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 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. 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:
Click on each subject to view the complete syllabus.
Coursework and Assessment
For the Foundation Level, you’ll complete a multiple-choice achievement test and practical assessments. 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.
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.
Advanced Level (Diploma)
This level is ideal for those eager to gain a deeper understanding of a specific area of law while building essential Paralegal skills. It’s perfect if you already have some foundational legal knowledge, whether from prior study or professional experience.
The following subjects are available:
- Civil Litigation
- Corporate & Commercial Law
- Criminal Law and Procedure
- Family Law and Practice
- Land Law & Conveyancing
- Wills, Probate & Administration
Click on each subject to view the complete syllabus.
Coursework and Assessment
The Advanced Level coursework includes a multiple-choice achievement test and a written assignment. Through this coursework, you’ll showcase your understanding of your chosen area of law and gain introductory Paralegal skills. The assignment 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 successful completion, you’ll be awarded an Advanced Diploma Certificate in your chosen subject, showcasing your expertise and advancing your career in the legal field.
Optional Units
To further expand your knowledge, you have the option to enhance your Foundation or Advanced course by adding extra units, including:
Each additional unit is available for £100.
The optional units feature multiple-choice achievement tests, allowing you to demonstrate your understanding of the selected subjects.
Entry Requirements
Foundation Level Courses
This course has no formal entry requirements. However, we recommend that you have a good typing speed, computer literacy, a working knowledge of Microsoft Word, and solid spoken and written English skills.
If you'd like to enhance these skills, ILSPA students are eligible for a 50% discount on Microsoft Office courses. Additionally, we can recommend a free online typing course used by thousands of Students to improve speed and accuracy. Please reach out to us for further details!
Advanced Level Courses
We recommend that Students possess the foundational skills similar to those required in our Foundation Level courses, along with some existing legal knowledge gained through previous study or work experience.
Student Terms and Conditions
Please read our terms and conditions below.
Terms and Conditions
