Understanding the Occupational Standard

Every official UK apprenticeship is built upon an Occupational Standard. For a programme at this level, it is the definitive professional benchmark, ensuring that what you learn meets the rigorous demands of practising as a qualified specialist lawyer.

What is an Occupational Standard?

Developed by leading law firms, regulators, and the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education (IfATE), an Occupational Standard defines what an apprentice must master to be deemed fully competent to practise in a specific legal role.

The Level 6 standard is a degree-equivalent benchmark that certifies you have the expert competence required to be granted a professional licence to practise law in your chosen specialism of Conveyancing or Probate.

What is it Made Up Of?

Every standard is structured around three core pillars, known as KSBs. For a Level 6 programme, these are defined at a much higher level:

• Knowledge: The expert legal knowledge and critical understanding of complex principles required to provide formal legal advice and make professional judgements.
• Skills: The advanced technical skills needed to independently manage a full and complex caseload, from instruction to completion, while navigating intricate legal and ethical challenges.
• Behaviours: The professional ethics, integrity, and full accountability expected of a licensed lawyer responsible for client money, client care, and legal outcomes.

Specifics for the Level 6 Licensed Conveyancer & Probate Practitioner Apprentice (ST1311)

As a Level 6 apprentice, your training is mapped against the advanced KSBs of this elite standard. This ensures that upon completion, you are not just taking on responsibility, but are fully prepared to be licensed and to practise independently as a specialist lawyer in your chosen field.

You will gain expert KNOWLEDGE of:

You will develop the advanced SKILLS to:

You will demonstrate the professional BEHAVIOURS of:

Mandatory Qualifications

Your Qualification: The Licence to Practise Law

A career in law demands absolute proof of expertise. In a highly regulated profession, a formal, mandatory qualification is not just a benchmark of quality—it is the essential gateway to professional practice and the absolute requirement to be licensed as a lawyer in your chosen field.

This Level 6 Apprenticeship is built around the official qualification pathway mandated by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC). It is a comprehensive journey that integrates two distinct diplomas, ensuring you build foundational knowledge before achieving degree-equivalent mastery.

A Two-Stage Path to Expert Status

To ensure you have the depth and breadth of knowledge required, your training is structured across two formal qualifications:

• The Foundation: The Level 4 Diploma
  
  You will begin by mastering the core principles of law and practice by completing either the Level 4 Diploma in Conveyancing Law and Practice or the Level 4 Diploma in Probate Law and Practice. This provides the essential, non-negotiable foundation upon which your specialist expertise is built.

• The Pinnacle: The Level 6 Diploma
  
  Following your Level 4 achievement, you will progress to the pinnacle of specialist legal training. You will complete either the Level 6 Diploma in Conveyancing Law & Practice or the Level 6 Diploma in Probate Law & Practice. This deepens your knowledge to a degree-equivalent standard, preparing you for the complexities of professional practice.

Why This Qualification Pathway is Your Ultimate Career Advantage

Completing this structured, two-part journey is the defining achievement of your legal training. Here’s what it means for you:

• Qualify as a Licensed Lawyer: Completing this entire pathway (both Level 4 and Level 6 diplomas) is the route to being licensed by the CLC. You gain the legal authority to manage your own clients, handle complex cases, and provide formal legal advice.
• Progressive, In-Depth Mastery: This isn't a single exam; it's a carefully designed journey. The Level 4 diploma builds your confidence and core competence, while the Level 6 diploma establishes you as a genuine expert with deep, specialist knowledge.
• Degree-Equivalent Status: The Level 6 qualification is academically equivalent to a university degree, signifying the highest level of specialist knowledge and making you a peer to those who have followed a traditional university route, but with the added benefit of years of practical experience.
• The Pathway to Leadership: Successfully navigating this multi-year, dual-diploma pathway demonstrates a level of commitment and resilience that is highly valued. It is your direct route to becoming a senior lawyer, a partner in a firm, or even a business owner.

Recognising Your Prior Learning

We believe in building on the knowledge you already have.

If you hold existing higher-level legal qualifications (for example, from a university law degree or a previous Level 4 qualification), you may be exempt from certain elements of the diplomas.

We will review your prior learning with you at the start of your programme to create a personalised training plan.

A Note on English and Maths

Strong English and Maths skills are essential for a successful career in the legal profession, from communicating with clients to managing important accounts. Our apprenticeship offers tailored, fully-funded support to ensure you have the qualifications you need, with a flexible approach based on your age and prior qualifications.

