I'm training to be a solicitor via ILEX so effectively no degree. Is taken me there years so far and I've another three to go (plus five years in practice).
My tutor teaches both ilex and law for degrees. There really is very little difference in terms of educational value, in fact he states that managing both studying and working FT (as many ILEX studies do) is much harder, shows dedication to education and sets many students above those at degree level due to their commitment.
I've had enough of people with degrees (usually poor degrees too) tell me that I will be a lesser lawyer than those who have degrees. I am learning a new skill set that is essentially the same as all the other solicitors. Admittedly, I'm not putting myself at the same level as someone who read Law at Oxford, but as long as my work is of a good standard and I pass all of my exams (which have gotten harder due to criticisms like those of the OP) then I really fail to see why I should be prevented from practicing law?
It's not an 'easier' route at all btw. I had to prove I had the correct a levels to get onto to course. I passed the first two years (which contains eight examinations) and now take two courses a year which comprise of end of year examinations. If you fail anything at any point you cannot continue through the course, you have to start over, which includes the cost. Plus, I'm paying through the nose for it. With most individual courses costing over £1K (im taking six individual courses, and two legal skills units costing £800 each, also this doesn't include the first two years costs either) and no financial support due to it being classed as HE then actually it isn't a much cheaper option.
It's exhausting, I slave away, and save money to pay for each years fees, add to that examination costs which are separate, course manuals, then ILEX registration fees. That's another thing, ILEX students are regulated in the same way as solicitors are by the Law Society, but it's by ILEX themselves. We have to adhere to the same codes of practice so it's not like it's easier, especially when the student becomes a Fellow and has the same autonomy as solicitors.
I think it's naive of you to think that this so called 'easy' route is going to close down universities or make the hoards of students trying to get on a law degree any less. It's not. I should have gone to university but at the time I was working full time in a law practice and didn't want to give that up to do a degree. I
Please, if you are going to make bold statements about plebs becoming professionals without degrees at least do your flipping homework and see how us plebs really have to jump through hoops to get there. All your statements do is make you look ignorant.