Outstanding CILEx lawyer receives Simon Mumford Memorial Award

25 April 2016

A Chartered Legal Executive lawyer from Wales was presented with the Simon Mumford Memorial Award by Cardiff Law Society on Friday, 22 April at the annual Cardiff Law Society Dinner.

Frances Edwards, Partner at Caswell Jones, Caerphilly, and past president (2014-15) of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx), received the award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the Law and the legal profession within the Law Society’s South Wales Constituency area.

On winning the award, Frances said: “I was taken completely by surprise when it was announced that I had won the Simon Mumford Memorial Award. To receive such an award from your peers is bound to fill you with pride and honour but it was made more poignant as the award was in memory of a friend and colleague who himself did so much for the legal profession.”

Frances Edwards biography:

Frances left school aged 16 with 6 O-levels but never wanted to go to university. Her first job was as a secretary in a solicitors’ office in Newport. Following a career break to raise her two children; daughter Sian and son Alun, she returned to work. She joined CILEx in 1992 and spent the next 6 years studying at home to become a Chartered Legal Executive in 2000.

Frances has been employed by Caswell Jones, Caerphilly in the Family Department since 1995 conducting a range of divorce, financial and children matters. In recognition of her hard work and dedication Frances was recently promoted to the position of Partner in Caswell Jones. However her contribution to the legal profession goes well beyond her role as Lawyer at Caswell Jones.

Frances is a committee member of the Legal Wales Foundation. The Foundation provides a forum for the discussion and formulation of views and proposals for action on issues affecting the administration of justice, the teaching of law and the provision of legal services as they affect Wales. The foundation also organises the annual Legal Wales Conference. Frances is also a Trustee of the Access to Justice Foundation.

Frances plays a vital role at CILEx both as a CILEx Council member for the constituency of Wales and Chair of the CILEx Wales Forum. She was one of the founder members of the CILEx South Wales Branch when it was re-launched in 2004, becoming treasurer. She was chair of the branch in 2005 and still remains actively involved.

Finally, Frances has recently become a law tutor. Frances is currently teaching Family Law and the Practice of Family to Level 3 CILEx students at Cardiff and Vale College.

ENDS

Photograph L-R: Mike Edwards and Frances Edwards