• For Apprentices Aged 16-18
  
  If you begin your apprenticeship aged 16, 17, or 18 and do not yet hold a Level 2 qualification (e.g., GCSE at Grade 4/C or above) in English and/or Maths, the rules state that this training is a mandatory part of your programme. We will fully integrate this training into your learning plan, providing all the support you need to achieve these vital qualifications alongside your legal studies.
• For Apprentices Aged 19 and Over
  
  For our adult learners, the approach offers greater choice and flexibility. Under the new 2025/26 funding rules, if you do not already hold a Level 2 qualification in English and/or Maths, you have the option to include this training in your apprenticeship.

This is a decision made in discussion with you and your employer. If you both agree it would be beneficial for your career, we will add this fully-funded training to your plan. This gives you a fantastic opportunity to gain an extra, valuable qualification at no extra cost. However, if you and your employer decide against it, it is not a mandatory requirement for you to complete your legal apprenticeship.

Master Your Chosen Field of Law

This Level 6 apprenticeship allows you to become a true authority in one of two vital and rewarding legal specialisms. You will not just be assisting with cases; you will be trained to manage them, advise clients directly, and take full professional responsibility for the outcome.

Licensed Conveyancer

As a Licensed Conveyancer, you will be a specialist property lawyer, independently managing the entire legal process of buying and selling property. You will act as the primary legal advisor to your clients, navigating complex issues and taking full responsibility for the transaction from the initial instruction right through to completion.

You will master the skills to:

• Independently manage a complex caseload of residential and potentially commercial property transactions.
• Analyse complex title deeds, search results, and mortgage offers to provide clear legal advice on risks and liabilities.
• Draft and negotiate bespoke legal contracts and transfer deeds, resolving complex legal enquiries with other parties.
• Manage all client funds and financial calculations, including Stamp Duty Land Tax and completion statements, with complete accuracy.

Probate Practitioner

As a Probate Practitioner, you will be a specialist private client lawyer, providing expert and empathetic legal advice to executors and beneficiaries during a difficult time. You will take full responsibility for the complex administration of a deceased person’s estate, from valuing diverse assets to navigating family dynamics and ensuring the final distribution is legally sound.

You will master the skills to:

• Investigate and value complex estates, including properties, businesses, shares, and foreign assets.
• Prepare and submit all legal documentation to the court to obtain Grants of Representation, including for complex or contested estates.
• Calculate and manage complex Inheritance Tax liabilities, preparing all necessary accounts and submissions for HMRC.
• Interpret complex wills, advise on the rules of intestacy, and manage the legal distribution of the estate to beneficiaries, resolving any disputes that may arise.

Your Licence to Practise: The Ultimate Professional Recognition

For a career in law, a formal licence to practise is the ultimate professional credential. It is the legal authorisation that empowers you to advise clients, manage cases independently, and be recognised as a qualified lawyer in your own right. It is the standard that clients and employers trust above all else.

This Level 6 Apprenticeship is designed with one goal in mind: to get you there. The programme is fully aligned with the rigorous requirements set by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC), the specialist regulator for property and probate law in England and Wales.

Qualify as a Licensed Conveyancer or Probate Practitioner

Upon successful completion of your apprenticeship and End-Point Assessment, you will have met all the academic and practical requirements to apply for your first professional licence from the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC).

This is not simply a registration; it is your legal licence to practise. Here's what this powerful achievement means for you:

• The Authority to Practise Law:
  This is your legal authorisation to act as a lawyer in your chosen field. You will have the authority to manage your own caseload, provide formal legal advice to clients, and take ultimate responsibility for their cases.
• Elite Professional Status:
  Holding a CLC Licence marks you as a member of a highly respected group of specialist legal professionals. Employers, financial institutions, and clients will recognise you as a trusted, regulated expert.
• The Destination for Your Career:
  This qualification is the destination, not a stepping stone. It unlocks your full career potential, enabling you to progress to senior roles, become a partner in a firm, or even establish your own legal practice in the future.
• Join a Regulated Professional Body:
  You will become a full member of a respected national regulatory body, bound by its professional code of conduct and supported by its network of legal experts.

Your Specialist Career Pathway

A Level 6 apprenticeship is your direct route to becoming a fully qualified, specialist lawyer. This programme is designed to cultivate deep, practical expertise in a chosen field, bypassing the traditional, more generalised academic route. By embedding you in a practice area from day one, you will graduate as a sought-after expert with a qualification and years of hands-on experience.

