CLEO operated as an unincorporated entity for many years, organising workshops and training events for those involved in or wanting to set up pro bono clinics. At its conference in November 2013 a decision was taken to formally constitute the organisation with a view to better representing its members and making a more structured contribution to national debates on legal service and educational provision. An application is shortly to be submitted to the Charity Commission to create a charitable company.

Currently CLEO has a membership of 171 academic staff from 80 institutions with the expectation, given current levels of interest, that this number will exceed 200 shortly. The organisation appears now to have sufficient critical mass to warrant the move to incorporation and to consider the appointment of staff to oversee future developments.

Grants