CILEx lawyers pledge to keep the highest standards
30 April 2013

Today, on the second day of the 2013 CILEx graduation ceremony, newly qualified lawyers undertook the Chartered Legal Executive Oath, promising to protect their independence and act with integrity.

Nearly 500 CILEx members achieved lawyer status during 2012, of which 150 received their scrolls this week during the two days of ceremonies held in Bedford.

The Graduates were addressed by Trevor Dyer, a Chartered Legal Executive lawyer himself and Partner at Brethertons LLP. Speaking from 44 years of experience he said: “The oath you have taken today is not just a statement: it reflects the principles that you must adhere to as a qualified lawyer. You must set yourselves the highest standards and keep to them.

“You should be proud that the hard work you’ve put in to pass your CILEx exams and qualify as a Fellow, has all been worth it.”

CILEx lawyers, along with Notaries Public, are the only lawyers in England and Wales to recite an oath upon qualifying. Last year legal history was made when the first cohort of Chartered Legal Executive lawyers publicly declared their commitment to the Rule of Law, the independence expected of a lawyer, and dedication to serving clients, the public, the Courts and the legal profession.

Mr Dyer, who is a partner and Head of Administration and Finance at Brethertons and during his career has undertaken conveyancing for Earl Spencer and the Althorp Estate, also encouraged those becoming CILEx lawyers to challenge the status quo, saying: “Twenty or thirty years ago you had to be a white male to make it to the top of a law firm. I look around this room today and I see how that is changing.

“The legal profession continues to change. New entrants to the market and new ways of providing legal services will continue to challenge the status quo. I’m a great believer in looking over the hill and seeing what’s coming.

He continued: “Our firm is now dominated by female lawyers: we made up 5 partners in April and only one of them was male. At last, the old guard is being dismantled within the legal sector and the profession is starting to see parity at the top level.”

74% of members of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives are women, and 36% of students are from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds.

ENDS

Watch the video of the speech made by Trevor Dyer at this year’s CILEx Graduation.