Diploma in Legal Practice
NEWS: The closing date for applications to the Diploma in Legal Practice for academic session 2008/2009 was Monday, 14th April 2008.
In session 2008/2009 the Diploma is being offered by the University of Aberdeen, the University of Dundee, the University of Edinburgh, the Glasgow Graduate School of Law, Robert Gordon University and the University of Stirling.
In making decisions on admissions, it is understood that each provider will utilise similar criteria to those used for the allocation of SAAS awards (funded places will be available in academic session 2008/2009), which is performance in the professional subjects. The fact that an applicant has an offer of a traineeship at the time of applying may be a factor taken into account, but ONLY as another possible factor when deciding among applicants who have extremely similar acadmic records. The application form includes guidance on this, should you wish to discuss this in more detail please email legaleduc@lawscot.org.uk or telephone the Society.
NB The Diploma application form states that you will not (normally) be eligible for a SAAS-funded place if you have previously undertaken post-graduate study, "with or without support from UK public funds". The position of SAAS for academic session 2008/2009 is, in fact, that you will not (normally) be eligible for a SAAS-funded place if you have previously undertaken post-graduate study "with support from UK public funds". Applicants are advised to visit the SAAS website for clarification of this point.
After completion of the LLB degree or professional examinations, all intending solicitors must take the Diploma in Legal Practice. The course is provided by the Universities of Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh, the Glasgow Graduate School of Law, the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen and from 2008 the University of Stirling. By 2008 each of the diploma providers will have been through a Law Society of Scotland accreditation process.
The course lasts for 26 weeks and has been designed to be a bridge between the LLB degree and the practical training with a Scottish solicitor. It aims to impart the practical knowledge and skills necessary for the working life of a solicitor. Although the course takes place at a university, much of the teaching is carried out by practising solicitors and advocates.
During the diploma, students study compulsory courses in conveyancing, civil court practice, criminal court practice, private client, financial services and related skills, accountancy, professional responsibility and a choice of either company and commercial or public administration. Details of the content of each of these courses is contained in the syllabus.
Applications for diploma places must be made by the end of March each year for admission in September. Application forms are available from the universities offering the LLB degree. Anybody who is no longer an undergraduate when applying should contact the university at which they wish to study for the diploma to obtain an application form. Admission is on the basis of performance in the first sitting of the 'core' or 'professional' subjects studied at the LL.B. (usually taken in the first two years of undergraduate study).
Although we are fortunate in having received a number of fee funded places from the Students Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) since the inception of the diploma, we have no guarantee from year to year that funding will continue. Prospective students should also note that there are more places available than there are fees awards from SAAS. The awards are made on academic merit, which is judged on the basis of marks obtained at first sitting in the professional subjects (usually taken in the first two years of undergraduate study).
It should also be noted that gaining a place on, or successful completion of, an Diploma course does NOT guarantee a training contract or future employment in the legal profession in Scotland.
