Legal Executive Āpiha Mahi Ture

Legal executives help lawyers prepare and file legal documents, research and prepare cases, give legal advice and help with house sales.

Most legal executives register with the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives.

Legal executives may do some or all of the following:

  • help lawyers with research and legal documents
  • act for clients buying, selling and developing property
  • administer estates and trusts and prepare wills
  • help with the legal aspects of running a business
  • help clients with debt collection
  • prepare, analyse and interpret legal documents
  • prepare and file court documents
  • help prepare court cases.

Conveyancer

To become a conveyancer you must complete the Diploma in Conveyancing (Level 6) online from Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology.

Useful Experience

Useful experience for legal executives includes:

  • work as a legal secretary, law clerk or other work in a law office
  • working for the courts
  • customer service experience
  • research work.

Personal Qualities

Legal executives need to be:

  • accurate
  • reliable and able to keep information confidential
  • well organised
  • able to work well under pressure
  • friendly, patient and helpful.

Skills

Legal executives need to have:

  • knowledge of legislation and regulations
  • understanding of legal terms and methods
  • knowledge of how to prepare legal documents
  • legal research skills.

Conditions

Legal executives:

  • usually work regular business hours
  • work in offices
  • may travel to visit clients or companies and also to attend conferences and law seminars.

Subject Recommendations

NCEA Level 3 is required to enter tertiary training. Useful subjects include history and classical studies, information management and te reo Māori.

Legal Executives can earn around $44K-$68K per year.

Pay for legal executives varies depending on experience and location.

  • Legal executives usually earn between $44,000 and $68,000 a year.
  • Legal executives with specialised skills may earn more than this.

Source: Hays, 'Hays Salary Guide FY21-22', 2022; and careers.govt.nz research, 2022.

Legal executives may specialise in conveyancer roles.
Conveyancer
Conveyancers specialise in property transactions and settlements.

Years Of Training

2 years of training usually required.

To become a legal executive you need a New Zealand Diploma in Legal Executive Studies (Level 6).

It is recommended that you work in a law firm while you are studying for the diploma.

Most legal executives register with the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives.

Legal Executive