Legal eagle flying high

WARRINGTON legal executive Emma Hicks is flying high after qualifying as one of only 11 legal executive advocates in the North West – and the only criminal advocate practising in Cheshire.
Emma, who attended Great Sankey High School and Priestley College, joined the Warrington law firm Forshaws Davies Ridgway (FDR) when she was 19.
Since then she has worked her way up from court clerk by successfully completing a series of extra courses and exams.
Now 34, she is able to fulfil many of the roles performed by a fully-qualified solicitor, including representing clients in adult and youth courts, conducting Crown Court bail applications and committal work for sentences and appeals.
Qualifying as a legal executive requires four years part-time study, followed by two years qualifying employment. Advocate status is then gained by preparing an extensive portfolio of work supplemented by an intensive six day course, including a mock trial.
Emma (pictured) enjoys the daily challenge of dealing with all types of criminal cases from murder, rape, drugs and fraud, to more minor theft and assault offences.
She said: “I decided I wanted to progress my career within the legal profession and take on work at a more demanding level. I am extremely grateful to the firm for encouraging and supporting me in this.
“The status of legal executives and the range of work they can do has increased dramatically in recent years. They are now even allowed to apply to be judges and partners in law firms, which would have been unheard of a few years ago, so the sky’s the limit.”
FDR lead partner Gary Heaven said: “Emma has worked extremely hard, firstly to qualify as a legal executive and now she has succeeded in securing advocate status. We are all very proud of her achievement.”