Legal Executive
What is the work like?
Legal executives are lawyers who specialise in one particular area of law. They have trained to the same standard as a solicitor in that area, and will do much of the same work that a solicitor would.
As a legal executive, you could deal with any of the following branches of law:
- conveyancing – the legal side of buying and selling property
- probate – wills, trusts and inheritance tax
- family law – divorce and children’s matters
- civil litigation – disputes between people
- criminal law – defence or prosecution of people accused of crimes
- company and business law – tax, contracts and employment law.
Depending on your specialism, your work might include:
- advising clients and explaining legal matters to them
- contacting professionals such as mortgage lenders, planning officers or other lawyers on behalf of clients
- researching and summarising legal information
- preparing legal documents
- writing to clients
- drawing up wills
- drafting contracts
- representing clients in county and magistrates' courts
- preparing accounts to charge clients for your work.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
To become a qualified legal executive, you must work towards becoming a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX). For this, you would take a series of professional ILEX exams and gain practical experience in a legal environment.
Most trainee legal executives work in a law firm and study part-time. You could start in a law firm as a clerical assistant or legal secretary, possibly through temporary work or an Apprenticeship scheme. Alternatively, you could study for the first set of ILEX exams at college (full- or part-time) before looking for work in a law firm.
To get onto ILEX courses, it is usually recommended that you have at least four GCSEs (A-C) including English, or equivalent qualifications. Many trainee legal executives have more than the minimum, such as A levels or degrees.
If you do not have the minimum qualifications, you can take the ILEX/City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate in Vocational Paralegal Studies as an alternative. If you have relevant work experience, you could also apply to ILEX for your experience to be recognised in place of academic qualifications. Contact ILEX for advice.
If you have passed a qualifying law degree in the past seven years, you will be exempt from some of the first stage of ILEX exams.
What further training and development can I do?
To qualify as a legal executive, you must register with ILEX as student member and complete its Professional Qualification in Law, which has two levels:- Level 3 Professional Diploma in Law (PDL) – an introduction to the main areas of law and legal practice
- Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law (PHDL) – specialist study of law and practice.
You can study by day-release, evening classes or distance learning. On average it takes four years of part-time study to pass both levels and become a Member of ILEX. (However, if you have a recognised law degree or the Graduate Entry Diploma, you could qualify in one or two years, as you will be exempt from the first level of exams).
To be fully qualified and able to use the title of legal executive, you must become a Fellow of ILEX. For this, you must have at least five years' qualifying legal employment, which must include at least two years after passing the exams.
ILEX also provides a continuing professional development (CPD) scheme to help you keep your knowledge up to date throughout your career.
Where can I go for more information?
Kempston ManorKempston
Bedfordshire
MK42 7AB
01234 841000
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Trainee salaries can be between £16,000 and £20,000 a year.
- When qualified, salaries can be £30,000 to £45,000.
- Some highly experienced legal executives in large firms can earn over £50,000 a year.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
Your standard working hours would be 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, although flexible hours, part-time work and job sharing are often possible.
You would be office-based, but you may also spend some of your time visiting court and police stations. Smart business dress is expected.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- excellent spoken and written communication skills
- the ability to explain legal matters clearly
- patience, tact and discretion
- good administrative and computer skills
- accuracy and attention to detail
- research skills
- an organised approach
- the ability to work under pressure.
What opportunities are there?
As well as firms of solicitors, you could work for the Crown Prosecution Service, local authorities or in business. Jobs may be advertised in the local press, magazines for the legal profession, and by specialist recruitment agencies.
With experience, you could take on more complex cases and build up a large client base. You could also progress to leading a team of legal executives and secretaries, or become a practice manager in a law firm. With further study, you could qualify as a solicitor.
You may find the following useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in new window):
Legal Executive Recruitment
The Lawyer
Law Gazette
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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