“The announcement by CILEX of its intention to redelegate regulation of CILEX members to the Solicitors Regulation Authority at the beginning of 2022 has inevitably caused a long period of uncertainty for both CRL staff and the community we regulate. Despite this unwelcome uncertainty CRL has made significant progress in delivering its 2022-24 strategy, including progress with our ambitious EDI agenda, successful approval to authorise higher rights of audience,  a strong risk-based approach to continuing professional development and ongoing competence, and most recently ground-breaking rules to promote transparency of information to consumers by all the firms we regulate.

Over the next three years, we have identified four key strategic objectives to drive our new programme of work. We will report on these transparently at each of our Board meetings, setting out both progress made and the work still to do. Our underlying approach will be to continue to focus on delivering forward-looking legal regulation which protects and promotes the interests of consumers and advances the core issues affecting the legal services sector such as harnessing the benefits of technology and AI, supporting better access to justice, enabling consumers to make informed choices and upholding the highest standards of professional and ethical behaviour of those we regulate. We are also determined to do this in close partnership with fellow regulators, those representing consumers and other stakeholders, and above all in collaboration with those we regulate. The people we regulate are unique and varied and deserve a regulator large enough to deliver for them, and small enough to care about them.”

Regulating CILEx Members (including non-authorised members eg paralegals) and Firms –  CRL oversees the professional conduct of CILEx members, ensuring they adhere to established standards and ethical guidelines. This includes setting and enforcing rules, handling complaints, and taking disciplinary actions when necessary.

Protecting the Public – CRL aims to protect consumers of legal services by ensuring that CILEx professionals and firms operate with integrity and competence. This involves ensuring that legal services are delivered competently, ethically, and in a manner that upholds public trust.

Promoting High Standards – CRL sets and maintains rigorous standards for education, training, and ongoing professional development for CILEx members. These standards are overseen by the LSB to be at the same level as those of other legal professionals such as Solicitors and Barristers. This helps ensure that members are well-qualified and up to date with the latest legal practices and regulations.

Enhancing Accessibility to Legal Services – CRL works to make legal services more accessible to the public, advocating for practices and policies that reduce barriers to obtaining legal assistance, and working with others to promote access to justice.

Supporting Regulatory Objectives – CRL supports broader regulatory objectives such as promoting competition in the legal market, encouraging an independent, strong, diverse, and effective legal profession, and increasing public understanding of the citizen’s legal rights and duties.