2009
Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice
As you prepare for admission and the beginning of your career, you want training that will give you the advantage.
What is the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice?
The College of Law Queensland offers the Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice Program as an approved method of practical legal training (PLT) in preparation for admission as an Australian lawyer. Practical legal training provides you with the vocational, practical and professional skills necessary to make the transition from law student to practising lawyer. The Program has been designed with a hands-on, practical approach to develop your skills and turn legal theory into practical know-how. The Queensland Law Society supports the Program which meets all competency standards required for admission in Queensland.
The Program
This online Program incorporates three key components: w Coursework Component Full-time: 15 weeks Part-time: 30 weeks The Coursework Component is undertaken predominantly through blended learning technologies including multimedia activities, group discussions and practical exercises. Some coursework sections, such as Advocacy and Negotiation, and examinations are held during Onsites – short blocks of face-to-face instruction – which suits skills learning. w Work Experience Component 15 weeks of practical work experience in a legal services environment. Work experience must be completed under the supervision of an admitted practitioner and involve exposure to and delivery of legal services. This includes amongst other experience, but is not limited to, private practice, government departments, corporate positions or community legal centres. Work experience can be completed full-time, part-time or in blocks, as long as the total time completed is equivalent to 15 weeks (75 days).
Note: Law students can count up to 8 weeks work experience as an undergraduate.
w Continuing Legal Education Component Ongoing professional development is an important component for legal practitioners to ensure their knowledge and skills remain up-to-date. This PLT component includes 10 hours of online CLE seminars and a workbook which reflects on your work experience.
Excellent teaching resources & lecturers. Onsites are very useful in exposure to practical skills and making connections with a variety of other people in the profession. I felt greatly supported even though this was mainly an external course. I would recommend the course to others. Thanks. 2008 College graduates
Benefits for Students
w multiple start dates throughout the year w choice of full or part-time coursework options to fit around work or family commitments w onsite skills sessions in Brisbane CBD and Townsville* w detailed “how-to” procedural practice papers w no limit on enrolment numbers w experienced local practitioners as lecturers and mentors w online timetable to help structure your course requirements w online legal job notice board w competitive price and access to FEE-HELP student loans w associate membership of the Queensland Law Society
* subject to demand
Course Dates
There are seven intakes throughout the year including full and part-time options. You can undertake your Program when it suits you or your employer or to meet a particular admission date. Full course dates, including onsite dates, are available at www.collaw.edu.au.
Trainee Admission Program
The College also offers the Trainee Admission Program (TAP), for law graduates undertaking Traineeships in Queensland. TAP provides the mandatory 90 hours of Programmed Training including Ethics as well as Supplementary Training if required. Visit www.collaw.edu.au for more information.
Information for Employers
Practical Legal Training (PLT) is an alternative to Traineeships as a path to admission. PLT students complete quality training designed to ensure consistency in instruction, outcomes and skills. PLT is beneficial to all employers from sole practitioners to large firms and government departments, as there is less demand on a practitioner’s time and resources. Employers who take on a College graduate have the opportunity to: w engage a graduate for between 2 and 15 weeks of Work Experience without the ongoing commitment of a Traineeship or permanent employment w determine if the graduate is an appropriate fit to the work environment and appraise their capabilities and skills w induct and develop the graduate according to their requirements Employers can also take advantage of the College’s FREE employer services to fill graduate work experience positions or seek permanent staff: w free advertisements on our popular online job board for work experience and permanent positions w positions emailed directly to students Employers can request further information by contacting Student Services on Ph: 1300 856 111.
Find out more about your options by completing this request form. Please send me: a 2009 Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice Handbook information on FEE-HELP student loans information about the Trainee Admission Program Name __________________________________________________ Address _________________________________________________ Suburb _________________________________________________ State _____________________________ Post Code ____________ Email ___________________________________________________ Current University ________________________________________ Expected year of Graduation _______________________________
Return this form to Student Services: PO Box 2, St Leonards, NSW 1590 Ph: 1300 856 111 Fax: 1300 888 023 enrolments@collaw.edu.au
www.collaw.edu.au