Graduates4Law, Law School

Law school

For students who have completed a law degree, you can go on to complete the LPC. For students who have completed a non-law degree, you will be required to complete the GDL course, followed by the LPC. (Both of which take one year to complete on a full-time basis).

LPC

This is a one year course giving you the skills to combine your academic knowledge with practical know-how. The course enables you to perform effectively as a trainee solicitor when you start your training contract. The emphasis is on the practical skills of being a solicitor and the courses tend to be workshop and assessment orientated rather than academic lectures. There is, of course, the option to specialise to a certain extent with a range of optional subjects.

If you have not already enrolled on to the LPC, we would encourage you to apply to the College of Law who have several locations across the UK.

The LPC covers three areas of integrated study - core practice areas, skills and additional areas - plus a choice of vocational electives. The precise content of your course and electives will vary according to which route you study. Martineau would encourage you to follow the Corporate Route.

Stage 1

Core Practice areas:

Business Law and Practice
Civil and Criminal Litigation
Property Law and Practice

Skills:

Advocacy
Interviewing and Advising
Practical Legal Research
Problem-solving and IT
Writing and Drafting

Additional Areas:

Professional Conduct and Regulation
Wills and Administration of Estates
Taxation

Choice of Electives

Upon accepting an offer with Martineau, we will discuss your choice of electives with you on an individual basis.

GDL

The Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) is a one year conversion course for non-law graduates enabling you to then complete the LPC.

The GDL gives an understanding of English law on the social and economic environment in which it operates. It is an intensive and demanding programme and focuses on the seven ‘Foundations of Legal Knowledge’:

Contract
Tort
Criminal Law
Equity and the Law of Trusts
European Union Law
Land Law
Public Law

You will also complete a module on ‘Preparing for Practice’ which is designed to provide you with practical, skills-based training in real work situations.

ILEX

The Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX) route appeals to people already in legal employment and they may qualify as a Legal Executive whilst working. Legal Executives are qualified lawyers, working alongside solicitors and barristers.

Students undertake the Level 3 Professional Diploma in Law, followed by the Level 6 Higher Diploma in Law to qualify as a Trainee Legal Executive and become a member of ILEX. Upon completion of a further 2 years work experience you are recognised as a Fellow of ILEX and equivalent to a solicitor.