Anyone qualified/qualifying as a solicitor through CILEX?

As per the question. Would be interested to hear people's opinions and views on this.

If I am not mistaken you cannot qualify as a solicitor through Cilex. You become a legal executive but don't quote me on that.

I'm looking through this route! It's perfect because it allows me to sit my LLM postgrad while I work...

(and study the GCILEX units the same time!)

I'm looking through this route! It's perfect because it allows me to sit my LLM postgrad while I work...

(and study the GCILEX units the same time!)

I'm thinking of doing it (currently qualifying as a legal exec, but I need to clarify with the SRA whether I can do convert my qualification because the SRA website isn't clear, although I queried this point in 2014 and was given the same info as Iron Bowl).

I've done 13 exams, I have 3 to go and have to put together a portfolio for my qualifying employment. Qualifying as a solicitor would be better for my career but I'm not sure if I have it in me to continue doing exams after I finish my next three.

How did you go about finding an initial legal role?

I know of some people who have gone down this route and their employer paid for their LPC as they were already long-time valuable members of staff.

Yes - good tactic if TC impossible. CILEX rights (partnership etc) have improved vastly since my day so not sure if I would do LPC now - depends on which area you wish to work. Half on my LPC never secured a TC and fell back to CILEX. Does require a strong will - working and studying a tough option. I started straight from school - 4 years to qualify as CILEX - I didn't hang around. That said the one big problem with CILEX route is the ability to experience many areas of law before you qualify. As soon as you are making profit firms will want to keep you within one department whereas TC allows more exploration.

Yes you can indeed.

For me personally I studied a law degree, the LPC, joined CILEx as a graduate member, 3 years qualifying employment and portfolio, qualified as a Chartered Legal
executive, completed the PSC and applied to the SRA for admission as a Solicitor - easy peasy

You don't have to apply for a legal job before you apply to be a member of CILEx but I was in legal employment before I applied for membership but it is not a requirement.

I'm finding life as a lawyer really good, the work is interesting and varied and my firm is lovely and very supportive. I work for large fashion retailers and international retailers doing commercial work - I am now specialised in commercial property work for retailers and absolutely love it. There's a good networking and social scene within this area.

Thanks

Thank you for sharing your experience.

I have seriously considered going down the CILEX route if I fail to get a TC at my firm. Is the portfolio particularly hard to put together? I'm hoping the process will not be too much of a burden for my supervisor.

Thanks for your help.

Nearly doing the same. Waiting for FCilex at the moment and wondering about the PSC.

Is it hard and is the exam problematic ?

You don't have to apply for a legal job before you apply to be a member of CILEx but I was in legal employment before I applied for membership but it is not a requirement.

I'm finding life as a lawyer really good, the work is interesting and varied and my firm is lovely and very supportive. I work for large fashion retailers and international retailers doing commercial work - I am now specialised in commercial property work for retailers and absolutely love it. There's a good networking and social scene within this area.

Thanks