Experience Assessment route – FAQs

We recognise that many professionals working in paralegal roles may have extensive legal experience and expertise without necessarily having academic qualifications. Through the CEA route, applicants gain professional status as a CILEX Paralegal or CILEX Chartered Paralegal by demonstrating professional competence gained through work experience, rather than the traditional qualifications and exams.

A CILEX Paralegal is typically a case handler or legal assistant who operates effectively under the appropriate level of supervision. CILEX Paralegals support a legal team, carrying out tasks such as understanding client needs, conducting legal research, and preparing documentation.

A CILEX Chartered Paralegal is a senior or experienced legal professional, operating with a degree of autonomy. CILEX Chartered Paralegals work directly with clients, draft legal documentation and prepare information for trials and hearings. They often play a key role in the progression, management, and outcome of legal matters.

To become a CILEX Chartered Paralegal through the experience route you need to have worked in a legal role for a minimum of 5 years and be able to demonstrate extensive legal knowledge and competence across key duties and behaviours. The 5 years’ experience does not need to be consecutive, however you must have gained at least 2 years’ experience in the last 5 years, within the law of England and Wales. A minimum of 5 years’ experience must be accumulated within the last 10 years; this does not need to have been with the same employer.

If you do not yet meet the 5 years requirement, consider becoming a CILEX Paralegal first, where you’ll need to have worked in a legal role for at least 2 years. The 2 years does not need to be consecutive or accumulated with the same employer, however you must have gained at least 2 years’ experience in the last 5 years within the law of England and Wales.

You can also become a CILEX Paralegal through the CILEX Professional Qualification, completing a paralegal apprenticeship or by possessing a qualifying law degree.

If you’re already a CILEX Paralegal and are looking to progress, you can register as a Trainee CILEX Chartered Paralegal, which provides a clear progression path through to becoming a CILEX Chartered Paralegal.

If you’re not yet a CILEX member, you can also become a CILEX Paralegal through the CILEX Professional Qualification, completing a paralegal apprenticeship or by possessing a qualifying law degree.

The experience route to either CILEX Paralegal or CILEX Chartered Paralegal is ideal for those who have over 2 years of legal experience and are looking to build a long-term paralegal career.

If you are intending to progress to lawyer status, the CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ) is the right route for you. There is no progression route from CILEX Chartered Paralegal or CILEX Paralegal to CILEX Lawyer without completing each of the qualification stages. For example, you cannot become a CILEX Paralegal via the experience route and enter the CPQ at Advanced Stage – you will need to complete CPQ Foundation stage first.

No, there is no progression route from CILEX Chartered Paralegal or CILEX Paralegal to CILEX Lawyer without completing each of the qualification stages. For example, you cannot become a CILEX Paralegal via the experience route and enter the CPQ at Advanced Stage – you will need to complete CPQ Foundation stage first.

Holding CILEX Chartered Paralegal status does not provide a route to authorisation through Practice Rights. This is an experience assessment only and no formal legal qualification is gained by completion of the CILEX Chartered Paralegal assessment.

Your eligibility to apply for Practice Rights will depend on the area of law you work in and the experience you’ve gained. View the CILEx Regulation guidance for further information.

All CILEX members with a paralegal status (CILEX Paralegal, CILEX Advanced Paralegal, Trainee CILEX Lawyer and CILEX Chartered Paralegal) will automatically be added to the CILEX PPR once you have completed the experience assessment process and your membership status is approved.

To remain on the register each year you will be required to renew your membership subscription (including a conduct declaration) and have completed your annual CPD requirement.

1. Gain formal recognition which you can proudly display to employers, clients and colleagues, through the designatory letters PCILEX.
2. The status opens up progression opportunities as you’ll be recognised for the extensive technical experience you’ve gained.
3. You’ll be included on the Professional Paralegal Register, providing greater transparency and reassurance for clients.
4. 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.
5. By evidencing your enhanced status and experience there is potential for your fee earning rate/capacity to increase.