GD-LAWLP v.2 Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
GradDipLegalPrac(Curtin)
Course CRICOS Code: 096301D
Registered full-time Duration:
32 Weeks
Course Overview
Graduate Diplomas prepare students to develop advanced knowledge and skills for professional or highly skilled work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 8 qualifications.
The Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice is a specialised practical legal training course aimed at law graduates. Satisfactory completion of the course is a prerequisite for a law graduate to be eligible for admission to the legal profession in Western Australia as a lawyer.
Course Accreditation
This course has been approved by the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia.
Professional Recognition
Students may be eligible for membership to the Law Society of Western Australia.
Additional Course Expenses
Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials.
Course Entry and Completion Details
Applicants for a Graduate Diploma are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au. Applicants generally require a Bachelor Degree or Graduate Certificate. Any specific course entry and completion requirements must also be met.
Specifically, applicants require a Bachelor of Laws, Juris Doctor or equivalent qualification from a recognised university approved under the Legal Profession (Admission) Rules 2009 (WA).
Credit for Recognised Learning
Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au/non-school-leavers/rpl.cfm
Pathway to Further Study
Graduates may qualify for entry to some Master degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.
Course Entry/Completion Note
To complete the course students must satisfy all of the requirements of the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice including a satisfactory level of competence in all Performance Criteria in the “Law Admissions Consultative Committee Practical Legal Training Competency Standards for Entry-Level Lawyers” (“Competency Standards”).
Course Organisation
Graduate Diplomas contain a series of units which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences. They may contain a range of majors/streams for students to choose from to pursue learning in a specialised area of study.
Course Learning Outcomes
A graduate of this course can:
1. research, interpret and apply knowledge of Western Australian and Commonwealth legal concepts, theory, procedure, statutory rules, case law principles, work management and business skills and professional ethical responsibilities to understand, evaluate and apply them in legal practice
2. critically and creatively analyse complex legal problems to effectively identify and articulate the issues involved, generate innovative options and apply legal reasoning to make a considered choice between competing solutions which best serves the needs of the client
3. identify, access, assess and synthesise relevant information from a client, primary legal sources such as cases and legislation and secondary sources such as journal articles, commentaries, relevant websites and precedents (including electronic versions of these sources), identify all relevant issues and gather and present relevant information in practical oral and documentary advice, legal documentation and communications
4. identify and evaluate the needs of a client and the purpose of a proposed communication; accurately confirm instructions, effectively undertake inquiries, communicate the outcomes of legal research and analysis effectively, appropriately, practically and persuasively to colleagues, clients, courts and tribunals, other professionals and the broader community
5. use appropriate electronic resources (law libraries, on-line searches, electronic data bases, legal citators and digests) - for advanced legal research and precedent identification purposes, use appropriate institutional databases for search and lodgement functions for legal documents, understand appropriate technologies to maintain trust and office accounts and file management and be able to communicate effectively in electronic forms
6. use learning by doing and observing, documenting in writing and critically reflecting on their own and others’ performance as legal professionals, making use of feedback as appropriate, demonstrating intellectual curiosity including via research tasks and problem solving, and demonstrating an understanding of resilience and well-being in the legal profession
7. understand the similarities and differences between local and other jurisdictions, including interstate and overseas jurisdictions, and be aware of the client’s and other practitioners’ perspectives, be able to effectively represent clients in negotiations by recognising other perspectives and apply best practice file and client management practices
8. demonstrate a highly developed understanding of, and be able to identify and respond appropriately to, cross-cultural verbal and non-verbal communication issues, particularly indigenous cultures and the possible effect that these issues may have upon a client’s dealings with the police, courts, government and legal agencies
9. understand, apply and demonstrate professional responsibility and professional courtesy in all dealings with clients, the courts and tribunals, the community and other practitioners and demonstrate ethical legal practice and professional integrity when working within a team and independently
Duration and Availability
This course is 32 weeks duration. The coursework components of this course are undertaken as part-time study across three consecutive study periods. The course also includes a workplace experience component or either 15 weeks within a Curtin approved legal workplace or 10 weeks clinical experience in the John Curtin Law Clinic.
Location and delivery Mode
| Year | Location | Period | All* | Internal | Partially Online Internal^ | External | Fully Online# |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Perth City Campus | Study Term 1 | Y |
The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.
* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.
^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.
# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.
| Course Structure | Hrs/Wk | Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||||
| LAWS5007 | v.2 | Legal Workplace Experience | 35.0 | 25.0 | |
| OR | |||||
| LAWS5014 | v.1 | Legal Workplace Clinical Experience | 25.0 | ||
| 25.0 | |||||
| Year 1 Study Term 1 | |||||
| LAWS5008 | v.1 | Lawyers' Skills | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| LAWS5011 | v.1 | Work Management and Business Skills | 3.0 | 25.0 | |
| 50.0 | |||||
| Year 1 Study Term 2 | |||||
| LAWS5010 | v.1 | Civil Litigation Practice | 1.5 | 25.0 | |
| LAWS5012 | v.1 | Legal Practice Capstone | 1.5 | 25.0 | |
| LAWS5005 | v.1 | Property Law Practice | 1.5 | 25.0 | |
| 75.0 | |||||
| Year 1 Study Term 3 | |||||
| LAWS5009 | v.1 | Commercial and Corporate Practice | 1.5 | 25.0 | |
| LAWS5006 | v.1 | Practice Area Specialisations | 1.5 | 25.0 | |
| 50.0 | |||||
Further Information
If you need more course information, you may contact the relevant areas: For Current Students: Student Services Office, please click here for further details: http://students.curtin.edu.au/contact_offices.cfm For Domestic Future Students: Future Students Centre, email: futurestudents@curtin.edu.au Tel: +61-8-9266 1000 For International Future Students: Curtin International, email: international@curtin.edu.au Tel: +61-8-9266 7331
Course Structure Disclaimer
Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.
Disclaimer
Information in this publication is correct at the time of printing but may be subject to change.
In particular, the University reserves the right to change the content and/or method of assessment, to change or alter tuition fees of any unit of study, to withdraw any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/ or to vary arrangements for any program.
This material does not purport to constitute legal or professional advice.
Curtin accepts no responsibility for and makes no representations, whether express or implied, as to the accuracy or reliability in any respect of any material in this publication.
Except to the extent mandated otherwise by legislation, Curtin University does not accept responsibility for the consequences of any reliance which may be placed on this material by any person.
Curtin will not be liable to you or to any other person for any loss or damage (including direct, consequential or economic loss or damage) however caused and whether by negligence or otherwise which may result directly or indirectly from the use of this publication.
International students
International students studying in Australia on a student visa can only study full-time and there are also specific entry requirements that must be met. As some information contained in this publication may not be applicable to international students, refer to international.curtin.edu.au for further information. Australian citizens, permanent residents and international students studying outside Australia may have the choice of full-time, part-time and external study, depending on course availability and in-country requirements.
