Chartered Institute of Legal Executives
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1963
- HeadquartersBedford, United Kingdom
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
Chartered Institute of Legal Executives firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Chartered Institute of Legal Executives
- Legal name
- The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives
- Website
- https://cilex.org.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1963
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Chartered Institute of Legal Executives is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bedford
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Chartered Institute of Legal Executives business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Subscriptions: Recurring annual membership fees paid by members (e.g., CILEX Paralegal £230/year, CILEX Chartered Paralegal £288/year).
- Qualification Assessment Fees: One-time fees for each stage of the CILEX Professional Qualification and standalone qualifications (CPQ stages ranging £6,500–£15,000; CILEX Paralegal £945; CILEX Chartered Paralegal £1,575).
- Registration and Application Fees: Upfront fees for trainee registration (£475), re-submissions (£150), Recognised Degree programme applications (£1,500 initial + £500 annual renewal), and Experience Assessment Route applications (from £1,260).
- Course and Training Delivery (CILEX Law School): Revenue from tuition and course delivery for apprenticeships, paralegal courses, and CILEX Law School programmes.
- End-Point Assessment (EPA) Fees: Fees charged to training providers and employers for government-regulated apprenticeship end-point assessment.
- Provider Accreditation Fees: Annual and initial fees from higher education and training providers for CILEX accreditation (e.g., Recognised Degree £1,500 application + £500 renewal).
- Partnership and Sponsorship Revenue: Industry partner programme fees, event sponsorship, and CILEX Awards sponsorship revenue.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Annual | CILEX Paralegal qualification: £945 assessment + £230 annual membership |
| Other | Annual | CILEX Chartered Paralegal: £1,575 assessment + £288 annual membership |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Trainee CILEX Chartered Paralegal: £475 registration + £785 assessment |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ): £6,500–£15,000 total |
| Subscription | Annual | Recognised Degree Programme: £1,500 initial + £500 annual renewal |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Experience Assessment Route: from £1,260 |
Go-to-market motion5 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels8 records
Chartered Institute of Legal Executives product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CILEX is the professional association and governing body for chartered legal executive lawyers, paralegals and other legal practitioners in England and Wales. It delivers professional qualifications (CILEX Professional Qualification, CILEX Graduate Qualification, CILEX Certificate in Legal Practice), a portfolio of legal apprenticeships, end-point assessment services, ongoing membership grades with practising rights, and continuing professional development resources, supported by a member portal and a network of approved higher education and training providers.
Product overview
Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) operates a platform-plus-modules architecture centered on professional qualification and membership services for legal professionals in England and Wales. The core offering comprises the CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ) — the new unified route replacing the legacy Level 3 and Level 6 Diplomas — alongside the CILEX Graduate Qualification (CGQ) and the CILEX Certificate in Legal Practice, all delivered through the CILEX Law School (CLS). These sit alongside a portfolio of apprenticeships (Level 3 Business Administrator, Level 3 Paralegal, Level 6 Chartered Legal Executive, Level 7 CLE Litigator and Advocate) where CILEX acts as an End-Point Assessment Organisation delivering CILEX End-Point Assessment (EPA) Services and the CILEX Experience Assessment (CEA) route. Membership is layered via CILEX Membership grades, CILEX Aspire Membership for students, and public-facing registers including the CILEX Authorised Practitioners Directory and the CILEX Professional Paralegal Register (PPR). Governance and support are provided by CILEX Regulation (independent regulator), CILEX Foundation (charity for scholarships), and CILEX Education Publishing, with the myCILEX Portal tying the experience together for members and students. Modern add-ons include the CILEX AI Academy (in partnership with 5mins.ai), CILEX Journal, CILEX Blog and CILEX Events.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- CILEX Law School (CLS): Delivers legal education and training, including CPQ courses, non-CPQ qualifications, revision courses, and apprenticeships.
- CILEX Foundation
- CILEX Regulation (CILEx Regulation Limited)
Products and services
- CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ) The flagship route to qualifying as a CILEX Lawyer, replacing the legacy Level 3 and Level 6 Diplomas. Assessed via online platforms TestReach and Digify.
- CILEX Graduate Qualification (CGQ) A streamlined qualification route specifically designed for law graduates to become CILEX Lawyers, building on prior academic study.
- CILEX Certificate in Legal Practice An introductory qualification providing foundational legal practice knowledge, serving as an entry point into CILEX membership routes.
