Certificate of Higher Education in Legal Practice for Paralegals

Transcription

1 University of Cambridge: Programme Specifications Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this programme specification. At the time of publication, the programme specification has been approved by the relevant teaching Faculty or Department. It is, however, natural for courses to develop and change over time and we reserve the right, without notice, to withdraw, update or amend this programme specification at any time. Certificate of Higher Education in Legal Practice for Paralegals 1. Awarding Institution University of Cambridge 2. Teaching Institution 3. Programme accredited by Faculty of Law 4. Final Award University of Cambridge Institute of Continuing Education Certificate of Higher Education in Legal Practice for Paralegals 5. Programme Title Legal Practice for Paralegals 6. UCAS Code (or other coding system if relevant) 7. Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark groups N/A Law 8. Qualifications Framework Level N/A 9a. Date of production March b. Last Reviewed N/A Introduction The Division of Professional Studies, Institute of Continuing Education, offers the Certificate of Higher Education in Legal Practice for Paralegals. The Certificate attracts 120 credits at FHEQ Level 4, and forms part of the Institute s programme of credit-bearing professional development qualifications offered at FHEQ Level 4 to part-time adult students. Aims and Objectives of the Programme The programme aims to: 1. provide students with knowledge and understanding of the theoretical and practical concepts of the English legal system and the legal profession 2. develop critical understanding of the role of a paralegal, and the scope of paralegal practice, including the legal limitations and parameters within which they must operate 3. enable students to develop proficiency in the skills-based aspects of paralegal work 4. enable students to develop solid understanding of the professional and ethical standards expected of a paralegal 5. enable students to explore and develop analytical processes and tools that will develop their critical thinking skills 6. foster appreciation of the critical role of continuing professional development in maintaining a good, current legal practice. Page 1 of 6

2 Programme Outcomes On successful completion of this Programme, students should be able to demonstrate the following learning outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding 1. knowledge and critical understanding of the English legal system and the roles, duties and authority of various legal practitioners 2. broad knowledge and critical understanding of the key non-litigious components of, and services provided by, the legal sector, and any relevant limitations 3. broad knowledge and understanding of the protocols, ethics and legal requirements involved in the practical aspects of a paralegal s role 4. knowledge and understanding of the various legal services and functions a paralegal may be required to provide in the course of daily practice. Cognitive/Intellectual Skills 1. ability to consider theories and concepts underpinning paralegal situations as an applied area of legal practice to support duties and responsibilities 2. ability to analyse new situations or abstract concepts using objective and logical criteria to make informed and critical judgements 3. ability to consider and respond to the practical applications of theories and concepts in the paralegal practice Practical Skills 1. ability to draft and write legal documents and to formulate and present a coherent piece of legal writing based upon facts, available evidence, general principles and legal authority, in a structured, concise and, if appropriate, persuasive manner 2. ability to undertake straightforward practical legal research, demonstrating analysis and understanding of the factual and legal issues involved 3. ability to analyse the professional conduct issues in the legal advisor/client relationship in a practical context, identify the appropriate rules of professional conduct and behave accordingly Transferable Skills 1. self-evaluation, through demonstrating confidence in the application of their own criteria of judgement, challenging received opinions, and reflecting on action. They will seek and make use of feedback 2. autonomy, through taking responsibility for their own work, and critically analysing and managing it 3. strategic thinking, through demonstrating their ability to apply a strategy to an idea, project or problem to achieve an effective conclusion 4. situational analysis, through demonstrating their ability to analyse a situation or information and competently undertaking straight-forward research tasks with minimum guidance 5. communication and presentation skills, through engaging effectively in debate in a professional manner and producing detailed and coherent project reports presented in a professional and confident manner 6. problem-solving skills, through identifying and defining problems and applying appropriate knowledge, tools, and methods to their solution Page 2 of 6

3 Teaching and learning methods Six of the eight courses in this Programme are delivered via the Virtual Learning Environment, affording students easy access to resources and the learning community. The VLE allows students and tutors to consolidate and expand upon the formally taught components. The remaining two courses (courses seven and eight) are delivered face to face due to the very practical elements of the subject areas covered. Teaching methods will include, but not be limited to, formal lectures, interactive seminars and workshops, discussion and networking groups, structured reading and case analysis and presentation. Teaching sessions will set out concepts, conceptual frameworks and theory relating to the topics to be covered; other modes of teaching and learning are designed to enable participants to achieve the stated learning aims and objectives. Assessment Each course is assessed using multiple and inter-related strategies, including written individual essays, practical assignments, drafting exercises, and case studies. Assessment will include submission of written assignments totalling 3,000 3,500 words per course. Programme structure: overview The programme is offered at FHEQ Level 4, and attracts 120 credits. The Certificate consists of 8 courses, all of which are compulsory. The programme involves a total of 240 contact hours, including in-class and e-learning sessions. The award will be made on a pass/fail basis. Candidates must pass all elements of the assessed tasks to be eligible for the award of the Certificate of Higher Education in Legal Practice for Paralegals, the pass mark being 50%. Candidates who successfully complete 60 credits, including Courses 1 and 2, may apply for, and be awarded, an intermediate award, the Certificate of Continuing Education in Legal Practice for Paralegals. The Programme is offered on a part-time basis. Students will normally be expected to complete all 8 courses within 36 months. The Certificate consists of: Course 1: Course 2: Course 3: Course 4: Course 5: Course 6: Course 7: Course 8: Introduction to the English Legal System (20 credits) Introduction to Legal Practice (10 credits) Introduction to Legal Research and Writing for Paralegals (15 credits) Paralegal Advisory Firms and Paralegal Practice (15 credits) Contract Drafting and Interpretation for Practitioners (15 credits) Introduction to the City, Financial Services and Companies House (15 credits) Practical Skills for Paralegals (15 credits) Conduct of Proceedings for Paralegals (15 credits) Programme structure: detail Course 1: Introduction to the English Legal System (20 credits) This course is a pre-requisite to other courses in the programme. This course will enable students to develop a fundamental and critical understanding of the English legal system, sources of law, the different types of law, court and tribunal structures, the influence of EU law, how law functions, and legal entities such as companies and trusts. Course 2: Introduction to Legal Practice (10 credits) Page 3 of 6

