Legal Executive

Old Nov 4th 2007, 12:38 pm
  #1  
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Default Legal Executive

Hi to you all.

I am very new member and this is my 1st post.

I must say that these forums are truly informative and very useful for almost every query you can think of. It is great that so many people post on here and share there views, experiences & offer advice.

I was wondering if anyone could assist me as my family & I are seriously thinking of moving down under, probably to Perth and have been doing quite a bit of research recently and think I could start the process of applying for a skilled visa myself, without using an agent initially?

I am qualified Legal Executive (FILEX) in the UK, specialising in finance litigation and have over 10 years of work experience, lately at a fairly senior level. My occupation is not recognised on either the SOL or MODL lists and am of the view that my occupations falls within the definition of "Legal Professional not elsewhere classified, as per the official list provided on the immi.gov.au web site.

I have the following questions/queries and would be very grateful it anyone could assist:

1. To get my skills assessed, would I have to apply to Vetassess?
2. Should I be looking for 50 point assessment (to attain FILEX status I studied at degree level in the UK)?
3. I would consider working as a paralegal to get a foot in the door, has anyone done anything similar?
4. Does anyone know what the employment market is like in Aus/Perth for a paralegal? I've glanced at agency websites which seem to indicate some demand.

If anyone has any experiences, views or suggestions they wouldn't mind sharing, these would be greatly received?

N.B. Sorry about the lengthy post!
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Old Nov 5th 2007, 1:29 am
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Default Re: Legal Executive

Hi there!
I am a Member of Legal Executives from the UK 2 1/2 years into my membership, currently working in Perth WA as a Paralegal at the moment.

I am studying towards my mutual recognition here. From my experience, Legal Executoves are not very popular in Australia, and are regarded as merely more than Paralegals! ( I know the old debate!) but the may be more popular in Sydney, as Perth is a little bit mopre behind times.
In any event, as I will be here on a more permanent basis, I decided to give in, and become a lawyer here.
In WA, they make you take more modules, and therefore is easier and quicker to get your mutual recognition done through NSW. I am now studying via the webcampus - having to take 9 modules. It would probably take me two years to complete the course.
I got my exemptions assessed by Legal professions admissions board, have aloo at www.lawlink.nsw.gov.au/lpab
Aftre doing my studies, I wil then need to complete a practical legal training course! so I have a lot of work ahead of me.

I hope this has helped a little. I was very shocked to learn that I had to take so many subjects again though, but I thought the best way around it is to study long distance and just work as a paralegal at the moment.

Let me know if you find a quicker and easier way!!

All the best

Nerys
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Old Nov 5th 2007, 1:45 am
  #3  
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Default Re: Legal Executive

Originally Posted by ash23
Hi to you all.

I am very new member and this is my 1st post.

I must say that these forums are truly informative and very useful for almost every query you can think of. It is great that so many people post on here and share there views, experiences & offer advice.

I was wondering if anyone could assist me as my family & I are seriously thinking of moving down under, probably to Perth and have been doing quite a bit of research recently and think I could start the process of applying for a skilled visa myself, without using an agent initially?

I am qualified Legal Executive (FILEX) in the UK, specialising in finance litigation and have over 10 years of work experience, lately at a fairly senior level. My occupation is not recognised on either the SOL or MODL lists and am of the view that my occupations falls within the definition of "Legal Professional not elsewhere classified, as per the official list provided on the immi.gov.au web site.

I have the following questions/queries and would be very grateful it anyone could assist:

1. To get my skills assessed, would I have to apply to Vetassess?
2. Should I be looking for 50 point assessment (to attain FILEX status I studied at degree level in the UK)?
3. I would consider working as a paralegal to get a foot in the door, has anyone done anything similar?
4. Does anyone know what the employment market is like in Aus/Perth for a paralegal? I've glanced at agency websites which seem to indicate some demand.

If anyone has any experiences, views or suggestions they wouldn't mind sharing, these would be greatly received?

N.B. Sorry about the lengthy post!
also, I just rememberd.
If you'll be trying for any paralegal positions using an agency, be aware, that they treat you as a legal secretary. I had to take countless typing tests (even though I can't type) and spelling tests!! It really was horrendous!
I found Hays Legal quite good though, I think they tried to undestand what a Legal Executive was after I shouted at them " no I'm a fee earner, not a legal secretary, not a paralegal....."!! and the lady there pointed me to the right direction - that I needed to get mutually recognised first
Hope this helps...
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Old Nov 5th 2007, 8:08 am
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Default Re: Legal Executive

Thanks for taking the time to reply Nerys.

Can I ask how you applied for your visas, what occupation & or work experience you put down on your applications? Was it fairly straightforward?

If you used an agent, can you recommend one?

Did you know that there is an Aus Ilex
(see - www.legalexecutiveswa.asn.au)?

