Boost your career as a CILEX Paralegal or CILEX Chartered Paralegal
Gain recognition for your extensive legal experience and professionalism
Your route to a successful career as a paralegal
We recognise that many professionals working in paralegal roles may have extensive legal experience and expertise without necessarily having academic qualifications. We offer you the opportunity to gain professional status as a CILEX Paralegal or CILEX Chartered Paralegal through the CILEX Experience Assessment, which focuses on the experience you’ve gained.
Of course, you can also take the qualification route to become a CILEX Paralegal. Explore the CILEX Professional Qualification here.
What is a CILEX Paralegal or CILEX Chartered Paralegal?
Paralegals typically work closely with lawyers, conducting research for case work, interacting with clients, handling legal documents and managing court preparation.
A CILEX Chartered Paralegal is a senior paralegal who has achieved a recognised level of work-based experience, legal knowledge, and technical expertise within their field.
Paralegals at any level are an integral part of legal teams, which is why we’ve provided a dedicated membership route to give the recognition that’s deserved.
Why become a CILEX Paralegal or CILEX Chartered Paralegal?
- Gain formal recognition: As a CILEX Paralegal or CILEX Chartered Paralegal, your knowledge, experience and contribution will be formally recognised with a professional status that you can proudly showcase to employers, clients and colleagues.
- Progress your career: Whether you aim to excel in your current role or advance your legal career, both CILEX Paralegal and CILEX Chartered Paralegal member status have been designed with input from employers to ensure your significant technical experience is acknowledged and valued – helping you stand out from the crowd!
- Public visibility and credibility: All CILEX Paralegals and CILEX Chartered Paralegals are included on the CILEX Professional Paralegal Register, providing clients with visibility and reassurance about the level of service you will provide.
- Join a professional community: As a CILEX member, you’ll join a community of 18,000+ legal professionals, giving you the opportunity to expand your network and share knowledge.
Your paralegal journey
Where you start and end on the experience route into CILEX membership will depend on your existing experience and career ambitions – there’s a route for everyone!
- CILEX Paralegal: For professionals with a minimum of 2 years in a legal role and able to demonstrate in-depth legal knowledge and required behaviours, to achieve the designation ACILEX.
- Trainee CILEX Chartered Paralegal: For those still building experience, including newly qualified law graduates. This status demonstrates your intention to become a CILEX Chartered Paralegal and provides a clear progression path to achieving your goal.
- CILEX Chartered Paralegal: For individuals with 5+ years of legal experience and are able to demonstrate extensive experience and required behaviours, to achieve the designation PCILEX.
This membership pathway supports your career development while showcasing your skills and experience to employers and clients.
Ready to take your next step?
Submit your details and we’ll send you further information on the application process and answer your questions.
The Experience Assessment Route process
The Experience Assessment Route evaluates your professional competence through:
- An application – the submission of narrative examples, demonstrating your legal experience and competences.
- Verification – from your employer if available.
- An interview – if applying for CILEX Chartered Paralegal or if you don’t have a valid referee for the CILEX Paralegal application.
Across the assessment, applicants will be assessed on their ability to meet the professional competences, outlined in the CILEX Competency Framework, and the duties and associated behaviours, as detailed in the CILEX Experience Route Handbook.
Experience Assessment Route Fees
| Assessment fee | Annual membership fee | |
| CILEX Paralegal | £945 | £230 |
| CILEX Chartered Paralegal | £1,575 | £288 |
Trainee CILEX Chartered Paralegal has a registration fee of £475 and assessment fee of £785 once you are ready to apply for CILEX Chartered Paralegal status.
There is a re-submission fee of £150 if required.
Ready to take your next steps?
Submit your details to receive further information on the application process or ask your questions to the team, or simply start your application now!
Our friendly Customer Service team are on hand to answer any questions, call +44 (0)1234 841000 or contact us here.