Article of faith

I was saddened to read the somewhat blinkered views contained in the letter of Corrine Dias (see [2002] Gazette, 5 April, 16) and her attitude towards her colleagues in the ILEX branch of the profession. Simply because legal executives do not study for a law degree to qualify in our profession does not make us less well-rounded and educated legal professionals.

Perhaps Ms Dias is unaware of the fact that legal executives study intensively while perfecting their practical knowledge of the law in full-time employment to qualify as a fellow of the institute. It may also be of interest to Ms Dias that up until the 1970s, solicitors could qualify without a law degree or equivalent but by completing a five-year period of articles, a route taken by many senior partners.Shelley Harvey, Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives, Turners Solicitors, Preston