Protected Legal Titles in England and Wales

The legal profession in England and Wales is made up of several different professions, rather than one single career with one route into it. Each profession has its own qualification process, regulator and protected title.

This matters because some legal titles can only be used by people who have met the relevant qualification and registration requirements. Using a protected title without being properly qualified and authorised can be a criminal offence.

There are nine important protected legal titles to be aware of. Each has a different route into the profession, and some provide alternatives to the traditional solicitor or barrister route.

Solicitor

A solicitor is a qualified lawyer who advises and represents clients across a wide range of legal matters. The title is protected under the Solicitors Act 1974.

Since September 2021, the standard route to becoming a solicitor has been through the Solicitors Qualifying Examination, or SQE. This replaced the old Legal Practice Course route, although transitional arrangements for LPC candidates remain available until the end of 2032.

To qualify through the SQE route, a candidate must have a degree in any subject or an equivalent qualification, such as a relevant Level 6 or 7 apprenticeship. They must then pass SQE1 and SQE2. SQE1 tests functioning legal knowledge through multiple-choice assessments, while SQE2 focuses on practical legal skills, including drafting, interviewing and advocacy.

Candidates must also complete at least two years of Qualifying Work Experience, known as QWE. This can be gained across up to four organisations and does not have to be completed through a traditional training contract. For example, experience gained as a paralegal or through a law clinic may count as QWE if it meets the relevant requirements.

Finally, candidates must satisfy the Solicitors Regulation Authority's character and suitability requirements before they can be admitted to the roll of solicitors.

The Solicitors Regulation Authority, usually known as the SRA, regulates solicitors and law firms. The Law Society is the representative body for the profession and provides support, guidance and representation for solicitors.

Barrister

Barristers are specialist advocates and legal advisers. They are traditionally instructed by solicitors to represent clients in court or to provide specialist opinions on complex legal issues. The title is protected, meaning that only people who have been called to the Bar can use it.

The route normally starts with an undergraduate degree. This can be a law degree or another degree followed by a law conversion course. The next stage is a Bar training course, which combines academic and vocational training in areas such as advocacy, legal research, drafting and professional ethics.

After completing the required training and assessments, the candidate must be called to the Bar by one of the four Inns of Court: Lincoln's Inn, Gray's Inn, Middle Temple or Inner Temple. Each Inn also requires students to attend a specified number of qualifying sessions as part of their training.

The final stage is pupillage, which is usually a one-year period of supervised practice within a set of barristers' chambers. Pupillage is highly competitive. A successful pupil may subsequently be offered tenancy and begin practising independently.

The Bar Standards Board regulates barristers and sets requirements relating to training and professional conduct. The Bar Council is the representative and lobbying body for the profession.

CILEX Lawyer

A CILEX Lawyer, formerly known as a Chartered Legal Executive, is a qualified lawyer who normally specialises in a particular area of legal practice. Once fully qualified, a CILEX Lawyer can have equivalent standing to a solicitor within their area of specialism and may be able to become a partner, exercise advocacy rights or become a judge.

The modern route is based on the CILEX Professional Qualification, introduced in 2021. One of its main advantages is flexibility. Unlike the traditional graduate route into law, it does not require a university degree and can be studied alongside paid legal work from school-leaver age onwards.

To become a CILEX Lawyer, a candidate must complete the academic requirements, gain at least 2,300 hours of qualifying legal experience to achieve Fellowship and complete further practice experience, typically three years, within the relevant specialist pathway. The required work-based learning outcomes are evidenced through a portfolio.

Law graduates can take a faster route through the CILEX Graduate Qualification, which reduces the academic requirements because of their previous legal study.

CILEX Regulation, commonly abbreviated to CRL, regulates the profession and sets the standards for admission and practice. CILEX itself is the professional and representative body, providing training, membership and support to its members.

CLC Licensed Conveyancer

A CLC Licensed Conveyancer is a specialist property lawyer authorised to carry out conveyancing work. Conveyancing covers the legal process involved in buying, selling and transferring ownership of land and property.

One of the attractions of this route is that you do not have to qualify as a solicitor first. The qualification is based on a series of diplomas developed by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers in partnership with the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

The route begins with the Level 4 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice, which qualifies a person to work as a conveyancing technician. Candidates can then progress to the Level 6 Diploma. Once the relevant qualification and practical experience requirements have been completed, the candidate can apply for a full licence to practise.

You do not need an existing legal qualification to start the course. Law graduates may, however, qualify for exemptions that can significantly shorten their studies. Training can be completed through classroom learning, distance learning or an apprenticeship while working in a conveyancing practice.

This means that candidates can earn while they train rather than necessarily taking the university-based route associated with traditional legal education.

The Council for Licensed Conveyancers, known as the CLC, regulates and licenses licensed conveyancers and the firms in which they work. It also acts as the profession's main representative body.

CLC Licensed Probate Practitioner

A CLC Licensed Probate Practitioner specialises in probate work. This includes dealing with the legal and administrative process involved in administering the estate of someone who has died, obtaining the grant of probate and dealing with the distribution of assets.

