Program Overview

Certificate in Legal Practice

Overview

The Certificate in Legal Practice (Level 7, QQI, Special Purpose Award) is a one year course which covers four practical modules and is offered on a part-time basis (one night per week) allowing students to attend lectures either on campus or online.

Course Details

Modules

• Professional and Academic Preparedness and Skills
• Civil Litigation
• Conveyancing
• Criminal Practice and Procedure

Intake Dates

• Dublin - Part-Time - September 2025
• Cork - Part-Time - September 2025
• Cork - Part-Time - February 2026

Related Courses

• Diploma in Legal Studies and Practice
• Certificate in Legal Studies
• LL.B. (Hons) in Law

Entry Requirements

All applicants need to have work experience in a legal environment and previously studied law at Level 6 or upwards.

English Language

Griffith College is accepting the online Duolingo English Test (DET) as valid proof of English proficiency.

Tuition Fees

Irish/EU living in Ireland

• Dublin: EUR 2,450.00
• Cork: EUR 2,450.00

An Academic Administration Fee of EUR 250.00 and a 2% Learner Protection Charge is applicable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted above.

Progression

Academic Progression

Graduates of this course have the option to continue their studies at Griffith College. We offer a number of options including:

• Diploma in Legal Studies and Practice
• Certificate in Mediation

Career Progression

Through the Certificate in Legal Practice, you will have gained valuable professional experience, built a strong foundation of critical analysis and presentation skills, and covered a diverse range of topics. There is a wide range of career options for our graduates including:

• Legal Secretary
• Legal Executive

Professional and Academic Preparedness and Skills

The purpose of this module is to provide students with an understanding of the ethics incumbent within the legal system in Ireland and to introduce learners to the obligations placed upon those who work in the legal sector by legislation, codes of conduct and precedent.

This module aims to develop within learners familiarity with:

• Whistleblowing and money laundering legislation
• Disciplinary Procedures Under The IILEX Code of Conduct
• the performance of key administrative tasks such as file management, time recording and client billing
• the Professional Codes of Conduct of Barristers, Solicitors, and Legal Executives
• the effect of legal restrictions imposed by the Freedom of Information Act, Data Protection Acts and the Law of Confidence on the work of a legal executive
• the appropriate interaction between legal executive and client, and legal executive and solicitor

Civil Litigation

This module will introduce learners to the different jurisdictions exercised by the District Court, the Circuit Court and the High Court respectively, in civil matters, and explain both the manner in which civil litigation is initiated before the Irish Courts and the rules relating to the service of pleadings. Students will discuss the procedures and practices before the Personal Injuries Assessment Board and be able to outline the most pertinent interlocutory procedures applying in civil litigation. Lecturers will promote learners’ understanding of good case management in civil matters and encourage them to develop their skills with regard to client care such as interviewing clients and managing client files. Students will also gain an understanding of the role played by negotiation within civil legal practice.

Conveyancing

This module aims to impart knowledge of the nature and purpose of conveyancing and develop an understanding of the role of the professional – estate agent, auctioneer, solicitor and counsel - in conveyancing. Students will gain an understanding of the conveyancing procedure involved in the transfer of property both registered and unregistered; deduction and investigation of title and completion. They will also formulate an understanding of the overlap between contract law, equity and conveyancing. By the end of the module, students will be able to explain the law surrounding mortgages, and they will have a familiarity with key land law documents.

Criminal Practice and Procedure

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to describe the Irish criminal system generally and the jurisdiction of the courts responsible for the implementation of that system. They will have an understanding of the criminal appeals system including the respective responsibilities of the Central Criminal Court, the Court of Appeal and the Circuit Court, and be able to describe the differing circumstances in which the summons procedure and the charge sheet procedure are employed and the purposes served by these alternative procedures. They will further be familiar with important pre-trial procedures and the practice & procedure applying to summary trials as well as trials on indictment.