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Legal executive (England and Wales) : Salary and conditions

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  1. Job description
  2. Salary and conditions
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  4. Training
  5. Career development
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Case studies

  • Range of typical starting salaries: £15,000 - £28,000 (salary data collected Nov 09).
  • Range of typical salaries once qualified and with experience: £35,000 rising to £55,000+ for experienced legal executives working in large firms (salary data collected Nov 09).
  • Salaries vary greatly depending on employer, location and type of work. Salaries in the City, particularly in commercial litigation, are usually at the top end of the salary range (£55,000+). Increased demand for legal executive/solicitor applicants across the legal profession has affected the salary range for legal executives, making it much broader. Salary may depend on the duties and responsibilities of specific vacancies.
  • You may need to work extra hours on a regular basis with occasional evening, weekend or shift work.
  • The work is office based, but you may need to visit clients in courts and police stations.
  • Working on a self-employed or freelance basis, e.g., working as a licensed conveyancer, is sometimes possible after you have gained considerable experience.
  • Part-time work and career break opportunities are available and growing.
  • 75% of members of The Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX)  are women (data collected Nov 2009). There are a number of reasons for this. Most ILEX students are already working in positions usually held by women, such as legal secretaries. ILEX also offers flexible training/study programmes which suit those who do not want to do a full-time course, but want to move up the career ladder.
  • There are opportunities throughout England and Wales, but not Scotland or Northern Ireland, where the role of legal executive does not exist.
  • Dress is normally conservative, particularly for court work.
  • The job carries the responsibilities associated with the legal field and may be stressful.
  • The need to travel in connection with work is becoming more common, and may include overnight stays and overseas travel.
 
AGCAS
Written by Janet K. Willis, University of Manchester
Date: 
November 2009
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