If you are planning on starting an ILEX course, you should ideally hold a minimum of four GCSE grades of C or above, including English Language or Literature.
If you do not have these qualifications, it is strongly recommend that a City & Guilds/ILEX Level 2 Certificate in Vocational Paralegal Studies is considered before embarking on the legal executive training route.
There are two stages to the ILEX qualification: the ILEX Level 3 Professional Diploma in Law and Practice (which is equivalent to A levels) and the ILEX Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law (equivalent to a university honours degree).
Exemptions are available if you hold an A level in law or a recognised qualifying law degree course. Full exemption is available for those who have passed the Legal Practice Course (LPC) and the Bar Vocational Course (BVC). You can apply immediately to become an ILEX member via this route.
If you have a non-qualifying law degree or a degree with a significant legal focus, these will be assessed on a subject-by-subject basis. Exemptions can also be granted for other appropriate qualifications, however Exemptions are entirely at the discretion of the Institute.
The ILEX Level 3 Diploma in Law and Practice is the first part of the ILEX Professional Qualification in Law, the academic qualification you will need to pass to become a Legal Executive. It provides a broad introduction to law and legal practice.
The courses are viewed as an academic equivalent to A levels with most students electing to study either two years part-time or one year full-time. The ILEX Level 6, the second stage of training is an equivalent to honours degree level. The Level 6 qualification involves four courses, one being a legal practice subject with a linked law subject and two other law subjects of your choice. It is at this stage that you will need to decide what area of law you want to specialise in.
Single subject Diplomas
If you are not looking for a professional qualification but want to get a thorough knowledge of a particular area of law, then the ILEX Single Subject Diplomas in Law are ideal. All ILEX Level 6 courses can be studied as single subjects on their own right.
Although there are no entry requirements to become a member of ILEX, it is advised that you should have considerable experience relating to your chosen field of study. Given that the academic standard is the equivalent of an honours degree, choosing to study must not be taken lightly.
Training to be a solicitor
A career as a Legal Executive is incredibly rewarding in its own right, but ILEX does recognise that there are those who have ambitions that are more traditional. As such, ILEX qualifications can be used as a way of qualifying as a solicitor.
If you are a Fellow of the Institute before you finish the LPC (Legal Practice Course) you may also be exempt from a training contract. It must be noted though that this exemption is at the discretion of the Solicitors Regulatory Authority.
Study close to home
There are over 100 ILEX study centres across the UK approved to deliver the course. All ILEX Level 3 examinations and the majority of Level 6 examinations are set in January and June of each year. All examinations can be taken at separate examinations sittings for convenience.
Study from afar
If you would prefer distance learning, ILEX can also offer this through the ILEX Tutorial College (ITC). You can enrol any time of the year and apply to a variety of courses and options. If you are looking to switch to a career in law or to ‘earn and learn’ to avoid student debt, this is a solid choice.
Let’s talk money
Starting salaries for trainee Legal Executives can be around £14,000-£18,000, rising as you progress in your studies. The key financial difference during this period however is the lack of student debt. Salaries for qualified Legal Executives can rise to over £50,000 and (from March 2009) for those who go on to become partners in law firms, higher still.
What Legal Executive Lawyers Do
Fully qualified Legal Executive lawyers are able to undertake a great amount of legal activities that solicitors do. For example, Legal Executives will have their own clients, full conduct of cases and can represent individuals in court where appropriate.
Although Legal Executives can be involved in many areas of law, the most common areas of specialisation are:
• conveyancing – the legal side of buying and selling property
• family issues – advising on divorces and matters affecting children
• crime – defending and prosecuting people accused of crimes
• company and business law – advising clients on legislation that affects their business such as tax, contracts and employment law
• litigation – where a client is in dispute with someone else
• probate – dealing with wills, trusts and inheritance tax
• personal injury – handling accident claims.
As with all lawyers, Legal Executives must adhere to a code of conduct and are required to continue training, known as CPD (continued professional development). Legal Executives can now run their own departments, manage other executives, junior solicitors and administrative staff. It is also now possible for Legal Executives to become associates and even partners in law firms. Qualified Legal Executive can also qualify as solicitors, become advocates and apply for a range of judicial appointments.
