CRL says legal executives showed resilience after uncertainty caused by the Mazur ruling
More than 1,000 Chartered Legal Executives have now secured litigation practice rights following the legal uncertainty created by the landmark Mazur judgment, according to the Council for Licensed Conveyancers regulator, CILEX Regulation Limited (CRL).
The regulator confirmed the milestone after widespread disruption across the profession following the original Mazur judgment handed down in September 2025. The ruling raised significant questions around litigation rights and the ability of Chartered Legal Executives to conduct litigation without supervision.
CRL said the recent Court of Appeal judgment in the Mazur case had now provided greater clarity and reassurance for affected legal professionals. Jonathan Rees described the achievement as “hugely impressive” given the uncertainty many practitioners faced over recent months.
“We recognise the considerable distress and uncertainty the September 2025 Mazur judgment caused for many Chartered Legal Executives and welcomed the recent Mazur Court of Appeal judgment and the clarity and reassurance it has brought for those affected,” he said.
Rees added that obtaining litigation practice rights had required “immense fortitude” from applicants, many of whom completed the process while managing demanding legal workloads. The authorisations now allow qualified Chartered Legal Executives to carry out litigation work independently without the need for supervision.
CRL said those obtaining authorisation demonstrated high levels of professionalism, resilience and commitment throughout the process. The regulator is continuing to encourage eligible Chartered Legal Executives to apply for practice rights in order to support professional parity across the legal sector and maintain high standards of legal services. Several practitioners who completed the process also reflected on the challenges involved.
Sarah Fenn, who completed the University of Law assessment route, said she had initially been apprehensive about taking examinations but praised the support and preparation provided during the process. Fenn said the University of Law’s tutors, learning materials and guidance helped her complete the assessments successfully.
Another practitioner, Darren Bowen, completed the CRL Civil Litigation Portfolio route and described receiving litigation practice rights as a “great relief”. Bowen said recent months had been “challenging” for many legal executives affected by the uncertainty surrounding the Mazur litigation.
CRL confirmed it is continuing to work closely with other regulators and stakeholders to ensure updated guidance reflects the full implications of the Court of Appeal ruling. The regulator also renewed calls for broader reform of the legal services regulatory framework.
According to CRL, the impact of the Mazur litigation has reinforced its long-standing view that the Legal Services Act 2007 requires significant reform to provide greater clarity for both legal professionals and consumers. The developments are likely to be closely watched across the legal sector, particularly as discussions continue around professional parity, reserved legal activities and future regulation of Chartered Legal Executives.