Can a chartered legal executive represent a client in court?

Jan 16, 2023

Written By Claudia Chan

The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) is a more cost-effective and quicker path to a career in law. In short, they can represent clients in court on selected issues. This article will explain what CILEX is, what a Chartered Legal Executive does, and what role they may play in court.

What is CILEX?

CILEX is one of the three main legal professional bodies in England and Wales. They house over 20,000 paralegals, CILEX lawyers and other legal professionals in England and Wales.

It is intended as a cost-effective vocational route to law through the CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ). Anyone can join, whether they have a legal degree or not. The qualification involves applying yourself in specific areas of law.

Upon completing the CPQ, a person will become a Chartered Legal Executive.

What are Chartered Legal Executives?

In short, a Chartered Legal Executive is a qualified lawyer who is trained to specialise in one or two specific areas of law. This differs from a solicitor, who tends to have received broader, more general legal training.

Chartered Legal Executives specialities include: Dispute Resolution, Criminal Litigation, Residential Conveyancing, Employment Law, Family Litigation,and Immigration Law.

Can Chartered Legal Executives represent clients in court?

Fully qualified and experienced Chartered Legal Executive are able to have their own clients and represent them in court. Much like solicitors, a Chartered Legal Executive has to adhere to a specific code of conduct and is expected to be updated with changes in the law.

Fully qualified Chartered Legal Executives can commission oaths, take affidavits and represent individuals in the first few courts on the ladder of the justice system. However, they are unable to represent in the High Court, Court of Appeal or Supreme Court.

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