The Law Society's legal executive course

THE COURSE

The New Zealand Law Society developed the legal executive programme to provide a formal qualification for people working or intending to work in law offices.

Students study the programme's six courses in their own time by open learning, generally over three years.

Two courses provide introductions to the other subjects. One looks at the legal system and covers the constitution, courts, reading legislation and case reports, the function of the law, the law of property, contract and tort. The other focuses on law office practice such as trust accounting, records searching, registration and office procedures.

Four specialist courses address property law, business law, estates law and litigation.

Students need to devote between 180 and 200 hours of study to each course, or about five hours a week over a year. Most students take two courses each year.

A lecturer gives progress reviews throughout each course and students must pass a Law Society examination in October. The exams are held around the country.

Admission to the programme is open and there is no limit on places. Students under 20 years should have sixth-form certificate with their best four subjects totalling 20 or less.

People studying the specialised courses are advised to work in a law office, but other students can seek help through the Institute of Legal Executives "buddy" scheme.

Legal executives can also find work in banks, accounting and property firms, insurance companies, sharebrokers and government departments.

Graduates can go on to diplomas and degrees in business, a degree in law or the legal executive diploma offered by Waikato University.


Enrolments for this year close on February 28. Each course costs $320, plus an annual administration fee of $35, a Law Society registration fee of $30 and examination fees of $72 each.


WHAT PAST STUDENTS THINK

Lesley Nielsen, 31

Legal executive

Lewis'

Cambridge

Graduated 2003

"As a legal secretary, there are so many things that you have to do in a certain way, but you never knew why. The course explained why.

"It has given me a greater understanding of the way the law works and the way it affects legal practice.

"I can also see a way to progress in my career that certainly wasn't there before.

"Everything you learn in the Introduction to Law Office Practice paper you would use most days. Things like reporting to clients, searching and statements, the general day-to-day law practice.

"I rarely use what I learned on the litigation paper as that is not the nature of my work, but the information I learned in the property, business and estate papers I use every day.

"It is possible to work in a law practice as a secretary and all you do is what you are told. This is the next step up.

"How it has changed my job is that I no longer sit with the dictaphone plugged in my ears all day.

"I can be given a file and I will know what the next thing is that needs to be done instead of having to be told.

"In a practical sense it has meant our practice can grow."

WHAT EMPLOYERS THINK


Matt Hanna

Partner

Lewis'

Cambridge

"The qualification has given professional confidence to both Lesley and our clients, confidence in the level of her skills and the services we provide.

"We encourage and pay for all of our employees to undertake additional training. Almost all people who start as secretaries have become legal executives.

"We are in a knowledge business, and the more knowledge we have and the more skills we have the better it is.

"I think people have the general knowledge of the law working in a law office, but they get the specific technical knowledge out of the course.

"They are then able to analyse situations and provide proactive advice without always having to defer back to partners.

"It is very useful for our practice as we provide a wide range of legal services to clients." Janine Ogier


THE LAW SOCIETY'S LEGAL EXECUTIVE COURSE

The Open Polytechnic

Phone: 0508 650 200 ext 5528

Website: Open Polytechnic

Email: cedric.hunt@openpolytechnic.ac.nz