CILEX launches scholarship programme as CPQ gains regulatory approval
28 June 2021
CILEX launches scholarship programme as CPQ gains regulatory approval
The CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ) is today open for applicants after the qualification was granted regulatory approval by CILEx Regulation.
The new qualification, designed by CILEX (the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives) to produce lawyers with the skills to meet the changing demands of the modern legal market, is now accepting student enrolments, with CILEX committing £275K to fund up to 22 scholarships annually, for those from disadvantaged backgrounds, through the CILEX Foundation.
CILEX pioneered the non-graduate route into law and is at the forefront of opening up the opportunity of a legal career to those who may have otherwise considered it to be out of reach.
CILEX Foundation’s targeted scholarship programme will cover the training costs of becoming a fully qualified CILEX Lawyer, as well as the opportunity to network and learn from thousands of like-minded legal professionals who have benefited from the CILEX route.
To be eligible for a CILEX Lawyer Scholarship, worth up to £12,500, applicants will need to demonstrate that their finances and particular circumstances mean it is challenging for them to access a legal education. Support will be targeted at those under-represented in the legal profession and/or from a socially disadvantaged background.
Eligible groups include young carers, those with a protected characteristic, as defined by the Equality Act 2010 (such as Black, Asian and other ethnic minority students), previous receipt of free school meals or a history of being in care.
The CPQ provides students with three outcomes – CILEX Lawyer, CILEX Advanced Paralegal and CILEX Paralegal. These are badges of quality and assurance to employers who need work-ready legal staff and bring regulation and standards to the burgeoning paralegal market for the first time.
The new qualification builds on CILEX’s core propositions of accessibility, affordability and flexibility with CILEX students combining work and study. It marries legal knowledge with the skills, behaviours and commercial awareness needed in the modern legal market and introduces mandatory elements of legal technology, business skills and emotional intelligence for the first time in legal training.
By not making a degree or equivalent qualification or experience a pre-requisite, CPQ will be a substantially more affordable way for students to become lawyers than the new Solicitors Qualifying Examination – delivering on CILEX’s commitment to accessibility while not compromising standards.
Students will be able to study through CILEX Law School or through a number of approved providers including universities, further education colleges and distance learning organisations. By widening access for applicants, CPQ recognises the merit of all aspiring legal professionals, who can through degree or non-degree routes become fully qualified CILEX Lawyers.
CILEX Chair, Professor Chris Bones says: “CILEX is committed to improving social mobility within the legal profession – ensuring dedicated individuals can succeed in the sector regardless of their personal circumstances.
“Not only does the CPQ offer a route to a successful legal career to those with or without a university degree, the targeted support offered by the Foundation will also help further remove barriers for promising future legal professionals from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“As the CPQ gains the regulatory stamp of approval, we look forward to transforming the legal profession, developing the brightest future talent from all backgrounds to make the UK legal sector more efficient, more representative and better serve society.”
For more information and for students who want to enrol visit our website here
For further information about the CILEX Lawyer Scholarship visit our website here
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Louise Eckersley, Black Letter Communications on 0203 567 1208 or email:
Kerry Jack, Black Letter Communications on 07525 756 599 or email: