Graduate fast-track diploma

GRADUATE FAST-TRACK DIPLOMA

The CILEx Graduate Fast-track Diploma is for law and GDL¹ graduates who want to become lawyers without undertaking the more traditional and costlier LPC or BPTC routes. This course typically takes one year to complete, and costs £3,023² or less depending on the study centre chosen. No training contract or pupillage is required, and instead of becoming a solicitor or barrister, graduates qualify and practise as Chartered Legal Executive lawyers.

To qualify, candidates complete two of our Level 6 practice units (one of which must relate to subject areas you studied as part of your law degree), and our Level 6 Client Care Skills unit to complete your academic studies (see Level 6 qualifications for more details).

Courses can be studied full time, part time or via distance learning, leaving you free to work in legal practice and gain the necessary Qualifying Employment needed to become a Chartered Legal Executive lawyer and a CILEx Fellow.

Benefits include:

the most accessible route to a career as a qualified lawyer
value-for-money study, entry and membership fees
study full time, part time or via distance learning
earn as you learn and avoid further student debt
exemptions available, meaning less study time and lower costs
instant CILEx Associate membership (Subject to prior conduct requirements)
no training contract or pupillage required
regulation by a professional body

You can enrol and study at any CILEx accredited centre, each of which sets its own course fees.

Usually, the CILEx Graduate Fast-track Diploma is offered on either a full-time or part-time basis during the academic year. Alternatively, you can study via supported distance learning, where you can enrol at any time of the year and study at your own pace.

‘CILEx combines the studies in a classroom with the work experience that is always wanted by employers. That is why I felt it would be good to do the Graduate Fast-track Diploma.’
CILEx Graduate Fast-track Diploma Student

‘Perhaps the biggest advantage of CILEx is the experience you gain. Applying the law in your job is invaluable. Friends who opted to go through traditional training cannot get fee-earning jobs because they do not have the experience.’
CILEx Graduate Fast-track Diploma Student

Qualifying Employment

Qualifying Employment is defined as carrying out supervised work of a wholly legal nature for at least 20 hours per week. More information about Qualifying Employment can be found on page 22.

Guideline Hourly Rates

If you work in a law firm and have successfully completed the Graduate Fast-track Diploma, your employer can charge out your fee-earning time at grade C of the Guideline Hourly Rates. CILEx Fellows with 8 years’ Post-Qualification Experience can have their time charged out at Grade A.

CILEx Membership Grade

When learners enrol on the Graduate Fast-track Diploma, they will be an Associate member of CILEx and may use the designatory letters ‘ACILEx’ after their name.
When learners achieve the Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law and Practice, they will become a Graduate member of CILEx and may use the designatory letters ‘GCILEx’ after their name.

Graduate Diploma in Law
Including CILEx membership, all course fees and exemption fees.
CILEx sets task, assessed by the centre and quality assured by CILEx.
One of which must be linked to a law module studied as part of your qualifying degree.

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