Cardiff Law School Legal Practice Course - www.law.cardiff.ac.uk/cpls
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Cardiff Law School Legal Practice Course www.law.cardiff.ac.uk/cpls
an introduction to . . .
Cardiff Law School
Cardiff Law School is one of the most In 1996 the Centre was validated by the
succesful law schools in the UK and enjoys Bar Council of England and Wales to
an international reputation for its teaching provide the Bar Vocational Course. This
and research. The Legal Practice Course means that Cardiff Law School is one of the
(LPC) has consistently been rated few institutions which has been entrusted
“excellent” by the Law Society. In the by their respective professional bodies
Government’s independent assessment of to provide both routes into the legal
research quality, the School has been profession.
awarded a “Grade 5” rating indicating that
it is undertaking research of international
excellence. Facilities
The Law School currently has around 1500 The Centre for Professional Legal Studies
students studying law on a wide range of is located within the Law School and
undergraduate and postgraduate degree includes a dedicated Legal Practice Library
programmes. The academic staff (over 80 and extensive computer facilities.
in number including 19 professors) are
active in many areas of research and expert Students also have the benefit of the
consultation with public and private bodies. Law School Graduate Building housing a
courtroom with audio visual facilities,
Cardiff Law School established the Centre teaching rooms and a common room.
for Professional Legal Studies in 1992 with
the express purpose of teaching the LPC. In The School has a large law library with
1997 the Course achieved its first 75,000 volumes and about 300 journals
“excellent” rating from the Law Society. and law reports, supplemented by key
This was confirmed again in 1998, in 2001 legal databases such as Westlaw UK and
and in 2003. LexisNexis. The Law Library has been
assessed as ‘outstanding’ by the Higher
Education Funding Council for Wales.
1 Cardiff’s Legal Practice Course offers you: • A course consistently rated “excellent” by the Law Society. Cardiff is one of the few institutions nationally to have acheived this distinction • Strong links with the legal profession including a work placement scheme • Staff with substantial practice experience • A friendly and supportive teaching environment • Outstanding library and IT facilities • “The biggest and best Students’ Union in the United Kingdom” (The Independent) • A vibrant capital city with excellent cultural, sporting and leisure activities
2
Contents
The Legal Practice Course 4 The University 10
Professional Links 6 Admissions and Open Days 12
Careers 7 Further Information 12
The City 8 Location 13
Terms and Conditions
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information
contained within this brochure is correct at the time of writing in This document can also be made
May 2005. However, the University does not accept any liability for
any errors that it may contain, or for any subsequent changes to available in large print (text),
the University or Government policy that may affect the information
given. Cardiff University expressly excludes any representations or braille and on audio tape/CD.
warranties (whether express or implied) and all liability including
direct, indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages To request an alternative format,
arising out of the use of the information on these pages, to the
fullest extent possible under law. please contact Cheryl Smith,
The pulp used in the production of this paper is obtained from
sustainably managed Scandinavian tree farms and utilizes an
Tel: 029 2087 4941
elementary chlorine free bleaching process. Email: law-lpc@cf.ac.uk
LAW/CPLS/05/05
3 The University is located at the heart of Cardiff’s magnificent civic centre Welcome The Centre for Professional Legal Studies at Cardiff Law School offers a unique portfolio of courses. We are particularly proud of the Legal Practice Course, a course which has been rated “excellent” by the Law Society since 1997. Allied to this, the Law School and the University as a whole are both very highly rated, with the Law School producing research which includes work regarded as amongst the best in the world. Many of our former students have gone on to undertake successful careers in all areas of the solicitors’ profession. In organising and delivering the Legal Practice Course, we endeavour to enable students to be prepared for those areas of practice to which they aspire. Student and employer feedback is, and always has been, extremely positive. Our students come from all over England and Wales and overseas. Cardiff itself is a culturally diverse and friendly city in which to study and Ian C Brookfield we pride ourselves in providing a caring and Director of the Centre for Professional supportive yet challenging learning environment Legal Studies for our students. I very much hope that you will decide to enhance your professional career by choosing to undertake the Legal Practice Course with us and I look forward to welcoming you to Cardiff.
