Somerset First L E Advocate
Somerset First For Shepton Mallet Legal Executive Lawyer
22 May 2008 pr017. 08.1
Helen James, a Legal Executive lawyer from the Shepton Mallet law firm, Dyne Drewett, has become the first Legal Executive in Somerset to qualify to represent clients in court in family law cases.
Her qualification as a Family Law Advocate was made possible under a new training scheme which now gives ILEX lawyers Rights of Audience in court for family law cases.
After undertaking the intensive six-day training course she is now able to offer a comprehensive and seamless service to clients in court, taking their case from initial instruction through to Family Proceedings Courts and in open County Courts. This includes dealing with committal proceedings as well as where those where a party could be sentenced to a term of imprisonment, something ILEX Fellows have not been able to do in the past.
“I am overjoyed to have gained this qualification. The course was extremely challenging but well worth the effort. It means that I can now offer a full service to all my clients, which I know will be appreciated, particularly during extremely difficult and stressful times,” commented Helen.
“This qualification has long been a career goal and I would like to thank everyone that has helped me to achieve this.”
ILEX President, Lesley Graham said, “My heartiest congratulations to Helen, one of the very first Legal Executive Advocates in the country to complete our new and demanding Family Advocacy Proceedings course. I am delighted she will now able to apply her skills in court on behalf of her clients.”
“Rights of Audience are something for which ILEX has campaigned long and hard. The expertise and knowledge of Legal Executives has long been recognised and Rights of Audience is the first of many forthcoming important changes within the legal profession that affect ILEX members, and will enable them to improve their service to clients through the widening of their areas of practice and status.”
David Morgan, managing partner of Dyne Drewett added:
“A huge well done to Helen on behalf of all the partners; an extremely commendable achievement gained through a great deal of effort, which adds significantly to our private client service offering.”