The Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs
Dedicated to your career every step of the way
Legal Secretary Foundation and Advanced Courses
ILSPAs Foundation and Advanced courses offer a pathway to becoming qualified and highly skilled in a specialised area of law. With options to earn a recognised certificate or diploma in your chosen subject, you can also add core skills units from our popular Legal Secretaries Diploma to further enhance your expertise. Our qualifications are respected by law firms and legal recruiters across the UK and internationally, opening doors to career opportunities in the legal sector.
These courses are ideal for individuals seeking to deepen their knowledge in a specific legal field or for those already working within a particular legal department. They are also perfect for Law Graduates, as they offer the opportunity to choose specific subjects that are essential for entering the legal profession but may not have been covered in their degree syllabus. You can study a variety of legal subjects through our flexible, online distance-learning program, allowing you to start at any time and progress at your own pace.
Both our Foundation and Advanced level courses are assessed entirely through coursework—no examinations required. You’ll have up to one year to complete your course, though most Students finish within 3-6 months. The more time you dedicate, the sooner you’ll be able to achieve your qualification!
All study materials, coursework, and resources are conveniently available online through our exclusive Student and Member area. Once you enrol, you’ll have immediate access to everything you need to succeed. Plus, our team is here to support you every step of the way—submit any queries online and receive prompt assistance from our dedicated staff.
Choosing an ILSPA Legal Secretary course offers a wealth of benefits: gain a respected qualification, receive personalised CV advice and guidance to help you secure employment, and enjoy a year of FREE ILSPA Membership. Additionally, you’ll have access to an extensive library of career resources and become eligible for a TOTUM Student discount card, opening doors to a range of Student perks.
Foundation Level (Certificate)
This level is perfect for those looking to build a solid foundation in a specific area of law while mastering the essential practical tasks of Legal Secretary work. No prior experience in law is needed—just a passion for learning and developing new skills.
The following subjects are available:
- Civil Litigation
- Family Law
- Land Law and Conveyancing
- Law of Contract and Tort
- Wills, Probate and Administration
Please click on the subjects to view the syllabuses.
Coursework and Assessment
For the Foundation Level, you’ll complete a multiple-choice achievement test, practical assessments or an assignment. The multiple-choice test will cover the area of law you study, allowing you to demonstrate your understanding of the unit. The practical assessments involve creating legal forms, documents, and letters, helping you develop essential skills for Legal Secretary work. By completing these tasks, you’ll demonstrate your ability to follow instructions, apply word processing skills to various legal documents, and build confidence in your role. If you are required to complete and assignment, it will include essay or direct questions, with a helpful guide to assignment writing included in the coursework to support you.
Each piece of coursework you submit will be graded, and your final course grade will be based on the average of your results. You’ll be awarded a Pass, Merit, or Distinction depending on the overall quality of your work. If you don’t pass any part of the course, you have the opportunity to retake it once at no additional cost.
Upon successfully completing the Foundation Level, you’ll be awarded a Foundation Level Certificate in your chosen area of study.
