The ILEX route to becoming a Solicitor
The ILEX Professional Qualification in Law is an excellent foundation for training as a solicitor. There are three options shown on this page, and you need to scroll down to find the one that describes your circumstances. Using the ILEX qualification to become a solicitor is quite a complicated process as it involves satisfying two regulatory bodies - ILEX and the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA). We strongly advise that you contact our expert, Rosemary Verlander-Smith, on 01234 844305 to discuss your personal circumstances before embarkiing on any courses with ITC. She will give advice on the routes available, your eligibility and any time limits that apply. Any advice given in respect of the SRA will need to be confirmed with them by contacting their training and education department on 0870 606 2555.
Important note: if you have already studied a law degree and a Legal Practice Course before qualifying as a legal executive, you cannot use the ILEX route to gain exemption from the solicitors' training contract. This route is only relevant for those who become a Fellow of ILEX before completing the LPC.
If you have not started any legal training
You can become a solicitor without having a law degree. If you have not started your training yet, why not consider studying through the ILEX route? This way, you work through the ILEX exams and qualifying employment , and then top up your ILEX Professional Qualification in Law with some additional ILEX Level 6 Single Subject Certificates (see below) to satisfy the academic stage of training required by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (the SRA). You then embark on the Legal Practice Course. If you are already a Fellow of ILEX before you complete the Legal Practice Course you may be exempt from undertaking the two-year training contract usually required by the SRA.
If you have already studied the ILEX Level 6 Professional HIgher Diploma in Law and Practice
If you have qualified as a Graduate Member of ILEX through the ILEX Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law and Practice, your ILEX Level 6 law subjects will count towards the SRA's academic stage of training. You can study with ITC to obtain ILEX Level 6 Single Subject Certificate exams in the remaining subjects from the SRA's core list:
- Tort
- Equity and Trusts
- Contract
- Land Law
- Public Law
- European Law
- Criminal Law
In addition to these, you will need one further law subject of your choice. This, too, may be an ILEX Level 6 exam you have already passed.
Once you have satisfied the SRA's academic stage of training you need to embark on the Legal Practice Course (LPC). If you are already a Fellow of ILEX (ie you have completed the qualifying employment requirements specified by ILEX) before you complete the Legal Practice Course you may be exempt from undertaking the two-year training contract usually required by the SRA. It is important that you contact the SRA's training and education department on 0870 606 2555 to confirm that the route you intend to take will meet their requirements in terms of eligibility and time limits before enrolling on any courses with ITC.
If you have already studied the ILEX Graduate Fast-track Diploma
If you have become a Graduate Member of ILEX through studying a law degree followed by the ILEX Graduate Fast-track Diploma you will have already satisfied the SRA's academic stage of training with your law degree. To qualify as a solicitor you need to start your Legal Practice Course (LPC) within seven years of completing your law degree. If you are already a Fellow of ILEX (ie you have completed the academic and qualifying employment requirements specified by ILEX) before you complete the Legal Practice Course you may be exempt from undertaking the two-year training contract usually required by the SRA. It is important that you contact the SRA's training and education department on 0870 606 2555 to confirm that the route you intend to take will meet their requirements in terms of eligibility and time limits before enrolling on any courses with ITC.
Please contact Rosemary Verlander-Smith, our Professional Courses Manager, on 01234 844305 for advice before enrolling on any courses.
Apply for ILEX Level 3 or Level 6 courses on-line, or print off and complete the course enrolment application form below, and submit by post or fax. Enrolment applications can also be taken by telephone on 01234 844300.
Download application: ILEX course enrolment form 2011-2012
Apply for the LPC online via the link on our LPC course information page.