CILEX launches scholarship programme as CPQ gains regulatory approval
The CPQ is now open to applicants after the new qualification was granted regulatory approval by CILEx Regulation.
On making the announcement, CILEX committed £275,000 to funding up to 22 scholarships annually for those from disadvantaged backgrounds through the CILEX Foundation.
The targeted scholarship programme will cover the training costs of becoming a fully qualified CILEX Lawyer.
CILEX Chair Professor Chris Bones welcomed the regulatory stamp of approval, which he said put CILEX on the path “to transforming the legal profession, developing the brightest future talent from all backgrounds to make the UK legal sector more efficient, more representative and better serve society”.
To be eligible for a CILEX Lawyer Scholarship, worth up to £12,500, applicants will need to demonstrate that their finances and particular circumstances mean it is challenging for them to access a legal education. Support will be targeted at those under-represented in the legal profession and/or from a socially disadvantaged background.
Eligible groups include young carers, those with a protected characteristic as defined by the Equality Act 2010 (such as Black, Asian and other ethnic minority students), previous recipients of free school meals or a history of being in care.
Professor Bones said: “CILEX is committed to improving social mobility within the legal profession – ensuring dedicated individuals can succeed in the sector regardless of their personal circumstances.
“Not only does the CPQ offer a route to a successful legal career to those with or without a university degree, but the targeted support offered by the Foundation will also help further remove barriers for promising future legal professionals from disadvantaged backgrounds.”
Elizabeth Johnson becomes first full-time CILEX judge
In May, Elizabeth Johnson became the first CILEX Lawyer to be appointed a full-time judge.
Elizabeth, a CILEX Fellow and experienced personal injury lawyer, was previously a part-time judge of the First-tier Tribunal, assigned to the Social Entitlement Chamber. On 14 June, she became a full-time, salaried district tribunal judge.
Back in 2019, Elizabeth became the first female CILEX member to be appointed to the judiciary and since then has found sitting as a judge to be everything she had hoped it would be.
“The last two years sitting as a part-time judge have been hugely rewarding,” she explained. “My work in the Social Entitlement Chamber means I hear cases that have a profound impact on people’s lives, taking decisions relating to disability benefit appeals where individuals are often representing themselves.
“Dealing with individual appellants to ensure that they have the best opportunity to present their appeal, and then applying the law to reach the right decision in each case, is a perfect balance for me and there was no doubt in my mind that I wanted to apply for a full-time position.”
Before applying for her first judicial position, Elizabeth took part in CILEX’s Judicial Development Programme, aimed at providing members with information, support, training, mentoring and encouragement when preparing to make their application for a judicial appointment.
She is keen to encourage other CILEX members who are considering a career in the judiciary to take the leap.
“I have been contacted by several CILEX members seeking advice and guidance about becoming a judge and I’m glad I have been able to inspire others to apply for judicial office,” she said. “Whilst the application process is tough, I have demonstrated that, with the right skills and expertise, it is achievable and well within reach for many CILEX Lawyers.”
CILEX chair Chris Bones said: “It’s fantastic to see Elizabeth become the first full-time, CILEX member of the judiciary. CILEX Lawyers are increasingly making it to the top of the legal profession, as judges, partners and business owners. Just last year we saw Millie Grant become the first CILEX Fellow to be appointed an Honorary Queen’s Counsel.
“There is still considerable under-representation of women and ethnic minorities in our judiciary. This urgently needs to change to ensure the judiciary better reflects the society it serves. With a diverse membership, CILEX has an important part to play, and Elizabeth’s appointment sends a message to our members, that the judiciary is a potential career path for them.”
There are currently six other CILEX Fellows sitting as judges as well as 12 solicitors who initially qualified through CILEX, some of whom are also full-time judges.
Visit the CILEX website for further information on our Judicial Development Programme.
Anticipated surge in employment law matter prompts formation of new SRG
As government restrictions lift in line with the national roadmap, focus turns to the future of working arrangements, the return to work for employees on furlough and the outstanding cases facing employment tribunals.
The CILEX policy team predicts a spike in employment law cases and a spike in demand, which, when coupled with greater equality and diversity awareness, will necessitate more support for CILEX members in this area.
As such, CILEX is planning the launch of a new Specialist Reference Group (SRG) focusing on employment law. Members who have either indicated an interest in employment law or have stated that they currently work in areas relating to this area have been contacted to gauge initial interest.
With over 200 members already keen to join the new online community, work has begun to develop content.
If you are interested in joining this new SRG but did not receive the call for interest, please email the CILEX Policy inbox to ensure you are added to the mailing list.
CILEX inputs into ongoing work on profession’s rapid adoption of legal technology
Legal tech is rapidly expanding, both in the private sector, with industry led innovations, and the public sector, with government led schemes having been established (and in some cases, accelerated) against the backdrop of COVID-19.
New legal tech solutions and digital transformations have been proposed within the civil, family, personal injury, conveyancing and private client sectors to name but a few.
CILEX has continued to work with government departments such as HM Land Registry on digitising the conveyancing sector, including through the use of design thinking to innovate beyond the current processes, models and frameworks that are in place.
CILEX has also recently submitted its own analysis to the Law Commission, dissecting the future of legal tech and its influence on the role of lawyers, the profession, the regulatory landscape and virtual justice.
This analysis is intended to feed into the Law Commission’s thinking around its 14th Programme for Law Reform in paving a new legal landscape fit for tomorrow.
CILEX is always interested in receiving feedback from our members regarding their thoughts on the implementation of legal technology within the sector, particularly as it is an area that is evolving at pace.
Members can email the tech@cilex.org.uk inbox to submit their views on any trends or changes they have noticed, and the impact that this is having on business models, service provision and/or access to justice.
Alternatively, if you work within the private client sector, do take note of the recent survey launched by CILEX into the implementation and uptake of tech in this area. The survey has been designed to discover more granular detail on the working practices and ‘tech habits’ that have developed over the lockdown period. If you would like to take part, please follow this link to take the short three-minute survey.
South-West firm appoints first CILEX Fellow to partnership
Commercial property lawyer Tim Walmsley has become the first CILEX Fellow to join the partnership of South-West firm Stephens Scown. One of five lawyers to be promoted to partner in May, Tim was recently made head of the firm’s newly formed public sector team, offering specialist advice to councils, public sector-owned companies and other public authorities and bodies.
Tim qualified as a Fellow in 1996 and has been specialising in public sector work for over 20 years. Before joining the firm in 2016, he spent four years with Cornwall Council where he headed up their Property and Highways team.
Bob Pape
CILEX was saddened to hear of the passing of Bob Pape, CILEX Fellow and membership secretary for the Greater Manchester Branch of CILEX, who died in September last year.
Bob was a well-respected lawyer with a long career specialising in child support issues. He was director of Child Support Solutions Ltd and spent his career helping people.
He was a kind and cheerful person and was passionate about CILEX. He will be missed by all who knew and worked with him.