Legal Professional Practice LLM

Sheffield Hallam University

Course summary

• Combine the study of law with real-life experience of legal practice in our on-campus law firm.

• Develop transferable professional and legal skills, such as interviewing, drafting and advocacy/public speaking.

• Gain a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) and the foundational knowledge required to undertake the Legal Practice Course (or in future, the Solicitors' Qualifying Exam) or Bar Professional Training Course.

This course qualifies you for a career in law and gives you a practical edge in the employment market. Study the core foundations of legal knowledge and gain work experience in our on-campus law firm. The course satisfies the standards of both the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Standards Board.

How you learn

We have highly motivated, knowledgeable and creative staff across the department, who bring a breadth and depth of knowledge and skills from legal practice. This enables high quality learning of the core aspects of the discipline and a range of specialist topics and areas of study.

You learn through

• online lectures

• two-hour workshops

• group work and presentations

• practically based case studies

• professional work-based learning

Applied learning

Live projects

You spend a 12-week module working for two days a week in our on-campus law firm, SHU Law Ltd, gaining practical experience under the supervision of practising solicitors and paralegals.You advise, assist and represent real life clients in your chosen areas across four legal departments:

• business and commercial

• litigation

• property and private client

• professional voluntary work and human rightsThrough this experience you gain practical, transferable skills and experience, such as teamwork, oral and written communication, advocacy and commercial awareness. This will enhance your graduate skills and impress future employers.

Extracurricular opportunities

You will have the opportunity to engage in mooting and debating, representing fictitious clients in appeals before the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, in our on-campus moot court. Our Mooting and Debating Society members take part in internal and national competitions and we have enjoyed considerable success.

Networking

You will create and develop your professional network by working under the supervision of qualified solicitors and paralegals, and liaising with lawyers and other professionals. Our excellent links with the local, regional and national legal profession enable you to gain valuable work experience opportunities and benefit from guest lectures from eminent legal experts.

Accreditation

The Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) is approved and accredited by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.