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EDUCATION
DIPLOMA COURSES IN PROFESSIONAL LEGAL STUDIES WITH GRIFFITH COLLEGE (HETAC LEVEL 7 SPECIAL PURPOSE AWARD)
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The course aims to provide students with an academic grounding in the traditional core legal subjects, whilst also focusing on the practical application of core legal principles in the work environment. The study of legal practice and procedure is undertaken specifically with the role, duties and responsibilities of the Legal Executive in mind. During the course of the programme, the learner will be provided with instruction in a wide range of academic and practical legal subject areas.
A Diploma in Legal Studies and Practice is awarded upon successful completion of the programme. Graduates will be eligible for enrolment as Associate Members of the Irish Institute of Legal Executives. All those enrolled on this course are eligible to become Student Members of the Institute.
COURSE OUTLINE & STRUCTURE
This Diploma programme has been designed with input from past graduates, members of our legal academic team, from employers in legal practice and from The Irish Institute of Legal Executives.
The majority of students will complete the Diploma in Legal Studies and Practice in one academic year. Students will attend class three evenings per week (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday) from 6.00pm - 10.00pm each evening. Students can also choose to undertake the course over two academic years by attending class two evening per week one year, and one evening per week another year.
The course will commence in early October each year and students are also invited to an induction meeting with the lecturing staff and support team before term starts. The programme finishes in late May.
On successful completion of the 60 credit (twelve subjects) programme, students will be awarded a Diploma in Legal Studies and Practice and are eligible to become Associate Members of the Irish Institute of Legal Executives. Graduates may enter the first year of the LLB (Hons) in Irish Law degree in Griffith College Cork or Dublin. More details on further study and progression routes are available from the Course Director and the support team.
This is the ONLY HETAC-accredited Legal Excecutive Course and supersedes the former Certfiicate/Diploma course.
COURSE CONTENT
Introduction to the Irish Legal System
Professional Ethics & Skills for Practice
Law of Contract
Law of Torts
Constitutional Law & Judicial Review
Civil Litigation
Criminal Law
Land Law
Conveyancing
Criminal Practice & Procedure
Family Law *
Company Law *
Employment Law *
Mortgages *
* These modules will be offered as electives. Elective modules are offered subject to demand.
ADMISSIONS
Students must meet the standard entry requirements for level 7 programmes
(min. of 5 ordinary level D3s in the Leaving Certificate)
Mature learners: Students over 23 years of age on the 1st of January on the year of admission may apply as a mature student. Mature students are assessed on the basis of age & work experience and may be interviewed in advance of admission.
TIMETABLE
New IILEX 2011-2012 Calendar (pdf format)
LOCATIONS / MODES OF STUDY
The course will be available in:
Dublin - Griffith College Dublin (please visit) www.gcd.ie/law
Cork - Griffith College Cork (please visit) www.gcc.ie/law
Online Learning
Students are entitled to use the extensive facilities available on campus including our library (with complementary access to Heinonline, Kluwer Law International, Justis, Business Source Premier, Lexis Nexis, Westlaw.ie & Westlaw UK), reading and study rooms.
All lecture notes, are available to our students on Moodle also available on Moodle is the Homework Resource pack for each subject, Subject discussion board with your class, plus regional students discussion boards.
DOWNLOADS
Download an application form for Dublin, Cork and Distance Learning
You will require Adobe Acrobat Reader to download and print the application form above, click on the button below to download the reader:
To access details on continuing professional development please click HERE.
CONTACT DETAILS
For further information regarding the IILEX Course in Dublin & Online Learning contact:
Maria Oleynik
Griffith College Dublin
Phone: 01 4163372
E-Mail: maria.oleynik@gcd.ie
For further information regarding the IILEX Course in Cork contact:
Clíodhna Dineen - Course Director
Griffith College Cork
Phone: 021 4507027
E-Mail: cliodhna.dineen@gcc.ie
Or you can visit the GCD IILEX or GCC IILEX course page on the website to find out more information or to apply online, rather than by one of the downloadable forms on this page, by clicking on this link: www.gcd.ie/iilex or www.gcc.ie
IILEX A CASE STUDY - DAWN HIGGINS
Legal Executive as a Career Choice
Dawn Higgins, Legal Executive in Naas, Co. Kildare, chose to become a Legal Executive to further her career in law. Becoming a Legal Executive has opened many career doors for Dawn and it is a decision that has been extremely beneficial to her.
What is a Legal Executive?
A Legal Executive is a person qualified by accumulated practical experience and/or academic credentials to offer more than secretarial or administrative assistance to a solicitor or other legal practitioner in the handling of client cases relating to conveyancing, probate, criminal, civil, family or other legal matters. Some Legal Executives are also Supreme Court-appointed commissioners for oaths or go on to become a solicitor. The Irish Institute of Legal Executives (IILEX) , is the only Irish governing body founded for the purpose and for the advancement of the interests of legal executives in Ireland.
Why Dawn chose to become a Legal Executive
Dawn began working as a receptionist at a law firm and after a year was promoted to legal secretary to a litigation partner. Dawn thoroughly enjoyed this position and quickly gained more responsibility. Dawn recognised she needed a qualification and chose to do a Diploma in Professional Legal Studies offered by Griffith College in order to become a Legal Executive.
Also, a huge benefit to a career as a Legal Executive is that after five years you can apply to the Law Society to become a solicitor, even if you do not hold a degree. This specific qualification also acts as a ‘passport’ to those who intend travelling to say the likes of Australia.
What it takes to become a Legal Executive
Dawn was working fulltime while studying to become a Legal Executive. She noted that ‘ I have to say it was well worth it though.’
‘A career as a Legal Executive is a highly rewarding job. If someone considering undertaking the course at Griffith College to become a Legal Executive and is not already working in the legal field I suggest that they speak to the team in Griffith College especially the Course Director of the programme’ Dawn advised.
The Work
‘I have many different responsibilities in my role as legal executive,’ she said. These responsibilities include preparation of pleadings for District Court and Circuit Court in relation to personal injury matters, road traffic accidents, debt collection matters, planning matters, environmental prosecutions and general litigation matters to name but a few. ‘Every day is different and there are always new challenges,’ Dawn commented. ‘In my role I have a lot of contact with people and consistently have to work to tight deadlines.’
How to become a Legal Executive
The course developed by Griffith College and The Irish Institute of Legal Executives (IILEX) – which is the only Irish body for Legal Executives in Ireland, aims to provide students with an academic grounding in the traditional core legal subjects, whilst also focusing on the practical application of core legal principles in the work environment.
Diploma graduates will be eligible for enrolment as Associate Members of the Irish Institute of Legal Executives.
Dawn says ‘Although I had not undertaken an educational course since my Leaving certificate, my experience at College was excellent and very very rewarding and I made some great friends too’.
For information on the IILEX Professional Legal Studies course visit www.gcc.ie/iilex
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