header-logo header-logo

Not so secret agent

16 October 2015 / Winston Jacob
Issue: 7672 / Categories: Features , Procedure & practice
printer mail-detail
nlj_7672_jacob

Winston Jacob discusses solicitors’ agents, rights of audience & the chambers’ advocate

In what circumstances does a “solicitors’ agent” enjoy a right of audience before a court? By “solicitors’ agent” I mean an individual seeking to exercise a right of audience as an exempt person under the Legal Services Act 2007 (LSA 2007), Sch 3, para 1(7). This provision, which replaced s 27(2)(e) of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (CLSA 1990), states:

“The person is exempt if—

(a) the person is an individual whose work includes assisting in the conduct of litigation,

(b) the person is assisting in the conduct of litigation—

(i) under instructions given (either generally or in relation to the proceedings) by an individual to whom sub-paragraph (8) applies, and

(ii) under the supervision of that individual, and

(c) the proceedings are not reserved family proceedings and are being heard in chambers—

(i) in the High Court or county court, or

(ii) in the family court by a judge who is not, or by two or more judges

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Hugh James—Phil Edwards

Serious injury teambolstered by high-profile partner hire

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Freeths—Melanie Stancliffe

Firm strengthens employment team with partner hire

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

DAC Beachcroft—Tim Barr

Lawyers’ liability practice strengthened with partner appointment in London

NEWS
Ceri Morgan, knowledge counsel at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, analyses the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Johnson v FirstRand Bank Ltd, which reshapes the law of fiduciary relationships and common law bribery
The boundaries of media access in family law are scrutinised by Nicholas Dobson in NLJ this week
Reflecting on personal experience, Professor Graham Zellick KC, Senior Master of the Bench and former Reader of the Middle Temple, questions the unchecked power of parliamentary privilege
Geoff Dover, managing director at Heirloom Fair Legal, sets out a blueprint for ethical litigation funding in the wake of high-profile law firm collapses
James Grice, head of innovation and AI at Lawfront, explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the legal sector
back-to-top-scroll