Studying CPQ

There are 6 units at the CPQ Foundation (Legal Skills is split into two units Legal Research and Succeeding in the Legal Environment)

CPQ Advanced has 4 mandatory units (Legal Skills split into Succeeding in the Legal Environment & Legal Research & Accounts) plus 1 optional unit – choose from:

• Property & Conveyancing
• Family Law & Practice
• Wills, Probate & Private Client
• Business & Employment Law

CPQ Professional Stage consists of one mandatory module and one optional module related to the area the learner is working in

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 delivered directly by CILEX.

Students who are working in Dispute Resolution, Family Litigation or Criminal Litigation, have the option to undertake an Advocacy Course if you are looking to gain advocacy rights in this area. The LSB has just approved the decoupling of litigation and advocacy rights, so the advocacy is no longer mandatory.

Pathways are available in*:

• Dispute resolution
• Criminal law and litigation
• Residential Conveyancing
• Commercial Conveyancing
• Business and Commercial law
• Employment Law & Practice
• Family law
• Probate & Private Client
• 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.

Foundation Stage: 6 MCQ-assessed exams

Advanced Stage: 5 exams with a mix of MCQ’s and short answer questions

Professional Stage: 1 assessment and 1 essay style of exams

CPQ Foundation: 18-24months

CPQ Advanced Stage: 18- 24month

CPQ Professional: 12-18months

However, it will vary on your Training Provider.

CPQ Foundation Stage: January, June and September

CPQ Advanced Stage & Professional: January & June

Ethics & Professional Responsibility e-learning can be completed at any time of the trainee’s choosing. However, we do 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.

We will be delivering three assessment windows in the first two years. We 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, we do 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.

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) provide a smoother, progressive learning experience and a transition between stages that is in line with a trainee’s progression in the workplace. CPQ 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. And because CPQ provides a different kind of outcome, we think it’s important that professionals who qualify through this route are

recognised with a distinct title. By introducing the titles CILEX Lawyer, CILEX Paralegal and CILEX Advanced Paralegal, that can be used by those successfully completing the relevant stages, we’re making it easier for clients – businesses and individuals – to identify and access appropriately qualified legal professionals. And we’re making it easier for our members to signal their expertise and qualifications, broadening access to a career in the law alongside the other branches of the legal profession.

CILEX Lawyers work at the same level as a Solicitors, however they are specialist Lawyers in that they focus on a specific area of law.

It will be possible to qualify as a CILEX Lawyer i.e., complete all three stages of CPQ, for £13.112, including tuition through CILEX Law School. Other Approved Training Providers will also deliver CPQ courses, but CILEX does not take responsibility for the fees that they may charge.

We offer flexible distance learning courses which allow you to study at your own pace, around your existing work and family commitments. Our non-apprenticeship CILEX courses allow you to enrol at any time. Apprenticeships generally start in January and September each year, but each vacancy is advertised by the employer according to when they want the apprentice to start.

Yes, as you will need to access the CILEX Learning Hub. All our courses require access to a PC so learners can sit exams. If you do not have a home PC, you may consider studying from work (with permission).

As a CLS student you have access to the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), the Hub, and its course materials and forums.

You can access the Hub by clicking on the ‘Hub’ tab at the top of the page. You will need to have your log-in details to hand.