LLM Legal Practice (CILEX)

University of West London

Our LLM Legal Practice (CILEX) course is designed to give you the necessary skills to build a career as a legal practitioner while studying for a Masters degree. The course aims to equip you with a combination of advanced legal knowledge and professional credentials. CILEX offers a flexible and respected path for those pursuing a career in law, with qualifications that focus on both academic and professional development, leading to professional recognition at different levels and authorisation as a CILEX Lawyer. Achieving this Masters in Law practical qualification (with eligibility for Advanced Paralegal membership with CILEX) is especially valuable in a competitive job market, demonstrating not only a high level of academic achievement but also practical readiness for various legal roles. As well as gaining professional accreditation, additional benefits of studying our LLM Legal Practice course include: taught by lecturers with industry experience career-focused modules, guest lectures and seminars with industry experts specialist careers fairs on campus opportunities to build your portfolio. Important information about qualification costs This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX), a professional body for lawyers, legal executives, paralegals and other legal practitioners in England and Wales. Please note: The LLM tuition fee covers only the University of West London’s teaching and assessment for the LLM in Legal Practice (CILEX). The following steps and associated costs are separate from your LLM tuition and are payable directly to CILEX or other providers: To qualify as a CILEX Lawyer, you will: join CILEX as a Paralegal member (membership fee applies) complete your Masters (LLM tuition fee payable to UWL) become an Advanced Paralegal member of CILEX (membership upgrade fee applies) sit the CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ) Professional Stage exam in your chosen area of law and complete a project on the legal sector or based on your firm (exam and registration fees apply) complete your qualifying work experience: three years of general legal experience (including law clinic experience) and two years of qualifying experience in your chosen area, directly preceding your application to CILEX Regulation submit a portfolio of evidence (CILEX assessment fees apply) complete an additional portfolio of evidence and pass an Advocacy course if you wish to be authorised in Civil Litigation, Criminal Litigation or Family Litigation (advocacy CPD course fees apply) pay the application fee to CILEX Regulation for authorisation as a CILEX Lawyer become a CILEX Lawyer, Fellow of CILEX and an authorised person. Summary: These professional qualification steps incur additional costs that are not included in the LLM tuition. For up-to-date fee information, please consult the official CILEX website or contact the University for confirmation of costs applicable to your year of study. Cross-Qualification with SQE: Students who become CILEX-qualified lawyers can still choose to pursue exemptions from the Solicitor’s Regulatory Authority (SRA). This course will allow students to leverage the learning to streamline the process of becoming a solicitor, should they wish to. Exemptions for the BSB: Students with CILEX qualifications may also benefit from exemptions when pursuing qualification as barristers through the Bar Standards Board (BSB). These exemptions can apply to various components of Bar training, allowing for a more efficient pathway to becoming a barrister. CPD: At the University of West London, we also offer CILEX Advocacy Skills CPDs that are 7-day intensive, non-credit bearing courses designed for Chartered Legal Executives seeking rights of audience in civil, criminal or family proceedings: CILEX Civil Proceedings Advocacy Skills CILEX Criminal Proceedings Advocacy Skills CILEX Family Proceedings Advocacy Skills.