A Day to Remember: Celebrating Success at the CILEX 2025 Graduation and Admission Ceremony

The CILEX 2025 Graduation and Admission ceremony took place on 18 October and it was a day filed with pride, joy and inspiration as hundreds of members, family and friends gathered at the QEII Centre in Westminster to celebrate the achievements of CILEX graduates and newly admitted members. 

This year's event brough together over 200 graduates and almost 900 attendees, marking another incredible milestone for our community. It was also a historic day for CILEX, as we celebrated our first cohort of CILEX Chartered Paralegals - with 19 professionals awarded this prestigious new grade. We also proudly recognised two members who completed the full CILEX Qualification (CPQ) - an achievement that represents years of dedication and hard work. 

Honouring excellence and commitment 

The ceremony also provided an opportunity to welcome six new CILEX Honorary Companions, individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the legal profession and to CILEX's mission of creating a more inclusive and accessible legal sector. 

Our 2025 Honorary Companions are: 

• Professor Chris Bones
• Bethany De Montjoie Rudolph
• HHJ Marc Dight
• Barbara Hamilton-Bruce
• Donna Hart
• Andrew Lee

Words of inspiration

As well as being joined by the CILEX President and Vice President and the rest of the Professional Board, we also welcomed guest speaker, Donna Scully. Donna is Joint Owner/Director at Carpenters Group a leading UK provider of insurance and legal services. As well as sharing background on her journey, Donna spoke of the sheer resilience and determination needed to succeed in the legal sector, referencing an extract from a speech by Theodore Roosevelt know as 'The Man in the Arena' 

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.  

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." 

Inspiration and motivation were strong themes throughout the day, coupled with the celebrations, as Sara Fowler, CILEX President reminded attending members, 

"There are no ceilings in your way. CILEX professionals are leading teams, heading up major cases, shaping policy and even standing here as President. I want you to know there are no limits to what you can achieve."

Voices from the day

Social media was awash with celebratory posts, smiling photos and heartfelt reflections. Here re just a few messages shared by attendees: 

"An incredible day celebrating years of hard work. So proud to finally be part of such a forward thinking and supportive profession. Thank you CILEX for an unforgettable day."

"A moment I'll never forget - hearing my name called and walking onto that stage. To anyone thinking of starting their CILEX journey, do it. It's life changing."

A day of pride, connections and celebration

From the moment graduates put on their gowns to the final round of applauses and the obligatory hat throws, the day was filled with emotion, pride and shared accomplishment. The presence of family, mentors, friends and colleagues made it all the more special - a true celebration of not just personal achievement, but community and progress. 

As one graduate summed it up: 

"It's not just a qualification, it's proof that with hard work and belief, there are no limited to how far you can go."

Congratulations to all our 2025 graduates. You've earned your place in CILEX history and we can't wait to see what you achieve next. 

Relive the highlights

Visit the photo gallery to see some moments from this year's ceremony.