myCILEx
Welcome to myCILEx
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
A Christmas message
CILEx CEO delivers a Christmas message to ‘our talented members, motivated students and superb team’ :
This is my first Christmas as CEO of CILEx, and I look back with pride at all of the year’s special events and the tremendous progress we have made (see also page 18 of this issue). But we have more to do: we need to focus on our business; reinvigorate our membership offering; support our branches; and leverage our brand.
This time last year, I was looking forward to the challenges of being the CEO of CILEx, and I had no idea of the year that lay ahead.
As we frantically clear our desks, e-mail our clients final updates on their cases and chase counsels’ opinions, it is important to remember the true spirit of Christmas. Christmas is a time of reflection, contemplation and celebration. We can consolidate our year and all of its achievements, and start to shape our goals for the future.
Christmas is a wonderful time of the year, when we celebrate faith, family, and the tradition of giving gifts, sending cards and meeting friends. I hope that all of you will take the opportunity to rest and recharge your batteries.
As we enjoy the festivities, many people across the world are living in conflict, war, deprivation and solitude. Lawyers in those jurisdictions need our support as they try to instil, promote and protect virtues and values that must underpin civilised, democratic nations and societies. They all should be remembered in our prayers.
For our students, Christmas can provide some quiet moments for study or time to undertake some exam revision. Go for it!
I would like to express my deep appreciation to all of the following: the CILEx staff team; David Edwards, the president; Martin Callan, the vicepresident ; council and committee members; and the boards of CILEx Regulation and CILEx Law School that I have had the privilege to work with this year.
As we sing carols, eat turkey (or nut roast!) , open presents and gather around the Christmas tree, the light of the rule of law shines brightly in our lives. Our job is to keep it glowing and safe in 2016 and beyond.
As you celebrate the miracle of this magical time, I hope that your heart may be filled with joy, love and peace. Have a lovely sparkly Christmas, filled with delight and goodwill.
And, finally, let’s all get ready for an amazing 2016!
‘Tis the season to be jolly... ’
, director of LawCare, writes:
Many of us look forward to Christmas and the excitement it brings, but this is not the case for everyone, and even those of us who get swept up in the preparations, parties and entertaining can have a nagging sense of anxiety about a time of year when emotions can run high and the usual worries and strains of life can increase.
You can feel under pressure to enjoy yourself. The bright lights of Christmas can emphasise the problems you may have, and you can be surrounded by people apparently having fun. The happy glowing scenes of Christmas from the movies do not often reflect what is really going on.
Sometimes, Christmas is the only time all the family get together, and while you may love them all, being with people you do not see often can be stressful, especially if there are undercurrents if some people do not get on with others. The holidays may also mean extra time off, and if your relationship is already under pressure, having to spend more time together could widen the cracks and cause strain.
You may be very busy at work, and trying to get the present buying and shopping done before the Christmas break can leave you feeling stressed and short tempered.
It can be particularly tough if you have lost someone you love, even if the bereavement was a long time ago; Christmas can highlight the space that person has left behind.
It is important to remind yourself that Christmas does not have to be perfect, or just like it was last year. As families grow and children leave home, traditions and rituals can change. Try and accept family and friends as they are, even if they do not live up to all of your expectations.
If there are grievances within the family, set aside another more appropriate time to discuss them. Tempers may fray, so try and be understanding if others feel upset or angry if something goes wrong: chances are they are feeling the strain of Christmas too.
Christmas is also an expensive time: you can feel pressured to buy extravagant gifts and spend more on your credit card than you should. Set a budget for how much you can afford to spend and stick to it.
The overindulgence of Christmas can take its toll on your health, so do not treat Christmas as a time to throw your healthy habits out of the window: keeping fit and eating well will help you cope with the strain. Have a healthy snack before going to parties so you do not go overboard on the canapés , and watch your alcohol intake.
