Welcome to the Paralegal Practice and Management Course.
The Paralegal Practice and Management Course provides a fantastic insight into the role of a legal professional and will equip you with the necessary skills to become a top-notch Paralegal.
The course will explore various skills and procedures required to undertake everyday life as a legal professional.
Key information to consider:
- Study time – 34 Hours (each module is estimated to take 2 hours of study)
- Exam pass mark – 80%
In order to complete the course and receive your certificate, candidates must do the following:
- Read the course modules
- Complete the final exam
Your learning objectives is to show an understanding of the following;
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The overall goal of this course is for each student to become self-sufficient in all of the areas covered. To be able to understand and be capable of practical input, in a paralegal working environment, to assist the law firm and in particular the fee earner in their work.
The legal system in England is both historical and very complex, understanding the vertical hierarchy of the court system and the relationship between the courts is a very important aspect within this course and will aid a new paralegal in their work as understanding the difference between binding and persuasive authority and common law and statutory law is one of the first principles to grasp. In later modules the explanation and practical guidance on the working of the courts will positively assist you when you begin your career, showing an understanding of the workings of the courts will be of great benefit to your new firm. Likewise, understanding aspects of appeals and judicial reviews continue on in the course offering the full picture of the English Legal system, gaining an overall understanding from the top to bottom.
Learning to both write and proofread legal documents will bring confidence to your work at any law firm, the course aims to provide these skills which will be transferred to your job as a paralegal and make the transition easier as immediately you will have a useful skill to offer.
Joining a firm that provides work through the legal aid system, having a working knowledge of the documents and information needed is provided through the course and will give you an extra skill to offer and may make the difference between you and the next candidate for a job.
Likewise, this course provides an in-depth insight into property and conveyancing, this is a much sought-after skill, having an overview knowledge of registered and unregistered property alongside a practical and legal understanding of the procedures of Conveyancing. These skills, which coexist alongside the understanding of Wills and probate, make very valuable assets to place in your CV. Understanding Wills, probate, personal representatives, and administrators through the course will allow the critical thinking needed by a paralegal to add to their ethical understanding of client privacy, confidentiality, and client privilege.
What the course also hopes to achieve is the understanding of the more contentious areas of the law, such as civil litigation, criminal law, and family law. You may decide that this is not the area you want to pursue. Maybe this type of law lights you up and makes you feel that the paralegal position will be exactly what you are looking for in a career.
At the end of the course, you should have achieved an in-depth understanding of all of the areas of legal work that a modern-day paralegal will need to understand and be able to put that understating to practical use from day one
This will be assessed by way of an MCQ exam.
As part of the course it is essential for you to read the course information, please use the button below to access the course instructions prior to starting the course.
We hope you enjoy the course and good luck!
Module 1
General Duties and Day-to-Day Operations of a Legal Professional
This module covers the following units:
- Introduction
- The role of the paralegal
- How to become a paralegal
- Educational requirements
- Other requirements
- Working hours
- Role and duties
- Skills needed to become a paralegal
- Summary so far
- How a legal office works
- Managing and using communications through the office postal and courier service
- The Document Exchange (DX) system
- Message taking and attendance notes
- Forms and documents
- Layout
- How to set out a brief and a briefing paper
- Attaching the brief to counsel and the back sheet
- Finances and fees
- Accounts, fees and VAT
- Conditional Fees
- How to file law documents
- Court appearance
- Client care
- Keep the dates
- How to keep your firms law library
Unit 1
Introduction
Unit 2
What is the Role of a Paralegal in a Solicitors Practice?
Unit 3
How do I become a Paralegal?
Unit 4
Paralegals Educational Requirements
Unit 5
What else do you need to know about being a Paralegal?
Unit 6
Working Hours
Unit 7
The Role of a Paralegal and the duties a Paralegal will take on.
Unit 8
What Responsibilities will a Paralegal taken on?
