Program Overview

Professional Legal Practice Postgraduate Diploma

Overview

The Professional Legal Practice Postgraduate Diploma is for non-law graduates who are seeking to transition to a career in law. You’ll learn both the law and its practical application to realistic client-based and ethical problems and situations. The course will provide you with a solid foundation to qualify either as a solicitor or a barrister, whichever profession you decide upon.

Course Structure

To be awarded the Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, you’ll study six core modules, honing your knowledge and skills in interactive group sessions.

Core Modules

• Criminal Liability and Procedure This module will introduce you to the core legal principles underlying criminal liability, by examining the way they shape criminal law (including actus reus and mens rea, and the definition of offences and defences), as well as key rules of procedure in the lead up to and during a criminal trial. 20 credits
• Legal Systems and Public Law This module looks at the structures of the legal system, the court hierarchy, precedent and statutory interpretation. It considers the regulation of legal services and the regulatory role of the Solicitors Regulatory Authority including the application of the Equality Act 2010, money laundering legislation such as the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and the regulation of financial services and legislation such as the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. It also considers the funding options for legal services such as conditional fee arrangements and eligibility for legal aid. The module considers the structure and principle characteristics of the constitution of the UK and analyses the unique structure of the UK constitution and its impact on the exercise of governmental power and the protection of human rights. It considers the principles of administrative law and the judicial review process by which public authorities are legally accountable. 20 credits
• Obligations in Context This module will introduce students to modern English contract and tort law as part of the wider law of obligations. You will explore the legal and theoretical issues that form the core of contract law and the core ideas, concepts and principles which underpin the law of tort. The module will draw out understanding of these core principles and the ability to apply them to legal problems. The module will consider the practical context in which contract and tort law operate and how disputes in relation to them may be resolved. 20 credits
• Company Law and Business Practice The module explores the concept of legal personality as applied to companies registered under the Companies Act 2006, in contrast to other business vehicles. The rules relating to companies are analysed from legal, practical, historical, economic, sociological and political perspectives. Constitutional matters and the concept of limited liability are explored. You will consider what happens behind the corporate veil, looking at the rights and duties of shareholders and directors and the management of decision making. From a financial perspective, the module considers the ways in which a company raises finance, the principles of taxation and the rules of corporate and personal insolvency. You will also develop an insight and understanding of typical business transactions and commercial contracts. 20 credits
• Equity, Trusts and Wills This module provides an opportunity to consider the role of equity and trusts in relation to family and commercial trusts. The module will also identify the substantive law in key areas including express trusts, purpose (public and private) trusts, trusts which arise by operation of law, the nature of trustees’ duties, the nature of fiduciary obligations, liability of third parties and consider their application to solve factual problems. The module will address the ways in which equity may intervene to mitigate the common law and the significance of equitable remedies for individuals in the context of the infringement of civil law rights and the protection of human rights. The law and practice of wills and the administration of estates will also be considered. 20 credits
• Land Law This module will introduce you to the principles and concepts of modern English (and Welsh) land (and property) law. You will explore the legal framework of registered and unregistered land, the estates and interest in land (distinguishing between law and equity), the rights and obligations of the landlord and tenant, the landlord and tenant statutory framework, the law relating to mortgages, the creation and protection of easements and freehold covenants, the distinction between leases and licences, an overview of leasehold covenants, the devolution of estates and interests in express co-ownership and the creation of a constructive trust and quantification of land in implied co-ownership. The module will also consider the process of residential and commercial conveyancing. 20 credits

Entry Requirements

• A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2) in a related discipline including Law, Social Science. Applicants without the standard qualifications who have significant professional experience in the relevant field or related professional qualifications may be considered.
• If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS 6.5 with at least 6.5 in writing and no element below 6.0.

Fees and Funding

• UK tuition fee: Tuition fees have yet to be confirmed for this course (Price per academic year)
• International tuition fee: Tuition fees have yet to be confirmed for this course (Price per academic year)

Teaching and Assessment

• Teaching methods across all our postgraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application.
• Our postgraduate courses include a variety of assessments, which typically fall into three broad categories: written exams, practical, and coursework.

Research Groups

• Our research achieves real-world impact and we are proud to claim a rich and diverse profile of high-quality research and knowledge exchange in a wide range of disciplines.
• Find out more about our research groups related to this course:
  • Centre on the Legal Profession
  • International Law at Westminster (ILaW)
  • International Cyber-Security Law
  • Westminster Law and Theory Lab
  • European and Comparative Law Research group
  • Centre for Law, Gender, Race and Sexuality
  • Centre for Law, Society and Popular Culture

Supporting You

• Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.
• Study support – workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
• Personal tutors – support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
• Student advice team – provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
• Extra-curricular activities – volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more

Course Location

• Little Titchfield Street is the home of Westminster Law School and, as part of our Regent Campus, benefits from a central London location.
• The facilities include a full-size mock courtroom, high-tech learning spaces, a pro-bono clinic and a 382-seat lecture theatre.