The CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ) is the route to becoming a CILEX Paralegal, CILEX Advanced Paralegal or CILEX Lawyer. It is a competency-based qualification framework, developed in consultation with employers, members and other stakeholders that acknowledges the requirements of a rapidly evolving legal and business landscape.

CPQ is a progressive framework across three stages – CPQ Foundation, CPQ Advanced and CPQ Professional – founded on the CILEX Competency Framework. Each stage combines a focus on technical expertise and practical skills with the development of the core behaviours required to create forward-thinking, commercially minded, adaptable lawyers who really understand the clients they serve.

CPQ sets new standards in practice-focused training and work-readiness, broadens access to legal careers and develops professionals at all levels who are equipped from the outset to add real value to their employers and clients.

Each stage of the CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ) comprises three elements: core legal knowledge, practice and skills; ethics and professional responsibility; and professional experience. Together these elements provide a framework for developing the skills, knowledge, behaviours and experience necessary to practise effectively as a legal professional.

Trainees will be able to begin their CPQ journey at a point corresponding to their previous legal experience and qualifications – including taking into account any CILEX qualifications they may already hold. CPQ also allows trainees to pause and restart their training to flex around other commitments.

CPQ Bridging Packages

There are a number of  bridging packages available for learners who have already completed a 5 unit Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice or a Level 3 Paralegal Apprenticeship and now wish to transition to the CPQ Advanced stage.

• Package 1 – Tort and Property
• Package 2 – Contract and Property
• Package 3 – Contract and Tort
• Package 4 – Contract, Tort and Property

CPQ Foundation

Aligning to the role of a Paralegal/Case Handler, the CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ) Foundation stage will enable you to demonstrate a fundamental awareness of the law underpinning key practice areas.

There are five mandatory modules: (six assessments)

• F1 Legal Systems
• F2 The Law of Tort
• F3 Contract Law
• F4 Introduction to Property and Private Client
• F5 / F6 Professional and Legal Skills (F5 Succeeding in a Legal Environment and F6 Using Technology to carry out Legal Research)

CPQ Advanced

The CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ) Advanced stage will enable trainees to demonstrate technical knowledge and the practical application of law relating to key practice areas. It will also enhance your skills, including business awareness, and your understanding of, and adherence to, professional and regulatory standards.

In the CPQ Advanced stage, trainees undertake three mandatory modules (four assessments):

• A1 Dispute Resolution
• A2 Criminal Law and Litigation
• A4/A5 Professional and Legal Skills (A4 Succeeding in the Legal Environment and A5 Using Technology to carry out Legal Research)

In addition, trainees are required to select at least one optional module from:

• A3 Property and Conveyancing
• A6 Probate and Private Client
• A7 Family Law and Practice
• A8 Business and Employment Law

CPQ Professional

Aimed at preparing an employee to be a competent CILEX Lawyer, the CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ) Professional stage enables trainees to demonstrate specialist knowledge and the application of the law in specific areas of practice, and the ability to work independently and to high professional and ethical standards.

The CPQ Professional stage has one just one mandatory module – (P1)Professional Skills (work based project). Trainees then select one further module from an extensive range of options.

• P2 Dispute Resolution
• P3 Criminal Litigation
• P4 Residential Conveyancing
• P5 Commercial Conveyancing
• P6 Probate and Private Client
• P7 Family Law and Litigation
• P8 Employment Law and Practice
• P9 Business and Commercial Law and Practice

The Professional stage module choice will be determined by the area that trainees will seek to acquire their practice rights and must be underpinned by a relevant Advanced stage module corresponding to the pathway chosen.

CPQ Professional (LPC/BPC)

If you have completed a Legal Practice Course (LPC) or Bar Professional Course (BPC), you can enter the CPQ framework directly at CPQ Professional stage as a trainee CILEX Lawyer.

With an LPC or BPC you will complete a tailored package which will include:

• The CPQ Foundation stage ‘Introduction to Property & Private Client.’*
• One CPQ Advanced stage module linked to your choice of practice rights area
• One CPQ Professional stage module linked to the CPQ Advanced stage module and your practice rights area.
• The CPQ Professional stage ‘Professional Skills’ module.

* BPC only

CILEX Graduate Qualification (CGQ)

The CILEX Graduate Qualification (CGQ) provides an entry point to the CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ) designed specifically for those who have completed a Qualifying Law Degree (LLB) or Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL).

Stage 1

In the CGQ stage 1 graduates undertake three mandatory modules:

• F7 Working in Civil Litigation
• F8 Working in Criminal Practice
• F9 Introduction to Property, Private Client and Professional Skills

In addition, graduates are required to select one optional module from:

• A1 Dispute Resolution
• A2 Criminal Law and Litigation
• A3 Property and Conveyancing
• A6 Probate and Private Client
• A7 Family Law and Practice
• A8 Business and Employment Law

If A1 Dispute Resolution is selected this provides an exemption from F7 Working in Civil Litigation. If A2 Criminal Law and Litigation is selected this provides an exemption from F8 Working in Criminal Law.

Stage 2

The CGQ stage 2 has one just one mandatory module – (P1)Professional Skills (work based project). Graduates then select one further module from an extensive range of options.

• P2 Dispute Resolution
• P3 Criminal Litigation
• P4 Residential Conveyancing
• P5 Commercial Conveyancing
• P6 Probate and Private Client
• P7 Family Law and Litigation
• P8 Employment Law and Practice
• P9 Business and Commercial Law and Practice

The CGQ stage 2 module choice will be determined by the area that graduates will seek to acquire their practice rights and must be underpinned by a relevant Advanced stage module corresponding to the pathway chosen.