“It’s ok Legal Cheek, I’ve got this” the usual route for all regulated lawyers in England and Wales

Many CILEX lawyers were dismayed when Legal Cheek’s post (click here) about the different paths to becoming a lawyer only mentioned the traditional routes of becoming a Solicitor or Barrister. It was pointed out by a fellow that the collaboration was with the University of Law, who actually offer training for CILEX qualifications, such as the CILEX LLB and practice rights.

I also appreciate that there is a reason that the page only focuses on Barristers and Solicitors. I don’t need to go into why. What I want to talk about is the fact that whilst CILEX doesn’t get any consideration, neither does any of the other regulated lawyers.

Don’t worry Legal Cheek. I’ve got this. I’ll start with the other types of lawyers first:-

• Costs Lawyers
• Licensed Conveyancer
• Trademark Attorney
• Patent Attorneys
• Probate practitioners
• Notaries
• CILEX Lawyers
• Solicitors
• Barristers

Costs Lawyers

What do they do?

A costs lawyer is a legal professional in England and Wales who specialises in costs. They are primarily involved in the field of costs drafting, negotiation, and litigation. They can also have a right of audience to appeal matters concerning costs, including senior courts.

Who regulates them?

Costs lawyers are regulated by the Costs Lawyers Standards Board, and their representative body is the Association of Costs Lawyers.

Do you need a law degree to become a costs lawyer?

No. You need the minimum qualification of Grade C GSCE in maths and English (or equivalent).

The typical qualification route

Qualification

The Costs Lawyers Professional Qualification is a two year qualification process.

In year one, you will be taught law of contract, law of tort and professional standards. This the Diploma in Civil Practice.

In year two, you will be taught cost pleadings and process, legal aid, practice and procedure in specialist forums and lawyer-client relationships and funding arrangement. This is the Diploma in Costs Law and Practice. You will also undertake advocacy training, leading to an Award in Costs Advocacy.

The course is £6,000 + VAT.

Qualifying employment

To qualify as a costs lawyer, the applicant needs to have undertaken two years of qualifying employment, which can include up to 12 months before the commencement of the Costs Lawyers Professional Qualification (but no experience before that is counted).

The application will demonstrate that the applicant has practiced all the various skills during the two year period within the Competency Statement.

Alternative methods of qualification?

There is no specific alternative method of qualification, but exemptions are available for various parts of the qualification found in section 10 of the Accredited Study Provider Scheme Handbook for the Costs Lawyers Qualification.

Licensed Conveyancers

What do they do?

A licensed conveyancer is a specialist lawyer who deals with property transactions in England and Wales. They have the right to conduct conveyancing, like Solicitors and CILEX Conveyancing Practitioners. They play a crucial role in ensuring that property transactions proceed both smoothly and legally.

Who regulates them?

A licensed conveyancer is regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers. They do not have a separate representative body.

Do you need a law degree to become a licensed conveyancer?

No. You can start ‘straight out of school or college’.

The typical qualification route

Qualification

An applicant needs to have a Level 4 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice (or equivalent) and a Level 6 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice. There are a range of training providers that provide these diplomas.

The Level 4 Diploma covers the English Legal System, law of Contract, Land Law, Understanding Accounting Procedures for Conveyancing Transactions and Standard Conveyancing Transactions. The Level 6 Diploma covers Landlord and Tenant, Conveyancing Law and Practice and Managing Client and Office Accounts (Conveyancing).

Each diploma costs approximately £3,000-£4,000.

Qualifying employment

To qualify as a licenced conveyancer, applicants must have undertaken 1200 hours of practical experience. Many regulators are changing to hours rather than days/weeks, allowing those who undertake flexible working hours to demonstrate they have undertaken the requisite qualifying employment.

Alternative methods of qualification?

Whilst applicants can apply for exemptions, there are types of lawyers who can transfer and become licensed conveyancers. For example, a Chartered Legal Executive, that does not have practice rights, can apply to to become a licensed conveyancer. That particular application does not require additional training or occupational experience, save for as long as you have two years post-CILEX fellow experience in conveyancing.

Trademark Attorneys

What do they do?

A trademark attorney is a lawyer who specialises in trademark law and assists individuals, businesses, and organisations with matters related to the protection, registration, and enforcement of trademarks. Trademarks are distinctive signs or symbols, such as logos, names, or slogans, used to identify and distinguish goods or services of one entity from those of others.

Trade mark attorneys possess the necessary qualifications to represent clients in various legal proceedings related to intellectual property. They are authorized to handle appeals in the High Court, litigations in the Intellectual Property Enterprise Court (IPEC), and appeals of such cases in the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. They also have the right to appear in front of the IPEC and, in cases of appeals from the IPO, in the High Court.

A further advocacy and litigaiton certificate can be obtained.

Who regulates them?

Trademark attorneys are regulated by the Intellectual Property Regulation Board and their representative body is the Chartered Institute of Chartered Trade Mark Attorneys.

