CPQ FAQs

CILEX state that CPQ is underpinned by the CILEX Professional Competency Framework, which articulates the activities and behaviours required to progress through the stages of a career in legal practice. CPQ’s three stages (CPQ Foundation, CPQ Advanced and CPQ Professional) therefore are designed to provide a smoother, progressive learning experience and a transition between stages that is in line with a trainee’s progression in the workplace.

CPQ also focuses on a smaller number of core modules, with fewer options, that each combine law and practice to create a more practical and consistent learning experience. Assessments will be delivered online.

CILEX state that they will always review any previous law qualifications that an applicant has obtained but cannot guarantee that this will lead to an exemption. CILEX have, however, confirmed that exemptions previously granted against the legacy qualifications will carry through to CPQ where they apply. A statement of CILEX’s transitions policy for those studying the legacy CILEX qualifications can be found here. Please note that this is still subject to regulatory approval.

Yes – if learners complete their level 3 Diploma by 2023 they can than decide whether to continue on to level 6 of the legacy qualification or switch to CPQ.

Completing the CILEX Level 3 Diploma is likely to equip learners with the necessary units to gain exemptions against CPQ Foundation stage, and so CILEX advises that students can then either enrol on to CPQ Advanced stage or on to the current Level 6 Diploma.

If a learner chooses to transition to CPQ and begin the Advanced stage, even with full exemptions from their level 3 legacy qualification, they will still be required to complete the ethics and professional responsibility module from the Foundation stage.

Please contact the Law Training Centre team to discuss your personal circumstances and the qualifications you already hold so that we can help advise you on the next stage of your journey.

No, you are not able to qualify as a Solicitor through completing the CPQ alone. CILEX are discussing with the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) about potential exemptions to the new Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) pathway for those people who qualify as CILEX Lawyers via CPQ. It has been confirmed that CILEX Lawyers will be exempt from the Qualifying Work Experience requirement of qualifying as a Solicitor through the SQE.

Please contact the Law Training Centre team to discuss your personal circumstances and the qualifications you already hold so that we can help advise you on the next stage of your journey.

Pathways are available in:

• Dispute resolution
• Criminal law and litigation
• Conveyancing
• Business and employment law
• Family law
• Probate
• Immigration

To achieve practice rights in a pathway, students must study both the CPQ Professional stage module and the CPQ Advanced stage module that underpins it.

There are 22 assessed modules in total across CPQ, of which CILEX states that trainees are expected to study a maximum of 12:

• CPQ Foundation stage consists of five mandatory modules
• CPQ Advanced stage consists of four mandatory modules and one optional module, which the student must select from three options
• CPQ Professional stage consists of one mandatory module and one optional module, which the student must select from nine options.

The choice of module at CPQ Professional stage must be underpinned by the corresponding module at CPQ Advanced stage. Students must also all complete two Ethics and Professional Responsibility e-learning modules which are delivered directly by CILEX. CILEX also state that students wishing to acquire a practice right in Dispute Resolution, Family Litigation, or Criminal Litigation will also be required to undertake an Advocacy Course.

Law Training Centre’s online courses are entirely self-paced and therefore allow learners to complete their studies flexibly, according to their prior knowledge and experience as well as alongside their personal and professional commitments.

CILEX have, however, estimated that the following timings should be possible:

• CPQ CPQ Foundation stage: 18 months to two years
• CPQ Advanced stage: 18 months to two years
• CPQ Professional stage: 12 to 18 months..

Each module has one assessment, with the exception of the Professional Skills modules at Foundation and Advanced stages, which have two. This means that a trainee completing the whole of CPQ will sit 14 assessments, as well as completing the two Ethics & Professional Responsibility e-learning modules and Professional Experience at each CPQ stage.

There will be three assessment windows in the first two years following CPQ’s introduction. CILEX have stated they will review demand for subsequent years with the expectation of increasing the number of assessment opportunities over time. Ethics & Professional Responsibility e-learning can be completed at any time of the trainee’s choosing. However, CILEX advise that Ethics & Professional Responsibility 1 is attempted early, as it contains important elements for the trainee to understand as they embark on training as a CILEX Paralegal, CILEX Advanced Paralegal or CILEX Lawyer.

Fellows of CILEX are qualified lawyers, and are allowed to use the title of Chartered Legal Executive (CLE) and the designatory letters FCILEx.

As a Chartered Legal Executive, you can practise unreserved legal activities without supervision and can act as a Commissioner for Oaths (certifying that the declaration in official documents has been signed before a lawyer). Non-reserved legal work includes will writing, some employment law matters and general legal advice.

As a CLE you can only undertake reserved or regulated legal activities if you are under the supervision of a solicitor or other authorised person. Reserved or regulated legal activities are those specified under statute, including the Legal Services Act 2007 and the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 (s84):

• Exercising Rights of Audience (Advocacy)
  Litigation
• Probate activities (some aspects)
• Conveyancing (some aspects)
• Immigration work

CILEX Lawyer status will be awarded by CILEX to those current members who either have or will have completed professional development and demonstrated their competence against the additional regulatory standards required to obtain practice rights authorisation. The CILEX Lawyer brand acts as a kite mark reflecting the standard required of CILEX members.

CILEX Lawyers are able to undertake one or more of the reserved/regulated legal activities without supervision as a result of holding independent practice rights in their specialist area.

An existing Fellow is a CLE and is awarded these designations upon authorisation by CILEx Regulation.

A CILEX Lawyer is a CLE/Fellow who also has practice rights either through a top-up route or as a new entrant, by achieving all stages of the new CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ).

As part of the transition to CPQ, a CLE who requires practice rights but has not achieved authorisation by December 2023 will remain a CLE and a Fellow of CILEX but will not be able to use the designation of CILEX Lawyer.

No, CILEX have not registered the new qualifications with Ofqual, and this is why there are no levels comparable with the Legacy qualifications, which were Ofqual registered as Level 3 and Level 6 qualifications respectively. The new CPQ qualifications are accredited directly by CILEX.

There are currently no exemptions awarded by any other legal regulator if you change your mind and wish to move to another qualification pathway. We believe CILEX are in discussions with other regulators regarding exemptions, however, currently it is advisable that any learners signing up to CPQ plan to follow this particular route to becoming a CILEX lawyer. There is currently no guidance for dual qualification by any regulator in terms or dually qualifying with other regulators, or having CPQ exemptions recognised.