CILEx Regulation has published its new EDI strategy setting out its key objectives for the next three years, along with its Diversity Data Report for 2025.
CILEx regulates chartered legal executive lawyers, other members of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) and law firms. Data for the diversity report is drawn directly from the CILEX database, a separate body with 20,000 members.
The report reveals 77% of CILEX members are women, 15% are non-white and 50% did not go to university. A quarter (26%) of members come from working class backgrounds, compared with 39% of the UK population and 18% of solicitors.
Although women make up a three quarters of the overall membership, proportionally more men progress to partnership level: of the 77% of women making up the total, 70% reached partner level. Men make up 22% of the overall membership total, with 30% progressing to partnerships.
“These findings suggest that more male CILEX members are attaining senior roles than their female counterparts, a trend consistent with data since 2019,” CILEx Regulation said.
The proportion of Black, Asian and minority ethnic CILEX members has remained at 15% since 2021, with 8% reaching chartered legal executive partner level – an increase of 2% since 2021.
The age profile of CILEX members continues to increase, with the highest proportion in the 35-44 age group (29%) compared to 27% in 2021. The percent of members in the 55-64 age bracket has increased to 16% from 10% in the first report in 2017.
“Our 2025 Diversity Data Report is integral to our approach to EDI,” CILEx Regulation said.
“The data continues to indicate that CILEX qualifications offer an opportunity for people from less affluent backgrounds to pursue a legal career.”
However, the organisation acknowledged challenges remain across the sector.
“The Legal Services Board recently consulted on proposals to encourage a diverse legal profession. We look forward to working with them and other regulators on this. We are committed to further expanding our remit and leverage through collaboration across the sector, working in partnership with others to effect lasting change.”
The EDI Strategy demonstrates CRL’s ongoing commitment to achieving a more equal, diverse and inclusive legal profession, the organisation added, with a focus on evidence-based research and building strong partnerships.
Objectives for 2026-2028 include improving access to the legal profession for people from all backgrounds, helping the regulated community realise their potential, serving all consumers family, and being a more inclusive CRL. The aims are underpinned by the three core principles of evidence, partnership and transparency.
“Achieving a more equal, diverse and inclusive legal profession is a long-distance race not a sprint,” CILEx Regulation notes in the strategy.
“It is about culture change, education and ongoing commitment. We have successfully laid some of the building blocks through better data, more evidence and research and building strong partnerships within and outside the legal sector. We will now build on that with commitment, perseverance and enthusiasm to make this change happen.”
“Our refreshed EDI strategy continues to focus on improving access to legal services, identifying and addressing the existing barriers faced by those we regulate and ensuring consumers are well served by legal service providers,” Jonathan Rees, chair of CILEx Regulation (pictured) said.
“We are proud of the diversity of those we regulate. Over the last three years we have made good progress in improving data on their background and careers, researching the obstacles they face and creating pathways for them to progress their careers. But as the recent Mazur judgment showed, there is much more to do to help those who entered the legal profession via the CILEX route advance professionally. We are committed to that goal of fair and equal access, working closely with CILEX, the LSB and other regulators.”
Rees concluded:
“EDI is for us not an optional extra but central to our purpose of ensuring high standards of professional competence and enhancing respect for and understanding of CLE qualifications. We remain dedicated to developing our understanding and promoting the careers of chartered legal executives, ultimately providing greater choice and access for consumers.”
CILEx Regulation Equality, Diversity & Inclusion strategy 2026-2028
