header-logo header-logo

Home Login E-newsletter About us
31 July 2015
Issue: 7663 / Categories: Features , Training & education , Profession
printer mail-detail

An alternative route

© Copyright LexisNexis 2026. All Rights Reserved.
nlj_7663_cilex

CILEx examines why employers are embracing on-the-job training

The changing legal marketplace, rising university tuition fees and the sheer volume of law graduates vying for the ultimate prize, the training contract, has led to savvy graduates opting for an alternative route to qualification.

These days funding an LPC or BPTC is harder than ever and a large proportion of law students will unwittingly end up joining the ever-increasing “paralegal club” with hopes of career progression and one day, perhaps, a practising certificate.

A growing proportion of graduates are now considering the Graduate Fast-track Diploma route from the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) which leads to qualification as a chartered legal executive lawyer. This on-the-job qualification is a fraction of the cost of the traditional postgraduate options and develops a law graduate into a specialist lawyer tailored to the needs of their employer.

It’s not just graduates who see the benefits in the alternatives—employers do too.

Clive Thomas, managing partner at Watkins & Gunn Solicitors says that the CILEx route “provides an ideal opportunity [for

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Read All
Sponsored by
NLJ Career Profile: Nikki Bowker, Devonshires

NLJ Career Profile: Nikki Bowker, Devonshires

Nikki Bowker, head of litigation and dispute resolution at Devonshires, on career resilience, diversity in law and channelling Elle Woods when the pressure is on

Ellisons—Sarah Osborne

Ellisons—Sarah Osborne

Leasehold enfranchisement specialist joins residential property team

DWF—Chris Air

DWF—Chris Air

Firm strengthens commercial team in Manchester with partner appointment

NEWS
Read All
NLJ this week: When post-breach events rewrite damages claims
Contract damages are usually assessed at the date of breach—but not always. Writing in NLJ this week, Ian Gascoigne, knowledge lawyer at LexisNexis, examines the growing body of cases where courts have allowed later events to reshape compensation
NLJ this week: Supreme Court redraws unfair prejudice rules
The Supreme Court has restored ‘doctrinal coherence’ to unfair prejudice litigation, writes Natalie Quinlivan, partner at Fieldfisher LLP, in this week' NLJ
NLJ this week: ‘Joe Donor’ ruling exposes dangers of unregulated conception
The High Court’s refusal to recognise a prolific sperm donor as a child’s legal parent has highlighted the risks of informal conception arrangements, according to Liam Hurren, associate at Kingsley Napley, in NLJ this week
NLJ this week: CILEX warns Mazur ruling must spark reform
The Court of Appeal’s decision in Mazur may have settled questions around litigation supervision, but the profession should not simply ‘move on’, argues Jennifer Coupland, CEO of CILEX, in this week's NLJ
NLJ this week: Conditional job offers carry hidden risks for employers
A simple phrase like ‘subject to references’ may not protect employers as much as they think. Writing in NLJ this week, Ian Smith, barrister and emeritus professor of employment law at UEA, analyses recent employment cases showing how conditional job offers can still create binding contracts
Copyright © 2026 LexisNexis
back-to-top-scroll