Martin Callan
'Thanks for your support doing my presidency'
In his valedictory article, Martin Callan looks back at his presidential year and predicts how CILEx will continue to move forward.
About the author
Martin Callan's term as CILEx President ends in July.
In my last article for the Journal as CILEx President, I wanted to reflect on the achievements we have made since June 2016, and pay tribute to those individuals who have supported me during what some have come to consider has been a ‘difficult ’ period for CILEx, but which has enabled us to place the Chartered Institute at the forefront of reform (and I am very pleased to see the Law Society following our lead in relation to restructuring for the future market and improving its governance)
No incoming President knows what to expect during their term. Although I took up the post early, and despite serving most of my term without a substantive CEO in place, the support of Council and, in particular, long-standing Council members and from the Group Executive at head office has been invaluable. This was particularly so in relation to recognising the opportunity we had to put CILEx on a sound and stable footing for the future. CILEx is now best placed to maximise the chances of the future of legal services, and to further entrench and expand the parity our members now enjoy with the rest of the profession.
When I first joined Council, in 2005, as a Fellow, I could only practise under supervision. Between 2005 and 2012, CILEx worked hard to achieve practice rights and the Royal Charter, and to establish CILEx Regulation Ltd (CRL) as our independent regulator. I am very proud to have been involved in helping to achieve these great strides forward, but there is more to do. CILEx has a great future; our members have a great future too.
Yes, we have had to learn lessons - some very difficult lessons - to get where we are today. As I have travelled around the country meeting members at branch events, I know that there is great frustration and concern around portfolios, and we continue to work with CRL to improve access to practice rights and entity regulation to our members.
We are looking at improving our qualification offering and our membership services, and many of you will have had an opportunity to join in with feedback and ideas. I ask you to continue to be invested in CILEx, and to help shape our future so that we can see more judicial appointments, more partners, more CILEx law firms, and more members practising independently.
CILEx has been at the forefront of access to the profession, and equality and diversity, for many years. We have achieved this despite the misgivings of our colleagues from the other branches of the profession about our members' qualifications and ability to practise law. Even today, such prejudice and ignorance continue in some areas.
CILEx is working hard to improve our marketing and communications, so that employers, recruiters and our colleagues across the professions are aware of both our standards and our ethos. I am hopeful that we can make significant inroads over the coming years.
‘An amazing opportunity to carry CILEx - and you - onwards and upwards’
In his first article for CILEx Journal after his inauguration, CILEx President Martin Callan explained why he was looking forward to his year in office (see (2016) September CILExJ pp6 and 7).
CILEx and our members have a great future to look forward to. With the awarding of the Chartered status, practice rights, and opportunities for entity regulation, judicial appointment, parity on Grade A Fees in court, recognition and access to Government Legal Services, CILEx has come a very long way indeed since I joined Council in 2005. This does not mean that we have achieved everything for our members: far from it. However, it does mean that we have a much stronger platform from which to further enhance our members’ standing, professionalism and career potential than ever before.
I therefore call on all our members of every grade not to limit your ambition, but to look ahead at a bright future with a rewarding career you can be proud of.
CILEx, in turn, will renew and strengthen our commitment to support, promote and enhance all that you do in your professional life as a Chartered Legal Executive.
There is much to do and, as I come to the end of my term on Council, I am confident that the new structure, changes to the constitution, and reform of qualifications and member-focused services are in safe hands with our incoming President, Millicent Grant, and those on Council who give their time freely to help develop CILEx’s strategic objectives.
I am proud to hand over a Chartered Institute that is financially secure and better placed to maximise opportunities, is listening to the concerns of and feedback from our members, and is continuing to lead the sector on equality and diversity, and good governance. I am also proud that CILEx continues to reach out beyond the membership to the other branches of the profession and the judiciary, and continues to help shape the debate and deliver best practice for regulation, governance and the consumer.
The future is bright for CILEx and our members, and if we are going to thrive it will be because we thrive together. So, please join a CILEx specialist reference group and get involved; join your local branch and get involved; and respond to our governance consultation and get involved.
Many thanks to you all for your support during my presidency.