Kent's First Ilex Partner Announced
Richard Durrant has become the first Legal Executive in Kent to be made a partner under the changes brought about by the Legal Services Act 2007, which allow the creation of Legal Disciplinary Partnerships (LDPs). Up to now only Solicitors could enter into partnerships with other Solicitors.
Richard is a conveyancing lawyer specialising in residential property sales, purchases, remortgages and transfers of equity. He has been a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives since 2006.
"It goes without saying that I am delighted to be accepted into the partnership” said Richard, “and I’m really looking forward to developing my role within the firm."
"It is gratifying that there is now recognition of the fact that lawyers in all branches of the profession have an equal contribution to make. There are a good number of Legal Executives who would make excellent partners as a result of this change in law. I am sure that in the future other Legal Executives like me will be taking a key role in the development of legal services."
Commenting on Richard’s appointment to the partnership, Boys & Maughan’s senior partner Jonathan Austin says. "We are delighted to be amongst the first in the country to take advantage of this development and for Richard’s role to be properly recognised - there could be no more suitable candidate. Richard has been a central part of our conveyancing team since he joined us in 2006 and the firm has always recognised the tremendous contributions made by Legal Executives to the profession."
"More law firms are expected to announce Legal Executive partners in the coming weeks." said ILEX President, Mark Bishop. "This is another significant milestone for the Institute and its members. Partnership is recognition of the growing importance of Legal Executives in the legal workplace. Members like Richard have been performing at partner level for many years and now their skill and expertise can finally be acknowledged through partnership."
A Legal Executive specialises in a particular area of law, and will have been trained to the same standard as a Solicitor in that area. Fully qualified and experienced Legal Executives are able to undertake many of the legal activities that solicitors do. For example, they will have their own clients (with full conduct of cases) and they can undertake representation in court where appropriate.
Legal Executives must adhere to a code of conduct and, like Solicitors, are required to continue training throughout their careers in order to keep themselves abreast of the latest developments in the law.
Boys & Maughan Solicitors, India House, 11 Hawley Street, Margate, CT9 1PZ Tel: 01843 234000
Boys & Maughan Solicitors, 83 Station Road, Birchington, CT7 9RB Tel: 01843 842356
Boys & Maughan Solicitors, 99 High Street, Broadstairs, CT10 1NQ Tel: 01843 868861
Boys & Maughan Solicitors, 57 Queen Street, Ramsgate, CT11 9EJ Tel: 01843 595990
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