Chartered Legal Executives

The provisions of the Legal Services Act 2007 have substantially increased the potential level of involvement of Chartered Legal Executives in the provision of legal services to the public. Not only can they now practice as employees of solicitors and others, they can also enter into Legal Disciplinary Partnerships with other lawyers including solicitors, barristers, licensed conveyancers and notaries and will soon be able to be part of a business that, in certain circumstances, can opt to be regulated by their own professional regulator, ILEX Professional Standards.

With increased involvement, however, comes increased responsibility, and those legal executives who choose to practice in partnership with other lawyers will find that they now have to be far more aware of the requirements of legal practice and, if they are not to find themselves subject to conduct related proceedings, must make themselves aware of the regulatory requirements of other bodies such as the Solicitors Regulation Authority and Bar Standards Board.

The Lawyers Defence Group can help all legal executives to fulfil their regulatory obligations and can assist them with guidance, advice and representation should things go wrong.

We can provide guidance on the rules and regulations as they apply not only to legal executives but to all other lawyers practising in the UK, guidance on general practice issues and matters of management, guidance on issues relating to finance, money laundering, partnerships and a whole range of other useful information and materials.

You will also find helpful links to other information provided by organisations such as the Institute of Legal Executives, the Law Society, the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Council as well as news items, current information and regulatory and conduct related case reports.

To find the information you require, use the drop down menus above or if there is a particular topic with which you require help, use the search box to the right of this page.

For further information, contact the Lawyers Defence Group by:

• telephoning during office hours – 0333 888 4070,
• requesting a call-back using the call-back request form to the right,
• telephoning our out of hours number (but please only in an emergency – for example when someone has been arrested or you believe that your firm might be about to be intervened in) 07952 861 868,
• emailing us at help@lawyersdefencegroup.org.uk, or
• writing to us at one of the addresses at the bottom of this web page.