Fund high-level apprenticeships to meet demand for legal services in Wales, says CILEX

28 September 2026

The Welsh Government should fund Level 6 apprenticeships to provide more routes into a high-level legal career and meet increased demand for legal services in Wales, says CILEX (The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives).

While funded legal apprenticeships are available at Levels 3 and 5, this does not extend to Level 6 qualifications, which are equivalent to degree level and are currently funded in England. This presents a barrier to progression for those seeking to advance in legal and other professional services roles whilst remaining in employment.

Level 6 study through CILEX leads to qualification as a Chartered Legal Executive lawyer, a senior position in the legal profession.

Responding to the Welsh Government’s skills audit, CILEX highlights Law Society figures showing 50% of the Welsh public experience barriers to accessing legal advice, while 85% of small and mid-sized law firms face challenges recruiting legal professionals.

Demand for legal services in Wales is particularly evident across local government, housing, planning, environmental regulation, social welfare and public law, with the regulatory complexity resulting from the development of devolved legislation a key driver. CILEX explains this is “creating additional demand for specialist professionals capable of navigating the distinct Welsh legislative framework”.

Other factors driving up demand for specialist lawyers include the need for legal professionals skilled in the use of AI, the growth of house building, proposed changes to the homebuying and selling process, and an ageing population requiring wills and probate advice. This is exacerbated by an ageing legal workforce, with Law Society statistics showing 38% of private practice legal professionals in Wales are over 50, rising to 52% in rural Wales.

Higher-level apprenticeship funding, CILEX explains, would help employers meet the need for specialist legal services, enabling “cost-effective workforce expansion and enhancing service diversity through training in more niche areas of law”. Through apprenticeships firms can “create a pipeline of specialist legal professionals based on regional demand”.

CILEX President Sara Fowler says: “Legal services are an important element of the Welsh economy, both as a standalone industry but also as an enabler of growth, supporting public administration, business confidence and access to justice.

“As legal demand continues to rise, ensuring Wales has a sustainable pipeline of skilled legal professionals will be critical to meeting future workforce needs across both the public and private sectors. Funding high-level apprenticeships offers an opportunity to strengthen routes into the law and other professional occupations, giving aspiring lawyers from all backgrounds the chance to qualify whilst continuing to work.”

CILEX offers both vocational qualifications through its CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ) and delivers apprenticeships in Wales via other training providers.

ENDS

For further information, please contact:

Louise Eckersley, Black Letter Communications on 0203 567 1208 or email [email protected]

Kerry Jack, Black Letter Communications on 07525 756 599 or email [email protected]

Notes to editors:

CILEX (The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives) ) is one of the three principal professional bodies covering the legal profession in England and Wales, alongside the Law Society which represents solicitors and the Bar Council representing barristers. CILEX primarily represents Chartered Legal Executive lawyers (CILEX Lawyers) as well as paralegals and other legal professionals who have taken the CILEX route to qualification.

With a heritage that stretches back over a century, CILEX pioneered the non-university route into law and today provides a fully regulated, recognised route to becoming a specialist lawyer for both graduates and those without a degree, broadening access to the profession. CILEX Lawyers can become partners in law firms, coroners, judges or advocates in open court.

CILEX’s trusted qualifications are built around modern legal practice. The CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ) provides flexible, practice-based, real-world learning, marrying specialist legal knowledge with the practical skills, behaviours and commercial awareness required by employers.

CILEX’s approximately 17,000-strong membership brings considerable diversity to the legal profession:

77% of its lawyers are women
16% are from ethnic minority backgrounds
78% attended state schools
49% of members did not attend university
63% come from families where neither parent attended university
Only 3% of its members have a parent who is a lawyer.

CILEX members are regulated through an independent body, CILEx Regulation.

Each year, CILEX elects a new president from its membership to represent CILEX and its members. The current president is Sara Fowler.

Jennifer Coupland is CEO.