Making justice better
We’re the professional body for over 17,000 members, made up of paralegals, CILEX Lawyers and other specialist legal professionals in England and Wales.
Our vision
CILEX believes in creating more accessible opportunities to build careers in the legal profession.
By providing a range of flexible routes to qualification, campaigning for better working permissions for CILEX legal professionals, as well as ongoing support and representation for members post-qualification, CILEX is working to build a more inclusive legal sector which ultimately delivers a better service for clients.
Our mission
To transform the legal profession by educating, developing and supporting our members to deliver high-quality, accessible legal services for the benefit of society as a whole. In achieving our mission we are committed to:
- Celebrating difference
- Challenging outdated perceptions
- Combining technical expertise with practical insight and emotional intelligence
- Providing opportunities without barriers
CILEX Charter
In 2012, the institute was granted a Royal Charter by the Privy Council on behalf of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Charter recognises CILEX’s role as an Approved Regulator under the Legal Services Act 2007, a professional membership association and qualification Awarding Body.
As a Chartered Body we have a duty to act in the public interest and are subject to scrutiny by the Privy Council.
CILEX members who meet specified criteria are permitted to use ‘Chartered’ in their professional title.
You can learn more about our charter and the benefits it provides our members.
Royal Charter
About our Charter status
There are many benefits that a Royal Charter brings to the public as well as to the Institute and its members, including:
- Our status as an Approved Regulator, Professional Body and Awarding Organisation is enhanced by the additional scrutiny and endorsement of our governance by the Privy Council.
- Formal public recognition for our high standards in qualification, regulation and representation.
- Raised consumer awareness and confidence when seeking legal advice from suitably qualified, regulated lawyers.
- Professional recognition, the standing and expertise of Chartered Legal Executive lawyers.
The Charter, supported by a set of Bye-Laws sets out the membership grades, titles and rights of our members.
If you have any questions about The Royal Charter, please contact us.
“I promise to discharge diligently my duties and responsibilities as a Chartered Legal Executive. I will protect my independence as a lawyer, uphold the Rule of Law, and act at all times with integrity. I will justify the confidence and trust that is placed in me by my clients, the courts, the public and by my profession.”
The Oath
All Chartered Legal Executives recite the oath above upon graduating from CILEX, underlining their commitment to the very best service and professional standards.
Who we work with
What is a CILEX Lawyer?
CILEX Lawyers are fully qualified legal professionals authorised to practise as specialist lawyers alongside Solicitors.
What differentiates a CILEX Lawyer from a solicitor is that a CILEX Lawyer begins to specialise in a specific area of practice during their qualification, providing them with extensive knowledge and experience of that area of law.
What do CILEX do?
CILEX offers accessible routes to a career in the law through a range of qualifications and courses leading to registration as a Paralegal, Chartered Lawyer and even the opportunity to apply for Judicial appointment. We have created the UK’s most flexible and affordable routes to legal qualification.
As the UK’s second largest legal professional body, we actively campaign for policy improvements and legislative reform to open up new career opportunities for CILEX members and to improve access to justice.
We maintain a public register of specialist lawyers and paralegals regulated through our independent regulatory body, CILEX regulation Limited.
Studying with CILEX
Your qualification journey with CILEX has many options, with the flexibility to study around your personal life or to learn while you earn with apprenticeships. The training is delivered by independent course providers, so you can choose the learning style and qualifications that suit your lifestyle and career aspirations.
Muhammed Ahmed Shah
CILEX graduate
“It was an amazing journey with CILEX. You can divide your time with the study, with your family members, with your work life as well.”
Ruby
CILEX graduate
“I chose the CILEX route because it’s very flexible. I’m a mum with two kids and I have my own practice as an accountant. I have a few clients, so I can choose whenever I want to study, what time. It’s just the flexibility of it.”
Gemma Sparks
Director, The Family Law Company
“Benefits of choosing CILEX for my team is people already know that they want to specialise in a particular area. As family law specialists, they come to us wanting to specialise. And the benefits of doing it are, predominantly, flexibility, so they’re able to work, earn and learn all at the same time.”
Press & Media Releases
Keep up to date with the latest CILEX news and announcements, including our work campaigning for better practice rights for our members.
Our Board
The CILEX Board is made up of business and legal professionals, including CILEX members, who are passionate about CILEX and its contributions to the UK legal sector. Applying their experiences from a diverse range of backgrounds, our board members oversee our strategy in line with our ambitions.
CILEX qualifications
Governance & Regulation
Contact Us
If you have any questions or queries about CILEX, want to raise an issue or make a complaint, please contact us.
Complaints about a CILEX Member
Complaints regarding CILEX members are handled by our independent regulator CILEX Regulation Limited.