I was surprised to read Larissa Hutson's misconceived and outdated view that what was the common professional examination (CPE) and is now the graduate diploma in law does not equate to a 'Bachelor of Law' (LLB) degree (see [2006] Gazette, 1 June, 15).

A move to award LLB degrees to those who have completed the CPE should be applauded. As a geography graduate who completed the CPE, I can say it is three times more challenging and time-consuming than a geography degree, despite lasting a third of the time.


Employers have long been aware of the CPE's content and that those who have completed the CPE have, by definition, a greater number of academic achievements than those with an LLB. Therefore, I do not accept that those with the LLB will be discriminated against. These proposals will surely not 'diminish the value and status of the LLB' but will rather give the CPE the recognition it deserves.


Jonathan Foulds, Bournemouth