How to qualify as a legal executive
A legal executive is a qualified lawyer specialising in a particular area of law. There are great opportunities for legal executives to work in law firms, in corporate in-house legal departments, or in local or national government. The Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX) is the professional body which governs the education and training of legal executives, and the term ‘legal executive’ can only be used by Fellows of the Institute of Legal Executives. Please also see the 'What is a legal executive?' page of this site.
Outline training route
For a short presentation which outlines the training route, please click here.
The academic part of the ILEX training programme is made up of two stages of training – the ILEX Level 3 Professional Diploma in Law and Practice and the ILEX Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law and Practice. Full details of the units that you can select from, and the rules governing the selection of units, can be found on the qualification pages by clicking the links above. If you have a qualifying law degree you should instead follow courses leading to the ILEX Graduate Fast-track Diploma. ITC provides courses for all subjects in each of the stages.
Once you complete the Level 3 stage of your academic training you will become an Associate Member of ILEX, and after you complete the Level 6 stage you will become a Graduate Member of ILEX. You also need to fulfil the requirements for five years’ qualifying employment in order to become a Fellow of ILEX, two years of which must take place after you have become a Graduate Member. Qualifying employment is carefully defined by ILEX, but in broad terms it includes carrying out work of a legal nature under the supervision of a solicitor, senior legal executive, barrister or licensed conveyancer. Employment can be in legal practice, in the legal department of a private company or in local/national government.
You can start your qualifying employment at any time. However, the final two years of the five-year period of qualifying employment must be gained after you have achieved your academic qualification. This means that you can achieve up to three of the five years’ qualifying employment concurrently with your studies. Look for vacancies on www.legal-executive-recruitment.com .
Entrance requirements
You are strongly recommended to have a minimum of four GCSE grades C or above, including English Language or Literature, or qualifications at an equivalent level. If you do not have any formal qualifications we recommend that you study for a City & Guilds/ILEX Level 2 Certificate in Legal Studies before embarking on the legal executive training route.
Exemptions from parts of the academic qualifications may be available if you hold a law A level, a recognised law degree or a postgraduate Legal Practice Course. Exemptions are entirely at the discretion of ILEX so you should confirm your entitlement with the ILEX awards department on 01234 841000 before enrolling on any courses with ITC.
You should register with ILEX as a Student Member at the same time as you enrol on your training courses with ITC. Please contact ILEX on 01234 841000 or visit www.ilexcareers.org.uk for full details of the route to qualification and to apply for ILEX Student Membership.