"I am a mid-life career changer contemplating a switch to law after a career as a copywriter in marketing and advertising, but I have reservations about going down the GDL/LPC route for a number of reasons.

"The first is cost and the second is time, which, at my stage in life, I don't have. The third is the fierce competition – I am concerned that getting a TC will be unlikely, especially in the current climate.

"I therefore think my best route would be to train as a legal executive with the ILEX Level and Level 6 diplomas. It's cheaper and quicker. In theory, I would be able to work as a Level D fee earner once I have the Level 3 diploma (which I can get in a year), and can then continue to work while I study for the Level 6.

"My academics are OK (2.1 non-law degree with distinction) and, at my stage in life, I have plenty of extra-curricular experience and transferable business skills. However, I am concerned that, as a legal executive rather than a qualified solicitor, the work I end up doing will be far nearer the boring/tedious/repetitive end of the scale than the interesting/exciting/cutting edge end.

"Does anyone know how seriously the ILEX diplomas are taken as a qualification? How likely are they to result in a worthwhile career? Can one find career satisfaction as a legal exec as opposed to a qualified solicitor? If you think I'm making a big mistake, and should look for another career entirely, please don't hesitate to tell me…"