Could you be halfway to qualifying as a CLC Licensed Conveyancer or Probate Practitioner?

Good news for those with prior legal qualifications – the new exemption guidelines from the CLC and SQA make for an even more cost-effective and faster route to qualifying as a CLC Property and/or Probate Lawyer*!

Am I exempt? Contact us to find out!

After a period of consultation with the CLC and SQA earlier this year, we are pleased to announce that the updated exemptions guidance has been published, effective from June 2019.

When delivering the new SQA CLC lawyer qualifications, Law Training Centre (LTC) offers a comprehensive Recognised Prior Learning service because we believe that our learners should benefit from exemptions whenever possible. If learners meet the requirement for exemptions, we can save them valuable time and money by not having to study some units.

The updated guidelines recognise a wider range of prior legal studies. It also allows for partial degrees, certain individual subjects from degrees, individual CILEx units along with certain NALP and STEP qualifications to be considered for exemptions against the new SQA Units / Diplomas. The net result of the new guidance is that the number of units required to complete the academic stage of becoming a CLC Lawyer* has potentially been reduced for certain learners. Provided Law Training Centre’s Academic Board receives enough evidence in the form of certificates and transcripts, a student may be eligible for substantial exemptions.

The guidance is laid out in seven sections, all of which must be read together. There are several changes, and the key highlights are explained below:

LLB/GDL holders can now move straight to the Level 6 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice or the Level 6 Diploma in Probate Practice.

In the past, LLB/GDL holders had to pass some units in the Level 4 Diplomas in Conveyancing Law and Practice or Probate Practice so they could progress to the Level 6 Diplomas in Conveyancing Law and Practice or Probate Practice. They now benefit from an automatic exemption from all units of the Level 4 Diploma/s. This means that law graduates enter directly at Level 6.Call us on 0330 088 8495 now to find out if you might be exempt!

Students with a BA in Law can move straight to the Level 6 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice or the Level 6 Diploma in Probate Practice depending on the university modules passed.

Previously, any law degree (BA or otherwise) had to pass some units in Level 4 in order to progress to Level 6. Provided a BA holder has taken and passed certain modules that are equivalent to:

• SQA Level 4 ‘English Legal System’
• SQA Level 4 ‘Law of Contract’
• SQA Level 4 ‘Land Law’

They too can progress straight to Level 6.

Those with a partial LLB/GDL or BA Law degree can also claim exemptions

Provided certain key subjects were taken and passed, a student may be entitled to exemptions even if the full law degree is not complete. For example, if a learner has studied modules that are equivalent to the following SQA units:

• SQA Level 4 ‘English Legal System’

• SQA Level 4 ‘Law of Contract’

• SQA Level 4 ‘Land Law’

they may be eligible for exemptions from up to three SQA Level 4 Units. More details can be found in the guidelines. You can also contact us for more information on what you may or may not be exempt from.

Those holding Law Degrees obtained outside England and Wales may also be entitled to exemptions.

If a student has achieved an LLB outside of England and Wales, provided it is based on a jurisdiction derived from English Common Law, and this is demonstrated, they may be exempt from the Level 4 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice or Probate Practice. This means they could enter directly at Level 6 and need only take three units to continue their journey and become qualified lawyers* in Conveyancing or Probate in England and Wales.Email us on [email protected] your transcripts to see if you could be exempt!

Previously, NALP students did not receive exemptions. Now, students who have passed the NALP Level 4 Diploma in Paralegal Studies can be exempt from nearly 80% of the SQA Level 4 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice or Probate Practice.

Provided a student has passed both Part 1 and Part 2 of the NALP Level 4 Diploma in Paralegal Studies, they may be granted exemption from all units bar Understanding Accounting Procedures for Conveyancing Transactions or Understanding Accounting Procedures for Probate Transactions in the Level 4 Diplomas.

CILEx qualification holders also benefit from exemptions, whether it be a full diploma or single subject certificates (at Levels 3, 4 or 6), from the SQA Level 4 and 6 units of the Diplomas in Conveyancing Law and Practice or Probate Practice.

Students who have completed the following CILEx
units:

• Unit 01 Introduction to Law and Practice

• Unit 02 Law of Contract

• Unit 04 Land Law

may be exempt from the aligned SQA Level 4 units.
Students who have completed certain combinations of CILEx units at Level 3/4 and Level 6 may be exempt from all the SQA Level 4 Diplomas and go straight on to study at Level 6.
Law Training Centre is the only learning provider accredited by both CILEx and CLC/SQA to deliver these qualifications nationally and internationally. As such, we understand these qualifications like nobody else and will advise you on possible exemptions based on prior CILEx units studied.

STEP qualification holders

Some STEP Certificate and Diploma holders may receive exemptions from certain Level 4 and Level 6 SQA units. Call us on 0330 088 8495 now to find out if you might be exempt!

What about previous CLC qualification holders?

Yes, these are still recognised but there is a time limit!If you hold previous CLC qualification or have an ROA (Record of Achievement) from the CLC, you can still claim exemptions from certain units of the current CLC Diplomas in Conveyancing Law and Practice and Probate Practice for both Levels 4 and 6.The deadline is 28th August 2019 to enrol, pay and claim exemptions for previous CLC qualifications. After the 28th of August 2019, you will not be able to claim these units as exemptions so enrol now by downloading the enrolment form here
or contact us to discuss.

Does that mean I could be halfway to becoming a Licensed Conveyancer or Probate Practitioner?

Yes! It is now more accessible than ever for those with prior legal qualifications to claim exemptions when studying towards a Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice or a Diploma in Probate Practice. Completion of the academic stage, combined with the fact that the 1,200 hours of qualifying experience can be taken before, during or after studies, means you may already be nearly ready to apply for your first Conveyancing or Probate Practice Licence!

*Law Training Centre offers a FAST AND FREE service to potential learners who wish to see if they are exempt from SQA Level 4 or Level 6 units.* Granting a CLC first qualifying licence is subject to other licensing requirements being satisfied in addition to educational attainment. Centres are not in a position to anticipate the outcome of an application for a CLC first qualifying licence before it has been determined by the CLC.

** Our Academic Board usually confirms exemptions within two working days. Simply email us your transcript showing relevant units passed. Contact us for any further advice via email or phone call!

Call: 0330 088 8495

Email: [email protected]

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