Controversial plans to transfer the regulation of Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) members to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) have been shelved.
The SRA, in a draft 2026-27 business plan published last week, confirmed that “some activity [it] had anticipated progressing next year will need to be paused” as it seeks to “prioritise work to safeguard client money”.
The SRA’s draft business plan stated: “Given the need to focus on our current remit, we will not take forward any further work relating to any potential redelegation of the regulation of CILEX professionals.”
CILEX approached the SRA about the potential redelegation of its members in 2022.
However, the move sparked widespread opposition from the Law Society, CILEx Regulation Limited (CRL), CILEX members and other stakeholders, and the Legal Services Board had to step in, ultimately approving the change in regulator.
The proposed change was beset with consultation processes and delays spanning four years.
In 2023 the SRA consulted on the arrangements it would introduce for the regulation of authorised CILEX members. Following a request from CILEX, it consulted in 2024 on its approach to the potential regulation of non-authorised CILEX members.
In July 2024 the SRA board gave the go ahead for the CILEX change.
“While CILEX and the SRA had been in advanced discussions relating to the delegation of the regulation of CILEX members, in recent months both parties have come to the conclusion that change of this scale, at this point in time, would take both organisations away from their key priorities,” CILEX CEO Jennifer Coupland said in a statement.
“CILEX remains committed to having its members regulated proportionately and effectively, reducing unnecessary duplication and operating at a cost that is sustainable for both consumers and the profession.
“Streamlining regulation continues to be our ambition given that many of our members are already regulated by the SRA as they work for SRA-regulated firms, as well as being regulated as individual practitioners by CILEx Regulation. Any reduction in duplication and increased clarity and efficiency would be good for consumers, our members and the market, as well as potentially delivering financial savings.”
She added: “Soon we will be consulting on our strategy covering the next five years. As part of this we will be reviewing how best to achieve our goals for future regulation. In the meantime, we are working collaboratively with CILEx Regulation to look at how we improve the current suite of regulatory arrangements for Chartered Legal Executives, recognising the critical role this plays in supporting members, maintaining high standards, and improving access to justice for the public.”
