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30 January 2026
Issue: 8148 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , Legal services , Regulatory
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LSB marks Mazur homework

Regulators differed in the clarity and consistency of their post-Mazur advice and guidance, according to an interim report by the Legal Services Board (LSB)

The LSB found guidance ‘was not always articulated with sufficient precision’ and that ‘greater cross regulator engagement on draft guidance may have supported a more consistent approach’. Moreover, their responses to direct questions from the profession ‘evolved over time... which risked inconsistent outcomes’.

The LSB, which oversees all eight legal regulators, launched its review in October, after the decision in Mazur v Charles Russell Speechleys [2025] EWHC. Mazur held that only authorised persons can conduct litigation, prompting confusion about the proper role of legal executives and other non-solicitor fee earners.

CILEX chief executive Jennifer Coupland, said: ‘The LSB report underscores the relevance of Mazur across the entire legal profession.  

‘We look forward to presenting our argument that Mazur was wrongly decided in the Court of Appeal next month. In the meantime, CILEX continues to promote the excellent work of CILEX professionals, supporting our members and encouraging them to apply for practice rights.’

Issue: 8148 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , Legal services , Regulatory
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Sidley—James Inness

Sidley—James Inness

Partner joins capital markets team in London office

Haynes Boone—William Cecil

Haynes Boone—William Cecil

Firm announces appointment of partner as UK general counsel

Devonshires—Nicholas Barrows

Devonshires—Nicholas Barrows

Firm appoints first chief marketing officer to drive growth strategy

NEWS

The Court of Appeal has slammed the brakes on claimants trying to swap defendants after limitation has expired. In Adcamp LLP v Office Properties and BDB Pitmans v Lee [2026] EWCA Civ 50, it overturned High Court rulings that had allowed substitutions under s 35(6)(b) of the Limitation Act 1980, reports Sarah Crowther of DAC Beachcroft in this week's NLJ

A seemingly dry procedural update may prove potent. In his latest 'Civil way' column for NLJ this week, Stephen Gold explains that new CPR 31.12A—part of the 193rd update—fills a ‘lacuna’ exposed in McLaren Indy v Alpa Racing
The long-running Mazur saga edged towards its finale as the Court of Appeal heard arguments on whether non-solicitors can ‘conduct litigation’. Writing in NLJ this week, Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School reports from a packed courtroom where 16 wigs watched Nick Bacon KC argue that Mr Justice Sheldon had failed to distinguish between ‘tasks and responsibilities’
Cheating in driving tests is surging—and courts are responding firmly. Writing in NLJ this week, Neil Parpworth of De Montfort Law School charts a rise in impersonation and tech-assisted fraud, with 2,844 attempts recorded in a year
As AI-generated ‘deepfake’ images proliferate, the law may already have the tools to respond. In NLJ this week, Jon Belcher of Excello Law argues that such images amount to personal data processing under UK GDPR
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