4
The Legal Practice Course
“The year studying the LPC in Structure of the Cardiff LPC Foundation Course
Cardiff was one of the most
The Course starts in early September and ends Our Foundation Course has a variety of
enjoyable experiences I have
with the final examination period in late June or purposes:
had to date. If I had to
early July. • to introduce students to and give them an
summarise my Cardiff LPC
experience in a few words, opportunity to practise the basic elements of
I would simply say: There is a 2 week Foundation Course, followed the LPC skillls.
memorable and highly by a spread of approximately 30 teaching
• to familiarise students with the range of
recommended” weeks. In addition to vacations, there is a
software available on the University’s
“reading week”, revision time and assessment
Ioannis Kastritis network.
weeks, taking the Course to about 43 weeks
from start to finish. • to introduce the key elements which pervade
the Course
Successful completion of the Course leads to a • to set the stage for a professional approach
Diploma in Legal Practice with results released to the study and practice of law
in July and a formal Graduation ceremony in
the autumn.
Compulsory Subjects
• Business Law and Practice
The LPC comprises • Property Law and Practice
• Foundation Course
• Litigation and Advocacy
• Compulsory Subjects
• Skills essential for a solicitor
• Pervasive and Core Subjects Skills essential for a solicitor
• Elective Subjects
• Advocacy
• Drafting
A typical small group workshop • Interviewing and Advising
• Practical Legal Research
• Writing
These skills are taught and assessed mainly in
the compulsory subjects. We also introduce
and develop other skills that are key
components in legal and other professions,
such as negotiation and other general
presentation skills.
Pervasive and Core Subjects
These include:
• Professional Conduct and Client Care
• The Financial Services and
Markets Act 2000
• Probate and Administration of Estates
• Accounts – Solicitors’ and Business
• Revenue Law
• European Union Law
• Human Rights
• Business/Commercial Awareness
• Risk Assessment and Risk Management
5
An advocacy workshop in the
impressive courtroom facilities of the
Law School Graduate Building
Rough Guide to the LPC –
what the students really
think about Cardiff
“Excellently organised,
fantastic staff, great social
committee - best year of
study I’ve ever had.”
Elective Subjects Assessment
In your third term, you will choose three elective The compulsory and elective subjects are
subjects. These offer an element of specialisation assessed by written assessments. All “A very challenging but
in the main areas of a solicitor’s practice. We assessments (except Accounts) are “open enjoyable course expertly
keep the subjects we offer under review and we book”. Provisional results of assessments are delivered.”
aim to maintain a balance between the issued as they are completed during the year.
commercial and private client options.
You will also be assessed in each of the skills. “You get the feeling that
For example, for those students who have an Before your skills assessments you will have staff really want you to
interest in corporate work we can offer a the opportunity to practise these and receive succeed and are more
package of commercially based elective feedback from your tutor. than willing to help you
subjects. On the other hand, if your interest achieve your ambitions.”
lies in working in a more general practice we Welsh Advocacy
can offer a range of both contentious and non “Nice modern teaching
This is a short optional course in the elective
contentious subject choices. rooms - loads of new
term for students who are fluent in the Welsh
language. The course gives some training in the camera equipment and
We presently offer: plenty of PCs.”
use of the Welsh language by advocates in
Corporate Options: court and provides information as to the
• Mergers and Acquisitions development of the use of the language in
“Good social events like
• Commercial Litigation courts and tribunals
quizzes and parties. The
in Wales.
• Commercial Property tutors usually make an
• Intellectual Property effort to go to these so
you get quite friendly with
• Employment Law
them during the course
Private Client Options: and they are really
human!”
• Private Client
• Housing Law
“Thank you so much all of
• Family Law
you for your time, support
• Child Care Law and dedication. Hopefully
• Employment Law we’ll make you proud!”
6
Professional Links
Work placement feedback Our links with local practitioners have been • The Centre’s staff (including a professional
highlighted by the Law Society as one of the law librarian and other qualified library and
“I found the experience
strengths of the course: “the teaching team computing staff) form a highly committed
helpful because I was
strives successfully to involve local practitioners and professional team of lecturers.
given ‘real’ tasks to do.
in the delivery of the course”. A number of them have experience as
I was also able to chat
external examiners at other LPC providers.
with current trainees.”
