Statement

SRA Statement following the case of Julia Mazur & Ors v Charles Russell Speechlys LLP

01 October 2025

Our view is that the judgment in the recent case of Julia Mazur & Ors v Charles Russell Speechlys LLP doesn't change the position in law.

Sheldon J said the Legal Services Act (LSA) makes it clear that only regulated individuals can conduct litigation as it’s a reserved legal activity. Non-authorised individuals can support litigation – as they do in other areas – but only an authorised individual, such as a solicitor, should be conducting litigation.

This is the position that we have reflected in our existing guidance on effective supervision, published in November 2022. In that guidance, we say:

'People who are not themselves authorised to conduct litigation can only support authorised individuals to conduct litigation, rather than conducting litigation themselves under the supervision of an authorised individual.'

There is a distinction between conducting litigation and supporting litigation, but the boundary between the two activities will depend on the facts.  Being engaged (whether as an employee or other contractor) by an authorised person who is permitted to conduct reserved activities does not automatically confer a right to conduct litigation on an employee or contractor who is not authorised. They are permitted to support litigation under appropriate supervision, not to conduct it. 

Our guidance addresses many aspects to consider when assessing appropriate supervision arrangements. The onus is on firms to satisfy themselves that they are complying with the LSA, and only authorised individuals are conducting litigation. We recommend you should be recording your decision-making around the approach you are taking (see 'Recording supervision arrangements' in the guidance).

Firms can also contact our Professional Ethics helpline for support.