Unit 9
What Skills are needed to be a Paralegal
Unit 10
In Summary
Unit 11
The Law Office
Unit 12
Managing the post, incoming and out outgoing and the Courier Service
Unit 13
The Document Exchange System
Unit 14
How to use the DX system
Unit 15
Simple Note Taking
Unit 16
Forms and Documents
Unit 17
How to set out a Legal Brief and Briefings Paper
Unit 18
The Backsheet
Unit 19
Accounts, Fees and VAT
Unit 20
Law Firms:- Finances and Fees
Unit 21
Conditional Fees
Unit 22
How to File Law Documents
Unit 23
Court Appearance
Unit 24
Keep the Dates
Unit 25
Client Care
Unit 26
The Law Library
Unit 27
Summary of Module One
Module 2
The Legal System of England and Wales
This module covers the following areas;
- The English Legal System
- The Different Sources of English Law
- The Rule of Law
- Legal Work which is Non-Contentious
- Contentious Legal Work - Debt Recovery and the Law
- Summary for Module Two
Unit 1
The English Legal System
Unit 2
The Different Sources of English Law
Unit 3
The Rule of Law
Unit 4
Legal Work which is Non-Contentious
Unit 5
Contentious Legal Work - Debt Recovery and the Law
Unit 6
Summary for Module Two
Module 3
Writing and proofreading skills for Paralegals
This module covers the following;
- Legal writing mistakes and how to avoid them;
- Tips and insights on correct legal writing;
- Punctuation, capitalisation, italics, numerals for proper document writing;
- Form paragraphs and form files;
- Effective proofreading legal documents
Unit 1
Introduction
Unit 2
Punctuation
Unit 3
Abbreviations
Unit 4
Drafting a Legal Document
Unit 5
The difficulties you may Encounter Writing Legal documents
Unit 6
Proof Reading - Tips and Tricks
Unit 7
Summary of Module Three
Module 4
Client confidentiality and legal privilege
This module covers the following;
Looking after Client Confidentiality
How can you ensure Confidentiality in the Office?
All Mobile Devices, including Smart Phone and Tablets
Further confidentiality advice when working in a Law Firm
Summary of Module Four
Unit 1
Looking after Client Confidentiality
Unit 2
How can you ensure Confidentiality in the Office?
Unit 3
All Mobile Devices, including Smart Phone and Tablets
Unit 4
Further confidentiality advise when working in a Law Firm
Unit 5
Summary of Module Four
Module 5
How the Courts work
This module covers the following;
The Supreme Court
The High Court
The Crown Court
The Magistrates Court
Summary for Module Five
Unit 1
The Supreme Court
Unit 2
The High Court
Unit 3
The Crown Court
Unit 4
The Magistrates Court
Unit 5
Queen’s Bench Division Judicial Review
Unit 6
Summary for Module Five
Module 6
The UK Legal Aid System
This module covers the following;
Legal aid can help meet the costs of legal advice, family mediation and representation in a court or tribunal.
Legal Aid for Family Matters
Legal Aid for those on benefits
Legal Aid in Criminal Matters
Summary of Module Six
Unit 1
Introduction
Unit 2
Legal Aid for Family Matters
Unit 3
Legal Aid in Criminal Matters
Unit 4
Summary of Module Six
Module 7
Trusts, Wills and Probate
The module covers the following;
Trust and Probate Department ( Private Client Department )
What is a Will?
Grant of the letters of Administration
Claim forms and Particulars of Claim
Death Certificate
Inheritance Tax Payments
Other Inheritance Tax Forms
After the Grant has been received
Summary of the Module Seven
Unit 1
Trust and Probate Department (Private Client Department)
Unit 2
What is a Will
Unit 3
Gifts and Legacies
Unit 4
Probate
Unit 5
Grant of the letters of Administration
Unit 6
Death Certificate
Unit 7
Inheritance Tax Payments
Unit 8
After the Grant has been received
Unit 9
Caveat Request
Unit 10
Summary of the Module Seven
Module 8
Property
This module covers the following;
Conveyancing
Registered and Unregistered Land
Registering Land
Deeds
Epitome of Title
The National Conveyancing Protocols
New Style Conveyancing
Selling and Buying Land which has a Registered Freehold Title
Understanding ‘Subject to Contract’
Local Authority Enquiries
What is a UPRN?
Official Office Copies
Summary of the Module
Unit 1
Conveyancing
Unit 2
Registered and Unregistered Land
Unit 3
Deeds
Unit 4
Epitome of Title
Unit 5
The National Conveyancing Protocols
Unit 6
New Style Conveyancing
Unit 7
Selling and Buying Land which has a Registered Freehold Title
Unit 8
Understanding ‘Subject to Contract’
Unit 9
Local Authority Enquiries
Unit 10
What is a UPRN?
Unit 11
Official Office Copies
Unit 12
Summary of the Module
Module 9
Civil Litigation
This module covers the following;
What is Civil Litigation?
The First stage - Pre-Action Stage
Can a settlement be negotiated before the matter proceeds further?
Filling in a Claim Form - The N1
Bulk Claims
Money Claim Online Service
Serving the Defendant with the issued Court Documents
Organising Personal Service
If a Defence is Entered
Making Additional claims
Response and N150 - Allocation Questionnaire
Where the Trial is Held
Case Management
Different tracks
Amending Statements of Case
Summary of the Module Nine
Unit 1
What is Civil Litigation?
Unit 2
The First stage - Pre-Action Stage
Unit 3
Can a settlement be negotiated before the matter proceeds further?
