ILEX gains direct access to bar

The Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX) announced that its members will be able to instruct barristers directly, without going through solicitors, at its national conference last week.Speaking at the two-day conference in Stratford-upon-Avon, ILEX president Andrew Weavers said the action had been approved by BarDIRECT - the scheme that permits organisations licensed by the Bar Council to approach barristers' chambers directly.'We are currently preparing conduct guidance for fellows of ILEX, that will have to be approved by the Bar Council before it is officially issued,' he said.

'We are looking to the future, including getting litigation rights for our members so they can practise independently from solicitors.

Being able to instruct a barrister without the need for a solicitor is an integral part of this.'Mr Weavers said ILEX would be submitting an application for litigation rights to the Lord Chancellor's Department later this year.The president also encouraged fellows of the institute to think of new ways to bring about the introduction of multi-disciplinary partnerships following what he called 'the government's lukewarm attitude' to them.The conference, which brought together more than 400 legal executives and members of the legal profession, also featured 24 separate workshops on topics such as electronic courts, family law, e-conveyancing, personal development and stress in the office.

Andrew Towler