- CILEX Law School (CLS) The educational delivery arm of CILEX providing structured training, learning materials and support for students undertaking CILEX qualifications.
- CILEX Apprenticeships A suite of apprenticeship standards including Level 3 Business Administrator, Level 3 Paralegal, Level 6 Chartered Legal Executive, and Level 7 CLE Litigator and Advocate, with CILEX serving as the End-Point Assessment Organisation.
- CILEX Membership Professional membership grades (including Student, Affiliate, Graduate, Member, and Fellow/Chartered Legal Executive) providing practising rights, post-nominals and career development resources.
- CILEX End-Point Assessment (EPA) Services End-Point Assessment services for legal apprenticeships, delivered by CILEX as an approved End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO), with published EPA plans for each standard.
- CILEX Experience Assessment (CEA) Experience-based assessment route that recognises prior workplace learning and experience for admission to CILEX membership grades.
- CILEX AI Academy A bite-sized AI learning platform delivered in partnership with 5mins.ai, designed to help legal professionals and teams leverage AI to work faster and smarter for their organisations and clients.
- CILEX Aspire Membership Free student membership for individuals aspiring to a legal career, providing resources, guidance and a route into CILEX qualifications.
- CILEX Education Publishing Publishing arm producing textbooks and interactive coursebooks used for CILEX qualifications, with interactive content delivered via a third-party provider.
- Level 6 Chartered Legal Executive EPA v1.1 Updated End-Point Assessment plan v1.1 for the Level 6 Chartered Legal Executive apprenticeship standard.
- Level 3 Paralegal EPA v1.3 Updated End-Point Assessment plan v1.3 for the Level 3 Paralegal apprenticeship standard.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 18,000 CILEX members in the legal profession
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Chartered Institute of Legal Executives
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Chartered Institute of Legal Executives technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
AI capability1 record
Feature5 records
Chartered Institute of Legal Executives partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
27 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- University of BedfordshirecoreApproved higher education partner delivering CILEX-accredited law degree programmes as part of the pathway to CILEX qualification.
- University Centre LeedscoreApproved higher education partner offering CILEX-aligned qualifications and training.
- University of PortsmouthcoreApproved higher education partner delivering CILEX-accredited programmes.
- The Open University Law SchoolflagshipApproved higher education partner delivering CILEX law qualifications through the Open University's distance-learning model, extending CILEX reach nationally.
- The University of LawflagshipApproved higher education partner delivering CILEX pathways alongside its wider legal training portfolio.
- Coventry UniversitycoreApproved higher education partner offering CILEX-aligned law programmes.
- University of Wales - Trinity Saint DavidcoreApproved higher education partner delivering CILEX-aligned programmes in Wales.
- CILEX Law SchoolflagshipCILEX's own training arm delivering apprenticeship programmes and CILEX qualifications directly to learners and employers.
- Bede Sixth Form CollegeminorApproved training provider offering CILEX courses.
- Brightlink LearningminorApproved training provider delivering CILEX-aligned courses.
- AstrantiminorApproved training provider offering CILEX-aligned study materials and courses.
- The Law AcademyminorApproved training provider offering CILEX-aligned programmes.
- Law Training CentrecoreApproved training provider delivering CILEX courses and apprenticeship instruction.
- Gower College SwanseacoreApproved training provider delivering CILEX courses in Wales.
- Weston CollegecoreApproved training provider delivering CILEX apprenticeship programmes.
- 5mins.aiflagshipAI Academy partner delivering AI literacy training to CILEX members through the CILEX AI Academy programme.
- Black Letter CommunicationscorePR agency partner managing CILEX media relations, press releases, and external communications.
- Index (Index Property Information)minorIndustry partner offering CILEX member benefits and services in the property information sector.
- Bluebutton Legal IndemnityminorIndustry partner offering CILEX member benefits in legal indemnity insurance.
- Chadwick NottminorIndustry partner (legal recruitment) offering CILEX members career services.
- Landmark InformationcoreIndustry partner providing property and environmental information services to CILEX members.
- Finders InternationalminorIndustry partner offering heir-tracing and genealogy services to CILEX members.
- GroundsureminorIndustry partner providing environmental search services to CILEX members.
- Anglia ResearchminorIndustry partner providing research services to CILEX members.
- Title ResearchminorIndustry partner providing title research services to CILEX members.
