Specialist Pathway in Business Law

Company and Partnership Law – Specialist Pathway for Business Law

The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives’ (CILEX) specialist pathway in Company and Partnership Law, delivers the knowledge and experience of the Company Act and Partnership Act as well as case law in England and Wales.  The pathway prepares individuals in the areas of law that corporate lawyers deal with, including company formation and incorporation, a company’s constitution, governance and management including directors’ and shareholders’ rights, board meetings, how companies borrow shares, share capital and capital maintenance, mergers and acquisitions (M&A), company insolvency and liquidation.

CILEX Company & Partnership Law Pathway

Download our Company and Partnership Law diagram for an overview of the pathway which prepares individuals for a legal career in business.

For key details and suggested course combinations, scroll through our pathway in Company and Partnership Law on this page or click on the titles below to go directly to the right section on this page.

Company Law and Partnership Law - CILEX Certificate - Diploma - Level 3 Company Law and Partnership Law - CILEX Professional Higher Diploma - Level 6 Company Law and Partnership Law - Law Graduates - CILEX Fast-track Qualification Company Law and-Partnership Law - Period of Qualifying Employment Company Law and Partnership Law - Fellowship - Chartered Legal Executive

Company and Partnership Law Pathway – CILEX Level 3 Diploma in Law and Practice

Academic Stage 1

The academic Stage 1 Diploma can be achieved two ways:

1. In two steps: complete 5 units at certificate level and top up with 5 units to complete the Diploma.
2. As one single Diploma program: complete 10 units.

1. Company Law and Partnership Law Pathway – CILEX Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice

Specialism: Company & Partnership Law

The CILEX Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice addresses a growing need for a short but rounded introduction to law and practice, or a specific learning need within a specialist area of law and legal practice.

The Certificate consists of 5 units; the selection below provides both a broad introduction to law and the flexibility to choose study units of special interest. 

5 units, CILEX Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice. 


Advised units for a Company and Partnership Law specialist career pathway:

Introduction to Law and Practice*
Client Care Skills*
Legal Research Skills*
Plus 1 practice unit and 1 linked law unit:
Elective practice units:
Civil Litigation
Conveyancing or Residential & Commercial Leasehold Conveyancing
Criminal Litigation
Probate Practice or The Practice of Law for the Elderly Client
The Practice of Employment Law 
The Practice of Family Law  or The Practice of Child Care Law
Linked law units:
Criminal Law
Employment Law
Family Law
Land Law
Law of Tort / Contract Law
Law of Wills and Succession

* mandatory units for CILEX Level 3 Certificate

  • Recommended entry level: School Leavers, individuals starting or developing a legal career in company and partnership law.
  • Role on commencement: Non-legal role, Legal Administrator or Legal Assistant, Legal Support role.
  • Role on completion: Paralegal Administrator, Paralegal Assistant, Case Handler.
  • Level 3: Set and assessed at A-level standard.
  • Duration: 12-18 months.
  • CILEX Membership Grade; Student or Affiliate.
  • Progression: The CILEX Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice can be completed on the way to the full, 10 unit CILEX Level 3 Diploma in Law and Practice.

Become a CILEX Member CILEX Study Centre

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2. Company Law and Partnership Law Pathway – CILEX Level 3 Diploma in Law and Practice

The CILEX Level 3 Diploma in Law and Practice offers a broad-based foundation across key areas of Law and Legal Practice, which helps gain a wider appreciation of the legal practice areas that might affect but sit outside their specialist area.

  • Legal support staff with a minimum of 2 years’ experience, paralegal apprentices, students and career changers may complete a CILEX Level 3 Diploma in Law & Practice qualification which consists of 10 units. 
  • The choice to complete the Certificate qualification and carry over 5 units into the Diploma is open to all, not just school leavers.

This stage includes mandatory core units in law, to ensure that CILEX members are well prepared for a career in law against the background of continuing changes in the legal sector. There is also room for unit choices to reflect specialist interests.

10 units, CILEX Level 3 Diploma in Law and Practice. 


Advised units for a Company and Partnership law specialist career pathway:

Introduction to Law and Practice* Completed CILEX Level 3 Certificate in Law & Practice units may be carried over into the CILEX Level 3 Diploma in Law & Practice.
Client Care Skills*
Legal Research Skills*
Contract Law*
Law of Tort*
Land Law*
Criminal Law*
Plus 3 elective practice units or 2 practice units and 1 linked elective law unit:
Elective practice units:
Civil Litigation Practice
Criminal Litigation
Conveyancing Practice or Residential & Commercial Leasehold
Probate Practice or The Practice of Law for the Elderly Client
The Practice of Employment Law 
The Practice of Family Law  or The Practice of Child Care Law
Linked law units: 
Law of Tort*/ Contract Law*
Criminal Law*
Land Law*
Employment Law
Family Law
Law of Wills and Succession

mandatory law units for CILEx Level 3 Diploma in Law & Practice

  • Recommended entry level: Experience in a Legal Support role, a certified Paralegal Apprentice, a holder of a CILEX Diploma in Law & Legal Skills (tech level) or a career changer.
  • Role on completion: Paralegal Case Worker in Business/Corporate Law: charged out fee-earning time at grade D of the guideline hourly rates.
  • Level 3: Set and assessed at A-level standard.
  • Duration: Full 10 unit program is 18-36 months, dependent on prior learning and exemptions.
  • CILEX Membership Grade: Student or Affiliate.
  • Progression: To CILEX Level 6 Diploma in Law and Practice to become a Chartered Legal Executive specialising in Company and Partnership Law for business or corporations.

