Chartered Legal Executive Litigator and Advocate

Overview

Have you heard of a Chartered Legal Executive Litigator and Advocate (CLELA)? It’s a fancy title for a specialised legal job. These professionals work in areas of law where they have to go to court for family, civil, or criminal cases. Going to court is a big part of their job and is tightly regulated. During their training, they learn how to give expert legal advice and present cases in various courts, like the County Court, Family Proceedings Court, Magistrates’ Court (including the Youth Court), Coroners Court, and many Tribunals. After their training, they’re skilled at drafting legal documents, like case theories and arguments for court. They can even act as a Commissioner for Oaths. They collaborate with their legal team, other professionals, and clients in their day-to-day work. By the end of their apprenticeship, they’ve got two years of experience in the courts they want to work in.

What You’ll Do

• Understanding Client Needs: Listen to clients, explain options, and discuss risks and benefits.
• Legal Research: Develop research strategies, use various sources, and analyse outcomes.
• Document Analysis: Review documents to find key facts and evidence, assessing their quality.
• Applying Research: Use research findings to guide decisions and strategies in legal cases.
• Data Analysis: Evaluate data to make informed decisions in legal matters.
• Legal Decision Making: Make decisions based on legal principles while meeting regulatory requirements.
• Ethical Advice: Provide ethical, legal advice tailored to clients’ needs and goals.
• Case Presentation: Develop effective strategies for presenting cases.
• Court Submissions: Prepare structured and persuasive submissions for court.
• Stakeholder Communication: Communicate with clients and others involved in a case.
• Court Representation: Advocate for clients in court using effective communication skills.
• Court Presentations: Present cases coherently in court, handling witnesses and questions.
• Data Visualisation: Use visual aids to communicate solutions to clients.
• Document Drafting: Draft legal documents according to templates or specific requirements.
• Advocacy and Negotiation: Advocate and negotiate on behalf of clients.
• Risk Management: Ensure compliance with regulations and manage risk effectively.
• Customer Knowledge: Understand clients’ needs to provide effective service.
• Financial Management: Manage finances to support organisational objectives.
• Case Management: Manage cases efficiently and commercially.
• Data Security: Handle and store sensitive information securely.
• Digital Safety: Use technology securely to protect against cyber threats.
• Commercial Awareness: Consider commercial impact and resource management in legal tasks.
• Technical Support: Provide advice and support to colleagues, including case review.
• Ethical Compliance: Adhere to ethical standards and court etiquette.
• Regulatory Compliance: Provide legal services in line with regulatory requirements.
• Professional Development: Maintain professional standards through continuous learning.

What You’ll Learn

• Understanding the laws and procedures in a specific legal field as official handbooks outlines.
• Understanding advocacy laws, including evidence rules, for a particular legal area.
• Learning effective research methods and choosing reliable sources.
• Learning how to gather and assess evidence to address legal issues.
• Gathering, evaluating, and testing various types of information, including legal and factual details.
• Using digital tools for problem-solving and analysis.
• Assessing the strengths and weaknesses of legal cases.
• Crafting case theories and arguments.
• Understanding ethical responsibilities to the court, justice system, and clients.
• Knowing when to represent a client in court and when it’s inappropriate.
• Handling client care, ethics, and vulnerable witnesses appropriately.
• Developing communication skills for advocacy.
• Preparing effectively for courtroom advocacy.
• Understanding different aspects of court advocacy, from opening statements to closing arguments.
• Learning effective drafting techniques.
• Understanding customer service principles, including diversity and inclusion.
• Knowing professional frameworks and regulatory requirements.
• Understanding ethical obligations in legal services.
• Complying with legal and regulatory obligations, such as Anti-Money Laundering rules.
• Managing emotions when dealing with clients, including biases and diversity considerations.
• Resolving conflicts through advocacy and negotiation while maintaining ethical standards.
• Effective communication with stakeholders using clear language and appropriate channels.
• Communicating respectfully and inclusively, considering diversity and vulnerability.
• Building strong relationships with third parties.
• Understanding financial operations in legal organisations, including billing and recording.
• Assessing and managing risks in legal matters.
• Prioritising workloads and managing time effectively.
• Using digital tools and technology in legal work, including case management systems.
• Addressing legal and ethical concerns related to technology use.
• Understanding different business models in the legal sector and organisational improvement principles.
• Managing time and billing processes for legal services.
• Identifying and managing stakeholders.
• Strategies for professional growth and competence development.
• Fundamentals of teamwork, coaching, and mentoring.
• Considering the environmental impact of legal practice and ways to reduce it.