Paralegal qualifications and routes in the UK
No qualification is legally required to work as a paralegal in England and Wales, but several routes exist. Here is how apprenticeships, CILEX and the SQE fit together.
There is no single set of paralegal qualifications in the UK that you must hold. In England and Wales, paralegal work is an unregulated occupation, so employers set their own entry requirements. Many paralegals start with a law degree, a CILEX qualification, a Level 3 paralegal apprenticeship or a paralegal certificate, and some start with none of these. This guide covers the main routes in England and Wales and what each can lead to, including becoming a solicitor or a CILEX lawyer.
What does "paralegal" mean legally?
According to Prospects, the careers service run by Jisc, paralegal work is "unregulated", with no fixed entry requirements. We could not find a statute or regulator that protects the job title, and Prospects does not say it is protected either. In practice anyone can be given the title, and what the person actually does varies by employer.
The title does not authorise the holder to do restricted work. The Legal Services Act 2007 (Schedule 2) defines the "reserved legal activities": rights of audience, conduct of litigation, reserved instrument activities, probate activities, notarial activities and the administration of oaths. Prospects notes that paralegals cannot provide reserved services such as litigation, probate, advocacy and conveyancing in their own right. Paralegals normally help authorised people who do those things.
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) does not regulate paralegals as individuals. Its guidance on non-authorised persons, last updated on 17 November 2021, applies to people who are "not regulated directly by us as individuals" but work in or for an SRA-regulated firm. It says they can only do certain work under the direct supervision of a regulated lawyer, they can only prepare legal documents under that supervision, and they must never pretend or suggest they are a lawyer. The SRA can take action against a non-authorised person only if they are an employee of a regulated firm, and says it has no powers to discipline a consultant.
Paralegal qualifications at a glance
| Route | What it is | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| No set qualification | Direct entry into a paralegal role | Prospects says no qualifications are mandatory, but a legal qualification or experience helps |
| Level 3 Paralegal apprenticeship | Work-based apprenticeship | Level 3 ("equivalent to A level"), 24 months according to the government's Find apprenticeship training service |
| CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ) | Three stages: Foundation, Advanced, Professional | Titles of CILEX Paralegal, CILEX Advanced Paralegal and CILEX Lawyer; professional experience is required at each stage |
| NALP qualifications | Paralegal qualifications from the National Association of Licensed Paralegals | Prospects describes these as Ofqual-certified, Level 3 to Level 7 |
| Law degree or conversion course | University route | Common, but not required for paralegal work |
The Level 3 paralegal apprenticeship
The Paralegal (level 3) apprenticeship is listed on the government's Find apprenticeship training service as a 24-month programme at Level 3. Prospects describes it as combining paid work with part-time study, so you train on the job.
CILEX is an end-point assessment organisation for this apprenticeship. Its page for apprentices who started on or after 30 June 2023 refers to the standard (ST0245, version 1.3). The assessment is a professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio, plus a project with a report, presentation and questions. According to CILEX, on successful completion the employee will be qualified as a paralegal. CILEX also lists a Level 6 Chartered Legal Executive apprenticeship, for which it is likewise an end-point assessment provider.
The CILEX route
CILEX is the professional body for chartered legal executives and other legal practitioners. Under the CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ), you work through three stages: Foundation, Advanced and Professional. Each is built around core legal knowledge and skills, ethics and professional responsibility, and professional experience.
According to Prospects, you do not need any formal qualifications to begin the Foundation stage. CILEX says you can start at a point that matches your previous legal experience and qualifications, and you can pause and restart around other commitments. You do not have to be employed to begin studying, but CILEX says you cannot complete the professional experience requirement without being employed. Until you have completed the Foundation professional experience, you remain a CILEX Student rather than receiving the matching membership grade.
CILEX says the titles CILEX Paralegal, CILEX Advanced Paralegal and CILEX Lawyer are available to people who successfully complete the relevant stages. Completing the whole CPQ earns the title CILEX Lawyer. CILEX has also run older Level 3 and Level 6 diplomas, and its FAQs describe how people with those can move onto the CPQ. For the full picture, see our guide to the CILEX Chartered Legal Executive route and the CPQ.
Becoming a solicitor through paralegal work
Paralegal work can count towards qualifying as a solicitor in England and Wales through the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). According to the SRA, you need:
- a degree in any subject, or an equivalent Level 6 qualification;
- to pass both SQE1 and SQE2;
- two years' full-time (or equivalent) qualifying work experience (QWE); and
- to pass the SRA's background checks and meet its suitability requirements.
The SRA says QWE "can be gained in up to four organisations" and must be confirmed by a solicitor of England and Wales or a Compliance Officer for Legal Practice (COLP). Paralegal roles are one of its examples. The SRA's Q&A says paralegal work counts so long as it gives you the chance to develop at least two competences in the Statement of Solicitor Competence and can be confirmed by a solicitor with direct knowledge of your work. Candidates can gain QWE before, during or after the SQE assessments. For the exam stages, read our explanation of the SQE.
The Law Society lists four routes into the profession without a degree: a solicitor apprenticeship, the CILEX route, the SQE with work experience, and the "Equivalent Means" route, where significant legal experience is assessed by the SRA against the required competencies. The SRA's own list of pathways also includes CILEX Practitioner or Chartered Legal Executive and solicitor apprentice. The Law Society says that after experience as a specialist lawyer, CILEX members can transition to becoming a solicitor.
Scotland and Northern Ireland
The routes above are for England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland have separate legal systems and professional bodies. In Scotland, for example, the Law Society of Scotland runs an accredited paralegal status scheme, with area-specific, general and traineeship routes, each requiring a recognised formal qualification first. If you work or plan to work there, check with the Law Society of Scotland or the Law Society of Northern Ireland rather than relying on England and Wales rules.
Choosing a route
- You want to earn while you learn. The Level 3 apprenticeship or a paralegal job with employer-supported CPQ study fits well.
- You have a degree and want to be a solicitor. Paralegal work can build your QWE alongside SQE preparation.
- You have no degree. The CILEX route, apprenticeships and Equivalent Means all exist, according to the Law Society.
- You are not sure yet. Paralegal work needs no set qualification, so it can be a way to test the profession first.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a law degree to be a paralegal?
No. Prospects says there are no fixed entry requirements, although a legal qualification or relevant experience improves your chances.
Is the SRA the regulator for paralegals?
Not for individuals. The SRA's guidance covers non-authorised persons working in regulated firms, which can include paralegals, but it does not regulate them as individuals.
Can paralegal experience count towards becoming a solicitor?
Yes, if it forms part of your QWE as the SRA defines it, meets the competence requirement and is confirmed by a solicitor or COLP.
Can I become a CILEX lawyer starting as a paralegal?
Yes. CILEX's titles of CILEX Paralegal and CILEX Advanced Paralegal sit within the CPQ, and completing all three stages earns the title CILEX Lawyer.
Does the paralegal title mean I can do reserved legal activities?
No. Reserved activities are defined in Schedule 2 of the Legal Services Act 2007, and a job title does not authorise them.
Where to go next
Whichever route you choose, keep records of the work you do, because both CILEX and the SRA ask for evidence of experience. For wider learning and development options, see our CPD hub.
This article is general information only and is not legal, regulatory or careers advice. Rules and qualification details change, so check current requirements with CILEX, the SRA, the Law Society and your employer before making decisions.
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