How to become Legal executive
You can get into this job through:
- a university course
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
University
You could do a law degree, or a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) if your degree is not in law. You would then do:
- the Graduate Fast-Track Diploma
- 3 years' qualifying employment
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
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College
You could take the following college courses to qualify:
- CILEx Level 3 Professional Diploma in Law and Practice
- CILEx Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law and Practice
After completing a college qualification, you would do a 3-year period of qualifying employment. This means you'll carry out legal work under the supervision of a solicitor, senior chartered legal executive, barrister or licensed conveyancer.
You could do this in a legal practice, a legal department of a private company or in a government department.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
- 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course
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Apprenticeship
You could take start by taking a Paralegal Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.
You could then move on to a:
- Chartered Legal Executive Level 6 Non-Degree Apprenticeship
- Chartered Legal Executive Litigator and Advocate Level 7 Non-Degree Apprenticeship
As part of an apprenticeship you will study to gain the following professional qualifications:
- CILEx Level 3 Professional Diploma in Law and Practice
- CILEx Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law and Practice
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
- 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
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Work
A lot of people work for a law firm and study for qualifications part time.
You could study for CILEx qualifications even if you're not working in a legal environment, as long as you meet their entry requirements. Qualifications may be studied full-time, part-time or by distance learning.
You'll still need some work experience to give you a chance of finding a job once you're qualified.
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Registration
- you'll need to register with the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives to start your training
Further information
You can get more details about a legal executive career from: