Specialist regulation fit for the future 

Following the recent publication of its 2024 corporate plan, CILEx Regulation chair Jonathan Rees discusses the regulator’s agenda for change and its priorities for the coming year

In January, CILEx Regulation Ltd (CRL) published its 2024 corporate plan, focused on delivering forward-looking legal regulation for all. It set out an ambitious roadmap for the next 12 months, as well as the framework for the development of CRL’s strategy from 2025 onwards. It also highlighted key achievements for 2023 against our strategic objectives.

While we continue to operate during a period of uncertainty, we remain focused and committed to delivering fair and effective regulation. This plan sets out priorities, including plans to proactively engage with the issues that matter most to consumers, CILEX members and other stakeholders.

It outlines CRL’s commitment to:

• Delivering our core authorisation, supervision and enforcement regulatory activities, and

• Refining and improving the way services are delivered against key strategic objectives, including protecting the interests of consumers, promoting high professional standards and encouraging a diverse and effective legal profession.

It sees CRL head into 2024 with confidence that our approach and agenda for change continue to enjoy the support of our regulated community, as reflected by over 1,000 respondents to our Specialist Regulation for the Future of an Independent Profession consultation last year, in which the majority said they wanted to maintain the present system of independent regulation for CILEX professionals.

Strong independent regulation

The people we regulate are unique and varied. It is critical that the regulatory system is rooted in their experience and expertise, and recognises the distinctive and specialist contribution CILEX professionals make. Any changes to regulation should be made openly, based on evidence and on the genuine needs of consumers, so that we maintain quality while providing value for money.

“We remain ambitious for further innovation in the way we regulate CILEX members and have set out a progressive programme” 

We remain ambitious for further innovation in the way we regulate CILEX members and have set out a progressive programme for 2024 and into 2025 and beyond. We are working towards full financial and operational independence, pursuing innovative models to minimise the regulatory burden, championing fair access and enhancing the information available to consumers to improve accessibility to legal services.

In particular, we will be looking at the role of those non-authorised lawyers providing legal services, building on our successful independent regulation of CILEX paralegals. We will also work with others on how to bolster strong independent regulation, free from vested interest interference.

Further consultation

As well as setting out plans for the coming year, we have highlighted achievements in 2023. These have progressed against our strategic objectives and have remained on track, despite resources being diverted to address CILEX’s proposals to redelegate regulatory responsibility from CRL to the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

Having last year consulted with CILEX members on initial proposals for the future of regulation, this year CRL will again be consulting with all key stakeholders in more detail on a draft corporate strategy covering 2025-2027.

You can find out further information by accessing the CRL 2024 Corporate Plan