Chartered legal executive
Level 6 · DegreeLegal, finance and accounting 5 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
The Chartered Legal Executive apprenticeship is a degree-level programme that qualifies you as a Fellow of CILEx, a legal professional with specialist expertise in a defined area of law. Apprentices work within law firms or legal teams, developing the skills to advise clients, conduct legal research and manage caseloads independently. It is a recognised qualification route to becoming a specialist solicitor-equivalent legal professional.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Substantive law in a specialist area such as property, family or litigation
Legal research using databases and primary sources
Client care standards and professional ethics for legal executives
Case and matter management in a legal practice
Drafting correspondence, legal documents and court forms
CILEx code of conduct and regulatory requirements
Civil and criminal procedure relevant to the practice area
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Manage a caseload under supervision in a chosen area of law
Conduct client meetings and take detailed instructions
Research legal issues and summarise findings in advice notes
Draft letters, contracts, court documents and legal forms
Correspond with courts, HM Land Registry and other parties
Maintain accurate file records and time recording
Attend hearings and support clients through legal proceedings
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 6 (Degree) - roughly Bachelor’s-degree level. Usually needs A-levels or a Level 3 qualification (employers set UCAS-point targets). You earn a full degree while you work - with no tuition fees to pay.
What’s next: Leads into professional roles, sometimes with a Level 7 (Master’s) apprenticeship after.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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