The Common Professional Examination (CPE) is a postgraduate law course in England and Wales that is taken by non-law graduates (graduates who have a degree in a discipline that is not law or not a qualifying law degree for legal practice) wishing to become either a solicitor or barrister in the United Kingdom. The course thus allows non-law students to convert to law after university (exceptions exist for non-graduates depending on circumstances); it is also commonly known as a "law conversion course". The main premise is to allow people with a greater variety of educational backgrounds into the legal profession.
Most CPE courses award a diploma and are thus often titled Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL).
The CPE is one (full-time) or two (part-time) years long (one year full-time) and successful candidates may proceed to either the Legal Practice Course if intending solicitors or the Bar Vocational Course if intending barristers. It is regulated by the Law Society of England & Wales with admissions handled through the Central Applications Board.
Some law students study for four years (rather than three years, although this is usually only the case for students taking a combined law degree with the LPC, or for those whose courses include study abroad), making it possible for both non-law and law graduates of the same starting year to finish at the same time, with the CPE providing the "foundations of legal knowledge".
Hong Kong
In Hong Kong the CPE is also recognised for the purpose of admission to the Postgraduate Certificate in Laws (PCLL) course, which can be seen as the local equivalent to to the LPC and is a prerequisite to become a solicitor or barrister in Hong Kong. Since 2008, all overseas candidates including CPE graduates are required to pass additional conversion exams before the commencement of the PCLL course, to reflect the impact of the post-1997 Hong Kong Basic Law.[1]
The CPE is offered by the University of Hong Kong's School of Professional and Continuing Education (HKU SPACE) in Hong Kong jointly with Manchester Metropolitan University. The program is also known as, and completion of the program leads to the awarding of, the Graduate Diploma in English and Hong Kong Law (GDEHKL).
Course providers
The CPE tends to be offered through private institutions or new universities. The largest course providers are The College of Law, City University London and BPP Law School, while new universities (such as Middlesex University and De Montfort University) also offer courses. Tuition varies widely from £2,000 - £8,000 p.a. for a London full-time CPE (based on 2007 fees).
See also
External links
- Central Application Board (for full-time CPE courses)
- For information on 2008 CPE pass rates and the number of students awarded distinctions and commendations by the various providers see QED LAW
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