CILEx and an absolute asset to the branch, with her enthusiasm and commitment. Gemma has been an actively supportive member of the branch since its launch in 2009. We're delighted she decided to join the committee in 2016, and straight away she has shown her dedication in her two roles as vice-chair and secretary’.

Angus Nairn of the Bournemouth and District Branch, and winner of the Branch Chair of the Year award, said: ‘I made the decision to try to attract new members to the branch, and organised a branch relaunch event and attended a number of school careers events. The branch now has a healthy number of branch members and committee members, and is continuing to grow. The branch engages with other law societies, and I am now committed to having student representation on the committee and to providing CPD training and social events for the branch in the future.’

CILEx regional branches are a valuable resource and support to their members, providing CPD, mentoring and career development opportunities. Our branches are not based in one specific location: meetings, training and social events provided by the branch are held throughout the local area, where venue availability and interest allow. If you have not already joined a branch, perhaps you will now get in touch with your local branch and find out how they can help you!

CILEx Annual General Meeting

Karl Cerski, director of Group Services and chief financial officer, writes:

The CILEx Annual General Meeting (AGM) took place, on Thursday 13 July 2017 at the Novotel Hotel, in London, following a meeting of the CILEx Council. The main business of the AGM is to formally adopt the accounts of the Chartered Institute for the preceding year, but it can also consider any other business introduced by Council or Fellows of CILEx.

The AGM was chaired by the outgoing President, Martin Callan, who took the opportunity, in his final address to CILEx members, to celebrate the achievements of the Chartered Institute during his term as a Council member since 2005, particularly the establishment of CILEx Regulation as our independent regulator, obtaining independent practice rights, and the granting of the Royal Charter. As well as noting past achievements, Martin Callan looked forward to the implementation of a new governance structure for CILEx that will separate and distinguish the interests of our members, our regulatory responsibilities and our duty to the public interest, after consultation with members and stakeholders. After a difficult period in 2015 and the subsequent restructuring and significant improvement in financial performance in 2016, Martin Callan believes that CILEx is now well placed to deliver a bright future for its members.

The formal business of the meeting was transacted, with the Fellows present voting unanimously to adopt the accounts of the CILEx Group for the year ended 31 December 2016.

In her customary address to the meeting, honorary vice-president Joyce Arram thanked the outgoing President for his hard work and dedication to CILEx since joining Council, but particularly during his year as President.

The shifting focus of Pride

Richard Doughty, CILEx policy and public a›airs manager, writes on CILEx’s presence at Pride and the changing nature of the event. One of the remarkable changes in the UK in recent years has been the change in social attitudes toward the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. The 34th British Social Attitudes survey found that the majority of people supportive of same-sex relationships had increased, and for the first time a majority of people who identified as ‘Christian’ said that they had no problem at all with same-sex relationships.

Aside from these successes, the social purpose of pride remains undiminished, ie, to focus on acceptance and to highlight areas that still need action. In that sense, the picture from the social attitudes survey gives focus - revealing a disparity between attitudes and behaviours toward transgender people. Despite 82% of people describing themselves as ‘not prejudiced at all’ against transgender people, only 53% said that transphobia was always wrong, and only 4 in 10 think that suitably qualified candidates should be employed as police officers or primary school teachers if they happen to be transgender.

It is beyond doubt that diversity is an access to justice issue. A justice system that does not reflect the society it serves is less likely to be trusted by all parts of the community, and some will be less likely to go to law to resolve disputes and enforce their rights. Therefore, just as justice must be seen to be done, so must we be seen as an open and accepting profession. This is why CILEx lends its support to initiatives like Pride.

Following successful events in Birmingham and London, CILEx members will be joining Welsh solicitors and barristers at Pride Cymru in Cardiff on Saturday 26 August 2017. Pride is an opportunity to celebrate our diverse profession, and emphasise our united message that ‘all are equal under the law’. In Cardiff, Chartered Legal Executives and CILEx members will be marching alongside barristers, solicitors, paralegals, and colleagues under the banner ‘mae pawb yn gyfartal gerbron y gyfraith’.

If you would like more information, or to offer your views on LGBT matters, please consider joining the CILEx LGBT specialist reference group. Details are available at: www.cilex.org.uk/membership/specialist_reference_groups

Retirements

Ms Sylvia Brewer, a Fellow from Leicester, retired on 31 March 2017. She worked as a conveyancing executive for Harding and Barnett, a forerunner of SHB Solicitors, from 1990 to 2005. She then moved to another Leicester firm, returning to SHB Solicitors in 2014.

Ms Hillary Jane Dyer, a Fellow from Ryde, Isle of Wight, retired on 31 March 2017. She had worked as a wills/probate/ LPA cashier for 33 years at Jerome & Co of Newport, Isle of Wight.