Entry requirements
Under the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 (as amended) the Law Society (now Solicitors’ Regulation Authority) and Bar Council are responsible for laying down the qualification regulations in respect of those seeking to qualify as solicitors and barristers.
The Solicitors’ Regulation Authority and Bar Council have agreed to act jointly in respect of the first or academic stage of training where that stage is satisfied by the completion of a qualifying law degree or approved Common Professional Examination course. The conditions are set out within the amended 1995 Joint Announcement issued by the Law Society and the Council of Legal Education relating to Qualifying Law Degree and Common Professional Examinations and require requisite understanding of the Foundations of Legal Knowledge.
No student will be admitted to the Legal Practice Course unless the University is satisfied that he or she has satisfied the academic stage of training.
Whilst the SRA no longer requires students to register as Student Members of the SRA prior to commencement of the Legal Practice Course, students are advised that the SRA will assess the character and suitability of all individuals before they start a period of recognised training. The details of this Suitability Test are available on the SRA website. Students may wish to have an early assessment if there is a risk that they may not later qualify for admission on the grounds of an issue of character and suitability. This must be sought at least six months before a period of recognised training commences and there is a fee (£100 in March 2015) for doing so.
Months of entry
September
Course content
The LLM Legal Practice Course (LLM LPC) aims to prepare you for practice as a trainee solicitor and to provide you with a solid foundation for subsequent practice as a solicitor.
This course is a key part of the vocational stage of training to become a solicitor for graduates or members or Fellows of the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives who have completed the academic stage of legal training. Students will receive a Postgraduate Certificate in Legal Practice upon successful completion of Stage One only. Students that complete both Stage One and Stage Two will be completed with the full award of Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice.
The course emphasises and develops the skills which are required for a successful career in practice, and it must be successfully completed prior to the commencement of a training contract.
