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University of Glasgow: Diploma in Professional Legal Practice

Institution University of Glasgow View institution profile
Department School of Law View department profile
Web glasgow.ac.uk/law
Study type Taught

Summary

The Diploma provides you with the necessary qualification to pursue a legal traineeship. Undertaken after obtaining your LLB, it is the next step towards a career as a solicitor or advocate in Scotland. Our aim is that the Glasgow Diploma comes to be regarded as the trademark of excellence, ensuring that you are not just employable but actively sought after by employers. It will equip you with the hands-on skills necessary to practise law as a “day one ready trainee”, as well as excellent opportunities to develop your own professional network to support you throughout your career.

Our programme aims to bridge the gap between academia and professional legal practice. Designed and taught by practising lawyers, it replicates the work you will do as a trainee.

Our extensive network of highly experienced professionals, drawn from all sectors of the legal industry, support you through mentorship, as well as attendance at our networking events.

Our programme aims to bridge the gap between academia and professional legal practice. Designed and taught by practising lawyers, it replicates the work you will do as a trainee. Our extensive network of highly experienced professionals, drawn from all sectors of the legal industry, support you through mentorship, as well as attendance at our networking events. * We work with employers to ensure that our programme meets their requirements, enabling you to commence your traineeship with the skills and knowledge these employers' value. * Tutorial groups are small (12 students maximum), enabling you to become assured and confident in communicating, orally and in writing, to a variety of audiences. You will receive one-to-one, in-person feedback from tutors on every course. * We employ around 150 tutors, all of whom are highly experienced legal practitioners. They are dedicated, enthusiastic and keen to share their knowledge with you, the next generation of lawyers. * You will benefit from our library of filmed resources, developed in collaboration with the judiciary and our tutors. Filmed scenarios include numerous civil and criminal court hearings, judicial review, mediation, negotiation and collaboration. * You will attend Glasgow Sheriff Court and appear before a sheriff to deliver a plea in mitigation. * We run internal heats and deliver training for students to participate in various national and international competitions throughout the year. These range from client interviewing to negotiation and mediation, to help you enhance these skills as well as your CV.

You will take five core and three optional courses.

The core courses are required by the Law Society of Scotland, which regulates Scotland’s legal profession. Optional courses allow you to select additional subjects of study that suit your areas of interest or meet the requirements of your future employers in the legal profession.

Courses are delivered through a combination of online resources, e-modules, lectures and small group tutorials. As our programme aims to equip you with the abilities and attributes of a “day one ready trainee”, each course will enable you to develop not only your written communication skills, but your verbal communication skills. Tutors will expect you to come to each class prepared to contribute.

Core courses

  • CIVIL LITIGATION (DPLP)
  • COMMERCIAL AWARENESS (DPLP)
  • CONVEYANCING (DPLP)
  • CRIMINAL LITIGATION (DPLP)
  • PRIVATE CLIENT (DPLP)

Optional courses

  • ADVANCED CIVIL LITIGATION (DPLP)
  • ADVANCED CRIMINAL LITIGATION (DPLP)
  • COMMERCIAL CONTRACTS
  • COMMERCIAL CONVEYANCING
  • PUBLIC LAW (DPLP)
  • CORPORATE(DPLP)
  • EMPLOYMENT LAW (DPLP)
  • FAMILY LAW (DPLP)
  • HUMAN RIGHTS LAW (DPLP)
  • INTRODUCTION TO LEGAL INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY (DPLP)

Students contemplating a career as an advocate in Scotland are required by the Faculty of Advocates to take courses in International Private Law and Roman Law. These can be studied at the University of Glasgow at the same time as undertaking the Diploma and at no additional cost.

Part-time Programme Structure

Part-time students undertake Commercial Awareness, Criminal Litigation, Private Client and one optional course in year one. Civil Litigation, Conveyancing and two optional courses are undertaken in year two. Part-time students may select any optional course in year one or two. However, the following courses are more suitable for year two (on the basis Civil Litigation and Conveyancing are taught in that year):

  • ADVANCED CIVIL LITIGATION (DPLP)
  • COMMERCIAL CONVEYANCING
  • FAMILY LAW (DPLP)
  • HUMAN RIGHTS LAW (DPLP)

Further information

  • Diploma full time timetable
  • Diploma part time year one timetable
  • Diploma part time year two timetable

Upon successful completion of the Diploma, you will be eligible to progress through your traineeship to work as a solicitor or advocate in Scotland.

The Diploma is not only a requirement for entry into these roles in the legal profession, but it also provides employment opportunities in related legal disciplines. As well as working with colleagues in the School of Law and the University’s Career Service, we strive to increase your employability through our strong links across the legal profession by liaising with human resources and training partners in our tutors’ organisations and beyond. In addition, we run a series of networking events where you can meet lawyers from all areas of the industry and at all levels, from trainee to partner.

Our goal is not only to prepare you for life as a trainee and to help you be as attractive to employers as possible, but to support and guide you to make the right career choices.

PgDip

The University of Glasgow’s School of Law  equips you with the knowledge and skills you need in an increasingly competitive legal market. Our graduates have gone on to work in international courts, the European Commission, banking and finance, international law firms, governments, and academic institutions around the world.

Founded in 1451, the University of Glasgow is the fourth oldest university in the English-speaking world. The University has a history of changing the world and the School of Law is committed to nurturing the people who make it happen.

School of Law rankings and accolades

  • 3rd in UK Times & Sunday …
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