4 This course is a pre-requisite to other courses in the Programme. This course provides a broad overview of the English legal profession, and how it is regulated. It will also identify the roles of other major participants in the legal sector such as overseas lawyers, costs draughtsmen and expert witnesses. Students will develop a broad understanding of the regulatory framework for the legal profession and the major conduct obligations imposed on legal practitioners. Course 3: Introduction to Legal Research and Writing for Paralegals (15 credits) This course provides an introduction to the critical importance of legal research and writing in legal practice, and how it is applied in paralegal practice. Students will develop their ability to undertake practical legal research, to write legal documents and to formulate and present a coherent piece of legal writing in a structured, concise and, if appropriate, persuasive manner. Course 4: Paralegal Advisory Firms and Paralegal Practice (15 credits) This course enables students to explore current issues facing the paralegal profession, including protocols, ethics and legal requirements involved in the practical aspects of running a paralegal practice. Course 5: Contract Drafting and Interpretation for Practitioners (15 credits) This course provides an introduction to the issues that guide practitioners when drafting or reviewing contracts, and enables students to develop fluency and accuracy in negotiating, drafting, and reviewing contracts. General principles of contract law will be incorporated. Course 6: Introduction to the City, Financial Services and Companies House (15 credits) This course provides a broad overview of City markets and the commercial and regulatory organisations that operate in them, together with the main types of financial services that paralegals may encounter during their practice. The course also gives students a practical grounding in Companies House Practice and Procedure. The course enables students to better understand the finance elements of cases they are involved in and to be able to proficient in Companies House practice and procedure. Course 7: Practical Skills for Paralegals (15 credits) This course enables students to develop their knowledge and understanding of the client interviewing process, including procedural issues, and will develop their skills in the practical aspects of conducting client interviews. Course 8: Conduct of Proceedings for Paralegals (15 credits) This course introduces students to the preparation, protocols, ethics, etiquette and conduct required of paralegals in preparing for and conducting formal legal proceedings. Delivery The programme is offered on a part-time basis, and students will normally take up to 36 months to complete the Certificate. Credits accumulated from individual courses are valid for 60 months. Page 4 of 6

5 Progression The pass mark for each course is 50%. A mark of less than 50% in one of the assessments may be compensated by a higher mark in the other assessment provided that the average is greater than 50% and the mark below 50% is not lower than 35%. If a student fails an assessment and cannot benefit from the compensation arrangement, he or she is entitled to one re-sit at or before the subsequent course. Programme Requirements The programme does not have any entry requirements specific to the subject area. It is designed to enable professionals who work in a variety of legal and non-legal occupations, including solicitor support staff, barristers clerks, advisors working in bodies such as Citizens Advice Bureaux, and local authority and government caseworkers, to gain or enhance relevant and practical legal knowledge. The programme will also be available to law graduates or others who wish to enter the paralegal profession. Students who successfully complete 60 credits are eligible to receive an intermediate award, the Certificate of Continuing Education in Legal Practice for Paralegals. This will not affect the maximum time limit of the Programme; students who complete the Certificate of Continuing Education in Legal Practice for Paralegals will be required to complete the remaining 60 credits from the remaining courses, within the 5 year maximum time allowed, if they wish to attain the Certificate of Higher Education in Legal Practice for Paralegals. Applicants to the course whose first language is not English must be able to satisfy the University s current English Language Competence requirements in the year in which they apply for admission to the programme. Employability It is anticipated that this Programme will be of interest to practitioners currently employed in a variety of non-legal, legal and paralegal occupations, including solicitor support staff, barristers clerks, advisors working in bodies such as Citizens Advice Bureaux; local authority and government caseworkers; contracts managers and health and safety compliance officers.. The Programme will also be available to law graduates or others who wish to enter the legal profession. Managing Teaching Quality and Standards The teaching quality and standards of the Programme will be monitored by the Programme Advisory Committee and the Subject Moderation Panel, consisting of the University and external moderators and other Faculty and IoCE members as agreed by the Education Committee. Student Support Advice to students is available both before and after they have registered for a course from the Programme Director and/or the course tutor and the administrative staff assigned to the programme. All students are provided at the start of a course with the IoCE Student Handbook. Page 5 of 6

6 Administrative staff work closely with the academic team throughout the programme, and are able to provide appropriate levels and types of student support for instance, support in technical matters, such as using the VLE. Page 6 of 6