Becoming a CILEx Practitioner (gaining Practice Rights) means that you can practise without supervision in a regulated firm in areas of practice that are restricted. This is the first step towards owning your own authorised law firm.
The practice areas in blue are reserved activities under the Legal Services Act. Immigration, although not reserved to people authorised through the Act, is a regulated activity and therefore we need to authorise you to undertake this work if you aren’t otherwise supervised. If you are unsure, please check with us before undertaking immigration work.
Our recent webinars provide an overview of all you need to know about the application process and eligibility criteria.
Becoming authorised as a CILEx Practitioner in probate practice enables you to undertake probate work as well as estate administration and will-writing without supervision in a regulated firm. However, if you want to practise as self-employed in probate practice, you will also need to work within an authorised law firm. More information on setting up your own firm with CILEx Regulation can be found here.
I would recommend other CILEx members to apply for Practice Rights without hesitation! It allows members to have something to show for their years of hard work. It’s a fantastic feeling when you receive your practising certificate for the first time; it puts us on an equal footing with other legal practitioners as we should be! It is a very proud moment indeed.
Sian Turvey, Chartered Legal Executive & CILEx Conveyancing Practitioner at Robertsons Solicitors
Immigration Rights
Becoming authorised as a CILEx Practitioner in immigration practice enables you to undertake immigration work, but excluding appointing a representative and advocacy in the Upper Tribunal for judicial review, without supervision in a regulated firm. However, if you want to practise as self-employed in immigration practice, you will also need to work within an authorised law firm. More information on setting up your own firm with CILEx Regulation can be found here.
Making an application for practice rights
Whichever practice right you are looking to apply for, the process follows the same basic steps:
1. Academic stage: Demonstrate Level 6 knowledge in the relevant area of law and practice.
2. Experience: Demonstrate five years of legal experience, including at least two years in your chosen specialism.
3. Demonstrate competence: Complete the Skills Log. For Litigation rights, you will also need to complete the Advocacy course.
4. Satisfy character and suitability requirements.
5. Admission.
6. Post-authorisation (for advocacy rights): After one year those with advocacy rights have to undergo a renewal process to demonstrate how they have used their advocacy rights.
Throughout the application process, any help I needed from CILEx Regulation was obtained easily, either by phone or email. It was clear throughout the whole process that CILEx Regulation was keen to encourage and assist with my application…
Michael Fletcher, CILEx Litigator (Civil) & Chartered Legal Executive Advocate Glaisyers Solicitors
Portfolio Route – annexes to application form
CILEx Regulation Ltd, Registered in England & Wales No: 06712409.
Registered office: Room 301, Endeavour House, Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedford, MK45 4HS. Currently no postal submissions, please. Postal submissions are likely to be delayed due to staff currently working to a hybrid model.
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