Costs Lawyer Professional Qualification offers new route into the legal profession

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The route into the legal profession is set to undergo a significant transformation following the introduction of the Costs Lawyer Professional Qualification, which offers an alternative pathway into law for graduates and non-graduates alike.  

The new course, accredited by the Costs Lawyer Standards Board (CLSB) and offered by ACL Training, an arm of the Association of Costs Lawyers (ACL), is now accepting student admissions in anticipation of its September launch.  

Costs Lawyers hold the distinction of qualifying with independent rights to conduct litigation and advocacy, presenting an attractive option for individuals seeking a regulated legal career. The qualification, attainable within two years, provides a broader scope of skills, including bill drafting and cost management in litigation, making it an appealing choice for those interested in both advocacy and numbers.  

The inaugural cohort of students, drawn from solicitors' firms and costs firms, is eagerly awaited by ACL Training with a second intake scheduled for February 2024. This course aims to attract a diverse pool of candidates, widening the opportunities for those who may not have previously considered a legal education; students must be at least 18 years old.  

The CLSB has meticulously designed the new training rules, which have received approval from the Legal Services Board. ACL Training is the only organisation to have achieved accreditation for its course by the CLSB, making it a trailblazer in this emerging field.  

The comprehensive two-year, part-time, online course offered by ACL Training comprises three key components:  

• a diploma in civil practice; 
• a diploma in costs law and practice; and 
• an award in costs advocacy.  

The programme’s modular structure allows for flexible learning, enabling students to build on specific areas of costs law knowledge or opt for individual modules if they’re uncertain about committing to the full course. 

Graduates and professionals with legal qualifications may also benefit from certain exemptions based on their prior education. Moreover, the qualifying work experience period has been shortened to two years, creating additional flexibility for students, as it can be completed before, during or after the course. Previously, both the course and work experience requirements were three years long.  

Graduates who fulfil the qualification before obtaining work experience will be granted conditional practising certificates. Sarah Hutchinson, chair of ACL Training, describes the courses creation as “an exciting moment”. Hutchinson adds: "All too often when we talk about legal careers, we focus on the roles of solicitor and barrister. What doesn’t get enough attention is the alternative legal careers available, or the qualifications available post-qualification for specialism, of which costs law fulfils both”. 

Prospective students interested in the Costs Lawyer Professional Qualification have until 20 August 2023 to secure admission for the September entry. This transformational course marks a crucial step forward in shaping modern lawyers for the legal challenges of tomorrow.