Chief executive Diane Burleigh reports on the
key issues discussed at the ILEX Council meeting held on 25
November 2011
The President opened the meeting by thanking the Council members,
previous Presidents and in particular the charter working party for
their hard work and determination in enabling ILEX to become a
chartered body. Council in turn thanked the staff for the hard work
that had helped to bring about the tremendous result for the
Institute and the members.
The President welcomed Elizabeth Kendall and Peter Watkin to
Council. The President reported back on a number of engagements,
including a significant number of visits to branches; attendance at
the Legal Wales conference; and her support for our members in
Bermuda and the Bermuda Branch after the passing of the Legal
Executive Registration Act 2011.
The President also informed Council that she had been the keynote
speaker at the Society of Black Lawyers’ annual student conference,
a day that she had enjoyed very much.
2012 budget
Council
approved the final budget for 2012. The budget covers ILEX itself,
ILEX Professional Standards (IPS) and ILEX Tutorial College. Since
the first draft, changes to both income and expenditure had
resulted in an overall improvement of £232,000. This meant that the
reduction in the underlying deficit, due to be eliminated in 2013,
is on track.
Charter
preparations
Council was referred to a paper which
set out the significant activity that needs to be undertaken by
ILEX in order to transfer its status to that of a chartered body,
together with the very significant work that would need to be done
with regard to the look and format of printed materials, websites,
stationery and so forth.
These activities have substantial financial implications, and
Council was assured that these costs had been included in the 2012
budget. The project plan was approved.
Work-based
learning
Council considered a response to the IPS
consultation on its proposals for changes to work-based learning.
IPS proposed to introduce a more transparent, measureable,
competency based scheme in respect of what is currently known as
‘qualifying employment’. IPS has consulted widely, and the document
before Council was based on proposals amended following that
consultation. The ILEX response to the IPS consultation was
supportive of the change of approach.
In complying with Ofqual’s General Conditions of Recognition, it
was noted that Council members had received their introductory
training on their responsibilities under the conditions at the last
Council meeting, and Mr Watkin and Ms Kendall would be receiving
their training during the week from the head of awards.
Training
review
Council considered a paper requesting a
financial contribution to the Legal Education and Training Review
being conducted by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, Bar
Standards Board, and IPS. It was made clear that the request for a
contribution was not a regulatory matter in that it was not brought
to Council as a request for further financing by IPS.
Council agreed to make a contribution on the basis that the costs
were now fixed and no further costs would be incurred over and
above the current budget.
Consulation Watch
ILEX
is planning to respond to the following consultations. If you would
like to get involved, or have any views you would like to share,
please contact the Corporate Affairs team on corporateaffairs@ilex.org.uk:
• Ministry of Justice: Fees in the High Court and Court of
Appeal (deadline 7
February)
• Ministry of Justice: Appointments and diversity: a judiciary
for the 21st century (deadline 13
February)
• Ministry of Justice: Introducing fees in employment tribunals
and Employment Appeal Tribunal (deadline 6 March)
• Legal Services Board: Draft strategic plan 2012-2015 and
business plan 2012-2013 (deadline 9
March)
• Legal Services Board: Equality report and proposed equality
objectives (deadline 9 March)