Since the recent judgement in the Mazur case, I have been holding safe spaces for enquiry, respectful discussion and the sharing of concerns as well as planning next steps across Brightlink’s CILEX focussed WhatsApp community and through our email inboxes as well as on social media platforms. These conversations have included learners, lawyers and employers.
I have been asked on a number of occasions to share my personal perspective and opinion and I want to do that here, all views expressed are entirely my own.
For over 25 years I’ve worked in legal education and training, leading and supporting learners and CILEX accredited training providers. I’ve led several accredited centres, contributed to the development and delivery of qualifications as an Examiner, Chief Examiner and qualification writer and I created the first ever CILEX online learning. Ten years ago, I founded Brightlink to address gaps in provision, and to provide and champion a more inclusive, flexible, and accessible approach to legal education and careers.
It has always been my understanding that, in order to achieve parity with Solicitors in conducting litigation, those qualifying through the CILEX route must complete their qualifications in full, as prescribed at the time – specifically following the relevant qualification rules and then gain practice rights and litigation and advocacy rights in certain specialist pathways
I celebrated when CPQ was introduced, in response to CILEX identifying future statutory, regulatory and third party requirements, as it incorporates practice rights into the qualification and puts more onus on the preparation of work based learning evidence during the qualification. This enables earlier submission of the work based learning portfolio and qualifying employment application. Parity with other legal professionals was further assured by making advocacy compulsory in litigation pathways and by securing the access to higher rights of audience. I welcome CILEX Regulations consultation on and hope to split litigation and advocacy rights and look forward to hearing more about that in time to come, following consideration by the Legal Services Board.
I have seen and been a part of the struggle for parity in the profession for decades and have been pleased to see CILEX and all their members secure that, by working with government, employers, regulators and individuals. When CPQ was launched I joined the call for all Chartered Legal Executives to pursue and secure their practice/ litigation/ advocacy rights. I put on panel discussions, workshops and shared some guidance to help as many people as possible to get those rights. This coincided with the drive from CILEX for its members to take advantage of all these opportunities and secure their further rights as soon as possible. None of this has changed for me following the Mazur ruling.
CILEX is still one of many routes to a career as a lawyer and one of the three main routes into law, those being the routes to become Barristers, Solicitors, CILEX Lawyers. It is still the way to qualify with or without a law degree and without going to university, while working and gaining invaluable experience as well as receiving an income. It is still possible to be an expert in a particular field of law with the right to practice unsupervised as it always has been.
I understand that this judgement has raised questions and uncertainty, particularly where the boundaries of certain work arrangements may have been unclear. It’s natural to feel unsettled, especially when surrounded by others carried on a wave of panic and when sometimes responses from employers—often made from a place of caution—create additional pressure
I have taken all the questions asked of me to CILEX Regulation and CILEX and will share them across channels when I hear specific responses to those questions I want everyone to benefit from transparent and timely communication.
If you’re feeling anxious, I gently encourage you to pause and consider if anything has changed for you. If it has, there are practical steps to take—and support available to help you through. It’s easy to become overwhelmed when uncertainty is widespread, but you are not alone. Myself, the Brightlink team and many others across the profession, care deeply about your learning journey, your work, and your wellbeing. We’re here to help, and we remain committed to supporting you—whatever your next steps may be.
CILEX have released a statement which can be found here https://www.cilex.org.uk/media/media_releases/litigation-practice-rights-statement/ and CILEX Regulation, which can be found herehttps://cilexregulation.org.uk/2025/09/24/mazur-vs-charles-russell-speechlys/ and I will share any further information as I receive it. In the meantime, please note that legacy qualified Chartered Legal Executives may gain the right to conduct litigation by making applications, providing evidence and/ or undergoing assessments details of which can be found on the CILEX Regulation website, these have not changed. CPQ qualified individuals gain many rights during their course and once they have completed the compulsory advocacy course in family, civil or criminal litigation, if those are their specialist practice areas, they will be fully authorised CILEX Lawyers.
All CILEX learners and lawyers are most welcome in our WhatsApp community, you can email us to ask for links to join if you would like to.
Lorna