Course summary

This course offers an opportunity to undertake the first three academic modules of the Foundation Stage, which has been designed with input from the legal sector with a view to promoting employability. After successfully passing the first year of study, you will be able to progress onto the second year of the CPQ Foundation Stage to complete the remaining academic modules for the Foundation Stage. 

The Foundation Stage aligns to the role of a Paralegal or Case Handler, who can manage their own caseloads, are able to work with clients to; listen, identify and probe information, conduct legal research and present clear next steps and solutions both written and orally. This qualification will equip you with a fundamental awareness of the law underpinning key practice areas.  

All our courses are delivered via online synchronous learning, meaning that you’ll be attending real time classes online with our experienced, professionally qualified tutors. Courses also include some face-to-face revision and employability and networking sessions on-campus. We have created an interactive and stimulating learning environment in which you will work together with your classmates and receive in class feedback and support from your tutors. In addition, you will have access to the wide array of facilities and support that the University provides, including access to our extensive online library and careers service. 

The Foundation Stage of the CPQ consists of five mandatory modules (6 exams in total) making up the academic stage: 

• Legal Systems 

• Law of Tort 

• Contract Law 

• Professional Skills (consisting of two examinations; Succeeding in The Legal Environment and Legal Research) 

• Introduction to Property and Private Client 

In addition to the above modules, and in order to complete CPQ Foundation Stage, you must also complete the Foundation Stage Professional Experience Portfolio (to be completed with your legal employer) which will allow you to record your work-based competence. This module is completed through CILEX, alongside the e-learning Ethics and Professional Responsibility – An Introduction module. 

If you are unable to complete this then you will still be able to progress onto the next academic Stage, but you will not be awarded the CILEX Paralegal qualification until the portfolio has been completed. 

On this course, under the supervision and guidance of experienced academics and legal professionals, you will study the first three Foundation Stage modules: Legal Systems, Law of Tort, and Contract Law. 

Accreditation

The University of Westminster is a long-standing CILEX Approved Training Provider, having offered CILEX Programmes in excess of 20 years. We are only one of a handful of institutions to receive accreditation approval to run CILEX CPQ qualifications.  As such, when you enrol with us to undertake your studies, you can be certain of receiving rigorous and high-quality education and training. 

Who is this course for?

If you are interested in working in the legal profession, the CPQ offers a structured, progressive training route that will enable you to qualify as a CILEX Paralegal. This qualification will enable you to demonstrate a fundamental awareness of the law underpinning key practice areas. 

Unlike other routes into a legal career, a degree or equivalent qualification or experience are not a pre-requisite. The CPQ is open to all, although the University does require a level of English Language, please see the Entry Requirements section for more information.  

How to claim your discount

Email us on or call us on +44 (0)20 3506 9900. Please note that you must confirm your eligibility before booking. Discounts cannot be applied retrospectively.

Course structure

Below is the breakdown of the three Foundation Stage Modules you will study across the academic year

• Legal Systems – The aim of this module is to give you a fundamental knowledge and understanding of key elements of the English legal system and the constitution. The module explores the distinction between civil and criminal law and between common law and equity, as well as the hierarchy of the court.
• Law of Tort – You will develop an understanding of how rights and interests are protected by statute and common law; how and when duties and obligations arise; how a breach of a statutory or common law duty may give rise to a cause of action; what full and partial defences might be available to challenge a claim and the potential remedies available.
• Contract Law – The aim of this module is to give you the essential knowledge and understanding of the law of contract, the contexts in which it operates and how it may underpin commercial, professional and individual relationships. This will enable you to understand: how and when contractual obligations arise in the broad business environment including your own professional business environment; how to advise clients on the formation of a valid contract in non-contentious matters, and advise in potentially contentious matters, whether a contract exists and what, if any, obligations have been created.

Course delivery

Students are welcomed to our Law School campus in central London in September for an Induction Day ahead of the start of teaching. The course will be delivered via blended learning and as such, you will be required to attend a small number of on-campus revision days throughout the academic year. 

During Year 1, under the supervision and guidance of experienced academics and legal professionals, you will study three Foundation Stage modules; Legal Systems, Law of Tort, and Contract Law. 

• Legal Systems will run by way of synchronous teaching via remote, online live classes. This is likely to take place on Monday evenings but the timetable will be confirmed during enrolment. Teaching will focus on sitting the exam as part of the CILEX January examination session. 

On completion of Legal Systems examination in January, you will study: 

• Law of Tort – synchronous teaching via remote online live classes. This is likely to take place on Monday evenings but is not confirmed until the timetable is released at enrolment. Teaching will focus on sitting the exam as part of the CILEX June examination session.  

• Law of Contract – synchronous teaching via remote online live classes. This is likely to take place on Wednesday evenings but is not confirmed until the timetable is released at enrolment. Teaching will focus on sitting the exam as part of the CILEX June examination

About the CPQ

The Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX) launched its new qualification framework – the CILEX Professional Qualification (CPQ) – in 2021 as the route to becoming a CILEX Paralegal, CILEX Advanced Paralegal or CILEX Lawyer. The CPQ is a single qualification made up of three elements:

• Assessment of legal knowledge and skills
• Ethics and Professional Responsibility eLearning modules
• Professional Experience

CPQ is a progressive framework across three stages – CPQ Foundation, CPQ Advanced and CPQ Professional. Each stage combines a focus on technical expertise and practical skills with the development of the core behaviours required to create forward-thinking, commercially minded, adaptable lawyers who really understand the clients they serve. It is underpinned by the CILEX Competency Framework of:

• Core Principles which underpin everything that a legal professional does and embody the CILEX Code of Conduct
• Core Behaviours which describe the behaviours legal professionals should demonstrate while carrying out their activities and which allow CILEX Lawyers to add greater value to the clients and organisation they work for
• Core Activities which outline what legal professionals need to know and do on a day-to-day basis to be successful

Assessment

CILEX set the assessments/examinations for all modules and you will need to coordinate exam arrangements directly with CILEX.  

We will be preparing students undertaking Legal Systems for CILEX January examination and Law of Tort and Law of Contract for June examination.