When Phoebe began studying law at 16, she knew she wanted to build a career in the legal profession. Today, at 26, she is an MCILEX member, working as a Private Client Lawyer and on track to qualify as a CILEX Lawyer in 2027. Her journey to this point, however, has been anything but straightforward.
Phoebe’s passion for law began with A-Level Law in 2016, when she achieved an A. Two years later, she started her Law LLB at De Montfort University, graduating in 2021 with a 2:1 at just 20 years old.
Despite completing the latter part of her degree during the Covid-19 pandemic, Phoebe continued to progress, moving straight on to an LLM LPC.
But a series of significant health challenges meant that her journey took an unexpected turn.
After almost completing the LPC, Phoebe was forced to leave the course following ongoing health problems and the impact they had on her mental health.
“I love law and I’ve always performed well academically, but I just couldn’t continue,” she says.
At the time, it felt as though her ambition to qualify as a lawyer might have come to an end.
Finding another route
After securing her first role as a Trainee Paralegal at 22, Phoebe was diagnosed with a brain tumour and a haemorrhage.
The diagnosis was understandably frightening, but rather than allowing it to define her future, Phoebe decided she wanted to continue working towards the career she had always wanted.
“I decided that this diagnosis could not, and would not, define me.”
Her experience of the LPC had left her apprehensive about returning to formal study, particularly as she had struggled to get the support she needed. She began researching alternative routes to qualification and discovered CILEX through a colleague who was studying with CILEX herself.
Her colleague’s experience of the support available from CILEX and her tutors stood out to Phoebe.
“It sounded like somewhat of a saving grace to me, compared to my experience studying the LPC.”
In 2023, aged 23, Phoebe began the Graduate Advanced CPQ route while working as a Paralegal in Private Client.
For her, it was an opportunity to continue pursuing the career she had nearly given up on – but in a way that better suited her circumstances and how she wanted to learn.
Learning through real-world scenarios
One of the things Phoebe values most about CILEX is the practical nature of the CPQ.
“The learning style is very practical-based, rather than a memory test. I therefore feel it has better prepared me in practice, rather than only testing how well I can recall information.”
Through her studies, Phoebe has developed her ability to critically analyse client positions and identify issues in real-life scenarios – skills she can directly apply in her role.
Her next stage of study will continue this practical approach. As she prepares for her Professional CPQ exams in January 2027, she will work through case studies requiring her to assess realistic situations and identify the relevant issues.
For Phoebe, this connection between study and practice is particularly valuable.
She says the approach helps her identify client concerns more easily and gives her confidence that she has been trained to apply her knowledge in real-world situations.
A community beyond the classroom
Her CILEX experience has also given Phoebe something she had not expected: a professional community and a network of people who understand the journey she is on.
CILEX’s virtual afternoon tea sessions have provided opportunities to ask questions and discuss real-life experiences with programme leads, while the online community and regional networking opportunities have helped her build confidence and lasting connections.
“I have made so many friends through CILEX, so I always enjoy their regional networking opportunities.”
For Phoebe, the CILEX community has become an important part of her professional identity.
“Being a CILEX member is part of such a valuable community, and I know I could ask any other member for advice or assistance, and they would always make time for me.”
That support is something she now wants to give back. Having received messages from Foundation students asking for advice, Phoebe is keen to share her own experience and encourage others who may be facing challenges of their own.
Support when it mattered most
Phoebe’s journey through the CPQ was not without further challenges.
While preparing for her final Advanced level exams, she experienced an incredibly difficult period of personal loss. Within the space of just two days, she lost both her stepfather-in-law, following a sudden stroke while on holiday in Spain, and her beloved grandfather.
With exams approaching and understandably unable to prepare, Phoebe contacted her CILEX programme lead, Rachana, to explain what had happened.
The response made a lasting impression.
Rather than feeling that she had to choose between dealing with her grief and progressing with her qualification, Phoebe says she was met with empathy, understanding and practical support.
Rachana made an application for Phoebe's course to be extended by a year, allowing her to sit her Advanced exams when she was ready.
Phoebe subsequently completed her exams across June 2025, January 2026 and June 2026 – passing them all with flying colours.
“I truly feel I wouldn’t have achieved this without Rachana’s care and CILEX’s flexibility to allow me to extend my exam period to the following year, especially in such extreme circumstances.”
For Phoebe, this experience demonstrated what support can mean in practice: not lowering expectations, but creating the flexibility needed to give someone a fair opportunity to achieve them.
From student to MCILEX
In August 2026, Phoebe received the news she had been working towards and became MCILEX at just 25 years old.
The moment was hugely emotional.
“Receiving my results and becoming MCILEX at just 25 years old was the most incredible feeling – I cried an insane amount of happy tears!”
Now 26, Phoebe is continuing towards the Professional CPQ stage and is on track to qualify as a CILEX Lawyer
in 2027.
Alongside her studies, she has also reached another significant career milestone: working as a Private Client Lawyer in a specialist firm, handling high-value clients and complex legal matters.
It is exactly the kind of career she had hoped for.
“I am now working as a Private Client Lawyer in a specialist firm, where I deal with high-value clients with complex problems, which is literally my dream.”
Opening doors, not closing them
Phoebe is keen to challenge the perception that choosing CILEX limits career opportunities.
Her own experience has been very different.
“There is often the discussion over qualifying with SRA or CILEX, and that CILEX is somehow seen as less desirable, or that the career options are restricted – this has not been my experience in the slightest.”
For Phoebe, CILEX has provided a route into the career she wanted and has helped her progress into a role she describes as her dream job.
“CILEX has opened up more doors for me than I thought possible.”
She says her current firm has been incredibly supportive of her qualification route and recognises the dedication and hard work she has put into achieving her goals.
A qualification journey with a difference
Looking back, Phoebe believes that discovering CILEX changed the direction of her career.
“Without CILEX, I’m not sure I would’ve continued with law.”
What began as an alternative route became a route that gave her the flexibility, practical learning and support she needed to keep moving forward.
And her journey is not over yet.
With the Professional CPQ stage ahead and admission as a CILEX Lawyer on the horizon, Phoebe is looking forward to completing the final stage of her journey.
“I am truly so excited to complete the Professional CPQ stage and be admitted as a CILEX Lawyer next year.”
Her advice to anyone considering CILEX as a route into the legal profession is simple:
“Do it. It’s as easy as that.”
For Phoebe, CILEX has been more than a qualification. It has given her the opportunity to continue pursuing a career she loves, build confidence and professional connections, and prove to herself that setbacks do not have to determine where your career takes you.
And as she looks towards becoming a CILEX Lawyer, she is determined to make the most of the opportunity she has created for herself.