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Overview
The CILEx Level 3 Diploma in Law and Practice is the starting point for qualification as a Chartered Legal Executive (the third branch of the legal profession in England and Wales). The course follows the specification designed and accredited by the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) and the final award is granted by CILEx on satisfactory completion of the course.
The course consists of ten units which are typically studied over a period of two academic years (five units per year). The ten units studied provide a broad introduction to six major areas of law, two major areas of practice and the professional and ethical skills required in legal research and client care.
Successful completion of the course will enable progression to the CILEx Level 6 Diploma in Law and Practice and eventual qualification as a Chartered Legal Executive.
- Location
- St John's Campus
- Attendance
- Part Time
- Duration
- 1 year
- Start
- August 2020
Staff profile
Our teaching staff have both academic and professional legal qualifications, along with industry experience as practitioners in the legal sector.
Academic Entry requirements
Whilst experience of working in the legal sector is not essential, many applicants are already employed in this field.
Reading List
At Level 3, all the required reading can be found in the relevant CILEx subject manuals. These can be purchased in hard copy format and it is essential that students acquire the manuals prior to the start of each unit.
The manuals can be purchase online at:
www.cilexlawschool.ac.uk/shop
The manuals can be purchase online at:
www.cilexlawschool.ac.uk/shop
How will I be assessed?
All units, with the exception of Legal Research Skills and Client Care modules, are summatively assessed by means of a written examination at the end of the unit (in January for first semester units and June for second semester units).
The Introduction to Law and Practice module will be assessed through completion of a multiple choice question examination. All other written examinations consist of a mixture of knowledge questions and problem-solving questions, where candidates have to apply their knowledge of the law to a particular problem. All examinations are “closed-book” examinations.
Both Professional Skills units (Legal Research Skills and Client Care) are assessed by means of coursework completed over the duration of the semester. These are marked by tutors at UCEN Manchester and then submitted to CILEx for moderation.
The Introduction to Law and Practice module will be assessed through completion of a multiple choice question examination. All other written examinations consist of a mixture of knowledge questions and problem-solving questions, where candidates have to apply their knowledge of the law to a particular problem. All examinations are “closed-book” examinations.
Both Professional Skills units (Legal Research Skills and Client Care) are assessed by means of coursework completed over the duration of the semester. These are marked by tutors at UCEN Manchester and then submitted to CILEx for moderation.
What are the careers that this will lead to?
As this is a professional qualification, the majority of students will be looking to pursue a career in the legal sector. Satisfactory completion of the next stage of the CILEx qualification (Level 6) leads to qualification as a Chartered Legal Executive.
Chartered Legal Executives practice in much the same way as solicitors and there is now little difference in the work of either. Chartered Legal Executives can, after five years post-qualification experience, become judges and, indeed, a former student of UCEN Manchester, who qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive is now a judge.
In addition, it is possible for Chartered Legal Executives to become solicitors.
Chartered Legal Executives work in law firms as associates and partners, in national government, in local government and within the in-house legal departments of large businesses. Furthermore, their legal skills are valued in other spheres of employment in business, commerce and the public sector.
Chartered Legal Executives practice in much the same way as solicitors and there is now little difference in the work of either. Chartered Legal Executives can, after five years post-qualification experience, become judges and, indeed, a former student of UCEN Manchester, who qualified as a Chartered Legal Executive is now a judge.
In addition, it is possible for Chartered Legal Executives to become solicitors.
Chartered Legal Executives work in law firms as associates and partners, in national government, in local government and within the in-house legal departments of large businesses. Furthermore, their legal skills are valued in other spheres of employment in business, commerce and the public sector.
Fees, Finance and Funding
Course Associated Costs
In addition to fees payable to UCEN Manchester for enrolment on the course, certain fees are payable to CILEx before CILEx will accept entry for an examination. These fees, payable direct to CILEx and not collected by the UCEN Manchester are:
• CILEx membership fee
• CILEx examination entry fee payable in respect of each examination.
Further details of these fees can found by following the links below:
www.cilex.org.uk/membership/membership-grades-and-fees
www.cilex.org.uk/~/media/pdf_documents/main_cilex/education/study_pdfs/fees
In addition students will need to purchase direct and online from CILEx Law School the subject manuals for each unit studied:
www.cilexlawschool.ac.uk/shop
Click on “course manuals for CILEx exams” for prices and ordering.
• CILEx membership fee
• CILEx examination entry fee payable in respect of each examination.
Further details of these fees can found by following the links below:
www.cilex.org.uk/membership/membership-grades-and-fees
www.cilex.org.uk/~/media/pdf_documents/main_cilex/education/study_pdfs/fees
In addition students will need to purchase direct and online from CILEx Law School the subject manuals for each unit studied:
www.cilexlawschool.ac.uk/shop
Click on “course manuals for CILEx exams” for prices and ordering.
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