The First CILEX Recorder: Nick Hanning

Stop the press because it is quite the game changer. It is assumed (subject to someone saying otherwise) that the Judicial Appointment Commission has appointed its first CILEX Lawyer as a Recorder.

CILEX announced that Nick Hanning was appointed to sit as a Recorder, which has since been open to CILEX Lawyers of 7 years PQE since 28th June 2023 when the pool of applicants increased.

Recorder? No, it is not a musical instrument

For those who don’t know what a Recorder is, here is teh JAC’s definition:-

Recorders may sit in both Crown and County Courts, but most start by sitting in the Crown Court. Their jurisdiction is broadly similar to that of a circuit judge, but they will generally handle less complex or serious matters coming before the court.

Recorders are required to manage cases actively as well as to determine claims at trial. A recorder’s duties include assisting the parties to prepare for trial, presiding over court proceedings and delivering judgments in both applications and contested trials.

Recorders are expected to sit for 30 days a year. Recorders may choose whether to count training days as sitting days. Newly appointed recorders have to attend a Judicial Studies Board residential induction course and to sit in with a circuit judge for one week. A Royal Warrant will then be issued and the recorder’s first week of sitting will be supervised. Recorders also attend periodical continuation courses lasting two days every three years.

I’ve been in front of a Recorder a few times, fortunately never gowned!

Increasing the judicial scope for CILEX Lawyers

In June 2023, the scope of judicial positions that CILEX Lawyers could apply to was increased to Recorders and Upper Tribunal Judges. This caused a divided opinion. While many welcomed the change, some saw it as a ‘dumbing down’ for the judiciary. I personally think that is nonsense. Expanding the eligibility does not reduce the criteria. I see regularly see and hear how many very capable and qualfiied applicants have been unsuccessful.

I even said that just because CILEX Lawyer become eligible does not mean that they will be successful. Only the creme de la creme will be appointed.

Who is Nick Hanning?

I don’t know the gentleman and I don’t think i’ve appeared before him before (if I have, and it was remotely, I am sorry for not realising) but I’ve heard many good things.

Nick has, of late, been sitting as a DDJ and a consultant of various firms including Anthony Gold (firm of the well known Giles Peaker of Nearly Legal Blog). He has a siginficantly importantt legal background, such as acting for the claimant in the seminal case of Majrowski v Guy’s and St Thomas’s NHS Trust [2006] UKHL 34 which established employers’ vicarious liability for breach of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 and in a case that achieved the highest ever Employment Tribunal award of over £4.5million.

He is many of the firsts for CLEX:-

• One of the first CILEX Lawyers to become a partner in a law firm
• One of the first CILEX Lawyers to be awarded lower rights of audience (ILEX Advocate as it was known as then)
• One of the first few CILEX Lawyers to become a Deputy District Judge

However, if it is correct, then he is the only CILEX Lawyer to be appointed as a Recorder. That’s special. (Update – he was also the 49th President of CILEX).

To Nick, the CILEX trailblazer…. congratulations. Now get your higher rights of audience before everyone else. You can’t be one of the first partners/CILEX advocates/DDJs/Recorders and then let the Higher Rights slip by!

Information 

AJH Advocacy Limited, a Limited Company which is regulated by the Bar Standards Boards (entity number 190758), ceases trading on the 12th January 2026.

From the 12th January 2026 and onwards, Alec Hancock will practice as a Barrister at Magdalen Chambers in Exeter. For instructions on matters on or after 12th January 2026, please contact Magdalen Chambers via clerks@magdalenchambers.co.uk or by telephone on 01392 285 200.