1A.3.3 Legal executives

Question 1

How is the role of a legal executive similar to a solicitor?

Answer 1

• They specialise in a specific area of law
• They work in solicitors firms
• Their work is charged at an hourly rate - although at a lower rate than a solicitor

Question 2

Where do legal executives work?

Answer 2

In solicitors firms, or for organisations such as local authorities, the CPS and in companies’ legal departments.

Question 3

A qualified Legal Executive will need to be a fellow of what organisation?

Answer 3

Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX)

Question 4

Legal executives training process

Answer 4

CILEX Professional Qualification and to have completed three years of supervised legal experience.

Question 5

How many legal executives are there currently practising in England and Wales?

Answer 5

20,000

Question 6

Role of legal executives

Answer 6

Legal executives are likely to specialise in a particular area of law, and their work is similar to that of a solicitor although they tend to deal with more straightforward matters. For example, they can:
- Handle parts of a property transfer
- Assist in the formation of a company
- Draft wills
- Advise people with matrimonial problems
- Advise clients accused of a crime, advise a client detained in a police station and interview witnesses.

Question 7

What are three different advocacy certificates a legal executive can obtain?

Answer 7

1) A Civil Proceedings Certificate: this allows appearances in the County Court.

2) A Criminal Proceedings Certificate: this allows legal executives to make applications for bail or deal with cases in the Youth Court.

3) A Family Proceedings Certificate: this allows appearances in the Family Court of the Magistrates’ Court.