Legal Practice

Curtin University

Australia, Perth

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175

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Curtin University

Australia , Perth

Key Facts

Program Level

Graduate Diploma

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Course Code

096301D

Campuses

Perth City

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake Deadlines24-Feb-2024

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 8 month(s)

Tuition Fee

AUD 38,453 / year

Next Intake 24-Feb-2024

Legal Practice

About

Please note: The new, revised version of our program will be available in March 2022. Applications are now open.

This specialised, practical legal training (PLT) course is aimed at law graduates who wish to apply for admission to the legal profession in Western Australia.

It is approved by the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia and is the first PLT program to be delivered by a WA university.

You will study civil litigation practice, commercial and corporate practice, and property law practice. You will also further your legal skills in a range of essential areas including advocacy, cross-cultural communication, dispute resolution, drafting legal documents and legal interviewing.

This course is delivered in the heart of the Perth CBD and legal precinct. We offer the convenience of evening classes and the option of part-time study, so you can better manage your work and family commitments. You may also request assessment extensions if you have been affected by work commitments outside of your control.

This course focuses on practical learning activities and does not include any exams. You will be required to undertake 75 days of work experience within a Curtin-approved legal workplace or a 40-day work placement at the John Curtin Law Clinic (limited places by application). If you complete your work experience through the John Curtin Law Clinic, you will work directly with clients, providing advice on real matters, and learn to manage case files using practice management software.

You will be supported through regular, face-to-face seminars and workshops with experienced members of the legal profession.

Read more about the course structure here

You may be able to start this course before completing your Bachelor of Laws in certain circumstances, provided you have obtained prior approval from the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia. Read more

To discuss your eligibility for early commencement of the Curtin PLT, please contact us.

Please refer to the handbook for additional course overview information.

Why study

Gain practical, integrated workplace training with the option to guarantee legal workplace experience through theJohn Curtin Law Clinic(limited places by application).
Study under experienced Western Australian legal practitioners.
Learn to use industry-standard legal practice management software.
Manage your work and family commitments with our flexible study modes, with the option of intensive and part-time coursework modes.

Professional recognition

The Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice degree is an approved qualification by the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia.

research, interpret and apply knowledge of Western Australian and Commonwealth legal concepts, theory, procedure, statutory rules, case law principles, work management and business skills and professional ethical responsibilities to understand, evaluate and apply them in legal practice

critically and creatively analyse complex legal problems to effectively identify and articulate the issues involved, generate innovative options and apply legal reasoning to make a considered choice between competing solutions which best serves the needs of the client

identify, access, assess and synthesise relevant information from a client, primary legal sources such as cases and legislation and secondary sources such as journal articles, commentaries, relevant websites and precedents (including electronic versions of these sources), identify all relevant issues and gather and present relevant information in practical oral and documentary advice, legal documentation and communications

identify and evaluate the needs of a client and the purpose of a proposed communication; accurately confirm instructions, effectively undertake inquiries, communicate the outcomes of legal research and analysis effectively, appropriately, practically and persuasively to colleagues, clients, courts and tribunals, other professionals and the broader community

use appropriate electronic resources (law libraries, on-line searches, electronic data bases, legal citators and digests) - for advanced legal research and precedent identification purposes, use appropriate institutional databases for search and lodgement functions for legal documents, understand appropriate technologies to maintain trust and office accounts and file management and be able to communicate effectively in electronic forms

use learning by doing and observing, documenting in writing and critically reflecting on their own and othersâ€™ performance as legal professionals, making use of feedback as appropriate, demonstrating intellectual curiosity including via research tasks and problem solving, and demonstrating an understanding of resilience and well-being in the legal profession

understand the similarities and differences between local and other jurisdictions, including interstate and overseas jurisdictions, and be aware of the clientâ€™s and other practitionersâ€™ perspectives, be able to effectively represent clients in negotiations by recognising other perspectives and apply best practice file and client management practices

demonstrate a highly developed understanding of, and be able to identify and respond appropriately to, cross-cultural verbal and non- verbal communication issues, particularly indigenous cultures and the possible effect that these issues may have upon a clientâ€™s dealings with the police, courts, government and legal agencies

understand, apply and demonstrate professional responsibility and professional courtesy in all dealings with clients, the courts and tribunals, the community and other practitioners and demonstrate ethical legal practice and professional integrity when working within a team and independently

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Completion of 3 year post-secondary (post Year 12 equivalent) qualification OR hold a Bachelor degree (or equivalent) from a recognised University which is comparable to an AQF Associate Degree

English Program Requirements

If English is not your first language, you must also check that you meet English language requirements for your chosen course. Australian students must also meet the English entry requirements.

Career

Careers

Lawyer
Barrister

Industries

Banking and finance
Courts and tribunals
Government
Law
Resources and renewables
Private legal practice
In-house legal counsel

Fee Information

⁺estimated annual tuition fee for a full-time study load

Plus Student Services and Amenities fee
Scholarships and financial aid available if eligible

Tuition Fee

AUD 38,453

How to Apply

Have your supporting documents to hand, and ensure they meet our guidelines. The documents may include certified copies of your qualifications, English language proficiency documents and supplementary forms for certain courses.

If your documents are not issued in English, an official translation from a recognised translation service must be provided.

Recognised translation services

National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) accredited translator in Australia
The Awarding institution
A Notary Public Office
The official Government body
An official and accredited translator*

*Official translations are subject to review.

If you have undertaken previous study or work that matches the content of some of your Curtin course units, you may be able to obtain credit for recognised learning, which exempts you from studying those units.

Applying online: Use the ‘Apply now’ button on the relevant course page and following the prompts.

Applying by mail or email: Download the International application for admission form [.pdf – 307 kB].

If you want to package your course with a Curtin English course, you can submit your application with your course application documents to streamline the process.

If your application is successful, you will receive an offer that you will need to accept or reject.

If you accept your offer, you will receive a Confirmation of Enrolment – a document from Curtin that details your course, how long you will be studying the course, and the tuition fees. This document can be used for acquiring a student visa.

Apply to the Australian government for your student visa. Gaining a student visa will allow you to participate in full-time study in Australia and work up to 40 hours in a fortnight. If you’re under 18 years of age, you must have approved accommodation and welfare arrangements in place before a visa can be issued.

See our pre-departure resources for helpful information regarding your move to Perth.