Salaries
Salaries will vary according to location and area of law.
Starting salaries are usually £15,000 -£28,000 per year whilst
qualifying. Many report that they are on higher salaries than the
trainee solicitors they are working alongside, even though they
themselves are not yet fully qualified either.
After completion of the CILEx qualifications
they can expect to earn up to £38,000. They then need three
years relevant work experience to be a fully qualified Legal
Executive lawyer. They can then expect to earn £35,000 - £55,000,
and can earn much higher, particularly if they work in a big city
or become a partner in a firm.
If you already hold the relevant post-graduate
legal qualifications you do not have to take the CILEx
qualifications, and can immediately apply to become a Graduate
Member of CILEx and use the designatory letters “GCILEx”.
CILEx qualifications are highly valued by employers, as trainee
legal executives can be valuable fee earners for their firms once
they have gained their level 3 qualification. As such, an October
2010 survey found that over 77% of CILEx students have their
membership fees paid by their employers, and 60% of CILEx students
have all their course and exam fees paid for by their
employers.
To find a role as a Chartered Legal Executive in a firm, we
recommend that you contact local solicitors' offices; local courts;
The Crown Prosecution Service and legal departments of local
authorities, industrial and commercial companies. Names and
addresses are listed in telephone or legal directories (public
libraries have copies).
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) also holds lists
accessible from the internet.
Students may also wish to apply for holiday work to gain
contacts and experience of working within a legal environment.
You should also read the situations vacant adverts in your local
and national newspapers and contact your nearest Job Centre and the
local recruitment agencies. There are many recruitment agencies
that have specialist sections dealing with Chartered Legal
Executive appointments. To help you start your career, CILEx also
provides a dedicated job website.