Unit 4
Filling in a Claim Form - The N1
Unit 5
Other claims
Unit 6
Serving the Defendant with the issued Court Documents
Unit 7
Statements made in the Case
Unit 8
Response and N150 - Allocation Questionnaire
Unit 9
Where the Trial is Held
Unit 10
Case Management
Unit 11
Amending Statements of Case
Unit 12
Summary of the Module Nine
Module 10
The Complexities of criminal Law
This module covers the following;
Types of Crimes
The Magistrates’ Court
The Crown Court
The Youth Court
The Magistrates Courts Procedures with Offenders
Indictment - what is it and how does it happen
Unit 1
Introduction
Unit 2
Other Types of Crimes
Unit 3
The Magistrates’ Court
Unit 4
The Crown Court
Unit 5
What Role can a Paralegal Undertake in Criminal Law Work?
Unit 6
Summons to Court
Unit 7
When the Defence provides Mitigation to an Criminal Act
Unit 8
The Youth Court
Unit 9
Committing a Driving Offence
Unit 10
The Magistrates Courts Procedures with Offenders
Unit 11
Indictment - what is it and how does it happen
Unit 12
Paralegal work in a Criminal Practice
Unit 13
Summary of the Module
Module 11
Family law and the Family Courts
This module covers the following;
Family Law Protocol
How to being in Divorce Proceedings
The Format of a Divorce Petition
What is Ancillary Relief
Pre-Action Protocol
Statement of Arrangement
An Affidavit in support of the Petition
Completion of the Divorce Proceedings - ‘Decree Absolute.’
Unit 1
Introduction to Family Law
Unit 2
Family Law Protocol
Unit 3
How to being in Divorce Proceedings
Unit 4
What is Ancillary Relief
Unit 5
Pre-Action Protocol
Unit 6
Statement of Arrangement
Unit 7
An Affidavit in support of the Petition
Unit 8
Completion of the Divorce Proceedings - ‘Decree Absolute.’
Unit 9
Summary of the Module
Module 12
Corporate and Commercial Law
This module covers the following;
Corporate and Commercial Law
Company Formation
Different Business Types
Partnership
Limited Liability Partnership
Forming a Limited Company
Articles of Association
Company Records
Company Shares and Company Capital
Unit 1
Corporate and Commercial Law
Unit 2
Company Formation
Unit 3
Different Business Types
Unit 4
Partnership
Unit 5
Forming a Limited Company
Unit 6
Company Records
Unit 7
Summary of the Module
Module 13
Licensing Law
This module covers the following;
Licensing and the Licensing Act 2003
The Premises License
Applying for a Person License
Summary of the Module
Unit 1
Licensing and the Licensing Act 2003
Unit 2
Why do we need Licensing?
Unit 3
The Premises License
Unit 4
Applying for a Person License
Unit 5
The Gambling Commission and Gambling Licenses
Unit 6
Summary of the Module
Module 14
Making and Appeal and Judicial Reviews
This module covers the following;
An Appeal
Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC)
What is a Skelton Argument?
Appeals in respect of Civil Matters
What is a Skelton Argument?
Supreme Court Appeals
Tribunal and Arbitration Appeals
Unit 1
An Appeal
Unit 2
Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC)
Unit 3
Appeals in respect of Civil Matters
Unit 4
What is a Skelton Argument?
Unit 5
Supreme Court Appeals
Unit 6
A Judicial Review
Unit 7
Summary of Module Fourteen
Module 15
The Importance of a Paralegal in Practice - How to Obtain a Paralegal Position
This module covers the following;
Introduction
How Important are Paralegals to the Legal Sector?
Why are Paralegals so sort after in the Legal Sector
What is the Job Market Like for Paralegal Work?
Training and Experience
Applying for a Job as a Paralegal
How to Write a CV
What are the Prospects of obtaining a position as a Paralegal?
Unit 1
Introduction
Unit 2
How Important are Paralegals to the Legal Sector?
Unit 3
Training and Experience
Unit 4
Interviews
Unit 5
How to Write a CV
Unit 6
Preparation for Interview Questions for a Paralegal Position
Unit 7
What are the Prospects of of obtaining a position as a Paralegal?
Unit 8
Summary of Module Fifteen
Module 16
What to Expect when you become a Paralegal
This module includes the following;
When you land that all-important Paralegal Job, what can you expect?
Law Firms Past and Present
From day one in your new job, what can you expect?
Essential Skills for a Modern-Day Paralegal
Proof Reading
Ethics as a Paralegal
The Management of Records
Filing Court Documents
Unit 1
When you land that all important Paralegal Job, what can you expect?
Unit 2
Law Firms Past and Present
Unit 3
Essential Skills for a Modern Day Paralegal
Unit 4
Proof Reading
Unit 5
Working with Fee Earners
Unit 6
Ethics as a Paralegal
Unit 7
The Management of Records
Unit 8
Filing Court Documents
Unit 9
Summary of Module Sixteen
Module 17
Understanding Legal Terms
This module covers the key Legal Terms.
Unit 1
Understanding Legal Terms