The 'apparent breakdown in relationship' between the representative body for 20,000 legal executives and their regulator is to be probed by the Legal Services Board. The super-regulator quietly announced its intervention into a dispute between CILEX and CILEX Regulation Limited (CRL) in correspondence posted on its website yesterday. 

According to the announcement, the investigation will cover 'ongoing disputes, disagreements and associated issues between CILEX and CRL, including delegation, financial matters, proposed consultations and the apparent breakdown of relationship'. A simmering dispute between the two bodies erupted into open civil war in July when CILEX revealed plans to switch oversight of members to the Solicitors Regulation Authority. The LSB investigation 'will consider the lawfulness of the acts or omissions of both parties'. 

According to a 'terms of engagement and scope letter', the LSB 'considers that the apparent breakdown in relationship between CILEX and CRL and consequential breakdown of trust and communication is material to all the areas of investigation'.

CRL welcomed the announcement, saying it has kept the LSB regularly informed of issues as they have arisen. The regulatory body will continue to operate as normal.

Jonathan Rees, Chair of the CRL board, added: 'CRL strongly supports transparent decision making and accountability for public bodies. We very much hope that the LSB’s process will now operate efficiently and that it will, in a timely way, resolve the issues which we have referred.' 

CILEX echoed the welcome and said it will co-operate fully with the process. 'Therefore, in compliance with the LSB’s letters of 4 and 11 October 2022, we are unable to comment further at this stage.'