Press Release
Enhanced independence for legal regulators
CILEx Regulation have today been advised by the Legal Services Board (LSB) that the requirements for all nine approved regulators, including CILEx Regulation to separate their regulatory and representative functions, have been achieved.
Consumers have a right to expect the regulation of legal services to be independent from the profession and today’s announcement means consumers and regulated lawyers (e.g. legal executives, solicitors, barristers, patent and trademark attorneys, costs lawyers and notaries) can have greater trust and confidence in the independence of the decisions made by regulators.
The requirements for separation between regulatory and representative bodies were set out in the LSB’s revised internal governance rules (IGRs) in July 2019. Although they came into effect immediately, approved regulators and regulatory bodies were given a maximum of 12 months to comply. The transition period ended on 23 July 2020.
Sam Younger CILEx Regulation Chair said: “I am delighted that the Legal Services Board has accepted CILEx Regulation’s certification of compliance with the new rules introduced to enhance regulator independence. This demonstrates CILEx Regulation and CILEx’s joint commitment for CILEx Regulation to act impartially in the public interest to protect consumers of legal services.”
The Legal Services Board’s Chair Dr Helen Phillips said: “Enhancing regulatory independence has been a long-term strategic priority for the LSB and I am pleased the regulators are now able to confirm they have the appropriate separations in place between regulatory and representative functions. This is a significant achievement and means consumers can have increased certainty that decisions made by regulators are independent. The LSB is committed to reshaping legal services to better meet the needs of society, and independent regulation helps to give confidence that legal services work in the public interest and support the rule of law.”
“We are grateful to the regulators for their constructive engagement throughout this process and for ensuring that all of the required arrangements were in place within the transition period. Through this process, we have seen significant changes being made that will really enhance the independence of our legal services regulators”.
ENDS
Notes to editors
- CILEx Regulation regulates Chartered Legal Executive lawyers, other members of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives and law firms.
- The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives is the professional association which represents 20,000 Chartered Legal Executives, paralegals and legal professionals.
- CILEx Regulation oversees the education, qualification and practice standards of the legal professionals it regulates and works with the Chartered Institute to ensure that qualifications are at the right level and appropriate to the work that regulated members do.
- CILEx Regulation aims to ensure that regulated members are fully aware of their obligations to consumers, colleagues, the courts and the public, and that they maintain proper standards of professional conduct.
- When necessary, CILEx Regulation deals with complaints against regulated individuals and firms.
- CILEx Regulation embodies the principle that professional representative bodies, like the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, should separate their regulatory and leadership functions so that consumers and the public can have confidence in the independent regulation of legal services providers.
Contact
CILEx Regulation website: https://cilexregulation.org.uk/
CILEx Regulation email info@cilexregulation.org.uk
