- excellent verbal communication skills
- excellent written communication skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of English language
- administration skills
- the ability to work well with others
- the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
- the ability to use your initiative
- legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
Depending on your specialism, your role may be:
- advising clients and explaining legal matters
- contacting professionals, like mortgage lenders, planning officers or other lawyers on behalf of clients
- researching and summarising legal information
- preparing legal documents
- writing to clients
- drawing up wills
- preparing contracts
- representing clients in court
- preparing bills for clients
You could work at a police station, in a court or in an office.
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.
You can get more details about a legal executive career from the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.
