Accelerated Pathway in Wills and Succession and Probate Practice
Probate – Accelerated Pathway in Wills and Succession and Probate Practice
The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives’ (CILEX) accelerated pathway in Wills and Probate, delivers the knowledge and experience of the Law in Wills and Succession and Probate Practice in England and Wales. This Pathway educates on laws and acts governing wills and codicils, the concept of valid wills, clauses and gifts, revoking wills, rules for intestacy, rules for inheritance tax, the role of representatives including trustees and executors as well as the probate process.
Download our Probate Pathway diagram for an overview of the pathway which prepares individuals for a legal career in probate as a case worker or a Chartered Legal Executive and fully qualified lawyer dealing with wills and probate, administering estates or handling claims.
For key details and suggested course combinations for a career in Wills and Probate with the prospect of becoming a qualified specialist lawyer and CILEX Chartered Legal Executive, scroll through the sections on this page or click on the titles below to go directly to the right section on this page.
Wills and Probate – School Leaver / 1st Job
To start out on a career in wills and probate, we advise completion of 5 units at Level 3 for a CILEX Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice with a specialist focus on probate. This certificate addresses a growing need for a short but rounded introduction to Law and Practice, legal skills and a need for knowledge and experience within a specialist area of Law and Legal Practice.
School leavers and individuals starting out in their first job benefit from a broad introduction to Law, qualifications at Level 3 in Wills and Succession and Wills and Probate (practice) along with legal skills.
5 units, CILEX Level 3 Certificate in Law & Practice.
Entry level units recommended for the CILEX Accelerated Pathway to Wills & Probate/ Private Client Qualifications:
| Introduction to Law and Practice |
| Client Care Skills |
| Legal Research Skills |
| Probate Practice |
| Law of Wills and Succession |
- Recommended entry level: Starting or developing a career in Wills and Probate.
- Role on commencement: Non-legal role, Legal Administrator or Legal Assistant, Legal Support role.
- Role on completion: Conveyancing Paralegal, Paralegal Assistant, Conveyancing Assistant.
- Level 3: Set and assessed at A-level standard.
- Duration: 12-18 months.
- CILEX Membership Grade; Student or Affiliate.
- Progression: The accelerated pathway progresses with focused Level 6 academic qualifications and practice portfolios of evidence to become a CILEX Conveyancing Probate Practitioner.
Wills and Probate – Paralegal / Assistant
Wills & Probate / Private Client support workers who choose to progress with a career in this specialist field may wish to start with the Level 3 Certificate qualification outlined above or embark on 4 focused level 6 study units, complemented by 3 experience portfolios evidencing competence in Probate Practice.
The same qualification pathway applies to Law Graduates.
1. The pathway requires successful completion of four CILEX Level 6 Certificate in Law qualifications, focussing on the Law of Wills and Succession and Probate Practice:
4 Units recommended for the CILEX Accelerated Pathway to Wills and Probate Qualifications: CILEX Level 6 Certificate in Law/Practice in the following:
| Law of Wills and Succession |
| Probate Practice |
| Client Care Skills |
| Legal Research Skills |
2. The above qualifications need to be supported by 3 experience portfolios evidencing:
- Experience in probate, wills and estate administration
3. Applicants are required to provide qualification or portfolio evidence demonstrating their skills competence in the following areas:
- Drafting
- Managing Probate Activities
- Entry level: Following completion of CILEX Level 3 qualifications or equivalent, paralegals or administrators, law graduates in this specialist field.
- Role on completion: Senior Paralegal; fee earning time can be set at Grade C of the guideline hourly rates.
- Level 6: Set and assessed at Honours Degree level.
- Duration: 18-24 months.
- CILEX Membership Grade: Affiliate Membership.
- Progression: Apply for Practice Rights to become a CILEX Probate Practitioner.
Wills and Probate – Law Graduates (LLB/GDL/LPC/BVC/BPTC)
Law Graduates wishing to focus their legal career on Wills and Probate can use the Accelerated Pathway in Wills and Probate to achieve specialist qualifications and Practice Rights. The pathway offers 4 focused level 6 study units complemented by 3 experience portfolios evidencing competence in Probate Practice.
1. The pathway requires successful completion of 4 level 6 qualifications focussing on the Law of Wills and Succession and Probate Practice:
4 Units recommended for the CILEX Accelerated Pathway to Wills and Probate Qualifications:
| Law of Wills and Succession |
| Probate Practice |
| Client Care Skills |
| Legal Research Skills |
2. The above qualifications need to be supported by 3 experience portfolios evidencing:
- Experience in probate, wills and estate administration.
3. Applicants are required to provide qualification or portfolio evidence demonstrating their skills competence in the following areas:
- Drafting
- Managing Probate Activities
- Entry level: Law Graduates (LLB/GDL/LPC/BVC/BPTC)
- Role on completion: Senior Paralegal; fee earning time can be set at Grade C of the guideline hourly rates.
- Level 6: Set and assessed at Honours Degree level.
- Duration: 18-24 months.
- CILEX Membership Grade: Associate Membership (ACILEX) for LLB/GDL; Graduate Membership (GCILEX) for BVC/BPTC – subject to successful exemption application
- Progression: Apply for Practice Rights to become a CILEX Probate Practitioner.
Wills and Probate – Professional with Significant Experience
Professionals with significant experience in the specialist field of Wills and Probate and who can demonstrate competence can become CILEX Probate Practitioners through five experience portfolios evidencing:-
- Experience in probate, wills and estate administation.
Applicants are required to provide qualification or portfolio evidence demonstrating their competence in the following areas:
- Drafting
- Managing Probate Activities
Probate Practice Rights Application
Probate services are regulated under the Legal Services Act. Individuals need to be authorised to undertake Probate work.
CILEX Regulation can award Probate Practice Rights to gain the required authorisation to provide the full range of probate services to clients through a regulated firm, without supervision.
The scheme of Authorisation is open to all practitioners who can demonstrate their competence through qualifications and/or experience as evidenced by portfolio. CILEX Membership is not strictly required and applications can be made irrespective of membership grade. Probate Practitioners will be required to undertake Continuing Professional Development (CPD). CPD support is a core part of CILEX membership benefits amongst many other professional and personal benefits.
Individuals can apply to CILEX Regulation as a regulator of firms, for authorisation to set their own regulated business offering probate services. Read more to find out about applying for regulation of firms.
Probate – Top-up Qualifications for Chartered Legal Executive / CILEX Fellowship
Individuals can also follow the traditional CILEX pathway to become a CILEX Chartered Legal Executive with Probate Practice Rights. The general pathway is designed to provide wider legal knowledge, that is not just specific to probate and provide a broad-based foundation across key areas of Law and Practice, including mandatory core units in law. This ensures that CILEX Chartered Legal Executives and Fellows are well prepared for a career in law against the background of continuing changes in the legal sector.
The Probate Accelerated Pathway is wholly focussed on a career in Wills and Probate with Probate Practice Rights. With top up units that provide the broader spectrum of core units in law, along with proof of relevant experience, it is possible for Probate Practitioners to qualify as Chartered Legal Executives and become a CILEX Fellow with designatory letters FCILEX.
CILEX also offers an Accelerated Pathway in Conveyancing which can complement the Wills and Probate Accelerated Pathway with additional focused legal qualifications and experience.
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 Wills and Probate.