The build up to Christmas can be hectic, consumed with get togethers for meals and drinks; however, try to slow things down and say ‘no’ to those events you cannot or do not want to attend. A lot of the pressure from Christmastime comes from our own expectations, so lower your standards and keep things in perspective: does it really matter if lunch is late? If you are hosting, do not be shy about asking friends or family to help.
Christmas is meant to be a happy occasion, but if you are not feeling that way and need someone to talk to, call our helpline, which is open right through the holiday period, including on Christmas day.
- If you are concerned about something, no matter how big or small, get in touch: we are here to help:
Telephone helpline: 0800 279 6888
Visit: www.lawcare.org.uk
Professions Week, as part of the Access to the Professions, gives young people the exciting opportunity to understand what the variety of professions have to offer them. During 9–13 November, a number of leading professional bodies joined forces to put on a number of events across the country to help promote the professions and provide insight into what is involved.
FAQ
Question: I am a Chartered Legal Executive working in an LLP regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), can I be a partner?
Answer: Yes, you can. Section 207 of the Legal Services Act 2007 includes the definition of ‘manager’ in relation to a body as a person who, if the body is a body corporate whose affairs are managed by its members, is a member of the body.
Rule 13.1(b) of the SRA’s Practice Framework Rules 2011 allows a ‘recognised body’ where all the managers are lawyers. As a Chartered Legal Executive, you are a lawyer. A recognised body is defined within the SRA rules as a body recognised by the SRA under Administration of Justice Act 1985 s9, and must be a legal services body, namely, a partnership, company or LLP of which ... all managers and interest holders are lawyers and legally qualified bodies.
Your firm will not need to change its structure to an Alternative Business Structure unless you have significant non-lawyer involvement. You should always refer to the SRA website and seek any assistance from it in the first instance.
CILEx Pro Bono Trust introduces new board
, chairperson of the CILEx Pro Bono Trust, writes:
I am very pleased to be able to introduce the Trust’s new board, which is striking in its professional diversity and breadth of experience. I am especially delighted, and very honoured, that Mr Justice Knowles has agreed to become the first patron of the Trust. Sir Robin has been providing quiet leadership across the whole of the national pro bono sector for many years, and his experience and guidance will be of inestimable value to the board.
Sir Robin Knowles CBE is a High Court Judge. Sir Robin has sat as a judge in the Crown Court; the Chancery Division; the Queen’s Bench Division; the Commercial Court; and also as an International Criminal Court arbitrator. Sir Robin is chairperson of the Bar Pro Bono Unit and a trustee of the National Pro Bono Centre and of LawWorks.
Simon is a solicitor, an executive coach, a keynote speaker and a social entrepreneur. He is the founder of DWF LLP’s multi-award winning social mobility programmes ‘5 STAR Futures’ and ‘The Modern Lawyer’ . Simon is a visiting lecturer at a number of northern universities, and has helped to set up pro bono clinics in university law schools. Simon recently worked with ‘Business in the Community,’ connecting community groups and charities with businesses. Simon is a keen supporter of the charity ‘Little Hearts Matter’ .
Mandy was heavily involved with the Friends of the QEII Hospital, Welwyn Garden City, where she sat on the executive committee of the Friends, becoming chairperson in 2010. Mandy continued as chairperson until the disbanding of the Friends at the end of October 2014.
Valerie is the CILEx pro bono oÿcer and founding trustee of CILEx Pro Bono Trust. She has led and developed CILEx Pro Bono Trust’s pro bono policy, has been a key organiser of National Pro Bono Week and is a member of various pro bono committees. Valerie has also assisted with the CILEx Pro Bono Medal and, along with Nick Hanning (see page 42), developed CILEx’s first pro bono project - the CILEx Advocacy Support Scheme - a joint scheme with CILEx and the Bar Pro Bono Unit.
Alasdair is the national manager of advice services at Age UK. He managed one of the largest pro bono advice clinic services in the UK at South West London Law Centres®. He has also worked as a project manager for LawWorks, where he helped to set up a network of over 100 free legal advice clinics across England and Wales. He is also a member of the University of Strathclyde Law Clinic’s supervisory board.
