Jack Lambourn is celebrating after he achieved the CILEX Litigator and Advocate (Civil) title after extensive additional training and development.

Currently working in our Advocacy department, Jack is now able, by law, to conduct Litigation without the need for supervision and can also exercise a right of audience in all county court matters relating to civil claims.

Winn Group is a keen advocate of staff progressing in their careers with us, choosing learning and development pathways that complement their ambitions.

Supporting them throughout their journey, Winns is an organisation that prides itself on offering a supportive atmosphere, which encourages career progression.

The latest in a long line of employees taking the next step with us, we spoke to Jack about this milestone moment in his professional life.

Speaking about the achievement, he said: “It was a lot of late nights and weekends spent working and revising whilst balancing full-time work and also family commitments but it has been worth it in the long run.

“Having a right of audience in the lower court means that I can expand the types of hearings that I can currently attend.

“An advocate without a right of audience can only be heard in a private hearing or in a small claims.

“With this qualification, I can now attend any work within the county court such as Fast Track and Disposal Hearings, which are typically higher value than small claims trials.  

“I’m pretty chuffed with this but I really could not have done any of this without support from colleagues (particularly a shout out to Lee Kipling, Head of Advocacy, and Dula Miah, Supervisor in our Personal Injury Department, who provided me with references for my portfolio) and also my wife, who has been unwavering in her support.”

Involving plenty of hard work and juggling multiple priorities, Jack discussed what exactly was done while reaching this point.

He continued: “CILEX has two exam sittings a year, January and June. I sat both my foundation Land and Probate exam and advanced Civil Litigation modules at the same time.

“The foundation modules are akin to a module for an undergraduate degree and the Civil Litigation Exam was more akin to what I had previously done in my BPTC studies.

“The next step was I had to study and prepare for my professional exam and produce a business report about something relevant to the area of Law I work in.

“I chose to undertake a report into the impact the OIC Protocol has had on the sector. The professional exam was an open book exam, where I was given materials in the morning, given several hours to research and review them and make any notes, and the afternoon sitting was the exam itself.

“The final step was to compile a work-based learning portfolio demonstrating two years’ worth of legal work experience and evidencing that you have met all of the key outcomes that CILEX regulation expect as key competencies from their members.

“After a lot of revisions and addendums, my portfolio was accepted. Typically, the final stage would be CILEX wants you to undertake a six-day advocacy training course for open court advocacy rights (or two days if you want to just do private hearings), but as I had already passed the bar, I was exempt from this and gave me my Practicing Certificate.”

Lee Kipling, Head of Advocacy, said: “Jack has worked very hard towards achieving this qualification.

“A CILEX Advocate is a rarity in the industry, and it is a testament to Jack’s drive and determination to become a full-time advocate that he has succeeded in this unique way.”

Are you ready to take the next step in your career? Considering a work change? Take a look at our current, live vacancies and apply today.