Our links Some have close links with a provider of
the Professional Skills Course (the next stage
• Our teaching staff are all solicitors with
“Everyone at the firm was of the obligatory training for solicitors) and
experience in a variety of practice areas,
keen to explain things as with other training organisations, both local
and were specifically recruited to teach on
they were going along, and national.
the Course.
and gave me an insight • Staff keep up to date with practice, (in one
• Our Course consultants are usually practising
into the workings of a instance sitting as a deputy district judge),
senior partners in solicitors’ firms locally and
smaller firm.” by maintaining close links with the profession
nationally and also include a district judge.
and by delivery of and attendance at courses
The consultants contribute to the design and
and conferences.
“It was an invaluable delivery of the Course.
experience. It helped to • We have the support of firms who offer a
put into context everything broad range of assistance. They provide
we have been studying on “guaranteed work placements” for our
What the
the course.” students without training contracts. This Employers say …
means that you will have the opportunity to
work with experienced practitioners in a “The Cardiff LPC produces just the type
“It was helpful to of trainee we look for. The training they
range of tasks. We are proud to be able to
experience and observe receive makes them excellent candidates
offer the scheme largely due to our excellent
what life is like as a
connections with practitioners. for a commercial firm like ours. I rate
trainee in a large
the trainees we have taken from the
commercial firm.”
Cardiff LPC very highly.”
Allan Wilson, Morgan Cole, Cardiff
“It was a very enjoyable
and worthwhile
experience. Many thanks.”
“The placement was
excellent – it has made
me much more confident
about my own ability
and skills.”
Our students have Addleshaw Goddard, Leeds Cartwright Black, Cardiff
secured training Allen and Overy, London Clarke Willmott, Bristol
Barlow Lyde & Gilbert, London Clyde and Co, London
contracts with firms
Beachcroft Wansbroughs, Bristol CMS Cameron McKenna, London
and organisations Beetenson & Gibbon, Grimsby Cobbetts, Manchester
throughout the Belmont & Lowe, London Davies and Partners, Gloucester
country including:- Berwin Leighton & Paisner, London Dechert, London
Bevan Ashford, Exeter Denton, Wilde Sapte, London
Bird & Bird, London Dickinson Dees, Newcastle upon Tyne
Blake Lapthorn, Southampton Dolmans, Cardiff
Bond Pearce, Exeter Douglas-Jones Mercer, Swansea
Burges Salmon, Bristol Dover District Council
Cadwalader Wickersham and Taft, London Edwards Geldard, Cardiff
Capital Law, Cardiff Eversheds
7
Careers
Our students have access to the main
University Careers network. Additionally we
have developed an extensive careers
programme to assist our students to obtain a
training contract or other employment of their
choice.
Our programme typically
includes:
• Talks by local practitioners on presentation of
CV and application letters.
• An interviewing workshop by the former
director of training of a major Cardiff
commercial firm.
• Email notification of job vacancies.
• Workshops by various multi-national firms on
law-related careers for example tax,
accountancy and the company secretaries
qualification.
• Workshop by former LPC students offering
anecdotal advice on techniques for securing
a training contract. The Vice-Chancellor, Dr David Grant,
• Presentations by local Trainee Solicitors’ What the Cherie Booth QC, Professor David
Miers (Deputy Head of Cardiff Law
Group and associated social events. Employers say … School), and Ian Brookfield
• Invitation to the prestigious Cardiff Law Fair (Director, CPLS) at the Annual
“I continue to be impressed by the calibre Ewan Davies Lecture.
which takes place at the City Hall and which of trainees from the Cardiff LPC. They have
is generally attended by an excellent mix of clearly benefited from the excellent teaching
local and national firms. and facilities at Cardiff Law School. These
• Guaranteed work placement scheme for all trainees are consistently the best and are
students without training contracts. consistently promoted throughout the firm.”
Placements of up to a week take place in Christopher Nott, Capital Law, Cardiff
October/November and vary from local
government to high street and large
commercial firms.
• Cardiff is in the process of setting up a pro
bono legal advice scheme which will involve
LPC students.
