MEMBERSHIP
What is a legal executive?
A legal executive is skilled in one or more aspects of law. Whilst they are not qualified as lawyers, the majority of legal executives hold the New Zealand Law Society legal executive qualification. They attend to a wide range of legal work, generally specialising in one or more of the following: residential and/or commercial conveyancing, estate administration, trust formation and administration, estate planning, family law and aspects of litigation.
Experienced legal executives can achieve a high degree of autonomy and independence. Their work is people-oriented and requires them to have the same high ethical standards as lawyers. They are told many things in confidence and have to apply tact, sympathy, patience and understanding to resolving clients’ problems and giving them appropriate advice.
Where do you find legal executives?
Most legal executives work in law firms, though there are opportunities in government departments, local authorities and financial institutions. A career as a Legal Executive offers equal opportunity to men and women.
Membership
The categories of membership in ascending order are: Honorary Life, Support (for those studying the New Zealand Law Society Legal Executive Diploma, or not employed as a legal executive), Affiliate, Associate and Fellow. New members cannot be admitted as Associates or Fellows.
Since January 2001 the New Zealand Law Society legal executive qualification has been a pre-requisite for Affiliate, Associate and Fellow membership.
Membership is by application to the National Council.
Registration
Fellows, Associates and Affiliates receive an annual registration certificate upon payment of their yearly subscription and are entitled and encouraged to use the term ‘Registered Legal Executive’ on their correspondence and business cards. This lets clients and legal colleagues know they are dealing with a legal executive who is a member of NZILE and has the New Zealand Law Society legal executive qualification.
Support members and Honorary Life members are NOT Registered Legal Executives.
Membership Subscriptions
Our membership year has recently changed to tie in with the membership year of the New Zealand Law Society. Our 2011 year started on 1 July 2010 and will finish on 30 June 2011.
Subscription invoices are sent to all members in May each year, together with qualifying employment certificates for completion by the lawyers supervising Fellows, Associates and Affiliates.
Registration certificates are issued annually to Fellows, Associates and Affiliates once their subscriptions have been paid and completed qualifying employment certificates returned.
Membership application fees (incl. GST)
| Applying for: | NZ$ |
| Fellow/Associate/Affiliate | 57.50 |
| Support | 34.50 |
Annual Subscriptions (incl. GST and Branch levy)
| NZ$ | |
| Fellow | 391.00 |
| Associate | 327.75 |
| Affiliate | 264.50 |
| Support | 115.00 |
Subscriptions are reduced on a pro rata basis for new memberships approved during the year.
