Diploma in Legal Skills for Legal Executives

Programme objectives

On completion of this training programme, participants will have:

• Enhanced their knowledge and skill set to support practitioners in legal office work;
• Gained a clearer understanding of the Irish legal system, legal research, sources of law and the Irish courts;
• Familiarised themselves with the steps involved in taking a case to court and the documents which are required;
• Examined other common practice areas which they will come across in legal offices;
• Explored relevant documents and how to complete applications, filings and returns;
• Gained an awareness of key issues to be aware of in legal offices, such as data protection, cybersecurity, and anti-money laundering;
• Developed their skills in client care and communicating in a legal environment;
• Enhanced their skills and knowledge in terms of the business of law and running a legal office; and
• Developed their capacity for independent learning and use the course as a springboard to apply for further courses.

Programme structure and approach to learning

This diploma will equip legal executives, paralegals, secretaries and other legal staff with the practical legal skills, foundational knowledge and competencies essential to support solicitors in their work. The diploma’s practical focus and industry relevance makes it attractive for staff and employers seeking skilled legal staff.

The course has been designed to give students a greater understanding of the key legal specialisations they are likely to encounter in legal firms and in-house with a strong emphasis on practical skills development. Lecturers will emphasise the practical aspects of working in a legal office, highlight the key documents that legal staff deal with on a day-to-day basis and set out the steps involved in various common types of legal transactions. The course will also look at some of the main issues which legal staff encounter while working in a legal office, such as data protection issues, cyber risks and anti-money laundering. Finally, the diploma will help students to develop their knowledge of the business of law and how to run a legal office.

Modules

The programme is based on the following module scheme and covers key themes as listed below:

Module 1: Introduction to the Irish legal system

• Sources of Law
• Irish Courts and the Court Structure
• The role of solicitors and barristers
• The role of the Law Society of Ireland

Module 2: Litigation

• Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB)
• Personal Injury Litigation – taking a case to court
• Personal Injury Litigation – preparing for court
• Preparing a brief
• Dealing with Court Offices
• Criminal Litigation and Practice

Module 3: Conveyancing

• Introduction to conveyancing
• Steps in a conveyancing transaction
• Schedule of documents, title deeds
• Landlord and Tenant law

Module 4: Wills and probate

• Making a will
• The probate application

Module 5: Company law

• Introduction to company structures
• Documents for Company formations/charges
• Mergers & Acquisitions

Module 6: Other areas of law

• Employment Law
• Family Law
• Alternative Dispute resolution

Module 7: Legal skills

• Data Protection at work
• Cyber awareness – common pitfalls and tips
• Anti-Money Laundering
• Communication in a Legal Environment

Module 8: Running a legal office

• The Business of Law and Legal Office Management Part 1 – letters of engagement, time recording, billing, accounting for law firms
• The Business of Law and Legal Office Management Part 2 – social media and marketing, the role of the office manager

Module 9: Supporting the solicitor

• Legal Research
• Drafting clear and concise legal documents
• Professional communication
• Maintaining records and registers
• Use of technology, databases and case management software
• Regulatory environment and compliance
• Solicitors accounts and section 150 letter
• Discovery

Module 10: Client care

• Introduction to Company structures
• Client onboarding and interviewing
• Taking instructions and attendances
• Professional etiquette, boundaries and client care
• Confidentiality
• Conflict of interest
• File set up, management and case planning

Module 11: Other areas of law

• Criminal law
• Debt collection
• New Houses

Module 12: Applications, filings and returns

• First registration and other Tailte Éireann applications
• Companies Registration Office filings
• eStamping returns

Module 13: Skills development workshop

• Case studies and role plays
• Simulated exercises
• Peer-to-peer discussion forum

Find out more and apply