Gard & Co, Plymouth Irwin Mitchell, Sheffield Neath Port Talbot Council
Garretts, Birmingham Jenkins Newman Partnership, Olswang, London
Goldstones, Swansea Merthyr Tydfil Osborne Clarke, Bristol
Graham Evans & Partners, Swansea John Collins and Partners, Swansea Porter Dodson, West Country
Hamlins, London JA Hughes, Barry Richards Butler, London
Hammonds, London Kennedys, London Sheridans, London
Herbert Smith, London Kuit Steinart Levy, Manchester Simmons & Simmons, London
Hewitsons, London LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, Spicketts, Pontypridd
Hill Taylor Dickinson, London London Smith Llewellyn Partnership, Swansea
Howells, Cardiff Lawrence Graham, London Trowers & Hamlins, London
Hugh James, Cardiff Loosemores, Cardiff Welsh Health Legal Services, Cardiff
Hurlow and Partners, Cardiff Martyn Prowell, Cardiff Wendy Hopkins & Co, Cardiff
Ince & Co, London MLM, Cardiff Wragge & Co, Birmingham
Morgan Cole, Cardiff
8
main pic
Cardiff Castle and
the Millennium Stadium
below left
The New Theatre
below middle
Cardiff Bay
below right
Cardiff Civic Centre9
Cardiff provides a first class environment in
which to live and study. It combines the
practical advantages of a small, friendly
inexpensive city with the cultural and
recreational amenities of a successful and
modern capital. Many of the facilities are of
international standard: there are the Wales
Millennium Centre; the Millennium Stadium;
the National Museums and Galleries of Wales;
several theatres; numerous cinemas; and a
vibrant and modern shopping centre which
contains all the major retail chains plus local
specialist shops.
Cardiff is a compact city with large areas of
parkland and good public transport services.
There is easy access to the countryside and
coast. The Brecon Beacons National Park is
only 30 minutes drive from Cardiff and the
Glamorgan Heritage Coast is within easy reach.
Cardiff
- the City
Don’t just take our word for it . . .
“Cardiff is the up-and-coming “Cardiff is popular with students,
cosmopolitan British city, a place offering all the attractions of a large
jam-packed per square yard with some conurbation without such high prices as
of the best drinking, dancing and students experience elsewhere.”
shopping outside London.”
The Times Good University Guide
Virgin Alternative Guide
to British Universities
Come and see for yourself . . .
Cardiff benefits from excellent road and rail
“The fastest growing capital city in links with Britain’s other major towns and
Europe. It boasts beautiful old cities. London, for example, is less than two
architecture as well as the major hours by train, and the M4 links both the west
waterfront development at Cardiff Bay, and south of England, as well as west Wales.
which includes cinemas, restaurants, Travel to the Midlands and the North is equally
cafes and museums. Excellent convenient. The journey by road from
shopping, eating and accessibility.” Birmingham, for instance, takes only two hours
while Manchester and Nottingham are around
The Trotman Student Book three hours away. The main coach and railway
In 2005 the City of Cardiff
stations are both centrally placed, and Cardiff marks 100 years as a City
also benefits from an international airport. and 50 years as a capital City10
Cardiff
- the University
Cardiff is one of Britain’s major civic universities equipment is available. In the assessments of
with a history of service and achievement dating teaching quality, 21 subject areas have
back to 1883. It is a member of the Russell achieved the “Excellent” ranking, one of the
Group of leading UK universities and has its highest totals in the UK.
own Royal Charter. The University currently has
The University is located in and around the
some 16,000 undergraduate and 3500
impressive Portland stone buildings, parks and
postgraduate students. There is an almost
tree lined avenues that form Cardiff’s
equal balance between humanities, healthcare,
magnificent civic centre. In recent years, more
business, science and engineering courses, and
than £185 million has been invested in the
between male and female students.
University estate. Several major buildings have
Cardiff is amongst the leading group of been constructed to accommodate the
universities in the United Kingdom, according to University’s expanding teaching and research
Students have access to the latest the latest independent assessment of research. activities and the majority of academic schools
information technology Cardiff is ranked 7th out of more than 100 UK have benefited from major refurbishment.
universities. This creates a stimulating
environment for teaching, ensuring that
students are exposed to the very latest thinking
main picture and that the most modern technology and
The University’s Main Building11
Social & Sporting Activities
LPC students enjoy an active social life and
participate in various sporting events. The LPC
has organised its own rugby, netball, football
and cricket teams which have competed in
local leagues and against teams from Cardiff
law firms. There is an annual Summer Ball and
other activities such as quiz evenings, parties
and theatre trips. Additionally, being part of the
University, LPC students can enjoy its many
and varied sporting, social and cultural events.
