BFW Director Awarded CILEX Chartered Paralegal Status

We are pleased to share news that benefits you directly. Amy Peters, Director at Beneficial Family Wills, has become one of the first people in the country to qualify for the new CILEX Chartered Paralegal designation. This recognition gives you extra confidence that the legal advice and support you receive meets rigorous standards of knowledge, client care and professional ethics.

What is the CILEX Chartered Paralegal status?

The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives, CILEX, has introduced a regulated, public-facing title to recognise experienced legal professionals who have followed non-traditional career routes. The CILEX Chartered Paralegal status confirms that a practitioner has demonstrated extensive legal knowledge, practical competence and high ethical standards. The designation was recently approved by the Privy Council, and CILEX will maintain a register so you can check a practitioner’s status.

Why this matters to you

When you are arranging a will, making a lasting power of attorney, or putting assets into a trust, you want clarity about who is advising you. The Chartered Paralegal title gives you three practical benefits:

• Transparency - you can check the regulated register to confirm credentials.
• Standards - the status reflects assessed competence in legal tasks and client care.
• Trust - regulated titles help you feel confident the adviser follows a formal code of conduct.

What the assessment involved

Amy was invited to join the initial cohort and completed a detailed submission. The assessment looked at academic achievements, specialist legal knowledge, client care skills, business management and ethical standards. As she said, the paper was detailed and required evidence across practical work and professional behaviour, and she is proud to have completed it successfully.

How this affects the services you use

You should expect clear, knowledgeable advice when you use a legal service for estate planning. At BFW, Amy’s Chartered Paralegal status strengthens the team’s credentials and reassures you that we follow best practice when drafting wills, preparing LPAs, and structuring trusts. If you are comparing advisers, consider asking:

1. Are they on a public, regulated register such as CILEX?
2. Can they show evidence of client care and ethical conduct?
3. Do they have experience with the specific matters you need, for example lifetime tax planning or complex family arrangements?

Check official guidance

If you are looking at Lasting Powers of Attorney, the government provides clear information on who can make them and how they work, which you can read on gov.uk. Use trusted sites and regulated advisers when you are dealing with important documents.

Practical next steps for your planning

If you want to make sure your will reflects your wishes and protects those you care about, get advice from someone whose qualifications you can verify. You can make or update your will with our advisers, or choose a quicker option with our online will if your circumstances are straightforward.

If you need help with powers of attorney, our team can guide you through Lasting Power of Attorney arrangements and registration. Learn more about LPAs on our Lasting Power of Attorney page, or contact us to discuss your situation.

At BFW we are committed to ongoing professional development, and Amy’s achievement is the first of several steps we are taking to strengthen skills across the team. You can rely on us to combine practical experience with regulated standards so you receive clear, compassionate advice.

Contact us if you would like to speak to someone about wills, LPAs or trusts. For probate support or questions after someone dies, see our probate services and we will guide you through each stage.

We are proud to support our clients and the wider community by growing expertise and maintaining high standards. If you want to discuss your estate planning needs, get in touch and we will help you take the next step with confidence.