The Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX) is the professional body which represents Legal Executives and trainee Legal Executives and enhances their role and standing in the legal profession. ILEX is a leading provider of comprehensive legal education and influences law reform.

What is the Institute of Legal Executives?

The Institute of Legal Executives was established in 1963 with the support of the Law Society.

The Managing Clerks' Association, from which ILEX developed, recognised that many non solicitor staff employed in fee earning work, and in the management of firms, needed and wanted a training route which would improve standards and award recognition for knowledge and skills.

The education and training facilities ILEX offers have developed in number and diversity so that ILEX is able to provide a route to a career in law which is open to all.

What is a Legal Executive?

Legal Executives are qualified lawyers specialising in a particular area of law. They will have passed the ILEX Professional Qualification in Law in an area of legal practice to the same level as that required of solicitors. They will have at least five years experience of working under the supervision of a solicitor in legal practice or the legal department of a private company or local/national government.

Fellows are issued with an annual practising certificate, and only Fellows of ILEX may describe themselves as 'Legal Executives'.