The qualification structure is similar to the licensed conveyancing route. It was developed by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers in partnership with the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

Candidates begin with the Level 4 Diploma in Probate Law and Practice, which qualifies them as a probate technician. They can then progress to the Level 6 Diploma. Combined with the required period of supervised practical experience, this can lead to a full licence.

Entry to the Level 4 Diploma is generally determined by the training provider and does not require an existing legal qualification. Good written and oral communication skills are expected. Certain exemptions are also available for law graduates and members of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

Many trainees study part-time through distance learning while working in a private client team, licensed conveyancing practice or solicitors' firm. This allows them to develop practical experience while completing their qualification.

The CLC regulates the profession, just as it does for licensed conveyancers. It has also developed additional routes, including apprenticeships, to help meet demand for probate specialists.

Registered Trademark Attorney

A Registered Trademark Attorney helps individuals and businesses protect brands, logos and other trademarks. They can advise on trademark applications and disputes and represent clients before the UK Intellectual Property Office and, once appropriately qualified, in certain courts.

Entry to the profession is normally at undergraduate degree level, often with a requirement for a 2:1 or above. A law degree is not essential, however. People with substantial relevant work experience, including experience as a trademark paralegal, may also be able to enter the profession.

Candidates must complete an accredited Foundation Certificate and then progress to an accredited Advanced Certificate. Courses are offered by institutions including Bournemouth University, Brunel University and Queen Mary University of London.

Qualified solicitors and barristers may be entitled to exemptions from some modules, depending on their existing intellectual property experience.

After completing the required qualifications and period of supervised practice, a candidate can apply to be entered onto the Register of Trademark Attorneys. Once registered, they can use the protected title of Registered Trademark Attorney.

They may also apply to become an Ordinary member or Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys and use the additional title of Chartered Trademark Attorney.

The Intellectual Property Regulation Board, known as IPReg, regulates the profession and maintains the register. The Chartered Institute of Trade Mark Attorneys, or CITMA, is the representative body and provides training, professional development and support to its members.

Registered Patent Attorney

A Registered Patent Attorney helps inventors and businesses protect inventions through patents. Their work can include drafting and filing patent applications and advising and representing clients in intellectual property disputes.

The qualification process has two main examination stages. Candidates begin with the Foundation Certificate examinations, offered by accredited examination agencies including Queen Mary University of London and the Patent Examination Board. They can then progress to the Final Diploma examinations, which test more advanced legal and technical knowledge relating to patent practice.

Candidates must also complete a period of relevant practical experience, generally through supervised work in a patent attorney practice or an in-house intellectual property team. An advocacy examination is also required before a patent attorney can represent clients before certain tribunals.

Many patent attorneys have backgrounds in science, engineering or another technical subject. This is useful because patent attorneys need to understand the underlying technology when preparing and drafting patent claims. However, candidates from other academic backgrounds can also enter the profession if they develop the necessary technical knowledge through their work.

IPReg regulates the profession and sets the relevant education and training requirements. The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, commonly known as CIPA, is the representative body and provides study support and professional development resources, including its own student handbook and guidance materials.

Notary Public

A Notary Public is a specialist lawyer whose main role is to authenticate documents and verify facts for use in legal and business transactions. Notarial work often has an international element, such as preparing documents that need to be recognised in another country.

The profession is unusual because notaries are not regulated by one of the standard legal regulators. Instead, regulation is carried out by the Master of the Faculties through the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury, under the Notaries (Qualification) Rules 2017.

To qualify, a candidate must complete the Notarial Practice Course. This is a two-year distance learning programme currently delivered on behalf of the Faculty Office by University College London. The course covers subjects including private international law, identity and mental capacity, and the preparation of notarial acts for individuals and companies.

After passing the course, the candidate must also attend a one-day Office Practice Course. They then submit an application to the Master of the Faculties, supported by a certificate of fitness and a certificate of good character.

Once admitted to the Roll of Notaries and granted a faculty permitting practice, the new notary is subject to supervision by an experienced notary for the first two years.

Many notaries are also qualified solicitors, although this is not the case for everyone. The two professions can be combined.

The Notaries Society is the representative membership body for notaries practising in England and Wales. It provides education, professional development and support throughout a notary's career.

Costs Lawyer

A Costs Lawyer is a specialist legal professional who deals with the law and practice of legal costs. Their work can include preparing bills of costs, negotiating costs between opposing parties and advising on fee arrangements between solicitors and their clients.

One of the advantages of this career is that you do not need an existing legal qualification or university degree to enter the profession. Qualification is through the Costs Lawyer Professional Qualification, a structured training programme introduced in 2023 and currently delivered exclusively by ACL Training.

Assessment involves written assignments, examinations and practical activities. Candidates who already hold certain legal qualifications, including a qualifying law degree, may be eligible for exemptions that reduce the amount of study required.

Candidates must also complete at least two years of qualifying work experience. This is commonly undertaken in a law firm's costs department or within a specialist costs practice, with employer sponsorship of trainees remaining the usual arrangement.

The Costs Lawyer Standards Board, known as the CLSB, is the approved regulator. It sets and enforces professional standards within the profession.

The Association of Costs Lawyers, or ACL, is the representative body. It promotes the profession's interests and, through its training arm, provides the qualifying course itself.