Thanks

Ash.
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Old Nov 5th 2007, 10:48 pm
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Default Re: Legal Executive

Hi,
I have just jumped on to my partner' s Visa (457). His work sponsored him, and so I applied as his defacto.
We will be applying for permanent residency in January, as that it will then be a year since he started. I dont think that my work experience wil let me qualify via the skilled migration as when I applied for my mutual recognition, they advised me that the Department of Immigration and Citizenship advised the Legal Practice Board that "in order to qualify for skilled migration in the category of a lawyer, an applicant must actually be admitted as a lawyer" and then they recomendewd that I make my own enquiries with that department.
I dont know if that helps you at all.
As for the agent. My partner' s work paid about $2,000 to some company in Sydney to do all the work.
I have been up to the Immigration Office ( above Woolworths in town) and you just take a ticket to see someone there. They are usually quite helpful.

As for the Aus Ilex. I had a look at their website a while ago. I dont think it had been updated for several months. I also phoned them, but they weren' t much help! Let me know how you get on with them though! I might actually try them again, I was just so frustrated with all the running around to get a decent job when I first got here!

Good luck with everything!

Nerys
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Old Nov 5th 2007, 11:03 pm
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Default Re: Legal Executive

Originally Posted by nerysann
Hi,
I have just jumped on to my partner' s Visa (457). His work sponsored him, and so I applied as his defacto.
We will be applying for permanent residency in January, as that it will then be a year since he started. I dont think that my work experience wil let me qualify via the skilled migration as when I applied for my mutual recognition, they advised me that the Department of Immigration and Citizenship advised the Legal Practice Board that "in order to qualify for skilled migration in the category of a lawyer, an applicant must actually be admitted as a lawyer" and then they recomendewd that I make my own enquiries with that department.
I dont know if that helps you at all.
As for the agent. My partner' s work paid about $2,000 to some company in Sydney to do all the work.
I have been up to the Immigration Office ( above Woolworths in town) and you just take a ticket to see someone there. They are usually quite helpful.

As for the Aus Ilex. I had a look at their website a while ago. I dont think it had been updated for several months. I also phoned them, but they weren' t much help! Let me know how you get on with them though! I might actually try them again, I was just so frustrated with all the running around to get a decent job when I first got here!

Good luck with everything!

Nerys
I have sent you a copy of the email I received from Ilex January '06.
Look at Para 2 - Legal Executives cannot refer to themselves as Lawyers as in the UK! I think that' s when I made the decision to qualify as a Solicitor over here.
I looked at the ILEX website, I see that they now have a Journal, I will look at it later!
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Old Nov 6th 2007, 8:46 am
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Default Re: Legal Executive

Thanks again for your reply. Unfortunately I did not get your email, could you send it to me by private message, that is of course if you don't mind?

Much appreciated.

Ash.
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Old Nov 6th 2007, 9:14 am
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Default Re: Legal Executive

You can't send attachments when you use the email facility on here. If ash pms you his email addy you can send it via your normal email provider.
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Old Mar 13th 2008, 4:41 pm
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Default Re: Legal Executive

Originally Posted by nerysann
I have sent you a copy of the email I received from Ilex January '06.
Look at Para 2 - Legal Executives cannot refer to themselves as Lawyers as in the UK! I think that' s when I made the decision to qualify as a Solicitor over here.
I looked at the ILEX website, I see that they now have a Journal, I will look at it later!
Hi Nerys

I'm in a similar boat as ash23. I'm a member of ILEX (soon to be Fellow) and don't want to take too much of a career downturn once I get to Australia. Are there any courses I can take in the UK in preparation of a move to Oz? I'm thinking of Perth (not yet applied for visa - really need lots of info first!)

Also, if you don't mind me asking, as a legal "secretary" what are you earning?

sorry about all the questions on an old post!
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Old Mar 13th 2008, 11:09 pm
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Default Re: Legal Executive

by legal secretary I meant that the agencies treat you as a legal secretary and you really have to point it out to them that Legal Execs are fee earners.
I'm in Perth and there is not much professional work here.
I know that with the course I am taking, you have to be in the Country before you can take it, or at least have a correspondence address in Australia. You alos have to sit your exams in Australia.
Let me know how you get on!
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Old Mar 15th 2008, 8:44 am
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Default Re: Legal Executive

Originally Posted by nerysann
by legal secretary I meant that the agencies treat you as a legal secretary and you really have to point it out to them that Legal Execs are fee earners.
I'm in Perth and there is not much professional work here.
I know that with the course I am taking, you have to be in the Country before you can take it, or at least have a correspondence address in Australia. You alos have to sit your exams in Australia.
Let me know how you get on!
ok, thanks for your reply.
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Old Mar 15th 2008, 12:03 pm
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Default Re: Legal Executive

Originally Posted by milkchocolate
ok, thanks for your reply.
Can I bother you again Nerysann please?

In England I'm working as a law costs draftsman (though I have the Ilex qualifications) , but cannot seem to find any information as to whether the Australians have something similar or equivalent. Do you know how Australian lawyers recover their costs?

Your help is very much appreciated!
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