Mazur appeal fast-tracked as Court of Appeal sets february 2026 hearing

Expedited appeal hearing to address who can lawfully conduct litigation under the Legal Services Act

The Court of Appeal has confirmed that the high-profile Mazur case will be heard in February 2026, after the matter was expedited in light of its significance to the legal profession.

The appeal in Mazur & Others v Charles Russell Speechlys LLP, brought by the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX), will begin on 24 February. The court has allocated approximately four and a half hours for submissions.

The case was originally listed for hearing no earlier than February 2027, although it had long been expected that the timetable would be brought forward. The accelerated listing reflects the far-reaching implications of the issues raised, particularly for litigation practices across England and Wales.

The appeal follows a judgment handed down in September by Mr Justice Sheldon, who ruled that the Legal Services Act 2007 permits only authorised individuals to conduct litigation. The decision sent ripples through the legal sector, calling into question longstanding working practices that rely on unauthorised legal executives and paralegals carrying out elements of litigation under supervision.

Many firms have developed business models that depend on such staff, and the Mazur ruling has raised concerns about whether those arrangements are lawful. The forthcoming appeal is expected to provide clarity on the scope of authorised litigation work and the status of unauthorised fee-earners within firms.

Sean Linley, director of Newcastle-based costs firm Carter Burnett, said the speed of the listing underlined the importance attached to the case. He said it was widely anticipated that judgment would be reserved following the hearing and delivered at a later date, but that the expedited timetable itself was notable.

When granting permission to appeal, the Court of Appeal said it did not need to assess the prospects of success. Instead, it pointed to the importance of the issues raised, describing their significance to the legal profession as a compelling reason for the appeal to be heard.

CILEX has made clear it will argue that the Mazur decision was wrongly decided and that it has created widespread uncertainty. Chief executive Jennifer Coupland said last month that the ruling was already having a significant impact on CILEX members and law firms more broadly. She also warned of potential longer-term consequences for access to justice, diversity within the profession and the efficient operation of the legal system.

CILEX is being represented on a pro bono basis by Nick Bacon KC, head of chambers at 4 New Square, alongside Iain Miller, a partner at Kingsley Napley, and Stephen Nelson, a senior associate at the firm. The Law Society has been granted permission to intervene in the appeal.