Changes to CILEX Qualifications

Current Level 6 qualifications

The following Level 6 qualifications have now been accredited by Ofqual into the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF):

• CILEX Level 6 Certificate in Law
• CILEX Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law and Practice

These qualifications became available for delivery by CILEX centres from September 2009, with the first examination sessions being held in January 2010 and June 2010.

These qualifications replaced the Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law, which was withdrawn following a final examination session for all subjects held in October 2009.

Current Level 3 qualifications

The CILEX Level 3 Professional Diploma in Law qualification has been replaced by two unitised qualifications:

• the CILEX Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice
• the CILEX Level 3 Professional Diploma in Law and Practice.

Update regarding Transitional arrangements for students completing their existing CILEX Level 3 Professional Diploma in Law and Practice

From the June 2013 examination, those candidates who have not yet completed their Level 3 Professional Diploma in Law ‘old qualification’, will now be required to pass the current CILEX Level 3 qualification in order to complete their studies and be certified.

Candidates will be able to use passes from the ‘old ’ Level 3 qualification towards completion of the current Level 3 qualifications.

Candidates will also be required to pass the 2 Professional skills units (Client Care and Legal research) at Level 3.

CILEX will charge a one off administration fee of £25 for this service to candidates using subjects from the ‘old qualifications’ and who need to complete the current Level 3 qualifications.

Please complete the Transitional Arrangement Application, below, to gain your exemptions from the CILEX Level 3 Professional Diploma in Law and Practice.

Transitional Arrangements Form

Change from Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law (old qualification) to Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law and Practice (current qualification).

September 2009 saw the introduction of the current Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law and Practice qualification. This had implications for students who were already studying the Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law (old qualification).

Under the Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law, if by the June 2009 examination session a student had already passed a law or practice paper they were able to complete the qualification by passing three law papers and one practice paper (linked to a law paper) by the June 2013 examination session.

Students who have achieved any of the following 5 units from the Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law (old qualification) will not be able to use these towards completing the Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law and Practice (current qualification) because these units are no longer accredited.

• Unit 20 Law of Intellectual Property
• Unit 25 Commercial Law
• Unit 28 Law of Evidence
• Unit 30 Social Welfare Law
• Unit 31 Local Government Law

Therefore, if a student has not completed the requirements of the Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law (old qualification), they will now need to pass three law papers and one practice paper (linked to a law paper) and also two professional skills units:

• Unit 22 Client Care Skills
• Unit 23 Legal Research Skills

When a student has passed the four papers and two professional skills units, they will be awarded the current Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law and Practice qualification.

A scenario fact sheet has been created in the hope, this will clarify all students position regarding the Level 6 Transitional Arrangements.

Scenarios (PDF,142KB)

CILEX will write individually to any customers who have contacted us directly regarding these arrangements.