- Totally LegalminorIndustry partner providing legal career and job board services to CILEX members.
- CILEX FoundationflagshipCharitable foundation associated with CILEX, focused on widening access to the legal profession, supporting diversity initiatives, and providing bursaries.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Chartered Institute of Legal Executives competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales): A chartered professional body operating a similar Royal Charter + membership + qualification + regulated practice rights model, but in accountancy. Structurally comparable as a chartered, regulated professional awarding body with subscription, qualification and CPD revenue streams.
- Kaplan UK (Legal Training): A long-established provider of professional legal training including SQE preparation and apprenticeship programmes, and a competitor to CILEX Law School for legal apprenticeship delivery and assessment pathway revenue.
- Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS): A chartered professional body with Royal Charter status regulating surveyors globally. Comparable to CILEX as a Royal Charter-holding professional body operating a membership, qualification and disciplinary framework, though in a different regulated profession.
- Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA): The regulator of solicitors and law firms in England and Wales, sitting alongside CILEX Regulation in the same regulatory ecosystem. SRA governs the substantially larger solicitor profession and shapes the qualification framework (SQE) against which CILEX competes.
- The University of Law: The UK's largest provider of legal training and the largest law school network, delivering SQE, LPC and post-qualification courses. It is a flagship CILEX higher education partner and competes directly for the same pool of aspiring lawyers via the solicitor route.
- BPP University Law School: A major commercial provider of legal training in England and Wales, including SQE preparation, LPC and apprenticeship programmes. BPP directly competes with CILEX apprenticeships and qualifications for employer apprenticeship levy funding and learner demand.
Others
- CILEX Regulation (CILEx Regulation Limited): The independent regulatory arm of CILEX itself, responsible for regulating CILEX members. Listed as an ecosystem reference given its direct relationship to the parent organisation and its structural similarity to bodies like the SRA and Bar Standards Board.
Direct peers
- Bar Standards Board: The independent regulator of barristers in England and Wales, structurally analogous to CILEX Regulation. It operates as a separate Approved Regulator under the Legal Services Act 2007 with delegated authority over a distinct branch of the legal profession.
- The Law Society: The professional body representing solicitors in England and Wales, and the closest counterpart to CILEX as one of the three main legal professional bodies. Both regulate membership, award practising rights, and accredit legal qualifications, but The Law Society covers the much larger solicitor population.
Regional players
- STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners): A global professional body for trust and estate practitioners, intersecting with CILEX's private client practice specialism (2,200+ members). STEP operates a qualification, membership and CPD model that overlaps with CILEX in private client and probate-focused segments.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Chartered Institute of Legal Executives social profiles
Digital presenceChartered Institute of Legal Executives compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance5 records
Chartered Institute of Legal Executives financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Chartered Institute of Legal Executives leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Chartered Institute of Legal Executives subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
Chartered Institute of Legal Executives funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Chartered Institute of Legal Executives M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Chartered Institute of Legal Executives
What does Chartered Institute of Legal Executives do?
CILEX is the professional association and governing body for chartered legal executive lawyers, paralegals and other legal practitioners in England and Wales. It delivers professional qualifications (CILEX Professional Qualification, CILEX Graduate Qualification, CILEX Certificate in Legal Practice), a portfolio of legal apprenticeships, end-point assessment services, ongoing membership grades with practising rights, and continuing professional development resources, supported by a member portal and a network of approved higher education and training providers.
Is Chartered Institute of Legal Executives a public or private company?
Chartered Institute of Legal Executives is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Chartered Institute of Legal Executives founded?
Chartered Institute of Legal Executives was founded in 1963. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Chartered Institute of Legal Executives based?
Chartered Institute of Legal Executives is headquartered in Bedford, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Chartered Institute of Legal Executives make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Membership Subscriptions are the primary driver. The others are qualification Assessment Fees, registration and Application Fees, course and Training Delivery (CILEX Law School), end-Point Assessment (EPA) Fees, provider Accreditation Fees and partnership and Sponsorship Revenue.
Who are Chartered Institute of Legal Executives's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are ICAEW (Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales), Kaplan UK (Legal Training), Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA), The University of Law and BPP University Law School. CILEX Regulation (CILEx Regulation Limited) is listed as an others. Direct peers are Bar Standards Board and The Law Society. STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) is listed as a regional player.
Does Chartered Institute of Legal Executives have an API?
No public API is recorded for Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.