Certificate in Online Paralegal Studies

Course Overview

This unique online certificate offers a flexible introductory route to the study of law. Study at your own time and at your own pace. Learners are free to register at any point throughout the year to access the course. Depending upon date of registration learners will be offered three alternative submission dates during the year when they may submit their coursework.

Classes are divided into 2 hour classes twice per week which are delivered via online pre-recorded lectures. Each session is supported by online materials and interactive quizzes upon completion of the session. Learners complete introductory modules in key areas such as Legal Research, Contract Law, Business Law, and Civil Litigation. Online tutor support is also available throughout. Learners submit coursework in each module successful completion of which leads to the award of the certificate.

Course Objectives

This programme involves a total of 80 teaching hours. The objective of the course is to provide learners with an introductory but practical focus to the study of law. The emphasis in each module is on practical skills as well as theoretical knowledge. The course is preliminary and does not require prior legal knowledge.

Who Should Attend?

The programme is ideally suited for those employed as legal secretaries, clerks, or legal executives who wish to supplement their professional experience with a supporting qualification and who wish to advance their legal skills. The programme has both a theoretical and practical focus. The programme is also ideal for those considering pursuing a career in law and are looking for an introductory programme to the field.

Lecturer Profile

Dr Val Corbett is the Head of Programmes at LawSchool.ie. His principal research and teaching experience are in the area of employment law, the law of contract, and the law of torts. He also teaches Corporate and Business Law (F4) on the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) course at AccountancySchool.ie and Company and Business Law for Trinity College Dublin Business School. He is also co-author of Employment Law in Ireland (Clarus Press, Dublin 2009), the second edition of which is due for publication in 2020. Val teaches the Law of Obligations and Employment Law on the Certificate programme.

Dr Maura Kelly has a wide range of experience in the academic and commercial legal environment. She has been lecturing for over 20 years both in the public and private university sector. Her main areas of expertise are Constitutional Law, Company Law and EU law. She holds a PhD in the area of property rights. Maura teaches Introduction to the Law & Legal Skills on the Certificate programme.

Programme Delivery –Online

This programme is delivered via pre-recorded online classes. Commencing in October 2021 for the first 10 weeks lectures in Modules 1 & 2 will be released online on a weekly basis. Once these lectures are completed the second 10 weeks will involve the release of lectures in Modules 3 & 4. For those registering later, all recordings will be available but only after the previous recording has been viewed by the learner.

Assessment Details

The certificate will be awarded upon the completion of coursework in each module. Learners will be offered three dates during the course of the year in which such coursework may be submitted.

Fees

The fee for the Certificate in Online Paralegal Studies is €1,300. Flexible payment options available.

Click Here to Register ***All courses offered subject to demand***

Start Date

Certificate in Online Paralegal Studies – October 2021 and at any point thereafter.

For further details please contact val.corbett@lawschool.ie

Indicative Syllabus

Weeks 1-10

Module 1 Introduction to Law & Legal Skills

Module 2 The Law of Obligations

Weeks 11-20

Module 3 Business Law & Civil Litigation

Module 4 Employment Law & Practice

Just wanted to say thanks so much for helping me pass the FE1 in Contract Law. I am delighted to have passed Contract Law and the other two FE1 subjects which I sat. I would never have passed the exams without doing the course especially coming from a technology and business background with no law experience.

E. Cusack (FE1 Student, 2020)
I am delighted to report that I passed. I have to tell you that even though I studied really hard for the best part of 10 weeks, the successful outcome is mainly due to your online seminars and excellent exam notes as well as your own insight along with Maura and Eoin’s advice on how the examiners construct the questions. The course was invaluable and I am really unsure that I would have got through without your guidance.

Martin Block, King’s Inns Student 2019
Firstly, I just want to firstly let you know that for me your exceptional hard work and fantastic course has worked for me. I have passed my Kings Inns exams and I am exceedingly happy about that. Secondly, and most importantly, I want to thank Maura, Eoin and especially yourself for the selfless Trojan work you guys put into ensuring we fully understood the subject as it was to be examined by King’s Inns and the detail you went into to explain how to approach both Q1’s, the other Problem Q’s and the Essay Q’s. It was nothing less than extraordinary. I sincerely hope that next year’s candidates will have the good sense to avail of the unique opportunity to take part in your excellent course.

