Hibberts Supports Different Pathways to Qualification

At Hibberts, we realise that there are different pathways to qualifications and what works for one person, isn’t necessarily the right route for another. Historically, becoming qualified meant a very traditional approach – good results leaving school, on to A levels with high grades, undergraduate law degree at university, followed by law school and securing a training contract before becoming fully qualified. 

Hibberts strives to invest in the future of our colleagues and the next generation of solicitors by supporting different pathways to qualification and we’re delighted that two of our team members have recently qualified, each meeting their goals through different qualification journeys. 

Emma Jones completed her undergraduate law degree in 2013, followed by a master’s degree in 2014. Emma started as a paralegal and after three years, commenced training to become a Chartered Legal Executive. Emma has now qualified through a rigorous training programme at CILEx, including having to evidence 47 competencies across 27 areas, with an impressive, completed portfolio of 438 pages – nearly as many as ‘Oliver Twist’! 

As a busy mum of two and working in a very busy department, the flexibility of qualifying via CILEx was ideal. Emma is delighted to have qualified and has said that she owes completing the portfolio to her colleagues at Hibberts, who encouraged and supported her over the past five years.

Tom followed a different qualification pathway joining Hibberts shortly after graduating in 2019, where he read law at the University of East Anglia. Tom worked on a part-time basis whilst completing the Legal Practice Course along with an MSc in Law, Business and Management at the University of Law at Chester. Tom began his rotational training at Hibberts in May 2021, gaining experience in Residential Conveyancing, Agriculture, Commercial Property, Corporate Commercial and Litigation, as his particular interest is in property law. Tom is now fully qualified as a Commercial Property solicitor, and will be utilising his experience and qualifications dealing with freehold sales and purchases, leases of offices, shops, industrial buildings and more.

Stewart Bailey, Managing Partner, comments, “Emma and Tom are a testament to the hard work and commitment it takes to become a qualified Solicitor or Legal Executive. Their different pathways demonstrate that there are many options available, and Hibberts has been able to help them achieve their goals. Congratulations to both of them and we look forward to supporting them further in their professional growth.”

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