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Introduction

The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) is a Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body (PSRB) for the legal services sector. CILEX’s aim is to transform the provision of legal services and to satisfy changing employer needs.

Location

Online/ Distance | Swansea

Course Length

18 months Part-time

Why choose this course?

CILEX’s aim is to transform the provision of legal services and to satisfy changing employer needs. CILEX has launched a new qualification framework, the CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ), that has core legal knowledge and commercial awareness at its heart.

The CPQ is the route to becoming a CILEX Paralegal, CILEX Advanced Paralegal or CILEX Lawyer. It is a competency-based qualification framework, developed in consultation with employers, members and other stakeholders, that acknowledges the requirements of a rapidly evolving legal and business landscape.

CPQ is a progressive framework across three stages – CPQ Foundation, CPQ Advanced and CPQ Professional – founded on the CILEX Competency Framework. Each stage combines a focus on technical expertise and practical skills with the development of the core behaviours required to create forward-thinking, commercially-minded, adaptable lawyers who really understand the clients they serve.

Overview


Each stage of the CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ) comprises three elements: core legal knowledge, practice and skills; ethics and professional responsibility; and professional experience. Together these elements provide a framework for developing the skills, knowledge, behaviours and experience necessary to practise effectively as a legal professional.

Learners will be in employment in the legal services sector and will be able to begin their CPQ journey at a point corresponding to their previous legal experience and qualifications – including taking into account any CILEX qualifications they may already hold. CPQ also allows learners to pause and restart their training to flex around other commitments.

CILEX Paralegal (Foundation Stage) – level 3

CILEX Paralegals will be able to demonstrate a fundamental awareness of the law underpinning key practice areas by completing the CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ) Foundation stage.

CILEX Advanced Paralegal (Advanced stage) – level 5

CILEX Advanced Paralegals will be able to demonstrate technical knowledge and the practical application of law relating to key practice areas. They will also enhance their skills, including business awareness, and their understanding of, and adherence to, professional and regulatory standards

CILEX Lawyer (Professional Stage) – level 6

CILEX Lawyers will be able to demonstrate specialist knowledge and the application of the law in specific areas of practice, and the ability to work independently and to high professional and ethical standards.

Modules

Level 3 – CILEX Paralegal

• Contract Law (core)
• Introduction to Property and Private Client (core)
• Law of Tort (core)
• Legal Systems (core)
• Professional and Legal Skills (core).

Level 5 – CILEX Advanced Paralegal

• Business and Employment Law Practice (optional)
• Criminal Law and Litigation (core)
• Dispute Resolution (core)
• Family Law and Practice (optional)
• Professional and Legal Skills (core)
• Property and Conveyancing (core)
• Wills, Probate and Private Client (optional).

Level 6 – CILEX Lawyer

• Business and Commercial Law and Practice (optional)
• Commercial Conveyancing (optional)
• Criminal Law and Litigation (optional)
• Dispute Resolution (optional)
• Employment Law and Practice (optional)
• Family Law and Litigation (optional)
• Immigration Law and Practice (optional)
• Professional Skills (core)
• Residential Conveyancing (optional)
• Wills, Probate and Private Client (optional).

Entry Criteria

ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.

IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.

Assessment

ASSESSMENT METHODS

1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview

Assessment

The assessments are conducted by CILEX online and aim to assess knowledge and skills in a way that better reflects the realities of practising law.

At each stage, CILEX assesses the majority of modules by an online exam. The exceptions are the Professional and Legal Skills modules, which are assessed via coursework. Assessments will initially be offered twice a year, in January and June. Learners will have the chance to sit one assessment for each module as part of the registration fee. Resits will be charged separately (by CILEX).

Career Opportunities

The CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ) has been engineered to support the development of specialist lawyers.

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