Legal Director Juliet Harvey from Birketts’ Family Team was granted honorary status of CILEX Companion at the CILEX Graduation ceremony held at Central Hall Westminster on 6 November 2021. Nominated by the organisation’s Board, Juliet received the highest level of membership awarded by CILEX in recognition of her track record of excellence and her contribution to its work.

Companions are chosen for their adherence to a number of organisational principles including developing, supporting and contributing to CILEX’s aims as well as promoting the reputation of the group and its credibility.

Recommended by the Legal 500, Juliet is a Chartered Legal Executive and Collaborative Lawyer and was the first Chartered Legal Executive to hold the post of Chair of Resolution (a national organisation with over 6,500 members across the Family Justice Arena) in the organisation’s history. Juliet also chairs and sits on a number of national working groups dealing with family law issues and has advised the Senior Judiciary, HMCTS as well as the Ministry of Justice during her impressive career.

Juliet is also a member of the Law Society Family Law panel and has previously been a trustee of local Women’s Aid groups, local contact centres and other family centred charities. She has extensive experience dealing with the full range of family issues including divorce, children and financial issues.

Juliet will act as an ambassador for CILEX and help with the organisation’s mentoring scheme, supporting other members to progress in their careers. Juliet will also work alongside both CILEX’s President and the Chair, contributing to CILEX’s strategy and shaping communications to ensure they capture the views of all members.

Caroline Jepson, CILEX President, commented: “Companions are an exceptional group of leaders who have a proven track record either within their own organisation or in the advancement of the profession or in their contribution to the work of CILEX. This is the highest accolade that CILEX offer.”

Presenting the accolade Craig Tickner, the immediate CILEX past President, said “It is my pleasure to award this to Juliet, whose illustrious career serves as both a benchmark and an inspiration to existing members and aspiring ones alike.”

Legal Director in Birketts’ Family Team Juliet Harvey, added: “It is a true honour to receive this award. I am proud to serve as an advocate for CILEX and bring attention to it’s incredibly important work seeking to make the UK legal sector more representative of those it serves. I am incredibly proud to be a Fellow of CILEX, qualifying as a legal professional in what is often seen as an alternative route to the law.  I hope to use my experiences to help the organisation succeed in it’s intention to tackle head on the systemic barriers faced across the legal profession.”

Oliver Gravell, Partner and Head of Birketts’ Family Team concluded: “Juliet is an extraordinary lawyer and this recognition by CILEX, giving her it’s highest honour, highlights her rich and varied contribution to the sector. Her client-focused approach, sterling service and diverse range of commitments make her the ideal mentor for CILEX members looking to progress their careers. Empathetic, knowledgeable and with a wealth of family law experience, Juliet continues to be an inspiration and we could not be happier to see her receive this acknowledgement.”