First Merseyside Legal Executive Advocate Takes Centre Stage

23 May 2008 pr011.09.08

Louise Melia, a Legal Executive lawyer with the Liverpool law firm Keith Levin is one of the first Legal Executives in England & Wales to be trained as a defence Legal Executive Advocate, and is now preparing to appear in court on behalf of her clients.

As a Legal Executive Advocate, Louise will be able to offer a seamless service to clients taking their case right through to the magistrates court and, in the case of appeal and bail applications, the Crown Court without the need to instruct a solicitor, something ILEX Fellows have not been able to do in the past.

“I am fully qualified to represent any person who is arrested and in police custody,” said Louise. “I have been undertaking this work throughout Merseyside for over ten years and it seemed to me a natural extension to obtain the very demanding qualification that will also enable me to now represent my clients in Court. I now look forward to developing my career even further here at Keith Levin and Co.”

“I am delighted that Louise is one of the first Legal Executive Advocates to complete the training course and is now ready to hone her skills in open court,” said ILEX President, Lesley Graham, who is also based in the North West. “Extended Advocacy rights are something for which ILEX has campaigned long and hard. The expertise and knowledge of Legal Executives has long been recognised and Advocacy rights will enable them to broaden their areas of practice and status.”

Robin Flett, Senior Partner at Huyton based Keith Levin & Co, commented, “Louise has been a very valuable member of our Specialist Criminal Team here for over five years, fighting for the rights of people who are detained in police custody. She has assisted us in maintaining our position as the biggest supplier of specialist Criminal Legal Advice in Knowsley and I am delighted that Louise can now assist her clients in the Magistrates’ Courts throughout Merseyside and even further afield. I am extremely proud of Louise and of her excellent achievement which is testament to her dedication and commitment to the clients she serves.”

Prior to enrolling onto the demanding and intensive six-day course, participants have to apply to ILEX for a Certificate of Eligibility which requires them to show that they have the necessary level of legal knowledge and experience before they can undertake the course.

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