ILSPA's Foundation Course Syllabuses

ILSPA’s Foundation level courses are suitable for people who would like to specialise in one particular area of law. We offer a range of subjects that can be studied online by distance learning.

These courses are suitable for people who would like to gain knowledge of one area of law and learn about the legal secretarial procedures involved. The learner does not need to have any previous experience of law, but he or she is required to have secretarial skills.

The following subjects are available:

Civil Litigation
Family Law
Land Law and Conveyancing
Wills, Probate and Administration

CIVIL LITIGATION

The aim of this course is to enable the learner to gain an understanding of the main aspects of civil litigation as well as an understanding of how a litigation problem is dealt with. The learner will also develop his or her word processing skills and be able to apply them to a variety of legal forms and documents.

Through studying this course the learner will understand:

The litigation procedure
Procedural steps for a specified amount claim
Procedural steps for an unspecified amount claim
Procedural steps for a summary judgment where there is no defence
Statements of case and the functions of each
The importance of disclosure and the inspection of documents
What is required when preparing for trial
The enforcement of judgment

The learner will also be able to produce the following forms and documents:

Claim form
Particulars of claim
Letter of claim
Letter to the county court for the issue of a claim form
Request for judgment in default for a specified amount
Defence
Letter serving a defence
Request for further information
Instructions to Counsel

FAMILY LAW

The aim of this course is to enable the learner to gain an understanding of marriage and civil partnerships, and the procedure for a divorce or dissolution. The learner will understand how the breakdown of relationships affects children of the union and also the problems ancillary to such a breakdown, such as financial and property disputes. The learner will also develop his or her word processing skills and be able to apply them to a variety of legal forms and documents.

Through studying this course the learner will understand:

Marriage
Civil Partnerships
Divorce
Dissolution of a Civil Partnership
Divorce / Civil Partnership Dissolution Procedure
Financial Remedy Orders
Pre- Nuptial Agreements and Matrimonial Matters before Magistrates
Child or Children Orders

The learner will also be able to produce the following forms and documents:

Client Statement
Client Information Form
Divorce Application
Application for a Conditional Order
Application to Make a Conditional Order Final

LAND LAW AND CONVEYANCING

The aim of this course is to enable the learner to gain an understanding of land law and property ownership as well as the key steps in a conveyancing transaction. The learner will also develop his or her word processing skills and be able to apply them to a variety of legal forms and documents.

Through the Land Law part of this unit, the learner will understand:

Ownership of land
Interests in land
Co-ownership
Registered and unregistered titles
Mortgages
Land charges
Adverse possession

Through the Conveyancing part of this unit, the learner will understand:

Conveyancing terminology
The Law Society Conveyancing Protocol
The conveyancing transaction
A step-by-step guide to the conveyancing transaction
Searches and enquiries
Exchange of contracts
Conveyancing deeds and documents

WILLS, PROBATE AND ADMINISTRATION

The aim of this course is to enable the learner to gain an understanding of the law and practice relating to the estate, rights and charges a person leaves after his or her death. It includes matters relating to wills and the administration of an estate. The learner will also develop his or her word processing skills and be able to apply them to a variety of legal forms and documents.

Through studying this course the learner will understand:

Testate, intestate and partial intestacy
Grants of Representation
Entitlement to act as an Administrator under intestacy
Powers and duties of Personal Representatives
Procedural steps for obtaining a Grant of Probate
Procedural steps for obtaining a Grant of Letters of Administration
An affidavit of due execution and of plight and condition
Key requirements of a valid Will
Proper execution of a Will
Testamentary dispositions
Revocation
Rectification of a Will
Intestacy
The administration of estates

The learner will also be able to produce the following forms and documents:

Draft Will
Engrossed Will
Grant of Probate Application
Letter to a client sending the application for signing
Trust Deed
Various letters in connection with the winding up of an estate

COURSEWORK AND ASSESSMENT

There are no examinations for our Foundation courses. The learner is assessed through coursework which consists of a multiple-choice achievement test and practical assessments.

The multiple-choice achievement test gives the learner the ability to show his or her understanding of the subject studied. The practical assessments involve the production of legal forms and documents. Full instructions and examples are provided to enable the learner to complete the coursework. Through completing the assessments, the learner will be able to show how well he or she is able to follow instructions and apply word processing skills to a variety of legal documents.

The learner will be given a percentage for his or her achievement test and practical assessments. When you complete the course, an average percentage is taken from these results and you will be awarded a pass, merit or distinction, depending on the standard of your work. If you fail any part of the course, you will be given the opportunity to retake it once. There are no additional fees for this.

Upon passing the course, you will be awarded a certificate in your chosen subject area.

Please note, you can combine several areas of law to achieve our Legal Secretaries Diploma.