CILEx regulated lawyers will be able to apply for standalone litigation practice rights in the areas of criminal, civil, and family litigation after the Legal Services Board (LSB) approved CILEx Regulation’s (CRL) application.
Although work to introduce a standalone practice right for litigation began earlier this year the issue has been brought to a head by the recent Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys LLP [2025] EWHC 2341 decision which has raised the spectre of unqualified staff being unable to conduct litigation work, even under supervision.
Commenting on the speed of the decision, Jonathan Rees, CILEx Regulation chair said he was ‘pleased’ the LSB had moved so quickly to approve the application, which was formally submitted on 6th October. He added
“We began work on this earlier this year, and our application was supported by over 95% of respondents to our consultation who welcomed the option to gain stand-alone litigation practice rights to enable further career progression.”
“The timing of this approval is particularly significant in the light of September’s Mazur judgment. We recognise the huge distress and uncertainty caused to many of our regulated community by the judgment. The introduction of standalone litigation practice rights will give all those affected the opportunity to practise litigation independently. This will help to increase diversity in the legal profession and provide consumers with increased choice.”
CILEX regulated professionals will now be able to apply for standalone litigation practice rights; with a ‘significant increase’ in the number of applications expected in the wake of Mazur said CILEx Regulation. In the meantime the regulator said it has reviewed ‘processes to ensure that applications are processed as efficiently as possible consistent with the maintenance of standards. CRL has been working with ULaw on their parallel assessment only and training and assessment routes to maximise their capacity. Further announcements will be made as these arrangements are finalised.’
CILEX members with Fellowship status can now apply for standalone Litigation Practice Rights. CILEX members will be contacted directly in due course.
Concluded Rees
“We recognise that demand for such rights may be high, and we have diverted and increased resources to cope with the expected rate of applications and streamlined and speeded up our assessment processes.”
More information has also been published on the CRL website.
Alongside the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the Council for Licensed Conveyancers, and the Law Society, CRL published its own interim guidance following the Mazur decision
