Description
The course is well suited for:
- People who are interested in enhancing their career within the legal sector
- Students who would like to learn about the Irish legal system
- Individuals who would like to gain experience in the area of legal secretarial work
- Individuals interested in getting introduced to Irish law and legal procedures
- Individuals interested in going back to education or employment that requires legal secretarial skills
No previous specialist knowledge of immigration law is required, unless otherwise specified by
the course provider.
Course overview
The aim of the Legal Secretarial Course is to give students a thorough understanding of the Irish legal system as well as the practical skills needed to function in a legal office setting.
The Irish courts’ organisational structure, the functions of solicitors and barristers, general legal procedures, criminal law, legal ethics, alternative dispute resolution, family law, legal documents, legal drafting, forms of address, and conveyancing will all be covered during the duration of the course. The course combines practical office and administrative skills with legal knowledge.
Course Modules
- Introduction to Legal Professions
- Structure of the Irish Courts
- General Legal Procedures
- Legal Research Skills and Methods
- Introduction to Criminal Law
- Legal Ethics
- Tribunals and Other Legal Bodies
- Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution
- ICT Skills
- Family Law
- Legal Documentation
- Drafting Legal Documents
- Forms of Address
- Conveyancing and Land Law
Course Duration
12 weeks, with 10 weeks of teaching and 2 weeks of revision and examination
Accreditations / Awards
Upon completion the student will receive CPD level 3 diploma in family law (Continuing professional development)
Learning Aims & Objectives / Outcomes
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
- Be able to identify and explain the roles and responsibilities of key legal professionals, including solicitors, barristers, paralegals and legal secretaries.
- Identify the main courts within the Irish judicial system.
- Distinguish between civil and criminal proceedings.
- Explain how cases can progress through the Irish court system.
- Demonstrate an understanding of general legal office procedures.
- Understand and be able to use legal terminology.
- Prepare professional legal correspondence.
- Understand billing procedures.
- Identify and use appropriate sources of legal information.
- Be able to carry out legal research using appropriate research resources.
- Understand the distinction between primary and secondary legal sources.
- Explain basic principles of criminal law.
- Identify the core ethical duties of legal professionals.
- Explain the role of the Ombudsman, tribunals and Small Claims procedures.
- Identify and explain key forms of alternative dispute resolution.
- Apply ADR principles to practical scenarios.
Course Delivery
The course will be delivered through a combination of:
- Teaching
- Lectures and presentations
- Discussion and class participation
- Case law analysis
- Reviewing of legislation
- Practicing legal scenario questions
- Question-and-answer sessions
- Examination preparation and revision
Delivery Format
The course can be delivered either online/ in person once a week.
Schedule
Duration: 12 weeks
Classes: once per week
Class time: 2 Hours
Day: Thursdays 3.30pm (provisional day)
Entry requirements
- Leaving certificate
- Sufficient English-language proficiency
- No previous legal knowledge required.
