CILEX acquires Institute of Paralegals
January saw CILEX strengthen its position as the body that champions specialist legal professionals by acquiring the Institute of Paralegals (IoP) and its Professional Paralegal Register (PPR).
The IoP has around 1,000 members, more than three-quarters of whom are on the PPR, a voluntary regulator set up in 2015. There are a further 200 members of other paralegal organisations on the PPR. Around 44% of IoP members are in law firms – the rest work in a wide variety of settings, from companies and charities to local and other public authorities, such as the NHS. Some run their own businesses.
It is the latest move from CILEX to boost consumer confidence in the provision of legal services, ensuring paralegals have the necessary experience, training and regulation.
CILEX is managing a phased transition, integrating IoP and PPR members into CILEX membership. Whilst their IoP status and membership package is being retained, joining CILEX gives them access to the integrity and quality standard associated with CILEX Paralegal status along with the benefits of CILEX networks, membership services and CPD, already enjoyed by 12,000 CILEX paralegal members. They also have the opportunity to advance their careers through the CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ) to become Advanced Paralegals or CILEX Lawyers if they want.
Rita Leat, former chief executive of the IoP, is working with CILEX as a special adviser to assist with the transition and to support IoP and PPR members and their employers to take advantage of the benefits of this change.
Commenting on the move, CILEX chief executive Linda Ford explained the two organisations have a “shared vision” for recognising the important role paralegals play in the delivery of legal services. “As the home of specialist legal professionals, we were the natural choice to take the IoP and PPR forward,” she said. “We are able to offer its members a recognised professional status as a CILEX Paralegal and access to structured and supported career pathways.
“As employers increasingly recognise the value of a legal workforce with diverse skills, backgrounds and experiences, we see the role of paralegals only becoming more important. Rita has done a terrific job in developing the IoP and PPR and we intend to build on her legacy. Being CILEX members gives these legal professionals the support, training and regulation they need to stand out in the market.”
Rita Leat, who worked for CILEX on its paralegal programmes in the 2000s, said: “It has been an absolute privilege to represent and champion paralegals as the chief executive of the IoP, but in the interests of its members, the time is right to hand it over to an organisation that can further progress the career of paralegals. CILEX is the perfect body to build on the IoP’s success and I am excited to see what 2023 will bring.”
Read more about the acquisition in our in-depth feature.