Career Prospects 

Being a Legal Executive is an excellent career choice. Professional responsibilities increase with experience and Fellows of ILEX are likely to become one of the main points of contact for clients seeking professional advice on legal matters.

There are opportunities for Legal Executives to run their own departments, manage other executives, administrative staff and junior solicitors.

It may be possible to become an associate in a law firm and Fellows may go on to become advocates. Qualified Legal Executives can also continue their studies to qualify as solicitors and the ILEX training route may be used as entry to the final stages of the qualification scheme for a solicitor.

The ‘glass ceiling’ that prevented legal executive lawyers from becoming District Judges, Deputy District Judges and Tribunal Chairmen has finally be shattered as the Tribunal Courts and Enforcement Act has now come into force. Part II of the Act aims to open up the eligibility and application criteria for the judiciary to a wider pool of talented lawyers.

The broader pool of applicants now eligible to apply  for judical appoinments will help to reduce the perceived exclusivity attributed to judicial appointments, and will help to build public confidence that judicial panels understand and are representative of today’s society.

ILEX members will now be eligible to apply for a range of judicial posts, and we fully support the Government’s strategic goal of ensuring greater diversity within the judiciary so that it better reflects the diverse nature of the society it serves.

We have campaigned vigorously for our members to compete on an equal footing alongside others and to be considered on merit for appointment to these important positions. Not only is this change excellent news for our members, more importantly it is excellent news for the justice system.