Become an apprentice
Looking to build a career in law? Worried about the cost of going to university?
Then an apprenticeships is the answer
Why choose an apprenticeship?
- Earn while you learn: start earning a salary from day one
- Fast-track your career: gain work experience at the same time as studying, giving you a head start in your career
- Gain real-world experience: practical on-the-job training helps build the confidence and commercial skills you need to succeed in law
- No debt from studying: your training is paid for by the employer and the government
How apprenticeships work
Apprenticeships seamlessly blend practical, on-the-job training with dedicated study. Working alongside experienced staff, you’ll acquire job-specific skills while having dedicated study time to enhance your knowledge and undertake study related to your role.
As an apprentices, you’ll earn a wage and enjoy the same benefits as full-time employees, such as holiday pay, a pension and more.
The three stages of an apprenticeship:
- On-programme learning (OPL) – this is the combination of the learning you’ll do on the job and through the additional study course.
- Gateway – once you’ve completed the OPL and required study, and your employer and training provider consider you ready, they will sign you off as ready to sit your assessment.
- End Point Assessment (EPA) – this is the final part of your apprenticeship, where you’ll be formally assessed against the required learning outcomes, knowledge, skills and behaviours specific to your apprenticeship.
An apprenticeship is a collaborative relationship, between you, your employer, your training provider and the End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO).
Your apprenticeship with CILEX Law School
CILEX Law School (CLS) offer comprehensive apprenticeships for aspiring legal professionals, via unique learning experiences.
CILEX delivers apprenticeships through CILEX Law School (CLS).
CLS offer three apprenticeships enabling progression, from junior roles in the legal profession through to qualified lawyer status.
Qualify as a Business Administrator
Level 3 Business Administrator apprenticeship
Equivalent to an A-level, this programme is ideal if you have no law experience or have completed an intermediate apprenticeship, have some prior experience in a business or administration role. It focuses upon those working in business administration roles within a legal environment.
- Duration: 18-month programme
- Benefits: Develops the highly transferable skills needed to develop, maintain and improve essential administrative services. Off-the-job learning requirement: minimum six hours per week.
- Typical roles: Business Administrator, Legal secretary
- Off-the-job learning requirement: minimum six hours per week
Qualify as a Paralegal
Level 3 Paralegal apprenticeship
The Paralegal apprenticeship is intended either to be a destination in its own right, or to be a stepping stone onto the Level 6 Chartered Legal Executive and Level 7 Chartered Legal Executive Litigator and Advocate apprenticeships.
- Duration: 24-month programme
- Benefits: Develops fundamental legal knowledge and skills, as well as practical skills such as the use of technology and commercial awareness. Emphasis is on swift development of practical skills meaning that apprentices can make a real contribution to the work of their team at an early stage.
- Typical role: Paralegal, Legal Caseworker, Legal Assistant, Legal File Handler
- Off-the-job learning requirement: minimum six hours per week
Qualify as a Chartered CILEX Lawyer
Level 6 Chartered Legal Executive or Level 7 Chartered Legal Executive Litigator and Advocate apprenticeships
These apprenticeships are for those who have a strong commitment to becoming a qualified lawyer, achieving CILEX Lawyer status. Which apprenticeship route you take will be determined by whether you work in contentious or non-contentious law. Either way, the apprenticeships provide full practice rights upon completion.
- Benefits: The mandatory qualifications for these apprenticeships include the CILEX Professional Qualifications, designed to support the incremental development of workplace skills. The use of a mandatory qualification provides an objective national benchmark of your apprentice’s development.
- Typical roles: CILEX Lawyer, Chartered Legal Executive, Chartered Legal Executive Litigator and Advocate
- Off-the-job learning requirement: minimum six hours per week
*Anyone embarking on this apprenticeship must be in a role which meets CILEX Regulation’s requirements for qualifying employment during the final years of their apprenticeship
Read more about studying an apprenticeship with CILEX Law School
Hear from an apprentice
Am I eligible to do an Apprenticeship?
Apprentices must be over 16 years old and live in England. You will need to be employed in a relevant job role and so need the support of your employer. Whilst apprenticeships are open to both new and existing staff, government funding rules mean that all apprentices must require the development of significant new knowledge, skills and behaviours in their role.
Please contact CILEX Law School for details on specific entry requirements for your preferred apprenticeship.
Welsh Apprenticeship in Legal Services
If you are based in Wales, you can look for apprenticeships based in your area below.
In legal employment?
Get in touch with us
to learn how CILEX can help.
Not in legal employment?
Take a look at the legal apprenticeships available on the
National Apprenticeship service