Become a CILEX Member CILEX Study Centre

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Company and Partnership Law Pathway – CILEX Level 6 Diploma in Law and Practice

Academic Stage 2

The CILEX Level 6 Diploma in Law and Practice forms the final academic stage on the career pathway to become a Chartered Legal Executive Lawyer. 

  • The CILEX Level 6 Diploma in Law and Practice follows on from the CILEX Level 3 Diploma in Law & Practice.
  • CILEX offers pathways specifically designed for Law Graduates.

6 Units, CILEX Level 6 Diploma in Law and Practice. 

Advised units for a Company Law and Partnership Law specialist career pathway:

Company and Partnership Law*
The Practice of Company & Partnership Law*
Client Care Skills*
Legal Research Skills*
Plus 2 elective law units:
Elective units:
Contract Law
Criminal Law
Employment Law 
Equity and Trusts
European Union Law 
Family Law
Immigration Law
Landlord and Tenant Law
Land Law
Law of Tort
Law of Wills and Succession
Public Law 

* These units are highly recommended for Level 6 on the specialist pathway in Company and Partnership Law.

  • Entry level: Completion of CILEXLevel 3 Diploma in Law and Practice.  
  • Role on completion: Paralegal, Case Worker in Business/Corporate Law; fee earning time can be set at Grade C of the guideline hourly rates.
  • Level 6: Set and assessed at Honours Degree level.
  • Duration: 24-36 months.
  • CILEX Membership Grade:
    • Start study as Associate Member after completion of CILEX Level 3 Diploma in Law and Practice with designatory letters ACILEX.
    • On completion achieve Graduate Membership grade with designatory letters GCILEX.
  • Progression: Specialist Chartered Legal Executive in Company and Partnership Law for business or corporations.

Become a CILEX Member CILEX Study Centre

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Company and Partnership Law Pathway – Law Graduates

LPC/BVC/BPTC

  • Individuals with LPC/BVC/BPTC are exempt from all academic stages. 
  • Apply direct for exemption and complete the Qualifying Employment period as a CILEX Graduate Member. See Qualifying Employment section below for exemption applications.

Advised units for a Company and Partnership Law specialist career pathway:

The Practice of Company and Partnership Law
Client Care Skills
Plus 1 elective unit:
Elective units:
Civil Litigation
Conveyancing
Criminal Litigation
Probate Practice
The Practice of Employment Law 
The Practice of Family Law

NB: One of the practice units completed must link to a law unit studied as part of your law degree

  • Entry Level: 
    • LPC/BVC/BPTC can apply for exemption from academic qualifications and complete the Qualifying Employment period as a CILEX Graduate Member. 
  • Role on completion: Paralegal, Case Worker in business/corporate law; fee earning time set at Grade C of the guideline hourly rates. 
  • Level 6:  Set and assessed at Honours Degree level.
  • Duration: 125 hours.
  • CILEX Membership Grade:
    • Enrol as Associate Member designatory letters ACILEX (after application for exemption).
    • On completion achieve Graduate Membership grade with designatory letters GCILEX.
  • Progression: Specialist Chartered Legal Executive in Company and Partnership Law for business or corporations.

Become a CILEX Member CILEX Study Centre

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Company and Partnership Law Pathway – Period of Qualifying Employment

A period of Qualifying Employment is required to achieve CILEX Fellowship and become a Chartered Legal Executive Lawyer.

The period of Qualifying Employment requires that the work is:

  • Subject to supervision by an Authorised Person and; 
  • At least 20 hours per week in work of a wholly legal nature.

The required Qualifying Employment period is a minimum of 3 years: 

  • At least 1 year has been served at the Graduate grade of membership GCILEX (post-graduation).
  • 2 years of consecutive Qualifying Employment are required immediately before the date of application for CILEX Fellowship, whilst completing a portfolio of evidence of 8 competencies called Work-based Learning.

The Qualifying Employment period can start before, during or after studying for qualifications. Time in work whilst studying may count if it meets the criteria; apply early to ensure the work is approved for Qualifying Employment and Work-based Learning.

LPC/BVC/BPTC

Law Graduates with LPC or BPTC can apply for exemption.

Up to 43 weeks exemption of the Qualifying Employment period may be granted; the remaining period in the workplace and the Work-based Learning portfolio need to be completed.

Become a CILEX Member CILEX Study Centre

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CILEX Fellowship / Chartered Legal Executive application

On completion of the period of Qualifying Employment, students are eligible to become a Chartered Legal Executive and CILEX Fellow and use the designatory letters FCILEX. 

The application process for CILEX Fellowship is in 2 stages:

CILEX Fellows are able to gain Advocacy or Litigation and Advocacy rights in Civil Proceedings.

Become a CILEX Member CILEX Study Centre


Get in touch with our experienced team of qualified advisers who are ready to advise you on the best way to develop a career in Company and Partnership Law.

Student / Member or 
Centre / Training Provider:

Complete our enquiry form

   
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Email: [email protected]

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