Mazur Appeal Could Be Most Watched Case in UK History as Legal Industry Faces “Existential Crisis”

Legal experts have likened the upcoming appeal hearing in the Mazur case to a “World Cup final” for the industry – but warned the result could be financially catastrophic for thousands of firms.

The Court of Appeal will hear CILEX’s case in Mazur & Ors v Charles Russell Speechlys LLP on 24 February, with a live stream on the court’s website set to run for around four and a half hours.

R Costings, a leading Midlands-based legal costs consultancy, has predicted the stream will attract recording-breaking viewer numbers, as the entire profession awaits a judgment that will determine the future of litigation practices across England and Wales.

The original Mazur ruling in September 2025 established that legal executives cannot conduct litigation, even under supervision – a decision that R Costings said has pushed up legal costs for firms and clients, resulting in job losses and closures of entire firm departments.

Paul Reason, Managing Director of R Costings, said:

“The hearing will finally bring some greater clarity to law firms, which is much needed in order to distinguish between conduct and assistance.

“However, if the court’s original decision stands, then the whole industry will be in disarray – access to justice will be lost, cases will not be taken on by solicitors and entire law firm departments will be forced to close.

“I think common sense will prevail. This appeal could save the careers of many lawyers in the industry, but any other result could be catastrophic.”

R Costings emphasised that legal executives – many with decades of litigation experience – have been removed from cases, while newly-qualified solicitors with far less practical expertise are left as the only fee earners overseeing litigation.

The firm also warned that, if only fully qualified solicitors can perform this work going forward, costs are expected to skyrocket, pricing many clients out of legal representation entirely.

Paul Reason added:

“We have likened the Mazur appeal to a World Cup final across the legal industry – our team, and every lawyer I’ve spoken to, is planning to watch the live stream, whether that’s gathered around a TV in the office or through their earphones on a train.

“But in reality, this is a far more serious issue – the future of many firms, and clients’ access to justice, is at stake.”

The hearing is listed for 24 February 2026 at the Court of Appeal.