CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ)

The CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ) leads to qualification as a CILEX Paralegal, CILEX Advanced Paralegal and/or a CILEX Lawyer, depending on the career route you wish to follow

What is the CILEX qualification?

CILEX (Chartered Institute of Legal Executives) offers another route into the legal profession for those interested in qualifying in law. The CPQ is a progressive training programme which enables candidates to achieve qualification as a CILEX Paralegal, a CILEX Advanced Paralegal or a CILEX Lawyer.

So what makes it different?

Competency-based qualification framework underpinning the CPQ, comprising the core principles, behaviours and activities expected of a CILEX legal professional.

Eligibility requirements and routes to entry are flexible, for example, you do not need a degree to get started. You can begin your CPQ qualification at a point corresponding to your previous legal experience and qualifications, whether you are starting out as a school leaver or whether you already have some training and work experience behind you. Check which entry point would be suitable for you.

Training is very practical with your study being undertaken alongside working in a live legal environment, each feeding into the other and being validated as part of your final qualification.

How does it work?

Depending on how far you wish to take your qualification, there are three stages to the CPQ. Each stage is made up of modules, and you need to pass the assessment(s) for each module in order to complete the stage.

If you want to complete the entire CPQ, with a view to gaining CILEX lawyer qualification, you would need to pass 14 assessments in total, in addition to two Ethics & Professional Responsibility e-learning modules and Professional Experience at each CPQ stage.

The three stages of the CPQ are outlined in more detail below. Check which entry point would be suitable for you.

Stage 1

Qualify as a CILEX Paralegal

CPQ Foundation

12-18 months - suitable for school leavers, non-law graduates and professionals

Complete five mandatory modules, which are:

Professional Legal Skills
Legal Systems
Contract Law
The Law of Tort
Introduction to Property and Private Client

Plus complete the first of the Ethics and Professional Responsibility e-learning modules.

Trainees will also need to evidence their competence via their Professional Experience portfolio.

Stage 2

Qualify as a CILEX Advanced Paralegal

CPQ Advanced

12-18 months - suitable for law graduates and CILEX Paralegals

Complete and pass assessments in four mandatory modules:

Professional and Legal Skills
Dispute resolution
Criminal Law and Litigation
Property and Conveyancing

Plus at least one of the following optional modules:

Business and Employment Law
Family Law and Practice
Wills, Probate and Private Client

And complete the second of the Ethics and Professional Responsibility e-learning modules (having also taken the first).

Trainees will also need to evidence their competence via their Professional Experience portfolio.

Stage 3

Qualify as a CILEX Lawyer

CPQ Professional

Approx. 12 Months - suitable for Trainee CILEX Lawyers, CILEX Advanced Paralegals, LPC, BPTC or equivalent

Complete one mandatory Professional Skills module which is an assignment, which you will work on alongside one further module, the choice of which is determined by the area in which you want to specialise and acquire practice rights:

Dispute Resolution
Criminal Litigation
Residential Conveyancing
Commercial Conveyancing
Employment Law
Business and Commercial Law
Family Litigation
Wills, Probate and Private Client
Immigration Law

And, if you have not already taken them in Stages 1 and 2 depending on your CPQ entry point, you will also have to complete both Ethics and Professional Responsibility e-learning modules. If you already have an LPC, you can start the CPQ at the third stage, but you may be required to complete the underpinning Advanced stage module.

Trainees will need to evidence their competence via their Professional Experience portfolio, which will include a minimum of three years’ relevant practical experience. Your professional competence will also be assessed by CILEx Regulation, to enable you to be authorised to practice in a specialist area of law.