The Legal Services Board (LSB) has approved ILEX Professional Standards’ (IPS) applications to enable it to authorise members of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) to practise independently in Probate and Conveyancing. The decision now goes to the Lord Chancellor, Chris Grayling, and for subsequent parliamentary approval, anticipated during the course of 2014.

If approved, members authorised by IPS will be able to practise independently in their chosen specialism. Not only will this benefit law firms and lead to consumer savings, but it is also likely to pave the way for CILEx members to practise independently in all areas of law..

IPS Chair Alan Kershaw said:

“This is a special day for IPS and CILEx. We have cleared a significant hurdle and now we hope the Lord Chancellor and Parliament will move swiftly to approve these changes, opening the way for CILEx members to run their own businesses. CILEx members are specialists who are trained on the job and regulated to a robust standard. They have already been doing this work for years. IPS’ regulation will continue to develop in line with these changes in a risk-based and outcomes-focused manner, promoting the interests of consumers.”

Currently, CILEx members are able to conduct many reserved legal activities only under the ‘supervision’ of an authorised person, most commonly a solicitor.

If approved by the Lord Chancellor and Parliament, IPS will be ready to approve applications for authorisation for both individuals and entities in early 2015.

IPS will apply in due course for CILEx to be able to license alternative business structures managed or owned by non-lawyers. That application, like the present one, will need to be approved by the LSB.