Certificate in Legal Practice
Course Overview
The Certificate in Legal Practice allows learners to enhance their legal career through the study of 4 practical legal modules.
The Certificate in Legal Practice (Level 7, QQI, Special Purpose Award) is a one year course which covers four practical modules and is offered on a part-time basis (one night per week) allowing students to attend lectures either on campus or online.
Students attend class one evening per week (Wednesday) from 6.00pm - 10.00pm. Students can attend lectures either on campus, synchronously via livestream or asynchronously online via recorded lectures. Students must attend workshops and examinations on campus.
Why Study Legal Practice at Griffith College?
The aim of the Certificate in Legal Practice course is to develop students' expertise in legal practice through the study of Professional and Academic Preparedness and Skills, Civil Litigation Conveyancing and Criminal Practice and Procedure. Students can attend lectures either on campus, synchronously via livestream or asynchronously online via recorded lectures. Students must attend workshops on campus.
- The Certificate in Legal Practice is a Level 7 Special Purpose Award validated by QQI.
- Students will gain experience in legal practices, to supplement existing legal knowledge, preparing them for a career in law.
- Students will acquire highly transferable skills attractive to a wide range of businesses outside law.
- All of our lecturers have many years’ experience in the legal sector.
- All lectures and course materials are available anytime through our Moodle service.
Course Highlights
- Small Class Sizes
- Full Online Access Available
- Experienced and Legal Practitioner Lecturers
- Extensive Library Facilities and Legal Research Databases
Additional Information
- The Certificate in Legal Practice year is broken into four blocks.
- The course takes place over one academic year, with classes one night per week, Wednesdays, from 6:00pm-10:00pm.
- All lectures are livestreamed, recorded and posted online for students unable to attend class.
- Students must attend workshops on campus.
Modules on the Certificate in Legal Practice are practical in nature and supplement learners' existing legal knowledge while preparing them for a career in the legal sector.
Modules
- Professional and Academic Preparedness and Skills
- Civil Litigation
- Conveyancing
- Criminal Practice and Procedure
Intake Dates
- Dublin - Part-Time - September 2025
- Cork - Part-Time - September 2025
Course Details
Modules on the Certificate in Legal Practice are practical in nature and supplement learners existing legal knowledge while preparing them for a career in the legal sector.
Modules
The purpose of this module is to provide students with an understanding of the ethics incumbent within the legal system in Ireland and to introduce learners to the obligations placed upon those who work in the legal sector by legislation, codes of conduct and precedent.
This module aims to develop within learners familiarity with:
- Whistleblowing and money laundering legislation
- Disciplinary Procedures Under The IILEX Code of Conduct
- the performance of key administrative tasks such as file management, time recording and client billing
- the Professional Codes of Conduct of Barristers, Solicitors, and Legal Executives
- the effect of legal restrictions imposed by the Freedom of Information Act, Data Protection Acts and the Law of Confidence on the work of a legal executive
- the appropriate interaction between legal executive and client, and legal executive and solicitor
This module will introduce learners to the different jurisdictions exercised by the District Court, the Circuit Court and the High Court respectively, in civil matters, and explain both the manner in which civil litigation is initiated before the Irish Courts and the rules relating to the service of pleadings. Students will discuss the procedures and practices before the Personal Injuries Assessment Board and be able to outline the most pertinent interlocutory procedures applying in civil litigation. Lecturers will promote learners’ understanding of good case management in civil matters and encourage them to develop their skills with regard to client care such as interviewing clients and managing client files. Students will also gain an understanding of the role played by negotiation within civil legal practice.
This module aims to impart knowledge of the nature and purpose of conveyancing and develop an understanding of the role of the professional – estate agent, auctioneer, solicitor and counsel - in conveyancing. Students will gain an understanding of the conveyancing procedure involved in the transfer of property both registered and unregistered; deduction and investigation of title and completion. They will also formulate an understanding of the overlap between contract law, equity and conveyancing. By the end of the module, students will be able to explain the law surrounding mortgages, and they will have a familiarity with key land law documents.
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to describe the Irish criminal system generally and the jurisdiction of the courts responsible for the implementation of that system. They will have an understanding of the criminal appeals system including the respective responsibilities of the Central Criminal Court, the Court of Appeal and the Circuit Court, and be able to describe the differing circumstances in which the summons procedure and the charge sheet procedure are employed and the purposes served by these alternative procedures. They will further be familiar with important pre-trial procedures and the practice & procedure applying to summary trials as well as trials on indictment.
Timetables
*Subject to Change
How to Apply
Entry Requirements
All applicants need to have work experience in a legal environment and previously studied law at Level 6 or upwards.
English Language
Griffith College is accepting the online Duolingo English Test (DET) as valid proof of English proficiency.
For more information, please visit here.
How to Apply
Applicants under 23 years of age:
Need 5 O6/H7 grades in the Leaving Certificate, to include a language (English, Irish or another language) or, four GCSE passes at grade C to include English plus one pass at A-level.
Fill in the application form uploading a copy of the following;
- Photo I.D. (passport)
- A detailed C.V.
- Previous degree transcripts
- Leaving Certificate results (if applicable)
Fees
Please note that not all study modes may be offered at all times; for confirmation, refer to the Intake dates on the Overview tab.
Tuition Fees
Study Mode: Part-Time/Blended
Dublin : EUR 2,450.00
Cork : EUR 2,450.00
An Academic Administration Fee of EUR250.00 and a 2% Learner Protection Charge is applicable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted below.
Flexible payment options
Students wishing to pay their fees monthly may avail of our direct debit scheme. Please view our Fees information page for more information and assistance.
Sponsorship
Is your company paying for your course?
They will need to complete a Griffith College Sponsorship Form and send this to the Student Fees Office:
- Post: Student Fees, Griffith College Dublin, South Circular Road, Dublin 8
- Email: accounts@griffith.ie
Cork
- Post: Student Fees, Griffith College, Wellington Road, Cork
- Email: studentfees.gcc@griffith.ie
2% Learner Protection Charge
All QQI accredited programmes of education and training of 3 months or longer duration are covered by arrangements under section 65 (4) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 whereby, in the event of the provider ceasing to provide the programme for any reason, enrolled learners may transfer to a similar programme at another provider, or, in the event that this is not practicable, the fees most recently paid will be refunded.
QQI Award Fee
Please note that a QQI Award Fee applies in the final year of all QQI courses. To find the relevant fee for your course level, please see the Fees page.
Progression
Academic Progression
Graduates of this course have the option to continue their studies at Griffith College. We offer a number of options including:
You can contact our admissions team to discuss what progression options are available to you.
Career Progression
Through the Certificate in Legal Practice, you will have gained valuable professional experience, built a strong foundation of critical analysis and presentation skills, and covered a diverse range of topics. There is a wide range of career options for our graduates including:
- Legal Secretary
- Legal Executive
