The CILEx Route for Law Graduates“There are many benefits to becoming a lawyer through CILEx, and I can now become a court advocate, a judge or a partner in a law firm.”

2 | The CILEx route for law graduates

ABOUT CHARTERED LEGAL EXECUTIVE LAWYERS

CILEx GRADUATE

‘FAST-TRACK’ DIPLOMA

Chartered Legal Executive lawyers are professionally qualified, specialist lawyers who can also become court advocates and partners in law firms. They are also eligible to apply for judicial appointment.

Graduates who have gained a qualifying law degree as approved by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) within the last seven years can apply to join CILEx as Associate Members. Graduates who join as Associate members:

n Can use the designatory letters ACILEx

n Are exempt from CILEx study at Level 3, the first stage of qualifying to become a Chartered Legal Executive

n Can study for the CILEx Graduate ‘Fast-Track’ Diploma

The CILEx Graduate ‘Fast-Track’ Diploma is a very cost effective means of qualification, particularly compared to the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) fees which usually range from £10,500 to £16,500 for aspiring solicitors and barristers. The average cost of the CILEx Graduate Fast-Track Diploma is only around £2,400, including all course fees, CILEx membership and exemption fees.

The CILEx Graduate ‘Fast Track’ Diploma can be studied part-time, leaving you able to seek employment in legal practice whilst continuing your studies. So you can start accumulating the necessary qualifying employment to be a Chartered Legal Executive Lawyer.

Whilst a qualifying law degree provides partial exemption towards the CILEx qualification, graduates must complete two CILEx Level 6 practice units (one of which must be linked to a law module studied as part of your law degree) and the CILEx Level 6 Client Care Skills unit (assessed by course work only). The legal practice unit options available are:

n Civil Litigation n Criminal Litigation n The Practice of Employment Law n Probate Practice n The Practice of Company and Partnership Law n The Practice of Family Law n Conveyancing

When you have successful completed the diploma, you will be upgraded to Graduate Member status and entitled to use the designatory letters: GCILEx.

“I think CILEx is a marvellous route, and had I been aware of it when I graduated with an LLB I would not have spent £10,000 on an LPC with such poor prospects of securing a training contract.” - CILEx member

If you already hold the LPC or the BVC/BPTC you do not need to complete the CILEx qualifications, and you can immediately apply to become a Graduate Member of CILEx and use the designatory letters “GCILEx”. There is no training contract or pupillage requirement, but graduates will need to complete a period of qualifying employment.

FOR LPC AND BVC/BPTC GRADUATES

The CILEx route for law graduates | 3

You can choose to study at any CILEx accredited centre (www.cilexcareers.org.uk holds details of all our study centres). Each centre sets their own course fees, and you need to apply direct to enrol. The CILEx Graduate ‘Fast-Track’ Diploma is usually offered on either a full-time or part-time basis during the academic year.

Alternatively, you can choose to study via supported distance learning. Students can enrol at any time of year and study at their own pace.

Before applying for admission as a Fellow of CILEx (FCILEx), a Chartered Legal Executive lawyer and Commissioner for Oaths, you must complete five years of qualifying employment. Qualifying employment constitutes work of a legal nature supervised by a qualified Solicitor, Chartered Legal Executive lawyer, Barrister or Licenced Conveyancer.

At least two of the five years must be consecutive qualifying employment accumulated after you have completed your CILEx academic studies (i.e. completed the CILEx Graduate ‘Fast Track’ Diploma). Up to three years’ qualifying employment can be accumulated whilst studying. Chartered Legal Executives and trainees are employed throughout England and Wales in law firms, and also in the legal departments of commercial organisations and local authorities.

Suitable entry level positions are Trainee CILEx lawyer, Paralegal, Outdoor Clerk, Legal Assistant/Clerk/Officer, Case Handler/Worker. Such positions are often advertised in the local press or on the websites of individual law firms, private organisations, local authorities and legal recruitment specialist. Other positions useful for ‘getting a foot in the door’ of a law firm or legal department include accounts, secretarial, and administrative roles.

For current vacancies in the legal sector visit www.cilexrecruitment.com.

“The route is very cost-effective. Compared to the routes of a barrister or solicitor, it is possible to qualify without debts.”

HOW TO STUDY

QUALIFYING EMPLOYMENT

Our independent regulatory body IPS is reviewing the current Qualifying Employment scheme and a new system may be introduced during 2013.

For general information on your career as a Chartered Legal Executive Lawyer contact:

THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF LEGAL EXECUTIVES

Kempston Manor, Kempston, Bedford MK42 7AB

T +44 (0)1234 845777 | F +44 (0)1234 840373

E membership@cilex.org.uk | www.cilexcareers.org.uk

Accelerate your career and become a lawyer with the CILEx Graduate ‘Fast-Track’ Diploman Fees are only in the region of £2,400, which is much lower than the LPC or BPTC fees of £10,500 - £16,500.

n The qualification can be studied part-time at a study centre or by supported distance learning, usually over a year, so those studying can earn and learn at the same time to avoid further student debt.

n No training contract or pupillage is required. Instead aspiring Chartered Legal Executive lawyers complete a five year period of qualifying employment.

n Graduates with a qualifying law degree can immediately apply to join CILEx as Associate Members and are entitled to use the designatory letters ACILEx after their name straight away.

n CILEx Fellows who wish to dual qualify as solicitors are usually exempt from the SRA's two-year training contract.

n CILEx Fellows can represent clients in court if they qualify as a Chartered Legal Executive Advocate.

n CILEx Fellows are eligible to apply for judicial appointment and to become partners in law firms.

n Salaries vary according to location and area of law. Starting salaries are usually £25,000 per year whilst qualifying. When you reach graduate member grade, you can expect to earn £30,000. Fully qualified Chartered Legal Executive Lawyers can expect to earn around £35,000 on average. Latest surveys show annual salaries of over £100,000 for Chartered Legal Executives.

Note: Fees and costs are subject to review and change. This information sheet is a guide. Please see the CILEx website (www.cilex.org.uk) for full details relating to membership, qualifications, fees, qualifying employment, advocacy etc.