The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) announced yesterday that, following approval from the Legal Services Board, law degrees no longer have to have been completed within the last seven years to qualify for exemptions against CILEx qualifications.

CILEx chief operating officer Linda Ford said:

“This is a welcome move which will open up a CILEx career to even more people, and I’d like to thank the LSB for approving the change. Law graduates have a home at CILEx, where we offer a fast-track route to qualify as a lawyer. This will make it even easier for mature students and those looking to move into the law to join CILEx and enjoy successful legal careers.”

Law graduates can apply for exemption from the CILEx Level 3 Diploma in Law and Practice and the Law units of the CILEx Level 6 Diploma in Law and Practice. They can then complete the CILEx Graduate Fast-Track Diploma to gain graduate membership of CILEx, consisting of the Level 6 Client Care Skills unit and two Level 6 Practice units (one of which must link to the subjects studied within their law degree).