ILEX Advocates
In 2006 ILEX received approval of its application
for extended rights of audience. The following
information provides a summary of the qualification
process by which the rights of audience can be
obtained.
Qualification Structure
The rights of audience that ILEX will be able
to grant are split into civil, criminal and family
proceedings. The course will be open to Members
and Fellows who will seek rights in the area in
which they practice, although Members will not
be able to exercise advocacy rights until they
qualify as Fellows. The rights of audience are
set out below.
Advocacy Skills Course
Members and Fellows will need to complete an
application to enrol on to the advocacy qualification
scheme. The application will require details of
their existing knowledge and experience in the
area in which they seek rights and will include
the completion of a portfolio of experience. If
the application to enrol is approved the applicant
will be able to take a skills course.
The course will be a 6 day course focussing on
advocacy skills training. Candidates should have
a good knowledge of the law of evidence before
attending the course. A study manual on the law
of evidence will be available through ILEX covering
the necessary law. The final day of the advocacy
skills course will involve an assessment of the
candidate’s advocacy skills and knowledge
of the law of evidence. If successful the candidate
will be able to apply for an advocacy certificate
in their specialist area. Advocates will be required
to undertake CPD each year in advocacy to renew
their certificates. The first renewal will also
require a submission of a portfolio showing the
advocacy undertaken during the first 12 months.
The Rights of Audience
ILEX will be able to grant the following rights
of audience
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.
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.
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.
Next Steps
If you are interested in obtaining extended rights
of audience please contact Baljeet Basra within
our Professional Development and Regulation Department
(bbasra@ilex.org.uk) so that an enrolment pack
can be sent to you.
Alternatively, follow these links to download
the application pack.
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