How to apply
CILEX Graduate Qualification (CGQ)
This section contains guidance for those making an application for CILEX Graduate Qualification (CGQ).
If you are seeking to achieve CILEX Lawyer status, the CGQ costs around £6,700 (depending on exemptions) and will be paid in stages as you progress through the qualification.
1. Register on LawCAB
If you have not already registered, go to the SIGN UP page where you will be able to enter your email address and create your password. Do not re-register if you have previously created an account on LawCAB.
Once you have successfully registered, you can login into My Applications and follow the steps below.
Look out for the email verification link which will be sent to you so that you can confirm your email address.
If this doesn't arrive in your inbox, check your junk/spam/promotions folders in case it gets stuck there.
If you experience any problems registering, please email us.
2. Create your form
Once you have successfully registered and logged in via My Applications, you will be able to select the type of course you want to apply for i.e. LPC, GDL, SQE, CPQ CILEX Graduate Qualification (use the Eligibility Checker if you are unsure).
An online application form is then created for you. You can only create one of the same form type (LPC, GDL, SQE, CPQ) per academic year, but can create different form types if you want to apply for more than one qualification route (e.g. 1 x GDL + 1 x SQE or 1 x LPC + 1 x SQE or 1 x SQE + 1 x CPQ).
You can complete the various sections of the form in your own time and in whatever order you wish, however, each section needs to be completed and saved (indicated by the green tick where completion of the section is mandatory) before you can submit your form.
Note: CPQ CILEX Graduate Qualification (CGQ) applicants do not need to upload degree certificates or transcripts, however, please enter into the form details of any academic qualifications that you have.
3. Apply for CILEX Membership
Anyone seeking to enrol on the CILEX Graduate Qualification (CGQ) must first register as a member of CILEX. This is initiated through the CILEX membership request part of your form.
As soon as you submit your form, an email will be sent to CILEX asking them to approve your application on the basis of the information you have provided in your form. This is the point at which CILEX will 'approve' your membership application request so that your form can then released to them.
Once your form is released, CILEX will follow up with you directly. If you are not eligible for the CILEX Graduate Qualification (CGQ) they will work with you to establish the correct starting point.
Important note:
Before you start your application, make sure you have checked carefully that you are eligible for the CILEX Graduate Qualification (CGQ), which is for those who have an England and Wales qualifying law degree or Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL).
For further information about the eligibility requirements, visit our CGQ page here.
If you are not sure whether you are eligible for the CILEX Graduate Qualification (CGQ), please contact us.
Please note that the CILEX membership costs are separate to the LawCAB application fee.
4. Pay your LawCAB application fee
When you reach the Payment section you will see a link to make the application fee payment via Stripe secure online payment processing. The application fee is currently £30.
All applicants for LPC, GDL, SQE and CPQ CILEX Graduate Qualification are required to pay the application fee; without payment the form will not be processed. This includes applicants who have obtained training contracts, bursaries, or scholarships.
Single application fee per academic year: If you have already submitted an application form and you are applying for a new course (in the same academic year) which sits under a different application form, you do not need to pay a new application fee. After you have created your new form, email applications@lawcabs.ac.uk so that we can complete the payment section for you.
Important: After you have made your application fee payment, make sure that you return to your form and go to the ‘submit’ section.
Refund Policy: CPQ CILEX Graduate Qualification applicants have the right to cancel forms and request the fee is refunded if they contact the Central Applications Board Ltd (CAB) within 14 days of the payment being received, providing the form has not been submitted. Once the form has been submitted, we will begin processing the application and no refund will be issued.
If you are eligible for a refund, please email payments@lawcabs.ac.uk giving the full name entered on the application together with the payment ID and applicant ID. On receipt CAB will arrange for the refund to be made and for the application to be removed from the system.
Please note that the CILEX membership costs are separate to the LawCAB application fee.
5. Submit your form
After you have completed all the sections of your form, and paid your application fee, you will be able to submit your form.
You will be asked to confirm once again that you have read and understood the LawCAB Ltd Privacy Policy.
You are also agreeing that as soon as your form has been submitted, it is subject to an automated process whereby it is automatically completed and released to CILEX to view.
Submitting your application is not the end of the process as your form will not be released until CILEX has submitted their membership approval.
After your CILEX has approved your membership request, your form will be released to them.
6. Form completed and released
Once your form has been released to CILEX they will contact you directly to advise you of their decision and you will then be able to liaise with them to either accept or decline an offer.
LawCAB has no further role in the process after your form has been released to CILEX.
You should allow 5 working days for CILEX to respond, however, the process of reviewing applications may take longer during busy periods.