C11128v3 Graduate Certificate in Legal Practice

Note(s)

This course is only available to students who are currently enrolled in the UTS Bachelor of Laws (or combined) degree. Other applicants should see the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. Australian citizens are eligible to access a Commonwealth supported place.

Overview

The Graduate Certificate allows students concurrently enrolled in the Bachelor of Laws (or combined) degree to complete the practical legal training requirements necessary for admission by the Supreme Court of NSW to practise as a legal practitioner. Admission is based upon the successful completion of an undergraduate law degree (or similar qualification) and an accredited course of practical legal training. The UTS practical legal training program is accredited by the Legal Profession Admission Board of the Supreme Court of NSW.

Career options

Career options include legal practitioner, provided graduates have fulfilled all other academic requirements.

Articulation

Additional admission requirements

Applicants must be concurrently enrolled in the UTS Bachelor of Laws (or combined) degree.

Course duration and attendance

This course can be completed in one semester of full-time study or one year of part-time study, plus 16 weeks of full-time (or equivalent part-time) approved practical experience.

Full-time students cannot undertake their practical experience work placement in the semester in which they are undertaking the academic course. However, students may undertake half of their practical experience work placement (eight weeks) prior to commencing the Graduate Certificate.

Part-time students may undertake their practical experience work placement concurrently with enrolment in the Graduate Certificate.

Students who elect to study by distance are required to attend two on-campus intensive block classes. Both block classes take place at the close of semester.

The practical legal training subjects are more demanding, in terms of attendance, than regular law subjects, and involve interactive activities such as practice courts, simulated practice transactions and skills exercises.

Course structure

Students complete 12 credit points of compulsory subjects, plus 16 weeks of full-time (or equivalent part-time) practical experience. Students must be concurrently enrolled in an additional 24 credit points of practical legal training subjects within the UTS Bachelor of Laws (or combined) degree.

Industrial training/professional practice

A practical experience work placement is a compulsory and integral component of the course. Practical experience requires students to complete 16 weeks of full-time (or equivalent part-time) practical experience work placement. Students must complete their practical experience work placement within five semesters of enrolling in 75411 Practical Experience. Failure to do so results in automatic withdrawal from the course under University rules concerning discontinuation of registration. Further details about the practical experience component of the course can be found online at:

Course completion requirements

Course program

The standard program of study for students undertaking the Graduate Certificate on a part-time attendance basis commencing in either Autumn or Spring semester is presented below. Students undertaking the practical legal training program on a full-time attendance basis attempt all subjects in one semester.

All subjects are timetabled each semester. The current timetable can be found at:

Professional recognition

Supreme Court of NSW

This course satisfies the requirements for admission as a legal practitioner, provided students also complete the UTS Bachelor of Laws degree.

Other information

Further information is available from: