CILEX CPQ Foundation

This course offers an opportunity to undertake the first three academic modules of the Foundation stage of the newly launched CILEx Professional Qualification, which has been designed with input from the legal sector with a view to promoting employability. (Please note that we will be offering the remaining academic modules to complete the Foundation Stage as of September 2022).

The Foundation Stage aligns to the role of a paralegal or case handler, who can manage their own caseloads. It will equip you with a fundamental awareness of the law, underpinning key practice areas including contract law and tort.

The Foundation Stage of the CPQ has six mandatory modules in total:

• Legal Systems
• Law of Tort
• Contract Law
• Ethics and Professional Responsibility part 1 (e-learning module)
• Professional Skills (succeeding in a legal environment and legal research)
• Introduction to Property and Private Client

In addition to the above, you should also complete a Professional Experience Portfolio (to be completed with your employer). This will allow you to record your work-based competence at the Foundation stage. If you are unable to complete this then you will still be able to progress onto the next academic stage, but you will not be awarded the CILEX Paralegal qualification until the portfolio has been completed.

On this course, under the supervision and guidance of experienced academics and legal professionals, you will study the first three Foundation Stage modules: Legal Systems, Law of Tort, and Contract Law.

On completion of the Foundation Stage, you will be able to understand the professional and regulatory responsibilities, duties of working in a legal environment and make a positive contribution in a supporting role whilst under supervision. You will be able to call yourself a CILEX Paralegal as well as have the opportunity to continue your studies at Advanced Stage should you seek to progress your career further.

Please note that this course replaces the previous CILEx Level 3 Certificate/Diploma programme previously taught here at the University. CILEx is offering a transition period for students already studying current legacy qualifications and opportunities to transition to CPQ.

For more information, visit the CILEX website.

Course structure

Below is the breakdown of the three Foundation Stage Modules you will study across the academic year

• Legal Systems – The aim of this module is to give you a fundamental knowledge and understanding of key elements of the English legal system and the constitution. The module explores the distinction between civil and criminal law and between common law and equity, as well as the hierarchy of the court.
• Law of Tort – You will develop an understanding of how rights and interests are protected by statute and common law; how and when duties and obligations arise; how a breach of a statutory or common law duty may give rise to a cause of action; what full and partial defences might be available to challenge a claim and the potential remedies available.
• Contract Law – The aim of this module is to give you the essential knowledge and understanding of the law of contract, the contexts in which it operates and how it may underpin commercial, professional and individual relationships. This will enable you to understand: how and when contractual obligations arise in the broad business environment including your own professional business environment; how to advise clients on the formation of a valid contract in non-contentious matters, and advise in potentially contentious matters, whether a contract exists and what, if any, obligations have been created.

About the CPQ

The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) launched its new qualification framework – the CILEx Professional Qualification (CPQ) – in 2021 as the route to becoming a CILEx Paralegal, CILEx Advanced Paralegal or CILEx Lawyer. The CPQ is a single qualification made up of three elements:

• Assessment of legal knowledge and skills
• Ethics and Professional Responsibility eLearning modules
• Professional Experience

CPQ is a progressive framework across three stages – CPQ Foundation, CPQ Advanced and CPQ Professional. Each stage combines a focus on technical expertise and practical skills with the development of the core behaviours required to create forward-thinking, commercially minded, adaptable lawyers who really understand the clients they serve. It is underpinned by the CILEx Competency Framework of:

• Core Principles which underpin everything that a legal professional does and embody the CILEx Code of Conduct
• Core Behaviours which describe the behaviours legal professionals should demonstrate while carrying out their activities and which allow CILEx Lawyers to add greater value to the clients and organisation they work for
• Core Activities which outline what legal professionals need to know and do on a day-to-day basis to be successful

Assessment

CILEx sets the assessments/examinations for all modules.

We will be preparing students undertaking Legal Systems for CILEx January examination and Law of Tort and Contract for June examination.

Term dates

• Term 1: week commencing 6 September to 11 December 2021
• Term 2: week commencing 10 January to 11 April 2022
• Term 3: week commencing 25 April to 30 May 2022

Students need to have passed both GCSE Maths and GCSE English (or equivalent) before joining the course, however, this is not mandatory.

If you are interested in working in the legal profession, the CPQ offers a structured, progressive training route that will enable you to qualify as a CILEx Paralegal, CILEx Advanced Paralegal or CILEx Lawyer.