Legal Secretary Certification Level 3

Working in the legal sector doesn’t require you to be a lawyer. Legal secretaries provide essential support to solicitors, assisting them to manage their case load, organise their diaries and organise their offices. This work often includes contact with clients.

The legal secretary certificate programme entails 15 hours of study, which will give you the tools, skills and knowledge necessary, in order to apply for a secretarial position in a legal firm or upgrade your team members’ existing skills.
Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded an industry-recognised certificate. Potential employers can verify your certificate on our website.

What’s Covered in the Course?

The legal secretary certificate provides you with essential information and advice, to ensure that you are productive in this role within any legal firm. Some of the aspects that you can expect to learn when taking the course online include:

The role of the legal secretary: what you will be expected to do and the general duties;

The practice of basic legal proofreading and report writing skills;

The importance of client confidentiality;

Knowledge of the English legal system;

The various court systems and structures;

An understanding of legal aid and who is eligible for this benefit;

Civil litigation;

Improved word processing and audio (listening) skills;

A working knowledge of wills and probate law, land and conveyancing practice, enabling you to be more involved and provide your team with the best possible support;

Family law, criminal law, company and business law and licensing laws;

Appeals, judicial reviews and case stated;

A glossary of legal terms;

Advice on how to find legal secretary positions and prepare for an interview.

What are the Benefits of the Course?

The course is online, conducted at your own pace and broken down into easy-to-manage modules, using any device linked to the internet;

Students have lifetime access to the modules, should they need to refresh their knowledge at a later date;

The ability to fast-track your career and develop the skills you need, in order to secure your preferred job or enhance the skills of existing employees;

Work full-time, while you complete your studies and increase your qualifications;

Secure an industry-recognised certification;

No entrance requirements;

Online support throughout your study experience;

Affordable price.

Modules

Module 1: General Duties and Day-to-Day Operations of a Legal Secretary

Managing letters and post
How to take messages
Filing and preparation of forms and documents
Billing, invoicing and accounts

Module 2: Legal Writing and Proofreading Skills

Legal writing mistakes
Tips and insights on correct legal writing
Punctuation, capitalisation, italics, numerals
Form paragraphs and form files

Module 3: Client Confidentiality in Law Firms

What is confidentiality and why is it important?
Implementing confidentiality in a law office
How to maintain confidentiality
Records safety and security

Module 4: The English Legal System

Introduction to the English legal system
Aspects of UK law
History of the English legal system
Laws governing debt recovery, bailiffs, default notices

Module 5: Court Systems and Structures

Understanding court systems in the UK
Supreme Court, High Court, Crown Court, Technology and Construction Court
King’s Bench, Court of Protection, County Courts, Magistrates’ Courts

Module 6: Legal Aid

Aims and objectives of Legal Aid
Eligibility for Legal Aid
Civil legal advice
Legal Aid in criminal cases

Module 7: Civil Litigation

Civil litigation initial procedures
Pre-action protocols, Civil Procedure Rules (CPR)
Out-of-Court settlements
Claim forms and Particulars of Claim

Module 8: Land and Conveyancing Practice

Explanation of terms: Deed, Freehold, Leasehold
Registration of land
Submission of forms for searches
Title information documents

Module 9: Wills and Probate Law Practice

Basic contents of a Will
Executors, codicils
Grant of Probate and Grant of Letters of Administration
Inheritance Tax

Module 10: Family Law

Starting legal proceedings in matters relating to family law
Divorce applications
Court action
Dividing money and property

Module 11: Criminal Law

Starting proceedings in criminal cases
Different types of crimes
Magistrates’ Court and Crown Courts
Warrants, Summons and witness statements

Module 12: Company and Business Law

How to start a company
Types of business entities
Memorandum of Association
Articles of Association, company seal

Module 13: Licensing

Licensing Act 2003 and the period prior to the Act
Objectives of licensing regulations
Premises Licence
Personal Licence

Module 14: Appeals, Judicial Review and Case Stated

Appeals against criminal cases
Criminal Cases Review Commission
Appeals against civil cases
Skeleton Arguments

Module 15: Skills for Success

How a legal secretary can help the fee earner
Important skills
Setting up new client appointments
Dictation and Transcription

Module 16: Finding Employment as a Legal Secretary

Importance of legal secretaries
The job seeking process
What prospective law firms are looking for
Writing an effective cover letter

Module 17: Glossary of Legal Terms

Legal terms explained