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For many years, I was registered as a qualified paralegal through the Institute of Paralegals (IOP) in London. I qualified in 2018 through the professional experience route, which was one of the recognised pathways. The IOP was a supportive and professional organisation, and I was proud to be part of it.
As part of my registration, I was formally granted the post-nominal designation Q. Inst Pa.
In 2018, the Institute of Paralegals awarded me the professional designation Q. Inst. Pa, which stands for Qualified Paralegal – Institute of Paralegals. This confirmed that I had met the Institute’s recognised criteria through the experience route, based on years of work alongside lawyers and handling legal casework. It was the official status granted to me under the IOP framework, and I used this designation from that time onwards.
Although the Institute of Paralegals no longer exists, I continue to use the designation Q. Inst. Pa after my name to reflect the qualification I was awarded in 2018. This post-nominal confirms my status and experience as a qualified paralegal, even though the original organisation is no longer operating.
However, after the takeover of the Institute of Paralegals by CILEX, several issues arose. When I recently contacted the new organisation to renew my membership, I was informed that my previous status and designation with which they registered me, had not been carried across in 2025. I was not listed in their paralegal register, and the designation I had been awarded by the IOP no longer exists under their current naming structure.
At no point during the past two years was I notified that my level of status had been discontinued and that my status had been changed, nor was I informed that I was not included under their register. The communication I received was unclear, and the responses to my enquiries were inconsistent. I am simply stating the facts of my personal experience.
I am very disappointed with the tone of the telephone conversation I had with a member of CILEX staff this week, something I never experienced with the IOP over many years of helpful communication with them.
Following the takeover, my own interactions with CILEX and the response to my enquiry (CILEX confirmed that to remain on their register I would need to submit further documents, attend an interview, and pay a fee, steps that would take hours of work for something already recognised through my IOP qualification). I prefer to spend my time supporting clients, so I will not be pursuing this, and my professional status and experience remain unchanged.
The above have led me to the conclusion that the organisation is not for me. This is my personal view based solely on my direct dealings with them. I understand that many people may be satisfied members, but my experience did not give me confidence in continuing. For this reason, I have decided not to maintain membership.
At the time of writing, I remain listed as a member until 31 December, as this is the expiry date of the last membership period carried over after the takeover. I was asked to write formally to confirm that I no longer wished to continue as a member, but I have chosen not to do this. My position is simple: if I do not renew or pay for the next period, then my membership will naturally lapse at the end of the year. For now, I remain on their records until the expiry date, after which they will remove me from their register. This is purely an administrative matter and does not affect my work, my previous IOP qualification, or my professional background.
Nothing changes.
My 2018 qualification remains part of my professional history, and, more importantly, I continue to draw on many years of experience assisting clients and working alongside lawyers. Spain does not have a formal paralegal register, so my day-to-day work continues exactly as before.
As a qualified paralegal (Q Inst PA), I provide information and guidance based on law, including Spanish Royal Decrees, European Directives, and other applicable regulations. I do not provide formal legal advice, but I help people understand their rights and options using accurate legal sources.
People may ask about my background and qualifications. I believe in transparency with those who follow my work and rely on the information I provide. My decision to step away from CILEX is not due to any issue on my part and does not reflect any lack of qualification. It is simply the result of how the takeover process was handled and the lack of clarity provided regarding my status.
My commitment remains exactly the same.
I will continue to provide accurate legal information, explain Spanish and EU law as clearly as possible, and assist people in understanding their rights. This administrative change does not affect the advice and support I offer or the work I have always done.
My status when accepted by CILEX as a qualified paralegal.
IOP badge from my favourite IOP.
One of my earlier membership certificates that I proudly display.