“One of the top teaching and research
universities in the UK. Cardiff is everything a
The LPC’s Annual Ball held at Cardiff’s magnificent City Hall
good university should be – it has excellent
facilities, magnificent buildings, great social
and sporting facilities, all wrapped up in a
vibrant cultural city centre.”
Sunday Times University Guide12
Admissions and Open Days
Open Days Admissions If you wish to obtain a copy, please contact:
We hold a number of If you are interested in studying at Cardiff and The Law Society
Open Days which provide require an application form please contact the: Ipsley Court
you with the opportunity Legal Practice Course Berrington Close
to visit the Law School, Central Applications Board Redditch
inspect the facilities and PO Box 84 Worcestershire
meet staff and students. Guildford B98 OTD
If you are unable to attend Surrey Tel: 020 7242 1222
an Open Day you may GU3 1YX Web: www.lawsociety.org.uk
arrange an informal Tel: 01483 301282
meeting with one of Web: www.lawcabs.ac.uk For further information about the Cardiff LPC
our lecturers. please contact:
Forms are available from early autumn for the Byron Jones
following year’s Course. Completed forms Centre for Professional Legal Studies
should be returned by the end of November. Cardiff Law School
Cardiff University
Cardiff is validated to take 180 students. Our Museum Avenue
“The course is excellent and
selection process is based on flexible criteria, Cardiff CF10 3UX
all tutors and supporting staff
none of which is paramount. The criteria we Tel: (029) 2087 4941/6660
are fantastic – I can’t rate
you all highly enough! –
take into account include: Fax: (029) 2087 4984
thank you!” • your academic record Email: law-lpc@cf.ac.uk
• your own statement in support of your www.law.cardiff.ac.uk/cpls
application
• statements made by your referee Equal Opportunities
• your degree of commitment to the solicitors’ The University conducts its student recruitment,
profession, as evidenced by placements or a selection and assessment procedures on an
secured training contract equal opportunities basis. It is committed to
ensuring that all applicants, students and
“The Cardiff LPC was very • your reasons for wanting to study at Cardiff
employees are treated equally, regardless of
well organised, the course • any special personal reasons affecting your their colour, race, ethnic or national origins,
was well structured and freedom to study elsewhere gender, sexual orientation, marital status,
taught. A thoroughly
enjoyable year” • the order of preferences of institution named family responsibilities, physical or sensory
in your application disabilities, or their political or religious beliefs.
Fees Applicants with
Our fee is competitive. Current details are Disabilities/Specific Needs
available from us at the address on this page All offers to study at Cardiff University are made
or our website at www.law.cardiff.ac.uk/cpls solely on the basis of academic merit. Where
applicants have specific requirements that
Materials relate to a disability or medical condition, they
“The “Excellent” rating is Your fee includes the following: are encouraged to discuss these with relevant
certainly deserved! The staff in order that appropriate arrangements
• specially tailored and prepared course
course and its staff are a can be made to ensure the University provides
credit to the University”
materials
an accessible environment. Specifically,
• complete set of manuals applicants are invited to contact the Disability
• access to IT resources Adviser who can provide information about the
• all assessment fees applications procedure, course delivery and
access to the physical environment. Where
appropriate, informal visits can be arranged in
Further Information which applicants can view accommodation and
The Law Society, the governing body for meet academic staff.
solicitors practising in England and Wales,
publishes a brochure entitled “Becoming a The Disability Adviser can be contacted at the
Solicitor” which gives further information Dean of Students’ Office, 50 Park Place,
and details. This includes details of the Cardiff, CF10 3UA.
academic entry requirements for all students Tel/Minicom: (029) 2087 0004
wishing to enrol on any LPC. Email: williamsme1@cardiff.ac.uk13
Where to find us
Cardiff Law School
Other University BuildingsCentre for Professional Legal Studies
Cardiff Law School
Cardiff University, Museum Avenue
Cardiff CF10 3UX
Tel: (029) 2087 4941/6660
Fax: (029) 2087 4984
Email: law-lpc@cf.ac.uk
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