Finance & accounting

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role

University

You could do a law degree, or a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) if your degree is not in law. You would then do:

• the Graduate Fast-Track Diploma
• 3 years' qualifying employment

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

College

You could take the following college courses to qualify:

• CILEx Level 3 Professional Diploma in Law and Practice
• CILEx Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law and Practice

After completing a college qualification, you would do a 3-year period of qualifying employment. This means you'll carry out legal work under the supervision of a solicitor, senior chartered legal executive, barrister or licensed conveyancer.

You could do this in a legal practice, a legal department of a private company or in a government department.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course
• 1 or 2 A levels, a level 3 diploma or relevant experience for a level 4 or level 5 course

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• search for courses|/find-a-course

Apprenticeship

You could take start by taking a Paralegal Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

You could then move on to a:

• Chartered Legal Executive Level 6 Non-Degree Apprenticeship
• Chartered Legal Executive Litigator and Advocate Level 7 Non-Degree Apprenticeship

As part of an apprenticeship you will study to gain the following professional qualifications:

• CILEx Level 3 Professional Diploma in Law and Practice
• CILEx Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law and Practice

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

Work

A lot of people work for a law firm and study for qualifications part time.

You could study for CILEx qualifications even if you're not working in a legal environment, as long as you meet their entry requirements. Qualifications may be studied full-time, part-time or by distance learning.

You'll still need some work experience to give you a chance of finding a job once you're qualified.

More information

Further information

You can get more details about a legal executive career from:the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives; LawCAB

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With experience, you could take on more complex cases and build up a large client base. You could also progress to leading a team of legal executives and secretaries, or become a practice manager in a law firm.

With further study, you could qualify as a solicitor.