Bachelors In Law or CILex level 3 and up?

[beanabonce]

I'm torn really.
Hoping to eventually work in Family law.
Thanks :)

[Iamdazedandconfused]

It depends how you want to study I guess - CILEX is much more an on the job way of learning. I assume you'd need a job at a firm to do ilex, I don't know if you're already working in law?

I did the LLB and then the LPC and a colleague is currently doing ilex level 3. He finds the balance between the ilex work and the day job difficult and I actually think it sounds harder than my degree and LPC were! I can see the benefits though, and I believe it's considerably cheaper?

[HereIAm20]

If you are already working in a fee earnjng role in a law firm then ilex followed by LPC is the route to qualify as a solicitor for you because provided you have 5 years qualifying employment you will not have to find/undertake the 2 year training contract that you'd need to do if you do an LLB followed by LPC. If however you can be a fulltime student I would go down the LLB / LPC/ training contract route as there is still unfortunately a fair amount of snobbishness in the profession about legal execs qualifying! (It's the route I took if I had my time over and could afford it I'd have gone LLB way). Also are your A level grades good because it is very very competitive to get training contracts and most decent firms are looking for As at A level and a 2.1 from an RG uni.

[beanabonce]

I'm not currently working, my youngest dc has just started her 15 hours in pre school so i'm looking to train.
the cost is a big factor of course but i'll be looking into a part time position to cover.
we can stretch to a bachelors through the open university but enrolling isnt for a few months and i want to get stuck in as soon as possible.
There is a firm in the closest town to me thats looking for a legal sec so i'm trying to bugger through my useless c.v to make the leap into workin a suitable job for my future career . not sure if i should enroll in the ilex and then apply for jobs or just stick by a degree.
i apologise if thats a cruddy ramble. i'm just desperate to get started and feel a tad lost.

[Iamdazedandconfused]

I think in your position I'd try and get a foot in the door of a firm first off before committing to either route, legal secretary work could be a good way to get in somewhere. It's really competitive and what worked for me was starting out doing as many work experience placements as possible, then writing to firms (who weren't advertising) applying for a paralegal role whilst I was doing my degree, and a while later the same firm offered me a training contract.

If cost is a concern then definitely have a think before starting the LLB. If you go down that route the LPC cost me £9400, although I'm not sure what the cost would be for ilex.

Good luck, it's competitive but definitely possible to get there in the end!