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Legal executives
What is a legal executive?
A legal executive is a person employed in the legal profession or the commercial world (also known as a para-legal in some countries). Although they don't hold an LLB qualification, experienced legal executives are skilled in one or more aspects of law, and usually have completed the New Zealand Law Society's Legal Executive Course. Many legal executives work in law firms, though there are opportunities in government departments, local authorities and some large commercial organisations. They attend to a wide range of legal work, and may specialise in one or more of residential and/or commercial conveyancing, estate administration and litigation.
The work of a legal executive requires a high degree of accuracy and organisational skill. It is people-oriented and legal executives require tact, sympathy and understanding when dealing with clients. The same high ethical standards of barristers and solicitors are required of legal executives.
The New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives has further information.
New Zealand Law Society Legal Executive Course
The Legal Executive Course aims to teach students the skills required by a legal executive rather than attempting to teach legal executives to make decisions that should properly be made by a lawyer.
Teaching institutes at various centres throughout the country including The Open Polytechnic (correspondence) offer the NZLS Legal Executive Course. It comprises six papers:
- Introduction to the Legal System
- Introduction to Law Office Practice
- Property Law and Practice
- Business Law and Practice
- Estates Law and Practice
- Litigation Law and Practice.
last modified 11 December 2006
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