ILEX Level 3 Certificates in Law and Practice
The ILEX Level 3 Certificates in Law and Practice are paralegal qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework. ITC offers these paralegal courses by distance learning.
Who are these qualifications for?
The courses leading to an ILEX Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice are ideal for paralegals and support staff in law firms who wish to take on a file-handling role in an area of legal practice. There are eight Certificates to choose from so you can tailor the qualification to the needs of your role.
You will learn how to progress a straightforward case file in your selected practice area under the supervision of a qualified member of staff. The courses are also relevant for staff working outside the legal profession in organisations dealing with employment or contractual matters, debt recovery, mortgage lending, personal injury or insurance.
You should have studied to at least GCSE level. If you have no formal qualifications, or if you wish to continue to work in a purely support function, then you might consider the City & Guilds/ILEX Level 2 Certificate in Legal Studies.
The ILEX Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice also contributes to the first stage of legal executive training, so you could build on the qualification if you find you have an aptitude for legal study.
What is included in the Certificate?
A Certificate in Law and Practice is a paralegal qualification made up of five ILEX Level 3 units: an introductory unit, a law unit and its linked legal practice unit, and two professional skills units.There are eight variants of the Certificate so that you can select the subjects most appropriate for your role.
Certificates available, and the ILEX Level 3 units that make up the Certificates, are listed in the table below.
| ILEX Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice |
Units |
Type of work that you could do under supervision
once Certificate achieved |
Type of work not covered for which study
at Level 6 is required |
| ILEX Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice (Civil Litigation) with Contract as the law subject |
Unit I Introduction to Law and Practice; Unit 2 Contract Law ; Unit 9 Civil Litigation; Unit 16 Client Care Skills; Unit 17 Legal Research Skills |
Advise on, and progress, straight-forward low value
contract claims including simple debt recovery matters. |
Complicated contractual claims of significant value. |
| ILEX Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice (Civil Litigation) with Tort as the law subject |
Unit I Introduction to Law and Practice; Unit 5 Law of Tort; Unit 9 Civil Litigation; Unit 16 Client Care Skills; Unit 17 Legal Research Skills |
Advise on, and progress, straight-forward fast-track
personal injury claims; assist in more complex cases. |
High-value claims for loss of life or serious
injury; claims with complex liability issues. |
| ILEX Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice (Conveyancing) |
Unit I Introduction to Law and Practice; Unit 4 Land Law; Unit 10 Conveyancing; Unit 16 Client Care Skills; Unit 17 Legal Research Skills |
Conduct conveyances of domestic freehold registered land including drafting contract, searches, mortgage
documentation, completion and registration. |
Purchase or sale of leasehold land and
unregistered land. Conveying commercial
property. |
| ILEX Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice (Criminal Litigation) |
Unit I Introduction to Law and Practice; Unit 3 Criminal Law; Unit 11 Criminal Litigation; Unit 16 Client Care Skills; Unit 17 Legal Research Skills |
Advise clients charged with summary offences on legal aid and the criminal justice process including sentencing. |
Indictable offences with complex facts and
legal issues. |
| ILEX Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice (Elderly Client Practice)* |
Unit I Introduction to Law and Practice; Unit 8 Law of Wills and Succession; Unit 15 The Practice of Law for the Elderly Client; Unit 16 Client Care Skills; Unit 17 Legal Research Skills |
Advise on the law of succession; take will instructions and draft wills; register enduring powers of attorney; advise on lasting powers of attorney; prepare applications to the
Court of Protection. |
Will-writing for high-value estates requiring
specialist tax and trust advice. |
| ILEX Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice (Employment Practice) |
Unit I Introduction to Law and Practice; Unit 6 Employment Law; Unit 13 The Practice of Employment Law; Unit 16 Client Care Skills; Unit 17 Legal Research Skills |
Advise employers/ employees on straight-forward cases involving discrimination (age, disability, religion, sex, race), maternity and paternity rights, unfair dismissal and redundancy. Complete Employment Tribunal forms. |
Advise on high-value and/or complicated
unfair and constructive dismissal claims.
Advise on TUPE matters. |
| ILEX Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice (Family Practice)** |
Unit I Introduction to Law and Practice; Unit 7 Family Law; Unit 12 The Practice of Family Law; Unit 16 Client Care Skills; Unit 17 Legal Research Skills |
Advise on law relating to separation and divorce including contact and residence of children and distribution of assets; draft and file divorce petition. |
Separation/ divorce in high-value and/or
complicated cases where the value and share of assets is in dispute. |
| ILEX Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice (Probate Practice) |
Unit I Introduction to Law and Practice; Unit 8 Wills and Succession; Unit 14 Probate Practice; Unit 16 Client Care Skills; Unit 17 Legal Research Skills |
Advise on law of succession; take will instructions and draft wills; advise on IHT threshold and exemptions; administer uncomplicated estates including completing oath forms and IHT forms. |
Will-writing for high-value estates requiring specialist tax and trust advice.
Administration of high-value estates. |
* Use this Certificate to become a Student Member of Solicitors for the Elderly.
** Use this Certificate to become a Family Law Assistant Member of Resolution.
How are the courses delivered?
The structure of ITC's courses for the units is given on the page titled 'Courses for ILEX Level 3 units' in the 'Qualify as a legal executive' section of the website. The courses are delivered by distance learning with on-line, face-to-face and telephone support. The five units which make up a Certificate in Law and Practice can be readily achieved within one year alongside full-time work.
How much do the courses cost?
Current course fees (2011-12 academic year) are £1100 for the five courses leading to a Certificate. This represents a discount of £265 on the combined total of fees for the five courses if purchased individually. Membership and exam fees of £347 are also payable to ILEX as indicated on the page 'ILEX key dates and fees'.
How will my employer benefit?
Once you have achieved an ILEX Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice you will be able to conduct a standard file in your selected practice area under supervision, enabling your employer to charge out your time. The ILEX Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice assists law firms in complying with Solicitors Regulation Authority's Code of Conduct, whereby arrangements must be in place for staff to be trained to ensure that they are competent to do their work. The law and practice units of the qualification are assessed by unseen exam, so success in the qualification will give both you and your employer confidence in your knowledge.
What if I don't think all the Certificate units are appropriate?
It is not necessary to buy courses as part of an ILEX Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice: a course for any ILEX Level 3 unit can be purchased individually. If you wish to gain knowledge to assist you at work without achieving a full qualification you may be interested in selecting specific units to study. We offer a package of courses that includes the introductory unit, a law unit and its linked practice unit for £730.
What next?
The ILEX Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice is a recognised paralegal qualification in its own right. However, if you enjoy your studies and find that you want to do more, then your ILEX Level 3 Certificate in Law and Practice will act as the first year of your legal executive studies, which can be attained over four years with ITC. See 'How to qualify as a legal executive' in the 'Train to be a legal executive' section of the website. Alternatively you might wish to progress to an ILEX Level 6 Single Subject Certificate in subjects relevant to your chosen practice area.
Application
For full details on ITC's courses for the ILEX Level 3 units, and an application form, click here. If you would like to discuss your training options with us please call 01234 844300.