CILEX granted permission to appeal Mazur ruling

The professional body for CILEX Lawyers, Chartered Legal Executives, paralegals and other legal professionals, launched its appeal bid earlier this month over "serious concerns" about the impact on law firms, lawyers and the public of Mr Justice Sheldon's decision in Julia Mazur & Ors v Charles Russell Speechlys LLP [2025] EWHC 2341 (KB).

Sheldon J ruled that an employee of an authorised firm cannot conduct litigation simply by virtue of their employment, even if supervised by an authorised person.

The decision raised questions over the use of legal executives in the conduct of litigation and has led to a series of practice notes and guidance being published by legal bodies, including the Law Society and CILEX Regulation.

Although not party to the original proceedings, CILEX applied for permission relying on the Court of Appeal's discretion to permit an appeal brought by a person adversely affected by the outcome.

In granting permission, the court said it did not need to form a view on the appeal's prospects of success as it "raises an important point of practice and its significance to the legal profession as a whole is a compelling reason for an appeal to be heard".

Commenting on the decision, CILEX chief executive Jennifer Coupland said: "It is great news that the Court of Appeal has acted quickly and recognised the need for a detailed examination of the issues raised by the Mazur ruling.

"We have already seen the significant impact it is having, not only on our members but on law firms more widely. We are also concerned about the longer-term impact on access to justice, diversity in the legal profession and the efficient running of the legal system.

She added: "CILEX will now have the opportunity to present its argument that Mazur was wrongly decided. In addition, the uncertainties that have resulted from this judgment will be fully ventilated and determined through the appeal process."

CILEX has previously claimed that the judgment has had several adverse impacts, including delays in the courts and delays in the administration of justice.

It also reported that some lawyers have lost their jobs in the wake of the decision, and law firms and other organisations are having to change their business models at “considerable cost”.

Adam Carey