Until July 2014, John had spent the past 15 years as CEO of LawNet. John was also a board member of LawNet Insurance Company Ltd, a captive insurance company for LawNet firms, based in the Isle of Man. John is currently a voluntary adviser at Warwick District Citizens Advice Bureau and is chairperson of his local fundraising group for Marie Curie at its Midlands hospice.
Nick’s involvement with pro bono work began during his training, when he volunteered as a welfare benefits adviser. Having chaired the then ILEX Pro Bono Forum, he was a founding trustee of the CILEx Pro Bono Trust and has been chairperson since October 2011. He currently also chairs the South West Legal Support Trust and sits on the board of the Bar Pro Bono Unit.
- For further information about the CILEx Pro Bono Trust, as well as full biographies of all the trustees, please visit: www.cilexpbt.co.uk
Sarah Goodridge: CLE of the Year
Sarah Goodridge of Withy King Solicitors, Bath has won Bristol Law Society’s Chartered Legal Executive of the Year award. She was presented with the award in October. Commenting on her accolade, Sarah said: ‘I followed CILEx’s earn-as-you-learn route into the law, and am a great advocate of vocational training. I am delighted to receive this award, and will continue to work hard to raise the profile of CILEx among people looking for a rewarding career in the law.
This is the second award for Sarah this year; she was presented with one of two special CILEx President’s Awards in April. The award recognises an individual who has given outstanding service to CILEx or the legal community, and who represents the Institute’s values and ethos.
Sarah is a FCILEx and committee member of the Bristol Bath & Surrounds Branch. She served as branch chairperson for three years, and has been vice-chairperson for the past two years.
Volunteering award for Christine Bunting FCILEx
Christine Bunting, FCILEx and director at Hyphen Law, was presented with ‘Points of Light’ award, which recognises outstanding individuals who are making a change in their community and inspiring others at a Downing Street reception in November. The event celebrated the work of Cerebra, a charity for families that include children with neurological-related conditions. The reception marked the launch of the newly formed ‘London Minds’ division of Cerebra, a committee co-chaired by Christine, created to raise awareness of the charity’s work in the capital.
Christine said: ‘I am extremely humbled yet incredibly proud to accept this significant award on behalf of Cerebra and its dedicated team of staff and volunteers. I am by no means the only person helping to get Cerebra’s ‘London Minds’ group up and running and to raise awareness in the capital.’
‘I am part of a great team of people who are working hard to get the word out that Cerebra is there to provide help and support to children and their families whose lives have been affected by neurological conditions and to give them the opportunity to have a happier, more fulfilled and enjoyable life together.’
Fundraising success for Herts branch
Anthea Powell, branch secretary of Hertfordshire branch, writes:
On 15 October, the Hertfordshire branch fielded two teams at a local quiz for charity. The teams raised over £4,000 for a hospice in Letchworth.
The food was tasty, the company was excellent and the quiz was challenging, but very professionally run. The branch has now been successful in securing sponsorship, which will be of great assistance to us in the future. Our sponsor and his colleagues also competed at the quiz night.
- E-mail : anthea.powell@dacorum.gov.uk
CLEs become Associates at Foot Anstey
Four Chartered Legal Executives have become Associates at law firm Foot Anstey. The new Associates are Jemma Rawle, Sam Dare and Jennifer Martin from the conveyancing team, and Yanthe Richardson from the new homes team.
These promotions took place as a result of the recent implementation of the firm’s career framework for lawyers. Foot Anstey recognises the alternative and accessible career route to becoming a lawyer offered by CILEx.
Ramsey Mirza, human resources director at Foot Anstey, said: ‘We are delighted for Jemma, Sam, Jennifer and Yanthe, and we are very committed to supporting more opportunities to enter and progress in the legal profession. We firmly believe that, by mapping out and supporting clear career paths, we fully enable our staff to fulfil their potential.’