Your journey to becoming a leader in your specialism will follow this trajectory:

Specialist Legal Apprentice

From the outset, you will be immersed in complex legal work.

You'll move beyond foundational tasks to manage case files, engage with clients, and contribute to substantive legal matters, applying your academic learning in real-time.

Learn More

Advanced Case Handler

As you progress, you will take ownership of a significant portfolio of complex cases.

In conveyancing, this means managing high-value or intricate property transactions from instruction to completion.

In probate, you will handle complex estates, advising clients with skill and empathy under expert supervision.

Learn More

Licensed Conveyancer / Probate Practitioner

Upon successful completion, you will achieve full qualification as a specialist lawyer.

You will be authorised to provide legal services directly to the public, manage your own clients, and operate with professional autonomy as a Licensed Conveyancer or Probate Practitioner.

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Head of Department

The deep expertise gained during your apprenticeship provides a solid foundation for leadership.

You are primed for rapid advancement to roles such as Senior Practitioner, Team Leader, or even Head of Department, where you will drive strategy and mentor the next generation of specialists.

Learn More

Your Path to Qualification: The Assessment Framework

our Level 6 Apprenticeship is a highly structured programme designed to culminate in your qualification as a specialist Licensed Conveyancer or Licensed Probate Practitioner. The entire process is defined by a national End-Point Assessment (EPA) Plan, ensuring your skills are measured against the rigorous standards set by the profession and the Council for Licensed Conveyancers (CLC).

The journey is structured into two distinct phases, combining comprehensive training and formal qualifications with a final, holistic assessment of your professional competence.

Phase 1: On-Programme Development & Gateway (Typically the first 56 months)

This is the core of your apprenticeship, where you build the deep knowledge and practical skills for your chosen specialism. Your development is multifaceted:

• Formal CLC Qualifications: You will study for and pass the modules of two separate diplomas:

• The CLC Level 4 Diploma in your chosen specialism (Conveyancing or Probate).
• The CLC Level 6 Diploma in your chosen specialism.
• Crucially, you will complete all modules of the Level 4 Diploma and all but one capstone module of the Level 6 Diploma during this on-programme phase.

• Workplace Competence: Your day-to-day work is essential. You will apply your learning to real client matters, developing the Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours (KSBs) required of a professional practitioner and building the experience needed for your final assessments.

At the end of this period, you will approach the Gateway. This is the formal checkpoint confirming you are ready for the final assessment phase. To pass through the Gateway, you must have:

• Passed all modules of the CLC Level 4 Diploma.
• Passed all required modules of the CLC Level 6 Diploma (excluding the final module reserved for the EPA).
• Received confirmation from your employer that you are consistently working at the required professional standard.
• Achieved the required English and Maths qualifications (if required).

Phase 2: The End-Point Assessment (EPA) (Typically the final 3 months)

After passing the Gateway, you will undertake your End-Point Assessment (EPA). This is a series of three assessments conducted by an independent End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) to ensure impartiality and fairness. The EPA holistically tests your ability to function as a competent, independent professional.

• Presentation with Questions & Answers
  You will prepare and deliver a presentation to an independent assessor based on a real client interaction you have managed. This is your opportunity to demonstrate your practical skills in client care, risk assessment (including anti-money laundering checks), and your ability to explain complex legal matters in plain English. The presentation (approx. 30 mins) is followed by a robust Q&A session (approx. 20 mins).
• Professional Interview
  This is a structured 60-minute interview with an independent assessor focusing on your competence in administration and management. You will answer questions about how you manage your caseload, interact with professional third parties, handle client accounts, and adhere to professional codes of conduct.
• Knowledge & Skills Test
  This final assessment is the capstone module of your Level 6 Diploma, which was excluded from your on-programme studies. Taken under formal exam conditions, this test assesses your deep, specialist knowledge in either:Conveyancing Law and Practice (Level 6) for the Conveyancer option, orThe Administration of Estates (Level 6) for the Probate option.

• Conveyancing Law and Practice (Level 6) for the Conveyancer option, or
• The Administration of Estates (Level 6) for the Probate option

Your Final Grade and Qualification
Your performance across these three assessments will be combined to determine your final apprenticeship grade of Pass, Merit, or Distinction. Successful completion of the EPA leads to the award of your Level 6 Apprenticeship and qualifies you to apply to the CLC to become a fully Licensed Conveyancer or Licensed Probate Practitioner.