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Legal Executive Job Profile / Description
A legal executive will specialise in an area of law and be trained to the same level as a solicitor. You would get into a specialist area, for example, probate, family law, criminal law, business law, public law, conveyancing or civil litigation.
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What does a legal executive do?
Your day to day activities would vary depending on which area you specialise in but may include some of the following:-
- Explaining legal matters to clients;
- Advising clients;
- Preparing legal documentation;
- Putting together wills;
- Writing letters to clients;
- Preparing bills;
- Communicating with other parties involved in the case, e.g. banks, other legal practices, courts;
- Researching around cases and clients;
- Preparing contracts;
- Attending meetings with clients;
- Interviewing clients and witnesses;
- Attending court to assist barristers and solicitors;
- Keeping up to date with the law and changes in legislation.
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What are the entry requirements?
In England and Wales, to qualify you need to go through the Chartered Institute of Legal Executive in one of a couple of ways. To get on to the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives course, a minimum of 4 grade C GCSE’s are required. If you have a law degree though, it would mean that you do not have to do some of the exams required to complete the course. If you do have a law degree or have completed a conversion course, you can complete the Legal Practice Course and take the CILEx Graduate Fast-Track Diploma and work for up to 5 years to qualify. You can look at the CILEx website for more detailed information.
If you are able to get any work experience, then this would help your chances of getting a job.
What are the most important skills required?
It is important to show some of the following skills and abilities if you want to pursue a career as a legal executive:-
- Excellent written and oral communication skills;
- Problem solving skills;
- Analytical and numerical skills;
- Good administrative skills;
- To be discreet and patient;
- Excellent attention to detail;
- To be able to work under pressure;
- Computer literate;
- Ability to be well organised.
What could I earn?
Qualified legal executives earn from between £35,000 to £55,000. Trainee legal executives may earn from between £15,000 to £28,000.
How many hours a week would I work?
Generally the hours are standard office hours of around a 35-40 hour week but you may be required to attend court or meet clients outside of these hours.
What career progression is there?
There are many routes for legal executives to progress.
With the experience gained over the 5 years to qualify, legal executives may just progress to more complex cases. You may go on to run your own department supervising others and in small practices you may become practice managers. Many legal executives become partners in law firms. Alternatively, you can become a solicitor or take a judicial position in a civil or criminal court.
Where do I look for legal executive roles?
Simply click on this link to find the legal executive roles in your location.
Search for legal executive roles here.
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Browse through other legal jobs here.
Find out information about other legal jobs here.
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Click these links to find out about other legal roles entail.....
Lawyer
Solicitor
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