Do you need a law degree to become a trade mark attorney?

It’s not compulsory to have a law degree but a degree with at least 2:1 is required. The law degree may provide exemptions.

The typical qualification route

Qualification

The qualification is a postgraduate course, offered by select universities. The first court is the ‘Postgraduate Certificate in Intellectual Property’. This covers Patents & Design and Copyright and Trademarks. The second qualification is the “Professional Certificate in Trade Mark Practice” and is the final qualification required for the vocational element of the qualificaiton.

Qualifying employment

In addition to the two qualifications, you need to complete two years’ work experience in trade mark legal practice to qualify as a trade mark attorney. You would normally do this while you are studying at the firm that has taken you on as a trainee and under the guidance of an experienced mentor.

Alternative methods of qualification?

There are exemptions available, but no alternative method of qualification.

Patent attorneys

What do they do?

Patent attorneys are lawyers who are expertly trained in drafting and obtaining patents and have knowledge of intellectual property law. They guide individual inventors or companies through the required process of obtaining a patent and enforce inventors’ rights if their patents are infringed. 

Who regulates them?

Patent attorneys are regulated by the Intellectual Property Regulation Board and their representative body is the Chartered Institute of Chartered Patent Attorneys.

Do you need a law degree to become a patent attorney?

Actually, it is preferred you have a degree in a science, engineering, technology or a mathematics-based subject, to ensure you have an understanding of the products you will be seeking patents on.

The typical qualification route

Qualification

There are two parts to the qualification. The first is the PEB Foundation Certificate, which consists of five exams. The final examination is the PEB Final Diploma, consisting of a further four exams.

Qualifying employment

Qualifying employment will depend upon whether work is supervised or unsupervised. If it is supervised, the time required can be as little as two years. If it is unsupervised work, then it could be as long as four years.

Alternative methods of qualification?

There are some exemptions for the Foundation Certificate, but there are none for the Final Diploma; you can only undertake it if you have completed the Foundation Certificate.

Probate practitioners

What do they do?

Probate practitioners are lawyers who specialise in dealing with the legal documentation and processes required for managing the affairs of a deceased person. Probate practitioners will work closely with the representatives of the deceased person, such as executors or administrators, in order to administer the estate in accordance with their Will or under the Intestacy provisions, which are applicable when the deceased individual has not left a Will.

Who regulates them?

Some probate practitioners are regulated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (referred to hereon as ‘licensed probate practitioners’). However, some can be regulated by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (which will also act as the regulatory body for chartered accountant probate practitioners).

Do you need a law degree to become a probate practitioner?

There is no need for a law degree to become a licensed probate practitioners. Chartered accountant probate practitioners need to be a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales before they can start the application process.

The typical qualification route

Qualification

Licensed probate practitioners will usually undertake the Level 4 Diploma in Probate Law and Practice and the Level 6 Diploma in Probate Law and Practice. Chartered accountant probate practitioners will need to undertake a course and pass an assessment.

Qualifying employment

A licensed probate practitioner will need to demonstrate 1200 hours of qualifying employment before the application can be made. Chartered accountants need only apply for the Mercia UK Certificate in Probate and Estate Administration once they have undertaken the above course.

Alternative methods of qualification?

Both have exemption options, but in particular, those who are not a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales can apply for exemptions altogether, such as STEP, Solicitors and CILEX Probate practitioners.

Notary

What do the do?

A Notary is a lawyer whose work is the preparation of documents and the authentication of clients’ identities and signatures principally for use abroad. Whilst other lawyers can also qualify as a Notary, a person can qualify solely as a Notary. 

Who regulates them?

Notaries are regulated by the Master of the Faculties.

Do you need a law degree to become a Notary?

Yes, or a Graduate Diploma in Law, which needs to include public and constitutional law, the law of contract, EU law, equity and the law of trust, conveyancing, wills, probate and administration and law and practice of companies property, the ls and partnerships.

The typical qualification route

Qualification

Notaries undertake a two-year Notarial Practice Course (which covers roman law, private international law, and notarial practice). This is then followed by a one-day Office Practice Course.

Qualifying employment

Rather than qualifying employment, a notary must be supervised by an experienced notary for the first two years.

Alternative methods of qualification?

Being a Solicitor, Barrister or CILEX Lawyer will give an applicant significant exemptions. Having an LPC or specific CILEX level 6 (legacy qualification) may allow some exemptions. Particular modules will be required regardless.

CILEX Lawyers

What do the do?

CILEX Lawyers can work in all areas of law, but they usually qualify and specialise in one area of law. CILEX Lawyers, who qualify via the new qualification process will qualify with practice rights in their areas (which can include advocacy rights in the lower courts if they practice in either civil, criminal or family).

Who regulates them?

They are regulated by CILEX Regulation and their regulatory body is the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.

Do you need a law degree to become a CILEX Lawyer?

You do not require a law degree (or any degree) to qualify as a CILEX Lawyer. 

