CILEX career pathway

Entry Point

Student Member

CILEX CERTIFICATE IN LEGAL

Practice

Level 3 Paralegal Apprenticeship

PARALEGAL ASSISTANT

Membership Grade Training Stage Role Upon Completion Trainee Journey

The CILEX Certificate in Legal Practice is a broad-based, practical introduction to Law and Practice covering mandatory key areas including Legal Systems and Professional and Legal Skills. You will then select one specialist pathway option based on your area of interest.

Student members who complete the CILEX Certificate in Legal Practice may embark onto the CPQ Foundation Stage to complete additional modules to become a CILEX Paralegal.

FIRST JOB IN LEGAL PRACTICE/ UPSKILLING IN THE WORK PLACE

STUDENT MEMBER

CILEX PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION – FOUNDATION STAGE

CILEX PARALEGAL/CASE HANDLER

The CILEX Professional Qualification – Foundation Stage is the first stage to become a CILEX Paralegal. It covers mandatory key areas including Legal Systems, Professional and Legal Skills, Tort Law, Contract Law and Introduction to Property and Private Client. Students will also complete an e-learning Professional Ethics and Responsibilities module and a professional experience portfolio, demonstrating specific competencies within the work place. Those who have completed the CILEX Certificate in Legal Practice or the Level 3 Paralegal Apprenticeship will be exempt from relevant academic modules based on their chosen specialist pathway.

Student members who complete the CPQ Foundation Stage will be able to progress onto the CPQ Advanced Stage to become an Advanced Paralegal/Fee Earner.

CILEX PARALEGAL/LAW GRADUATE LLB/GDL

PARALEGAL MEMBER

CILEX PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION –ADVANCED STAGE

CILEX ADVANCED PARALEGAL

The CILEX Professional Qualification –Advanced Stage is the second stage to become a CILEX Advanced Paralegal/Fee Earner. It covers mandatory key areas including Dispute Resolution, Criminal Law and Litigation, Land and Conveyancing and Professional and Legal Skills. Trainees will also choose one optional module from Family Law and Practice, Wills and Probate and Business and Employment. Trainees will also need to complete the second e-learning module for Ethics and Professional Responsibilities and a professional experience portfolio, demonstrating specific work0based competencies.

Those trainees who enter with a Qualifying Law Degree (LLB/GDL) will be able to embark on the Graduate Route, specialising in their chosen area of specialism from the start.

Successful completion of the CPQ Advanced Stage, or the CPQ Advanced Graduate Route, will be able to progress onto the CPQ Profession Stage to become a CILEX Lawyer.

CILEX ADVANCED PARALEGAL/ LAW GRADUATE

LPC/BPTC

ADVANCED PARALEGAL MEMBER

CILEX PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATION –PROFESSIONAL STAGE

CILEX LAWYER

The CILEX Professional Qualification –Professional Stage is the final stage to becoming a CILEX Lawyer. It covers one mandatory module of Professional and Legal Skills. Trainees will need to choose one optional module to complete. The optional module must reflect the area of specialism that they trainee wishes to train in.

Trainees who select a litigation pathway (civil litigation, criminal litigation or family practice) will also be required to complete the additional advocacy qualification in order to become a CILEX Lawyer.

After a qualifying period (Fellows with 5+ years PQE), CILEX Lawyers are eligible to apply for appointment as a Coroner and can stand for the Judicial Appointments Commission post reserved for legal professionals.

CILEX Lawyers are able to become Partners or Managers in any recognised legal services provider and can set up their own practice subject to Entity Regulation.