Legal Executive
What's it about?
Legal Executives are qualified lawyers with at least five years experience of working under the supervision of a solicitor. The day-to-day work of a Legal Executive is actually quite similar to that of a solicitor and vacancies advertised in the legal press often specify that either a Legal Executive or an Assistant Solicitor is required. Depending upon which branch of the law they have chosen to work in, Legal
Executives might:
- handle the legal aspects of a property transfer;
- be involved in actions in the High Court or county courts;
- draft wills;
- draw up documents to assist in the formation of a company;
- advise couples with matrimonial problems;
- deal with clients accused of serious or petty crime.
We are only talking about England and Wales here. There is no direct equivalent to a Legal Executive in Scotland.
How do I become a Legal Executive?
Most Trainee Legal Executives combine study for their qualifying examination with the practical experience of working in a law firm or legal department. Study may be by day release, evening classes or by taking a home study course. Full-time courses are also available. You have to be at least 25 before you can be fully qualified.
The majority of employers pay tuition and examination fees, and subscriptions payable to the Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX). It is in employers' interest to assist financially in this way because the staff member will be better trained and of greater value to the practice.
What are the entry requirements?
You will need at least 4 GCSE or S grade passes (A-C or 1-3) or equivalent, including English. Craft or technical subjects are not normally accepted. A lot of entrants now have A/AS level passes or equivalents such as AGNVQ or BTEC. Quite a few even have degrees.
What sort of opportunities are there?
Legal Executives are highly valued lawyers and their potential salaries reflect this. Rates of pay vary according to the type of employer, place of employment, the nature of work and the extent of their ability to work on their own initiative.
Professional responsibilities increase with experience and Fellows of ILEX are likely to become one of the main points of contact for clients seeking professional advice on legal matters.
Fellows may act as Commissioners for Oaths, which means that they are able to use the title 'Commissioner for Oaths' and may administer affidavits and declarations, charging a fee for doing so.
So, is a Legal Executive the same as a Solicitor?
No, although some Legal Executives have also qualified as solicitors. A Legal Executive is an employee and cannot be a partner in a firm of solicitors. Partners are the solicitors who jointly own and manage a legal practice.
The Legal Executive qualification differs from that of solicitor in the way students are trained. Most solicitors study full-time for at least four years before commencing their employment in a law firm or department. Legal Executives, in contrast, usually combine practical and academic training from day one, which enables them to 'earn while they learn'.
It is possible, within strict time limits, for a Legal Executive to go on to the final stages of qualification as a Solicitor.
Tell me more!
The Institute of Legal Executives: www.ilex.org.uk
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