International Enquiries
Unfortunately for qualified and experienced legal executives in New Zealand, there is not yet any statutory protection of the term 'legal executive' so anyone may call themselves a legal executive, whether or not they are qualified and doing the work of a legal executive.
For legal executives from the United Kingdom:
Your ILEX qualification
The system in New Zealand differs from that in the UK as legal executive qualifications are not mandatory in order to work as a legal executive in New Zealand, although the majority of legal executives have completed the New Zealand Law Society Legal Executive Diploma.
Employers are often interested in experience as much as qualifications.
While the ILEX qualification can eventually lead to being recognised as a solicitor in the UK, that recognition does not extend to NZ. To be admitted as a barrister and solicitor in NZ you must meet specific criteria. You can get more information about this from the New Zealand Council of Legal Education or the New Zealand Law Society
If you have not completed the ILEX qualification and are looking to continue your ILEX studies in New Zealand it would need to be by distance learning as the ILEX courses are not offered here. You would need to speak to someone at ILEX about the feasibility of doing this. It would be useful to complete as much of the ILEX qualification as you can before you come to NZ in case you wish to return to the UK in the future.
Immigration requirements
ILEX qualifications are recognised by the legal profession in New Zealand but the New Zealand Qualifications Authority does not have a predetermined point allocation for legal executive qualifications.
If you are relying on your qualification for immigration points you will need to have your qualifications assessed by the NZQA.
Once you have had your qualification assessed, the Immigration Service can allocate points. A fee will be payable.
The Working In New Zealand website may be useful.
Will you find work?
The population of New Zealand is just over four million people and Auckland, our largest city, has approximately one million residents. Therefore the number of opportunities will no doubt be smaller than you are used to.
The majority of legal executives in NZ work in residential and/or commercial conveyancing, estates and trusts, with a small number working in other areas of family law and some aspects of litigation. Although the UK and NZ legal systems and legislation do differ a little, you would probably find it beneficial to have experience in conveyancing, estates etc before you come, if possible.
A number of UK Legal Executives specialise in PI work, however our accident compensation scheme (ACC) means that in New Zealand this type of work is very limited.
There are a number of UK qualified legal executives working in NZ, some of whom are willing to share their experiences with genuine enquirers. Contact us for further information. Apart from advice and support we are not able to offer any specific assistance with finding jobs, however you will see that we have links to employment agencies.
You should be prepared to accept a lesser role initially while you come to terms with the New Zealand legal system and our practices and procedures.
What about The New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives Inc?
NZILE membership is not mandatory in order to work as a legal executive in New Zealand. However you can join NZILE as a Support member at any time and then, once you have been in qualifying employment in NZ for 12 consecutive months, you can apply to upgrade to the equivalent of your ILEX membership status. The advantages of membership include belonging to the professional organisation for legal executives, with access to seminars, networking opportunities, newsletters, JobLink etc and (once you’ve upgraded to the equivalent of your UK membership) being a ‘Registered Legal Executive’.
Registered Legal Executives are qualified and experienced NZILE members in qualifying employment who have statutory rights that Support members and non-members do not have.
Rule 8.5 of the Institute’s rules, relating to membership for legal executives from overseas, is here.
If you have additional queries please do not hesitate to contact us. In addition, should you make the move to NZ, please contact us to discuss how NZILE membership can benefit you.
Best wishes with your decision making.
For Legal Executives from countries other than the United Kingdom:
If you are a legal executive from a country other than the United Kingdom please see Rule 8.5.2 of the Institute’s rules and contact us for more assistance.
