Work Environment
This occupation is typically found in the following Career Sector(s):
Videos on the Web
- Legal Executive- from: Youtube Search
Most commonly reported Work Activities
- Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
- Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Performing Administrative Activities Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
- Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Working Life
A Legal Executive is a person qualified by accumulated practical experience and/or academic credentials to offer rather more than secretarial or administrative assistance to a Solicitor or other legal practitioner in the handling of client cases relating to conveyancing, probate, criminal, civil, family or other legal matters.
Acting at the direction and as agent of the practitioner and using his/her own personal experience and knowledge of the conventions and other requirements of the statutory agencies, he/she is often entrusted with the practicalities of progressing a given legal transaction initiated by the practitioner.
Legal Executives work with solicitors and barristers, in the Courts of Ireland, and within other areas of commercial and legal practice.
Some Legal Executives are also Supreme Court-appointed Commissioners-for-Oaths or go on to become Solicitors themselves.
The Legal Executive is a professional bound by codes of confidentiality and conduct established and enforced in Ireland by the Irish Institute of Legal Executives, a body founded for that purpose and for the advancement of the interests of Legal Executives.
Legal Executives are members of the Irish Institute of Legal Executives. The Institute was formed in 1987 and incorporated in 1992. It aims to provide a system of training and examination and to obtain a recognised professional qualification for those engaged in legal work. Members of the Institute are employed in private practice, legal departments of banks, public or local authorities or in industry and commerce.
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Prepare, proofread, or process legal documents, such as summonses, subpoenas, complaints, appeals, motions, or pretrial agreements.
- Mail, fax, or arrange for delivery of legal correspondence to clients, witnesses, and court officials.
- Receive and place telephone calls.
- Schedule and make appointments.
- Organise and maintain law libraries, documents, and case files.
- Make photocopies of correspondence, documents, and other printed matter.
- Assist attorneys in collecting information such as employment, medical, and other records.
- Draft and type office memos.
- Complete various forms, such as accident reports, trial and courtroom requests, and applications for clients.
- Prepare and distribute invoices to bill clients or pay account expenses.
Further Information
- Legal Executive- from: N.C.S. [UK]
- Legal executive- from: GradIreland
Interests - Legal Executive
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Administrative
Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.
They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.
Enterprising
Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.
Entry / Progression - Legal Executive
The Irish Institute of Legal Executives, in conjunction with Griffith College, Dublin has developed a course specifically for legal executives. The Diploma in Legal Studies and Practice (NFQ Level 7) is a two year course which is designed to give legal executives the necessary academic and practical skills for a legal office.
Having completed the Certificate in Legal Studies and Practice, students can go on to the Diploma in Legal Studies and Practice or the LL.B. (Hons) in Law.
There are a number of levels of membership of the Institute. Members can describe themselves as "Legal Executives" of the Institute or use the applicable initials providing they hold a current annual Practising Certificate.
Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research.
Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.
Example search terms include: business admin, customer service.
Search for FET Courses
PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.
Example search terms include: pre-university law, law and criminology, business law pre-university.
Search for PLC Courses
Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate)
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.
Example search terms include: business and law, law, arts law, law and languages, political science law.
Search for CAO Courses
Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).
Example search terms include: law.
Search for Postgraduate Courses
Professional Development
Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.
The Irish Inst of Legal Executives
Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.
Pay & Salary - Legal Executive
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €35k - €60k
Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.
Data Source(s):
CPL / Morgan Mckinley/ Sigmar/ Lincoln/ Azon/ Brightwater
Last Updated: July, 2024
Labour Market Updates - Legal Executive
Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Barristers; judges; Solicitors; Legal professionals n.e.c.
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).
Employment levels have declined annually since 2020 for this occupation, resulting in a negative growth rate for the five-year annual average. There were a small number of employment permits issued for legal counsel across a number of sectors including ICT and the financial sector. However, the professional, scientific and technical activities sector accounts for the majority of employment in this occupation.
Useful Contacts - Legal Executive
-
IILEX - The Irish Institute of Legal Executives
