A recent High Court judgment — Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys (2025) — has provided vital clarification on the role of paralegals and unqualified legal staff in conducting litigation.
The decision reinforces long-standing principles under the Legal Services Act 2007, drawing a sharper line between permitted support work and reserved legal activities.
The Court’s Decision
The Court held that:
• Being employed by a law firm or supervised by a solicitor does not automatically authorise a paralegal or unqualified person to conduct litigation.
• Paralegals can continue to carry out supporting tasks — such as preparing documents, drafting correspondence, and managing client communication — but only under the direction and control of an authorised person.
• Firms must ensure that non-qualified staff do not independently make decisions or take procedural steps that amount to conducting litigation.
In other words, supervision and structure are now more critical than ever.
Why the Mazur Ruling Matters
For law firms, the case acts as a reminder to review and tighten:
• Delegation and supervision processes
• Paralegal and support staff job descriptions
• Compliance procedures under the Legal Services Act and SRA Code of Conduct
Firms that fail to maintain clear oversight risk breaching regulatory obligations — even inadvertently
For paralegals, Mazur highlights the importance of understanding the limits of their remit, ensuring they operate within regulated boundaries, and pursuing professional qualifications where possible.
The Bigger Picture
The Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys decision has sparked renewed discussion around how law firms manage risk, delegation, and talent development.
Paralegals remain integral to the success of modern law firms — but their work must be structured, supervised, and compliant.
At LR Legal Recruitment, we specialise in connecting talented paralegals, trainees, and solicitors with forward-thinking firms across London and the UK.
We understand the importance of clarity, compliance, and capability in every legal hire.
Looking Ahead
If your firm is reviewing its paralegal hiring, supervision structure, or compliance processes in light of Mazur v Charles Russell Speechlys, our team can help.
👉 Contact LR Legal Recruitment to discuss your requirements.
Or explore our Paralegal Recruitment and Legal Support Roles pages for more insights.
