CILEx reveals winners of inaugural National Awards

CILEx reveals winners of inaugural National Awards

07 September 2018

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The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives has unveiled the winners of its inaugural National Awards, celebrating the best and the brightest in the profession.

The nominees and winners demonstrated the range of environments CILEx members work in, from large City law firms to thriving high street practices, and from local government to professional institutions. They also show their diversity – the winners reflect that 74% of members are women, and 14% are from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background.

At the ceremony at Shakespeare’s Globe in London, hosted by actress and comedian Sally Phillips, Fieldfisher partner Keith Barrett was given a lifetime achievement award in recognition of his outstanding service to both CILEx and the wider legal community.

Keith Barrett

A member of the CILEx Council for 11 years until 2017, Keith has built a reputation as a leading individual in the aviation sector, representing victims of aviation disasters, road crashes and accidents at work. He is well known too for his pro bono work, including representing victims of the 7/7 bombings in London and the Finsbury Park mosque attack. 

He recently hit the headlines with a case which has led to calls for cycling laws to be brought into line with the Road Traffic Act, recognising causing death or serious injury by dangerous or careless cycling as an offence.

Other winners included Christine Bunting, a director of specialist Court of Protection firm Hyphen Law (Advancing the Legal Profession Award); Amanda Glover, managing partner of Surrey firm BakerLaw (Visionary Leadership Award); national law firm DAC Beachcroft (Innovation and People Development Award); and York-based Minster Law (Promoting Access to the Profession Award).

CILEx Chief Executive Linda Ford, who was one of the awards judges, says: “Our members make a major contribution to their clients, the profession and the rule of law and it is important to recognise their achievements.

Linda, Keith & Phil

“A notable change in the profession over recent years is that Chartered Legal Executives are increasingly coming out of the back office and into leadership positions within their firms and the wider profession. They are standing shoulder to shoulder with solicitor and barrister colleagues, showing the value of the CILEx route to qualification.”

The National Awards form part of the ‘CILEx is changing’ project, which aims to promote the value of both CILEx and its members. This also saw a major overhaul of the organisation’s governance earlier this summer.

The full list of winners:

Innovation & People Development Award

Minster Law

 

Visionary Leadership Award

Amanda Glover, Baker Law LLP

 

Promoting Access to the Profession Award

DAC Beachcroft LLP

 

Apprentice of the Year Award

Abigail Exelby, North Yorkshire County Council

 

Advancing the Legal Profession Award

Christine Bunting, Hyphen Law

 

Legal Expert Award

Philippa Morgan, Lyons Davidson Limited

 

Legal Expert – Property Award

Sally Trevaskis, Wolferstans

 

Legal Expert – Private Client Award

Ian Hunt, East Devon Law

 

Supporting Lifelong Learning Award

Sally Swift, Browne Jacobson LLP

 

Diversity & Inclusion Award

Trowers & Hamlins

 

CILEx Regional Branch of the Year

Devon Branch

 

CILEx Lifetime Achievement Award

Keith Barrett, Fieldfisher

 

CILEx Award for Academic Achievement

Karen Whyte

CILEx Employee of the Year

Louise Tyrrell

Our dedicated awards page is here: http://bit.ly/CILExAwards2018

 

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Kerry Jack, Black Letter Communications on 020 3567 1208 or email:

[email protected]

Notes to Editors:

  • The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) is the professional body for around 20,000 Chartered Legal Executives, paralegals and other legal professionals in England and Wales.
  • Chartered Legal Executives can become partners in law firms, coroners, judges or advocates in open court.
  • CILEx is the UK’s largest professional body for paralegals, and the only membership body that independently regulates these legal practitioners.
  • Over 100,000 students have chosen CILEx for their career in law during the last 25 years.
  • CILEx qualifications are available at a variety of levels, from apprenticeships to graduate diplomas.
  • CILEx is unique in being a non-graduate route to qualification as a lawyer, with graduates also welcomed.
  • Employers value CILEx qualifications – 67% of our students have their courses funded by their employer.
  • 74% of CILEx members are women. 14% are from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background.
  • Media enquirers should contact Sharon Bruty on 01234 845721 or email [email protected]