Skip to content
ApplySafer

England & Wales only — not Scotland or Northern Ireland

How to become a chartered legal executive (CILEX lawyer) in England and Wales

Chartered legal executives — also called CILEX lawyers — are qualified lawyers who specialise in an area of law, such as conveyancing, family, wills and probate, litigation or crime.

You could work in a law firm, a company's legal team, local government or the courts service, often doing similar work to a solicitor in your specialism.

This is a separate legal career from solicitor or barrister, with its own qualification (the CILEX Professional Qualification) and regulator (CILEx Regulation). England and Wales only.

  • England & Wales only
  • Regulated profession
  • No degree needed
  • Earn while learning

3 routes into this career

Each route is a real, published way in. None is guaranteed, and requirements vary by employer. Select up to 3 to compare side by side.

  • Route AWork + study

    Work in a legal job and study the CILEX Professional Qualification

    For those who want to earn in a legal support role and qualify as a CILEX lawyer step by step, without a degree.

    Starting requirements

    • CILEX lists no formal academic entry requirements for the CPQ
    • You can start studying without a legal job, but you need legal employment to complete the professional experience at each stage
    • Employers set their own requirements for legal support roles

    Pathway outline

    1. Find a legal support job, such as legal assistant or paralegal
    2. Register as a CILEX student and start the CPQ Foundation stage
    3. Complete the Advanced stage and the professional experience for each stage
    4. Complete the Professional stage in your chosen practice area
    5. Qualify as a CILEX lawyer, with practice rights authorised by CILEx Regulation
    Estimated duration
    About 4 to 5½ years
    How we estimate this

    CILEX's typical stage durations: Foundation and Advanced 18 months to two years each; Professional 12 to 18 months. Learners go at their own pace.

    Estimated direct study costs
    At least £13,495 to £14,131Plus: CILEX charges an exam fee per exam entry but does not publish the amount on its CPQ pagePaid up front by you: At least £13,495 to £14,131Published fees only, at the lower and upper ends of official ranges. Training provider fees are extra. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    From your first legal support job.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route BApprenticeship

    Chartered legal executive apprenticeship (Level 6)

    For those who want to qualify as a CILEX lawyer while working, with training paid for by the employer and government.

    Starting requirements

    • You apply for an apprenticeship job; each employer sets its own entry requirements
    • The National Careers Service suggests 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 and A levels, or equivalent, for a degree apprenticeship
    • Some people start with a Level 3 paralegal apprenticeship first

    Pathway outline

    1. Apply for a chartered legal executive apprenticeship (or start with a Level 3 paralegal apprenticeship)
    2. Work and train; your employer and the government pay for the training
    3. Build legal experience in your chosen practice area
    4. Complete the end-point assessment
    5. Qualify as a CILEX lawyer
    Estimated duration
    About 5 years
    How we estimate this

    Find apprenticeship training lists the Level 6 Chartered legal executive apprenticeship at 60 months.

    Estimated direct study costs
    Up to £27,000 of training (funding band maximum), paid for youPaid up front by you: £0 — training and assessment are fundedApprentices do not pay for training or assessment. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    From day one — apprentices are employees and are paid a wage.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

  • Route CUniversity

    Law degree, then CILEX study with possible exemptions

    For law graduates who want to qualify as a CILEX lawyer, using their degree to reduce what they study.

    Starting requirements

    • Universities set their own entry requirements for law degrees
    • CILEX reviews your degree for exemptions; graduates of CILEX-recognised universities get enhanced exemptions
    • A legal job is needed to complete the professional experience

    Pathway outline

    1. Study a law degree
    2. Register with CILEX and apply for exemptions
    3. Find a legal job to build professional experience
    4. Complete the remaining CPQ stages, including the Professional stage
    5. Qualify as a CILEX lawyer
    Estimated duration
    About 4 years or more
    How we estimate this

    A typical 3-year degree, then at least the CPQ Professional stage (12 to 18 months) if earlier stages are exempted. Without exemptions it takes longer.

    Estimated direct study costs
    £42,565 to £43,201Paid up front by you: £1,803 to £2,439Up-front figure assumes a Tuition Fee Loan pays the tuition. The loan is repaid from future earnings above a threshold, so it is shown separately as a loan balance.Published fees only, at the lower and upper ends of official ranges. Training provider fees are extra. Change the assumptions in Compare costs.
    When you can start earning
    Usually once you start a legal job after graduating.

    Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026 · Availability varies

Choose “View full journey” on a route to see every step, cost and source.

Good to know

Questions people ask

Is a CILEX lawyer the same as a solicitor?

No. CILEX lawyers qualify through the CILEX Professional Qualification and are regulated by CILEx Regulation; solicitors qualify through the SQE and are regulated by the SRA. CILEX lawyers specialise in one area of law.

Do I need a degree?

No. CILEX lists no formal academic entry requirements for the CPQ. A law degree may give exemptions, and the Level 6 apprenticeship is another degree-free route.

Can I study without a legal job?

You can start studying, but you need legal employment to complete the professional experience at each stage.

Sources

Evidence checked 14 Oct 2026. Every fee and requirement on this page links to one of these.

UK reference: median full-time pay for all employees was £39,039 in April 2025 (ONS ASHE, provisional).

Compare routes side by side