Frequently Asked Questions
What is a legal executive?
Legal executives are not qualified as lawyers; however most hold the New Zealand Law Society Legal Executive qualification. They are skilled in one or more aspects of law and 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 and 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, although there are opportunities in government departments, local authorities and financial institutions. A career as a legal executive offers equal opportunity to men and women.
What is a Registered Legal Executive?
A Registered Legal Executive is an Affiliate, Associate or Fellow member of The New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives Inc.
Registration for our Affiliate, Associate and Fellow members was implemented several years ago, with the support of the New Zealand Law Society.
Registration differentiates qualified and experienced legal executives from non-members whose firms call their staff legal executives, but who may or may not be qualified or even doing the work of a legal executive.
Since 26 September 2008 Registered Legal Executives are, with lawyers and appointed officers of trustee corporations, the only people eligible to witness donor signatures to enduring powers of attorney under the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Amendment Act 2007.
If you have the New Zealand Law Society Legal Executive qualification and are working as a legal executive, under the supervision of a lawyer with a current practising certificate, you may apply to the NZILE National Council for Affiliate membership (link to Application Form).
If you have been working in a legal executive capacity for at least the last 12 months, you would be eligible, once membership is approved, to witness enduring powers of attorney under the PPPR Amendment Act.
Registered Legal Executives may do ‘other’ work (ie secretarial, PA, office management, trust account management) but the percentage of other work should not exceed 30% of their role. In addition, if part-time, they need to be working in a legal executive capacity for no less than 15 hours per week.
If you don’t yet meet the criteria for Affiliate membership you can apply for Support membership, however Support members are not Registered Legal Executives.
Which legal executives can take statutory declarations?
NZILE Fellows who are in the employment of a lawyer with a current practising certificate may take statutory declarations, pursuant to the Oaths and Declarations Amendment Act 2001.
Which legal executives can witness enduring powers of attorney?
Registered Legal Executives, being NZILE Fellows, Associates, and Affiliates with at least 12 months experience as legal executives may witness enduring powers of attorney, pursuant to the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Amendment Act 2007.
I work as a legal executive but don’t have the New Zealand Law Society Legal Executive qualification. What level of membership am I eligible for?
Legal executives who have not completed the NZLS Legal Executive Course are eligible for Support membership.
I have the New Zealand Law Society Legal Executive qualification but don’t work under the supervision of a lawyer. What level of membership am I eligible for?
Legal executives who do not work under the supervision of a lawyer with a current practising certificate are eligible for Support membership.
