Employment Law – Specialist Pathway in Employment Law and Practice
Employment Law – Specialist Pathway in Employment Law and Practice
The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives’ (CILEX) specialist pathway in Employment, delivers the knowledge and experience of Employment Law and Practice in England and Wales. The pathway educates on individuals’ employment status, employment legislation, contracts of employment and their terms, termination of contracts, employee rights and protection from discrimination as well the effects of transfer of business.
Download our Employment Law diagram for an overview of the pathway which prepares individuals for a legal career in employment law, from an employment case worker to an employment lawyer working on employment tribunal cases or case work in civil courts.
For key details and suggested course combinations, scroll through our pathway in Employment Law on this page or click on the titles below to go directly to the right section on this page.
Employment 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. Employment Law Pathway – CILEX Level 3 Certificate in Law & Practice
Specialism: Employment 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 a focus on Employment Law. Level 3 Employment Law and the Practice of Employment Law are needed at the Certificate or Diploma stage if following the advised Employment Law Specialism Pathway.
5 units, CILEX Level 3 Certificate in Law & Practice
Advised units for an Employment Law specialist career pathway:
| Introduction to Law and Practice* |
| Client Care Skills* |
| Legal Research Skills* |
| The Practice of Employment Law |
| Employment Law |
* mandatory units for CILEX Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice
- Recommended entry level: Starting or developing a career in Employment 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.
2. Employment 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 also possible.
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 such as Employment Law.
10 units, CILEX Level 3 Diploma in Law and Practice.
Advised units for an Employment 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* | |
| The Practice of Employment Law |
|
| Employment Law |
|
| Law of Tort* |
|
| Contract Law* | |
| Land Law* | |
| Criminal Law* | |
| Plus 1 elective practice unit | |
| Elective practice units: Civil Litigation Conveyancing Criminal Litigation |
|
* 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 Administrator, Paralegal Assistant, Case Handler or Officer: 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 and able to apply to become a Chartered Legal Executive Employment Lawyer.
Employment 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 in Employment Law.
- The CILEX Level 6 Diploma in Law and Practice follows on from the CILEX Level 3 Diploma in Law and Practice.
6 Units, CILEX Level 6 Diploma in Law and Practice.
Advised units for an Employment Law Specialist Career Pathway:
* These units are highly recommended for Level 6 on a specialist pathway in Employment Law
- Entry level: Completion of CILEX Level 3 Diploma in Law and Practice
- Role on completion: Senior Paralegal, Senior Litigator; 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, or CILEX Litigator and Advocate, following a required period in Qualifying Employment.
Employment 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. The Qualifying Employment section below advises on exemption applications.
Advised units for an Employment Law specialist career pathway:
| The Practice of Employment Law Client Care Skills |
| Plus 1 elective practice unit: |
| Elective units: Civil Litigation Conveyancing Criminal Law Probate Practice The Practice of Company and Partnership 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: Senior Paralegal; 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 and Employment Lawyer, after the required period in Qualifying Employment
Employment 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.
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.
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:
- Proof of the required period in Qualifying Employment.
- Assessment of competence which is done through completion of a Work-based Learning Portfolio of evidence.
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 Employment Law.