Interested in a career in law? The time to choose which path to follow is on graduation. Will you go the traditional route involving completion of the LPC course, two-year training contract and admission as a solicitor? Or will you opt for the ILEX route and become a legal executive? Legal executives are qualified, experienced lawyers with their own recognised status and role within the legal profession. Working in solicitors' offices, legal departments of private companies or local government, their day-to-day work is similar to that of solicitors, although the training and qualifications are different. Specialising in a particular area of law, legal executives could be involved with family and criminal law, civil disputes, wills and probate, company formation, conveyancing, debt recovery and other matters affecting people in their domestic and business affairs. They are very often the main point of contact for clients concerning their legal affairs. The advantage of choosing the ILEX route is that students 'earn and learn', working full time and studying part time, combining academic achievement with practical experience in the work place. Studying for the Part I and Part II Membership exams can be either at a local college or by distance learning through ILEX Tutorial College. The qualifications are recognised throughout the legal profession in England and Wales and in overseas jurisdictions. A particular benefit for law graduates is that they are exempt from the academic part of the ILEX qualification. A trainee needs to complete qualifying employment, ie reporting to a solicitor, for at least five years, although during this time they will be studying and actually doing the job, building up their client base and becoming a valued fee-earner to the legal practice. Fellows of ILEX are commissioners for oaths and can administer oaths, declarations and affidavits. They also have some rights of audience in the County Court and Magistrates' Court. With additional training, legal executive advocates have extended rights of audience in civil and matrimonial proceedings, enabling them to manage a client's interests from start to finish. Legal executives enjoy a responsible and rewarding career, and there is no ceiling to their earning capacity. They are highly valued lawyers and their salaries reflect this. A further benefit of the ILEX route is that Fellows can continue with their training to become solicitors and may be exempted from the two-year training contract. ILEX provides an alternative to the traditional Law Society route, which can be an expensive option. Lisa Avis: Public Relations Officer, Institute of Legal Executives If you would like more information on joining the other 22,000 members of the Institute of Legal Executives, please ring 01234 841000 or visit www.ilex.org.uk | 