The typical qualification route

Qualification

The CILEX Professional Qualification is designed to give a CILEX Lawyer the relevant training necessary to qualify in their area of law. The training is segregated into three stages. The CPQ Foundation and CPQ Advance course have mandatory units that must be undertaken, but the CPQ advance requires the applicant to chose at least one module from the optional selection. The mandatory units consist of law, practice and legal professional skills. The CPQ Professional stage requires the applicant to chose the single module in the area they wish to specialise in. If the CILEX Lawyer is going to practice in civil, criminal or family law then they will undertake the CILEX Advocacy course in addition.  

Qualifying employment

CILEX Lawyers are required to prove they have undertaken a sufficient number of hours of qualifying employment and demonstrate various Professional Experience outcomes, to ensure that they are ready to practice law unsupervised from day one.

Alternative methods of qualification?

Various equivalent qualifications can be used to be exempt from some or all of the CPQ. Those who have completed the LPC will usually be fully exempt (save for qualifying experience and the advocacy skills course, if specialising in a litigation area of law) and those with a BVC will be exempt from all of it (including the advocacy skills course).

CILEX Lawyer who qualified under the older legacy scheme (and do not have practice rights as a standard) can apply to top up their qualification with practice rights without having to do the CPQ.

Solicitors

What do the do?

Solicitors are lawyers who hold a general qualification covering all seven legal areas, and as such, they are authorised to practice in any area of law, provided they have the necessary competency. They also have the right of audience in all lower courts. Although there used to be a comparison that barristers were like surgeons, while solicitors were like general practitioners, this distinction has become less clear over time. Many solicitors have additional qualifications that allow them to practice as higher rights advocates.

Who regulates them?

They are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and their representative body is the Law Society.

Do you need a law degree to become a Solicitor?

The new Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE) no longer requires a law degree or a Graduate Diploma in Law. You must have at least a degree or equivalent (level 6 qualification)

The typical qualification route

Qualification

The SQE is divided into two types of examinations. SQE 1 consists of two 2.5-hour exams covering the seven pillars of legal knowledge and professional knowledge, such as Solicitors Accounts Rules. the SQE 2 focuses on the practical skills, including client care and lower court advocacy.

Qualifying employment

Solicitors require two years of qualifying employment. It can be undertaken in more than one organisation but not more than four. There is no requirement for it to be undertaken during or after the SQE.

Alternative methods of qualification?

The SQE has very strict exemptions. For example, where an applicant cannot demonstrate an exemption for every topic within one SQE 1 exam, then they do not receive an exemption at all for that exam. Exemptions are possible from various commonwealth lawyers and similar jurisdictions (such as Scottish Solicitors).

It is also possible (currently) for CILEX Lawyers, who have an LPC, to transfer to the roll of solicitors. They will be required to undertake the core modules of the Professional Skills Course (which was required for trainee solicitors under the old training contract regime).

Barristers

What do the do?

Barristers are the type of lawyers that specialises in advocacy, providing legal advice and representing clients in court proceedings. Barristers have distinct roles and responsibilities within the legal system, and they often work in close collaboration with their instructing lawyers to provide comprehensive legal services to clients.

Who regulates them?

Barristers are regulated by the Bar Standards Board and their representative body are the Bar Council.

Do you need a law degree to become a Barrister?

You will need at least a law degree or a GDL if you completed a non-law degree.

The typical qualification route

Qualificaiton

Once the applicant has obtained a law degree or a GDL, then the one can undertake the Bar Course. This will cover both criminal and civil, focusing on advocacy, conferencing, drafting, opinion writing, professional ethics, legal research.

Qualifying employment

Once the applicant has passed the bar course, they will undertake pupillage. This consists of six months following/observing and six months practical/’on their feet’.

Alternative methods of qualification?

There are a wide range of exemptions, from partial to full exemptions, from transferring lawyers to transferrable examinations. The exemptions can apply to the qualification’s academic, vocational and work-based learning (pupillage) elements.

Alternative methods of qualification?

Various exemptions are available for equivalent qualifications. There is the option for lawyers from the same or similar jurisdiction to transfer to the bar. Any further requirements can be met by undertaking a modified GDL or bar course. Quite often, some applicants will get a full or partial pupillage exemption (the latter being where the first and second six of pupillage is reduced to 3 months, instead of six).

Conclusion

There you have it, that covers all the regulated lawyers in teh Legal Services act 2007 for England and Wales. Whilst we talk about CILEX being a qualification in the legal sector that gets overlooked, I’m afraid to say we neglect the others.

Information 

AJH Advocacy Limited, a Limited Company which is regulated by the Bar Standards Boards (entity number 190758), ceases trading on the 12th January 2026.

From the 12th January 2026 and onwards, Alec Hancock will practice as a Barrister at Magdalen Chambers in Exeter. For instructions on matters on or after 12th January 2026, please contact Magdalen Chambers via clerks@magdalenchambers.co.uk or by telephone on 01392 285 200.