When I first heard about the Mazur ruling and its potential impact on CILEX lawyers, I was on a client call.
I remember messages starting to come through in the background, lots of them. I knew something significant was happening, but in that moment, I had to stay focused on the client I was talking to. It wasn’t until afterwards that the full weight of the ruling began to sink in.
In the days that followed, like many others, I was constantly checking for updates, trying to understand what it meant, not just for the profession, but for me personally. My immediate reaction was a mix of shock, concern, and to be honest, anger. I spent years studying and paying to qualify as a lawyer and now I was told I couldn’t do my job.
My journey as a CILEX lawyer
Having worked in family law since 2008 and qualifying through CILEX in 2012, I’ve built my entire career through a route I’m incredibly proud of. It gave me the opportunity to “earn while I learn”, to develop practical experience early, and to specialise in family law from the outset. Over the past 18 years, I’ve seen first-hand the work that’s gone into achieving recognition and parity for CILEX lawyers.
So, to suddenly question whether I could continue doing the role I had worked so hard to build was incredibly unsettling.
The immediate impact of the Mazur ruling
At the time of the Mazur ruling, I had only recently stepped into a Managing Partner role. The timing couldn’t have felt more overwhelming. There were real concerns about my professional standing, and whether this could impact my ability to lead and support my team. Like many others, I found myself asking difficult questions about whether I might need to requalify, and how that would even be possible alongside running a sub-region and managing family life. What I found particularly difficult was the uncertainty. I had previously taken proactive steps to check my position directly with CILEX and had been reassured. The suggestion that I may have unknowingly been acting outside of the rules left me feeling exposed and vulnerable in a way I hadn’t experienced before in my career.
There were moments of real panic.
How Stowe supported CILEX lawyers during Mazur
But what stood out just as quickly was how Stowe responded.
From the outset, there was clear and open acknowledgement of the situation. There was no hesitation. I received direct reassurance from senior leadership very early on, which made a huge difference at a very difficult time.
There was a genuine sense that this mattered; not just professionally, but personally.
Leadership were visible, approachable, and actively involved in finding solutions. We were brought into conversations early, and our voices were genuinely heard. There was constant communication and transparency, which helped to reduce uncertainty at a time when clarity was hard to come by across the wider sector.
I helped bring together a CILEX support group within the firm. That created a real sense of unity- we had a space to talk openly, share concerns, and work through next steps together. Weekly meetings became an important way of supporting each other through what was, for many of us, an incredibly challenging period.
Equality in practice, not just policy
What meant the most to me, though, was that despite everything, there was no sense of being treated differently. We were still trusted to do our roles. We continued to support our clients, with the right adjustments in place where needed. Our colleagues, including our solicitor peers, were incredibly supportive, stepping in where required without hesitation. Promotions continued. Opportunities didn’t disappear.
It was very clear that the firm’s view of us hadn’t changed. Our value was based on what we do and how we contribute, not the route we took to qualify.
On a personal level, I felt genuinely supported both as a professional and as a person. I was able to be open about how I was feeling without fear of judgement, and I never felt like I was dealing with it alone.
Through wider CILEX networks, I became aware that others were having very different experiences. That really brought home how fortunate I was to be part of a firm that responded with empathy, integrity, and action.
At Stowe, there is a genuine culture of equality, it’s not something that just exists on paper. CILEX lawyers are represented at every level, including senior leadership, and day-to-day there is no distinction in how people are treated. You are trusted, respected, and given opportunities based on your ability.
Why law firm culture matters
This experience reinforced something I’ve always believed: culture matters most when things are difficult.
In a moment of real uncertainty, the support around me made all the difference. It strengthened my confidence, not just in my own experience, but in the value of the CILEX route more broadly. It also highlighted a level of resilience I hadn’t needed to draw on before. Most of all, it made me appreciate the importance of working somewhere that truly stands by its people.
What the Mazur ruling means now for CILEX lawyers
Now that the Court of Appeal has provided clarity, confirming that CILEX professionals can continue to carry out litigation work under appropriate supervision, it does feel like we can begin to move forward again with renewed confidence.
However, it would be disingenuous to pretend that the Mazur ruling did not have a significant impact. For many within the CILEX community, it created uncertainty, frustration, and, at times, a sense that our professionalism and capability were being called into question. The effect on our collective reputation cannot simply be brushed aside.
That said, the appeal decision has restored our position and reaffirmed the important role that CILEX lawyers play within the legal profession. It is something we should take pride in. As a community, we have faced challenges to our standing before — and each time, we have worked to strengthen and elevate it. This is no different.
I now have my Practice Rights, which, while no longer strictly necessary following the appeal decision, remain a milestone I am proud to have achieved. I am incredibly grateful for the support Stowe gave me throughout that process, both in time and encouragement, enabling me to become an Authorised Person in my own right. For me personally, I’m glad to be able to draw a line under that period and return my focus to the work I care deeply about. But I do so with a renewed sense of pride — not just in my own journey, but in the resilience and professionalism of the CILEX community as a whole.
Advice for other CILEX professionals
For other CILEX professionals, my advice would be this: look beyond the role itself and really consider the culture of a firm. Feeling supported and valued is fundamental, especially during challenging times. The right firm won’t just accept different routes into law; it will actively champion them. Because when you have that environment, it allows you to grow in confidence, capability, and ultimately, your career.
Samantha Armour, Managing Partner at Stowe Family Law
