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You are here: Home › Careers › New Zealand Careers › Careers Descriptions › Law and Legal Services Careers › Legal Executive

Legal Executive

Legal executives carry out a variety of legal tasks for law firms and organisations such as government departments, local authorities and financial institutes. They also provide legal advice to clients under the supervision of a qualified lawyer.

 

Tasks & duties

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Legal executives may do some or all of the following:

  • help to prepare cases for court
  • act on behalf of and assist clients buying, selling and developing property
  • assist clients with commercial and business transactions
  • prepare, analyse and interpret a variety of legal documents
  • prepare and file court documents
  • administer estates and trusts and prepare wills
  • administer and help with the legal aspects of running a company
  • assist clients with debt collection
  • assist clients with asset planning and maintenance of family trusts

 

Skills & knowledge

Legal executives need to have:

  • knowledge of the legal system and court procedures
  • knowledge of legislation and regulations
  • understanding of legal terms and methods
  • organisational ability and research skills
  • computer skills
  • communication and listening skills.

Legal executives should also know how to prepare certain legal documents and administer legal matters such as estates and property sales.

 

Entry Requirements

There are no specific entry requirements for legal executives, but the New Zealand Law Society Legal Executive Certificate is recommended. This must be completed to become a registered member of the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives Inc. 

New Zealand Law Society website – information about continuing legal education

 

Secondary Education

To become a legal executive you need to have at least four years' secondary education. Sixth Form Certificate or NCEA Level 2 English is useful.

 

Training on the Job

Skills are gained on the job. Legal executives may also study for their New Zealand Law Society Legal Executive Certificate part-time while working in a legal office, or by correspondence course.

 

Useful Experience

Useful experience for legal executives includes work as a legal secretary, law clerk or other work in a law office. Work with the public and research work may also be useful.

 

Related Courses

Justice Administration
Legal Practice
Legal Studies

 

For more information, please refer to Career Services.

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