CILEx Level 3 Certificate/Diploma in Law & Practice

General information

The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) is the body which regulates the lawyers known as Legal Executives They are responsible for their training and their supervision, just as the Law Society is for solicitors and the Bar Council is for barristers.

Legal Executives tend to do similar work to solicitors in both private practice and in large organisations. There are many career opportunities for Legal Executives including the ability to progress to a judicial role.

The Certificate and Diploma form the first part of the full Legal Executive qualification and will result in a paralegal qualification if the next stage is not completed. In order to obtain the full Legal Executive qualification the six Level 6 Higher Diplomas in Law and Practice must be passed, along with a five year qualifying employment requirement.

The CILEx website www.ilex.org.uk has more information about this career choice.

Course content

The Certificate in Law and Practice consists of five units which may be studied individually or combined. The Certificate will only be awarded once all five units have been passed. The units are:

September to January

• Introduction to Law and Practice
• Client Care Skills
• Legal Research Skills

January to June

• Criminal law

Criminal Litigation The Diploma in Law and Practice consists of five units which may be studied individually or combined. The Diploma will only be awarded once all five units and the Certificate have been passed. The units are: September to January

• Family Law
• Land Law

January to June

• Tort
• Contract Law
• Civil Litigation

Teaching and assessment

The lessons combine traditional lectures, activities and case studies. The assessments are by way of examination in January and June and coursework for the skills units.

Entry requirements

A minimum of 4 GCSEs A*-C including English. For mature students this requirement may be relaxed.

Additional course costs

In addition to the course fees of £195 per unit (£975 for the Certificate and £975 for the Diploma) additional costs are paid to CILEx in relation to:

• Membership fees
• Examination fees
• Course manuals

Progression

From the Certificate in Law and Practice to the Diploma in Law and Practice which is a paralegal qualification. From these the student may progress onto Level 6 Higher Diplomas in Law and Practice in order to complete the academic stage of the Legal Executive qualification.

Dates and times

The proposed timetable for 2013/14 is as follows:

Day Mondays 9.30 – 1.30 Certificate in Law and Practice 2.00 – 5.30 Diploma in Law and Practice (A combination of Certificate and Diploma units may be studied if day release is chosen) Or Evening Wednesdays 6.00 – 9.30 Certificate in Law and Practice 6.00 – 9.30 Diploma in Law and Practice