Programme Overview
The Centre for Professional Legal Studies (CPLS) at the University of Strathclyde, enjoys an enviable reputation for providing innovative, professionally-relevant education which places it at the forefront of graduate law schools. Located in the heart of Glasgow’s city centre, CPLS is home to some of the most innovative teaching available to those who really want to get ahead in the legal profession.
Building on its academic expertise and resources, and by working with the country’s most experienced teams of expert practitioners, CPLS has designed a programme that will enable trainees to thrive, and become capable newly-qualified practitioners.
Right from its inception, CPLS has taken an innovative approach to delivering practical training, ensuring success for trainees and their firms. It is designed to enhance, consolidate and build on the knowledge and skills gained through the Diploma and traineeship. We have a proven track record in delivering the PCC to the highest standards by providing trainees with a firm foundation for professional development.
COURSE STRUCTURE
CORE MODULES
The core modules, offered over a seven-day block, focus on those areas of practice deemed essential for all trainees.
- Personal Organisation and Time Management
- Practical Ethics
- IT and the Legal Office
- Client Care
- Financial and Commercial Awareness
- Interviewing
- Legal Writing
- Legal Negotiation
- Legal Drafting
To cater for the professional interests of the participants, Core modules are streamed into the following blocks :
- 14 May - 22 May 2012 :: Commercial
- 11 June - 19 June 2012 :: Commercial & Criminal
For further information on the content and structure of elective modules, please look at the elective modules page.
Course Fees
Core Curriculum only: £1,045
Core and full 18 hour electives: £1,590
Full 18 hour electives: £650
Electives per module: contact Tracy Reavey
The CPLS Approach
According to Law Society guidelines, trainee solicitors take the programme any time between six and eighteen months into their traineeship. At CPLS, each programme is limited to a maximum of 30 trainees, and module groups vary in size depending on activities.
Skills sessions are highly interactive. You replicate professional practice activities in role-play and simulations, are given feedback on your work, and have the opportunity for further practice. Activities are themed across modules so that you are dealing with similar legal matters in a range of skill situations.
Problem-solving
- Activities are designed to focus on the identification of realistic and client-oriented outcomes.
- Participants are encouraged to identify the issues, assess their information needs and to identify possible solutions
- Case studies are used to simulate real-life scenarios in order to enhance the relevance of the programme
Feedback
- Individual feedback is provided by our expert tutor–practitioners
- Uniquely, through the use of ‘standardised’ or simulated clients, trainees are given valuable insights from the client’s point of view on their communication skills and their approach to client care
Reflective Learning
- To encourage trainees to develop good habits of lifelong learning, participants are asked to reflect on their developing understanding of legal practice and how they can improve their own performance
Collaborative Working
- To reflect the many instances of teamworking prevalent in practice units, activities are undertaken in a collaborative context, allowing trainees to strengthen and develop their skills in joint working
Modern Design
- Customised facilities designed specifically for professional education
- Highest standards of accommodation including advanced ICT and AV
Real-world Training
- Expert practitioner-tutors trained to deliver the PCC
- Practical and skill-focused core curriculum
Results-based Learning
- Programmes ‘streamed’ to reflect professional interests of firms and trainees
- A track record of successful delivery
Flexible Programmes
- Wide range of specialist electives
- Optional start dates throughout the year allows flexibility of participation
- City-centre location
Meeting Your Expectations
The development of professional skills and their integration with legal knowledge and ethical behaviour is crucial, so we:
- consolidate and develop the skills learned in the first stages of the traineeship
- enhance knowledge of key areas of legal practice
- encourage reflective and collaborative learning
- facilitate a deeper understanding of the ethics, values and attitudes of the legal profession in Scotland
Tried and Tested
We closely follow Law Society guidelines regarding streaming and integration of modules. By employing the best and most experienced tutors and consultants in Scotland for both the core curriculum modules and the electives, training is focused on your stage of legal learning.
The authors who write our programme materials are recognised experts in their field, and we are continually updating and revising the materials in the light of changes in the law and our experiences of the PCC.
CPLS is known internationally for its innovative work in the use of information and communications technology, and legal education on our PCC is intensive, but with the outstanding support available it is also enjoyable.
CPLS offers extensive peer interaction at this crucial stage in your development. There will be plenty of opportunity to meet with other trainees, other practitioners and widen your contacts in the profession.
Simply put, the Law Society’s Professional Competence Course provided by the CPLS in Glasgow is the most comprehensive external programme on offer to trainees in Scotland.