Seven-year rule for qualifying law degrees scrapped by LSB

Law degrees will no longer have to have been completed within the last seven years to qualify for exemptions against CILEx qualifications, following approval from the Legal Services Board (LSB).

CILEx Regulation's head of policy and governance, Jill Durham, said: 'We believe in removing unnecessary regulatory requirements. The seven-year rule was arbitrary, and was inconsistent with our exemptions for other qualifications.

'By scrapping the rule we are making it easier for law graduates to become chartered legal executives or CILEx practitioners, whilst ensuring their knowledge and skills are up to date through their work-based learning portfolios.'

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.

Graduates 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.

Work-based learning applications must include at least three years' qualifying employment, and demonstration of the 27 learning outcomes required from day one of being a CILEx lawyer.

These requirements include application of law and legal practice as part of the skills outcomes that must be proved; ensuring applicants have current knowledge, skills and experience in their specialist area of practice.

CILEx's chief operating officer, Linda Ford, remarked: 'This is a welcome move which will open up a CILEx career to even more people, and we'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.'