Royal Charter

• Read our Royal Charter FAQs

About our Charter status

On 12 October 2011, the Queen in Council approved our application for Royal Charter. On 30 January 2012 Justice Minister, Jonathan Dganogly presented us with the sealed charter.

There are many benefits that a Royal Charter will bring to the public as well as to the Institute and its members, including:

• Existing Fellows in active practice are able to use the title Chartered Legal Executive. As of 30 January 2012.
• Members of CILEx can progress to become Chartered Legal Executives, upon achieving Fellowship status.
• Our status as an Approved Regulator, Professional Body and Awarding Organisation is further enhanced by the additional scrutiny and endorsement of our operations by the Privy Council.
• Formal public recognition for our high standards in qualification, regulation and representation.
• Raised consumer awareness and confidence when seeking legal advice from suitably qualified, regulated lawyers.
• Professional recognition from your peers in the legal profession for your equal standing and expertise as Chartered Legal Executive lawyers.

For more information view the Royal Charter Key Facts or take a look at the FAQs below.

Recent amendments

On 17 October 2012 the Privy Council agreed to some changes in our Charter and its Bye-laws.

With immediate effect, the following designatory letters will be used for the following membership grades:

FCILEx – Fellows

GCILEx – Graduate members

ACILEx – Associate members

The changes also mean that any centre accredited to deliver CILEx qualifications will now be referred to as ‘CILEx Centres’. The Institute itself is now referred to as ‘The Chartered Institute’.

While these changes are mostly administrative they do mark a significant step in ensuring that CILEx members are represented and titled correctly as members of a Chartered organisation. Please do ensure that your employer is aware of the changes so that your titles may be amended accordingly.

If you have any questions about how these changes affect you then please contact your membership team on 01234 845777 or by emailing membership@cilex.org.uk

The Oath

From this year forward all Chartered Legal Executives will recite the following oath upon graduating from CILEx, underlining their commitment to the very best service and professional standards.

I promise to discharge diligently my duties and responsibilities as a Chartered Legal Executive. I will protect my independence as a lawyer, uphold the Rule of Law, and act at all times with integrity. I will justify the confidence and trust that is placed in me by my clients, the courts, the public and by my profession.

Royal Charter FAQs

Q. Will I have to take any more exams to become a Chartered Legal Executive?

A. No.

Q. Who can use the title 'Chartered Legal Executive'?

A. This title is reserved for current practising Fellows only.

Q. I am a practising Fellow, when can I use the title Chartered Legal Executive?

A. From 30 January 2012.

Q. Can I still use my designatory letters, F.Inst.L.Ex, G.Inst.L.Ex, A.Inst.L.Ex?

A. No. The designatory letters have now changed as follows:

• FCILEx – Fellows
• GCILEx – Graduate members
• ACILEx – Associate members

Q. I am a retired Fellow, will I be able to call myself a Retired Chartered Legal Executive?

A. No, this title is reserved for current practising Fellows. But you are able to say you are a Retired Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.

Q. I am a non-practising Fellow, will I be able to use the title 'Chartered Legal Executive'?

A. No. This title is reserved for those Fellows in 'active practice'. Non practising Fellows can use the designatory letters FCILEx and are not required to undertake the 16 hours of annual CPD.

Q. Will I have to pay more to use the title Chartered Legal Executive?

A. No.

Q. Will CILEx replace all my previous exam certificates?

A. No. The Charter is not retrospective. Only when the Charter comes into effect will our materials be updated.

Q. I am not a Fellow. How do I refer to myself?

A. You are able to say you are a student/affiliate/associate or graduate member of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.

Q. I am a Legal Executive Advocate. Can I use the title Chartered Legal Executive Advocate?

A. Yes.

Q. My firm’s HR department has asked me if it is mandatory to change my title to Chartered Legal Executive, is it?

A. Whilst we cannot influence an individual firm’s policy – the correct title for practising Fellows is ‘Chartered Legal Executive’. This is what will distinguish you from those who may seek to use a similar title but who are not qualified lawyers. Only practising Fellows of The Chartered Institute may use the chartered title. We are proud of your chartered status and see this as an opportunity for firms to publicise and acknowledge your status and standing, to the benefit of clients and the business. The main purpose of seeking a Royal Charter was to give further confidence and assurance to the public and to provide protection of title for Chartered Legal Executives.

Q. Am I still governed by the Code of Conduct?

A. Yes. This is managed by CILEx Regulation.

Q. Is ILEX Tutorial College (ITC) changing its name?

A. Yes. ITC changed its name to CILEx Law School on Monday 25th March 2013.

Q. When will I receive my new Practising Certificate?

A. Once your payment for subscriptions has been received and your CPD record is up to date or complies with regulation, the certificates will start to be issued from December onwards.

Q. Can I use the new Chartered Institute’s logo on my website, emails and/or letterhead?

A. No. The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives is a professional body, awarding organisation and an approved regulator. Under our Charter we have many duties and boundaries, one of which is a duty to protect the public interest. The display of our logo on letterhead, emails or websites etc, suggests that we approve or endorse the services offered by that company or firm.

We currently have no control or oversight over entities, as we represent (and through CILEx Regulation, regulate) individuals. However, Chartered Legal Executives are able to use the new title afforded to them under the Charter, and are able to use their designatory letters to show their status within The Chartered Institute.

For more information about who is authorised to use our logo, please visit see our logo policy and guidelines pages.

Q. I have another question about the Charter, who do I speak to?

A. Email: Linda Ford, Chief Executive Officer at: lford@cilex.org.uk