If you’re looking to start a new law firm, CILEx Regulation wants you to have the best chance to prosper, succeed and grow your business.
We can:
– guide you through the application process
– show you how to get the right skills and knowledge to run your firm
– guide you on how to prepare your application for authorisation
Take your first step – check our basic principles for applicants to find out if you can be regulated by us.
Benefits of running your own firm
- Be your own boss
- Improved work/life balance
- Convenient office location
- Gain the remuneration you deserve
- Focus on the work you want to do
- Take back control
Types of firm and owner
We can help if your firm wants to offer any of the following:
- conveyancing
- immigration
- litigation (civil, criminal or family)
- probate
You must have a suitably qualified and approved manager to provide one of these legal activities, for example a solicitor, barrister or conveyancer.
A CILEx Fellow without practice rights can be an owner. All owners must be authorised to conduct legal work.
A non-legal professional can be an owner if you firm has an alternative business structure (ABS) – a structure which allows non-legal professionals to have a financial stake in the firm.
You must also have a compliance manager to oversee overall practice management and accounts management.
Further information
- Setting-up a law firm – key documents
- CILEx – for information on courses, qualifications and experience
- The Sole Practitioners Group
- GOV.UK – Set up a business
- The Federation of Small Businesses
Independent Practice Rights
Gaining an independent practice right means you can carry out work in a reserved activity without supervision. That can allow you to progress within a firm or open up further career opportunities. Being able to actively supervise colleagues’ work, can mean that more senior roles are then a possibility. If you want to become your own boss now or in the future, then for many, independent practice rights will be a necessary first step.
Find out more:
- New route to Practice Rights (via University of Law)
- Gain Independent Practice Rights (Regulation Matters feature).
