Who we are

Who we are and what we do

CILEX Regulation was formed in 2008 following the Legal Services Act 2007. We are the independent regulatory body of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. We regulate individual legal professionals and law firms in England and Wales.

We are one of eight legal regulators who regulate different types of lawyers. You can find out more on the Legal Choices website. The Legal Services Board is responsible for watching over the work of the legal regulators.

What regulation means

We are here to:

• protect the interests of consumers
• promote high professional standards
• encourage a diverse and effective legal profession

Our regulation covers four broad areas – Education, Authorisation, Supervision and Enforcement.

We do this by overseeing the education, qualification and continuing competence of the people we regulate. We set standards, oversee compliance with those standards and investigate allegations of non-compliance – taking action where we need to.

Our approach to regulation is proportionate and constructive. Members of our regulated community deliver legal services in the way they think best, provided this is in the interests of their clients and the wider public.

What guides our approach

Regulatory Objectives

The Legal Services Act sets out the regulatory objectives that govern our approach.

[We] must, so far is as reasonably practical, act in a way – which is compatible with the regulatory objectives” and is “most appropriate for meeting those objectives

The principles of good regulation

The Legal Services Act also requires us to ‘have regard to’ the following five principles of good regulation when performing regulatory functions.

• Transparent – our rules should be comprehensible, and objectives stated.
• Accountable – our regulation should have criteria to measure effectiveness and be accountable.
• Proportionate – our regulation should be appropriate to address the issue concerned.
• Consistent – our regulation should provide consistent outcomes, especially with other regulation
• Targeted – our regulation should focus on the problem it seeks to address. Enforcement should be based on risk. Regulation should be subject to systematic review.

The Regulator’s Code

When developing policies and operational procedures that guide our regulatory activities CRL has regard to the Regulators Code which provides that regulators should:

• carry out their activities in a way that supports those they regulate to comply and grow;
• provide simple and straightforward ways to engage with those they regulate and hear their views;
• take an evidence and risks based approach;
• share information about compliance and risk; and
• ensure clear information, guidance and advice is available to help those they regulate meet their responsibilities to comply.

CILEx Regulation Annual Reports