CILEx Advocates

Chartered Legal Executive Advocates

CILEx members are able to qualify as Chartered Legal Executive Advocates.

The qualification enables CILEx members to exercise extended rights of audience. The rights of audience that CILEx Regulation can grant are split into civil, criminal and family proceedings, and these are set out below. The qualification scheme is available to Graduate Members and practising Fellows, although Graduate Members will not be able to exercise their advocacy rights until they qualify as Fellows. Graduate Members and Fellows should seek rights in the area of law in which they practise.

Civil Proceedings Certificate

  • To appear in open court in the County Court in all actions, except family proceedings
  • To appear before Justices or a District Judge (Magistrates' Court) in the Magistrates' Courts in relation to all matters originating by complaint or application, including applications under the licensing, betting and gaming legislation
  • To appear before any tribunal under the supervision of the Council on Tribunals where the tribunal rules provide for a non-discretionary right of audience being available to barristers and solicitors
  • To appear before Coroners' Courts in respect of all matters determined by those Courts and to exercise rights of audience similar to those exercised by solicitors and barristers.

Criminal Proceedings Certificate

  • To appear before Justices or a District Judge (Magistrates' Court) in all adult magistrates courts in relation to all matters within that Court's criminal jurisdiction
  • To appear before Justices or a District Judge (Magistrates' Court) in all Youth Courts in relation to all matters within that Court's criminal jurisdiction
  • To appear in the Crown Court or High Court before a judge in chambers to conduct bail applications;
  • To appear in the Crown Court on appeal from the Magistrates' Court, the Youth Court or on committal of an adult for sentence or to be dealt with, if s/he, or any solicitor by whom s/he is employed or any other solicitor or Fellow in the same employment as her/him, appeared on behalf of the defendant in the Magistrates' Court or Youth Court;
  • To appear before Coroners' Courts in respect of all matters determined by those Courts, and to exercise rights of audience similar to those exercised by solicitors and barristers.

Family Proceedings Certificate

  • To appear in Court (including in open court) in all County Court family proceedings
  • To appear before Justices or a District Judge (Magistrates' Court) in the Family Proceedings Courts;
  • To appear before Coroners' Courts in respect of all matters determined by those Courts, and to exercise rights of audience similar to those exercised by solicitors and barristers.

Find out more about qualifying to become a Chartered Legal Executive Advocate.

More information specifically for CILEx members on becoming an advocate is available on the Members Only section of the website, or by contacting info@cilexregulation.org.uk.