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Probate Legal Practice Qualification

A clear, direct route to becoming a Chartered Legal Executive with probate practice rights.

 

If you want to build a career in wills, probate and estates or take greater responsibility for the matters you work on, you need a clear route forward. This qualification develops your knowledge of private client law, probate practice and professional skills as you work towards authorisation by CILEX Regulation. Study online, with tutor support, around your job and other commitments.

What does a Chartered Legal Executive (Probate) do?

A Chartered Legal Executive specialising in probate deals with the legal and administrative process of managing a person’s estate after death. They advise clients on wills, trusts, inheritance tax and estate planning, and they handle tasks such as applying for grants of probate, collecting and valuing assets, paying liabilities, and distributing the estate to beneficiaries. They may also draft wills and provide guidance on succession planning. Their role requires precision, sensitivity and clear communication, as they support families through complex legal processes at a difficult time.

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Key information

  • Qualification: Probate Legal Practice Qualification
  • Works towards: Authorisation by CILEX Regulation as a Chartered Legal Executive with probate practice rights, subject to meeting the qualification, experience, competence and suitability requirements
  • Regulator: CILEX Regulation
  • Start any time: Enrolment is open all year round
  • Course size: 15 units comprising 10 core units and five specialist units, subject to any approved exemptions.
  • Assessment: Online, remotely invigilated examinations, with three assessment windows each year

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for individuals looking to develop a career in wills, probate and estate administration, with a pathway towards professional qualification and probate practice rights.

Probate assistants and paralegals: build on your existing legal experience and develop the specialist knowledge and skills needed to progress in probate practice.

Law graduates: apply your legal knowledge to develop specialist expertise and progress towards a career in private client law.

Starting a career in probate: begin your legal career with a structured pathway to develop your knowledge and practical skills in wills, probate and estate administration.

Your route to authorisation

Plan your studies and supervised legal work together. Knowing which responsibilities and case examples you need helps you build relevant experience while working towards the qualification.

Step 1: Complete your CILEX Regulation qualification

Complete the required units of the Probate Legal Practice Qualification, taking account of approved exemptions.

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Career opportunities and practice rights

Once authorised by CILEX Regulation, you can carry out probate work within the scope of your practising certificate. Further training and authorisation can extend your practice rights.

On authorisation

Probate practice rights: Carry out probate work as an authorised Chartered Legal Executive, with Commissioner for Oaths rights. Establishing your own law firm requires separate firm authorisation.

Recognised Chartered status

A professional identity recognised across the legal sector. Chartered Legal Executives work as fee earners, case handlers and specialist lawyers in law firms, in-house legal teams and public bodies.

Go further

Add further practice rights over time, for example conveyancing or litigation, each requiring its own training and authorisation by CILEX Regulation. Chartered status counts when you go for partnership or senior roles.

What you will study

Ten core units give you a foundation in law and professional skills. Five specialist units develop your understanding of wills, estates and private client practice at Level 6, helping you connect legal principles with how matters are prepared and progressed.

Core modules: General

The Legal System of England and Wales

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Core modules: Legal Skills, Technology, Conduct and Accounting

Legal Skills and Technology in Practice

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Specialism

Contract Law

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Why Law Training Centre

Tutors who practise law
Learn from experienced legal professionals whose practical knowledge helps you connect what you study with the decisions involved in preparing and progressing matters.

Everything in one place
Access materials, recorded lectures, interactive learning, quizzes and mocks online. Revisit difficult topics and check your understanding as you progress.

Plan your pace
Study one unit at a time, or concurrently where appropriate. Three assessment windows each year give you milestones to plan around work and other commitments.

Support beyond your studies
Get guidance on the competency portfolio, so you understand what evidence to collect and can plan suitable work with your supervisor.

Professional resources
Use Lexis+ UK to research the law alongside your studies, building research skills you can continue to use in practice.

Real story

“They placed me in the Tax and Estate Planning department, (Private Client). At first, I thought this area of law might not be that interesting, but the more I trained and the more work I did within that area of law, the more fascinated I became. It’s all about personal lives, drafting wills, lasting powers of attorney and helping bereaved family members to deal with somebody’s estate after they die. There’s a lot of problem solving, and we see new clients every week. I’ll be sticking to this area of law.”

Robert Chawner,

Completed earlier CILEX qualifications with Law Training Centre and now works in tax and estate planning.

Read Robert’s story

Entry requirements and exemptions

Entry requirements

There is no single entry route. Where you start depends on your previous legal education and experience. You may be eligible if you hold a law degree, GDL, LPC, CILEX Legacy or CPQ qualifications, or SQE.

Not sure which route applies to you? Tell us about your qualifications and experience and we can help you identify your route, including any exemptions available to you.

Exemptions

You may be closer to authorisation than you think. If you already hold relevant legal qualifications or have completed previous legal training, you may not need to complete the full pathway. Law degrees, CILEX qualifications and other recognised legal training may provide exemptions.

We can review your previous qualifications and confirm any exemptions you may be eligible for.

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Fees and Funding 

Before you plan the cost, check what you need to study. Previous qualifications may give you exemptions. We can review your starting point and explain the fees that apply.


£[TBC] full course fee

Spread the cost with a monthly payment plan, or ask us about employer sponsorship, many of our learners are funded by their firm.


What the course fee includes
  • All course materials and structured learning within our online learning platform
  • Mock assessments
  • Unlimited tutor guidance and academic support
  • Exam booking assistance
  • Portfolio guidance

Other costs

CILEX Regulation charges separate fees, subject to change by CILEX Regulation:

  • £92 to assess your qualifying experience and £450 for your final application;
  • an annual practising fee once you are authorised, currently £387 for Chartered Legal Executives.

These fees are listed separately to give you a clear understanding of the overall cost of qualification before you enrol. Please see CILEX Regulation’s application and practising fees for current rates.


Funding options
  • Self-funding: Pay in full or spread the cost through monthly instalments by Direct Debit.
  • Sponsored by an employer

Price Match does not apply to these qualifications.

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Employer-funded study

If a colleague is ready to take greater responsibility in criminal practice, this qualification can give their development a clear direction. They can study while continuing to work, building knowledge relevant to your team’s cases. 

We can support you to: 

  • review previous qualifications to identify any exemptions;  
  • plan funded study; 
  • agree suitable supervised casework;  
  • provide portfolio support.
Talk to us about developing your team

How to apply

1. Submit the online application form.

2. Tell us about your qualifications and legal experience, and we will confirm your entry route and any exemptions.

3. Receive your enrolment confirmation and course guidance, and start studying.

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Common questions (FAQs)

Do I need a law degree?

How long does the course take?

What experience do I need?

What can I do once I am authorised?

How is it assessed?

How is this different from qualifying as a solicitor?

Should I choose CILEX Practitioner or Chartered Legal Executive?

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