LPC Legal Practice Course

In this core practice area students will study the nature and structure of different business media with a view to being able to select an appropriate medium and structure to meet the client's commercial requirements, and to advise on the legal and taxation implications. Students will develop an understanding of the interests of different parties involved in the business including directors, shareholders and creditors of a business and learn how to progress basic business transactions arising during the life and development of a business, drafting the appropriate documentation to facilitate this. The module will also cover conduct and regulation issues, such as conflicts of interest and FSMA, as they arise in the context of relevant transactions.

In this skills module, students will, through a series of workshops and practical exercises develop an understanding of the principles of good drafting and editing of legal documents in order to meet clients’ expectations and address all legal, factual and procedural issues. Students will also develop an ability to explain their own and others’ drafting and the implications of this for the client. The module will be taught in the context of Property Law and Practice

In this skills module, students will, through a series of workshops and practical exercises develop an understanding of the principles and techniques of the skills of interviewing and advising clients. Students will develop an understanding of how to conduct an effective interview that elicits the relevant information, allows the client to explain any concerns, anticipates the client’s questions and has clear outcomes. Students will also develop the ability identify possible courses of action and their consequences, identify additional information required and provide advice to clients. The module will be taught in the context of Civil Litigation   

In this core practice area students will develop an understanding of the nature of civil and criminal litigation and an ability to identify the critical steps in the process of such litigation. Students will gain an understanding of the Civil Procedure Rules and Criminal Procedure Rules through the module. This will involve developing skills of case analysis in respect of both factual and legal issues. Students will also consider different courses of action, their consequences, procedural and funding issues and the role of dispute resolution. This will include drafting of appropriate procedural documentation in both civil and criminal litigation. Students will also consider issues of professional conduct.

In this skills module, students will, through a series of workshops and practical exercises develop an ability to undertake systematic and comprehensive legal research using appropriate sources with the understanding of the need for thorough investigation of all relevant factual and legal issues involved in a legal transaction or matter. Students will also learn to present the results of their research in a clear manner with a methodical, accurate and complete record of the research undertaken. The module will be taught in the context of Business Law and Practice.

In this skills module, students will, through a series of workshops and practical exercises develop an ability to communicate effectively in writing, tailoring the communication to suit its purpose and the needs of different clients or recipient. Students will understand the importance of accurate, straightforward and modern language, correct spelling, grammar, syntax and punctuation and clear, logical, consistent and appropriate structure and format. Students will understand the need to address accurately and correctly all the relevant legal and factual issues whilst also addressing clients’ objectives and priorities. The module will be taught in the context of Wills and Administration of Estates,  with students developing an understanding of the content, format and validity of wills, obtaining grants of representation and administration of an estate and becoming familiar with the purpose and general structure of the relevant documents.    

Students will develop the ability to identify and be able to act in accordance with the core duties of professional conduct and professional ethics applicable to solicitors. Students will consider the key elements of professional conduct and regulation, including the mandatory SRA Principles 2011, the outcomes-based SRA Code of Conduct 2011 and the relevant legislation in respect of Money Laundering and Financial Services and their application to solicitors.

In this core practice area students will develop an understanding of various practical legal issues in the context of domestic and commercial transactions and in relation to freehold and leasehold property. This will include the identification of the nature of and performing the critical steps in a property transaction, including various tax aspects such as Stamp Duty Land Tax. Students will also develop an awareness of principles such as conflicts of interest that may arise when acting for more than one party in a property transaction and an understanding of the requirements of lenders and the need to consider money laundering issues.    

In this module students will develop an understanding of the core duties of professional conduct and professional ethics and the requirements of the Solicitors’ Accounts Rules 2011 in respect of handling client money. Through practical exercises, students will be able to recognise, record and interpret receipts into and payments from office and client accounts as well as transfers between office and client accounts and between two client accounts and prepare a simple statement for clients on completion of a matter.  

In this vocational elective module students will develop an understanding of key aspects relating to commercial law in practice. This will include understanding the nature and structure of different types of commercial agreement, including standard terms and conditions of business and commercial intermediary agreements, and the impact of statutory intervention on such agreements, in particular in relation to the sale of goods, exclusion clauses, commercial agency, competition law and ecommerce. Students will also gain an awareness of the commercial value of intellectual property and how such intellectual property may be protected and exploited.

In this vocational elective module students will develop an understanding of key aspects relating to commercial property law in practice. This will include aspects of the planning legislation and its enforcement, the contractual and conveyancing aspects of development projects and the taxation implications of commercial property transactions. Students will also study commercial landlord and tenant issues, including statutory protection for business tenants and tenant’s rights under commercial leases

In this vocational elective module students will develop an understanding of key aspects relating to employment law in practice. This will include understanding the nature of an employee, becoming familiar with the formation and terms, both express and implied, of an employment contract and its variation. Students will also consider the protection offered to employees in respect of dismissal and discrimination and rights when the ownership of the employer’s business changes.

In this vocational elective module students will develop an understanding of key aspects relating to family law in practice. This will include understanding the process and implications of divorce, the law relating to children, statutory protection for victims of domestic abuse, the law relating to civil partnerships and cohabitation.

In this vocational elective module students will develop an understanding of key aspects relating to housing law in practice. This will include understanding the key elements of housing law, such as identifying a tenant’s security of tenure, the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants arising from various forms of residential tenancy and the process for obtaining possession of a residential tenancy. Students will also gain an understanding of assistance provided by Local Housing Authorities and different types of low cost home ownership options.

In this vocational elective module students will develop an understanding of key aspects relating to immigration and welfare law in practice. This will include understanding various forms of and the conditions for entitlement to social security benefits available in       England and Wales. Students will also develop an understanding of the key provisions of immigration and nationality law, the system of immigration control, including the key provisions of asylum law and refugee status, the procedure for appeal and deportation.

In this vocational elective module students will develop an understanding of key aspects relating to insolvency law in practice. This will include understanding the processes available for dealing with the insolvency of companies and individuals concentrating particularly on receivership, administration, voluntary arrangements, liquidation and bankruptcy and being able to advise insolvency practitioners and other stakeholders within these insolvency processes, with particular regard to the differing rights of different categories of creditors. Students will also consider aspects such as the varying powers and duties of office holders and an understanding of the rules relating to transaction avoidance.  

In this vocational elective module students will develop an understanding of key aspects relating to personal injury law in practice. This will include assessing employer liability and public liability claims and the legal basis for prospective claims, understanding funding methods and quantification of damages. Students will also critically assess evidence, including witness statements, expert reports, and medical reports and practise mediation skills to understand how ADR is relevant in personal injury litigation.