Launch of ILEX Crimiinal Advocacy in Manchester
Thursday 22 April 2010
The College launched its ILEX Criminal Advocacy course at JMW Solicitors, Manchester on April 21st. The event was open to all ILEX Fellows, Members and Students and special guests included Susan Silva, Deputy Vice President and former President of ILEX, Lesley Graham. The evening was introduced by Advance Principal, Adrian Mason who announced details of the course outlining the substantial advantages that attaining the qualification will have on Legal Executives and employers. He said that it will be 'far more cost effective for employers to train their existing Legal Executives to become advocates than the cost of putting someone through a training contract.' Adrian added ' so much has changed recently for Legal Executives, partnerships are available along with judicial positions. It is now simply a logical step to achieve complete parity with solicitor colleagues in their chosen discipline by completing the 6 day advocacy course.''
It was recently announced by Diane Burleigh, ILEX Chief Executive that the Duty Solicitor Scheme will shortly be open for Legal Executive Advocates. We await, with interest, the details of this but it will be a further significant boost to the other enhanced rights recently bestowed upon the profession.
Advance announced that it would be offering portfolio training to Legal Executives wanting to apply to ILEX for a Certificate of Eligibility, a pre-requisite to joining the course.
In a further significant announcement for Legal Executives, the cost of the course offered by Advance has been set at a special introductory price of £995 ex. VAT. Easy payment terms are available. Adrian Mason stated that 'In these days of tight training budgets we recognised that our competitors are simply charging too much for the course and we have reduced the price to allow more people to consider it. It is appalling that we have ILEX Fellows and Members out there who want to become advocates but who simply cannot afford to do so in the current economic climate.'
Advance is grateful for the speaking contribution of Stuart Cartwright, JMW Solicitors. Stuart eloquently outlined the advantages of advocacy to Legal Executives. He was one of the first three Legal Executives to qualify for the Scheme. Thanks is also extended to Alan Wells who stepped in as a speaker at the last minute to recount his path to recent Fellowship.
Advance further extends its thanks to JMW Solicitors for providing the venue and ILEX Regional Liaison Officer Anne-Marie Dhillon.