Teaching and assessment for Professional Legal Practice PGDip

This module considers the regulatory framework for the provision of financial services. It covers methods of investments, mortgages, insurance, pensions, and the concept of risk.

The module offers an introduction to various legal services for private clients. These include:

• will drafting
• estate administration
• taxation
• and trusts

You will develop skills in drafting legal documents, interpreting them, and how to communicate empathetically.

This module covers legislative provisions for Scottish criminal procedures. This applies to procedures in both Sheriff and High Courts. You will explore topics such as:

• procedural sequences
• bail applications
• pleas in mitigation
• appeals

Gain experience of three key areas required to become a successful solicitor: Accounts Rules of the Law Society of Scotland, development of client interviewing skills and basic accounting principles.

A civil court is a legal forum. Its purpose is to resolve non-criminal disputes between individuals, organizations, or entities.

This module looks at the application of Scottish civil legislation to disputes such as:

• contracts
• reparation
• the law of civil evidence in general

This module considers legal matters relating to the formation, management and administration of private limited companies in Scotland.

Learn about company incorporation and preparation of relative documents, procedures for issue and transfer of shares, asset and share purchases, warranties, disclosure letters, corporate lending, and security documentation.

The aim of this module is to build upon and develop students’ knowledge and understanding of the areas of work covered by private client solicitors and to introduce students to areas of private client work not covered by the core module.

This module covers commonly encountered aspects of family law legal practice. You will focus on topics such as:

• divorce procedure
• contact and residence issues
• alternatives to litigation

The module also covers topics such as:

• cohabitation
• prenuptial agreements
• civil partnerships
• protection against domestic abuse

Employment Law covers the legal relationship between employers and employees. Topics include hiring, wages, working hours, discrimination, harassment, termination, and workplace safety.

It ensures fair treatment and enforces labour standards. It also provides legal recourse for both parties in case of disputes or violations.

This module seeks to build on oral and written skills gained in the core civil and criminal procedure modules.

The course is equally split between criminal and civil matters.

Personal Injury (PI) refers to harm inflicted on an individual due to accidents, negligence, or intentional actions of others. This module considers the most commonly encountered type of PI claims. It also looks at topics such as:

• liability for the public and employers
• occupier’s liability
• clinical negligence
• industrial diseases

This module looks at both dispute resolution (DR) and alternate dispute resolution (ADR) in Scottish legal practice. You will explore the huge variety of areas of law that DR and ADR can cover. This includes contract and property law. This module also covers client communication and negotiation.

The scheme provides an opportunity for 5 Diploma students to gain experience of the work of an Advocate, insight into the Faculty of Advocates as well as the chance to develop your existing advocacy skills.