Peter Dennehy, King’s Inns Student 2019
“Couldn’t have done any of these exams with yourself and the law school. It really is a testament to you and the school and your ability to teach, not just supply students with information required to pass these exams. It’s glaringly obvious by the fact, like my situation, you can take someone who has passed a preliminary examination with the Law Society, that has no undergrad in law and wafer thin legal experience/knowledge and put them in a position to do well in the FE1s, not just pass them.”

Niall Murphy (FE1 Student, 2019)
“I would like to take a moment to thank you and everyone at Lawschool.ie. I passed my final FE1s in the last sitting. The help, guidance, feedback and expertise of you and the team were crucial to me and I could not have passed them without it. I will not hesitate to advise any new candidates in this office to choose Lawschool.ie in the future. Once again, many thanks.”

Frank Madden (FE1 Student, 2019)
“Having not looked at legal textbook in a decade, I found the Kings Inns preparatory course brilliant. The course material provided was second to none. The focus on how to approach and answer questions was invaluable. I’d highly recommend the course to anyone considering taking the Kings Inns entrance exams.”

Cillian McGovern (King’s Inns Student, 2018)
“I completed courses in all 8 subjects with LawSchool.ie and I was absolutely delighted to pass my final FE-1 during the last sitting. I could not have gotten through the gruelling FE1 process without the fantastic assistance of Law School and its staff. I started this journey coming from a science background and I wasn’t sure whether I could make the jump into law. I am delighted to know that when I return home in March it will not be to resit exams but to begin my training contract. I am so grateful to LawSchool.ie for helping to make my crazy dream a reality.”

Leanne Ennis (FE1 Student, 2018)
“I can’t recommend Lawschool.ie enough. I studied Tort law with Val Corbett for the King’s Inns entrance examinations. Val’s experience and knowledge of the tort paper were of invaluable assistance in preparing for the exam. I felt very confident sitting the paper after completing the online classes. The online platform was a fantastic resource offered by Lawschool.ie, it meant that I could revise while being in the comfort of my home and save on journeys in and out of the city centre.”

Conor Duff, LLB; King’s Inns Student
“Val Corbett is a lecturer in a class of his own. He has the unique ability of capturing his students’ attention and empowering them with the will to succeed. Without Val I would not have achieved my LLB degree. Val is extremely approachable and always took the time to assist me with any difficulties I encountered. Anyone who has the pleasure of studying under his care will thrive.”

Charlotte McNally, LLB; FE1 Student
“I attended Val’s lectures in Tort law as part of a prep course for the King’s Inns entrance exams. Val’s expansive knowledge of Tort law coupled with his ability to condense the large amounts of required reading into easy to understand points and his effective teaching style undoubtedly ensured my success in the examinations while also working full-time. Both professional and approachable, I would recommend Val to anyone considering undertaking legal professional exams.”

Shannon Bennett, LLB; Barrister at Law
“I was fortunate enough to have enjoyed the helpful and enjoyable method of course delivery by Val Corbett for the entrance exams to the Honorable Society of King’s Inns. It was through his experience and practical guidance that I found myself well prepared to pass at my first attempt.”

Simon Treanor, LLB; Barrister at Law
“Val was my Contract Law lecturer as well as being head of the Law School. You can tell he has a genuine wish for all the students to succeed and is more than gracious and obliging in order to see this through. He is a fount of knowledge in his field and an absolute pleasure to have as a lecturer and I hold him in very high esteem.”

Róisín Ní Nualláin, FE1 Student
“I would not have passed six FE1s in one sitting without the help and support from Val and lecturers like Veronica and Anthony. They all take such a genuine interest in you and teach in such an accessible manner. I found the homework feedback to be invaluable and would recommend anyone taking the FE1s to take this preparatory course for success in these exams.”

Alison Devine, FE1 Student
“Having completed an LL.B, I sat Val Corbett’s Tort Law and Contract Law revision courses in preparation for my FE1’s.  I substantially benefited from his tutelage.  Val’s lecture style manages to be both thought provoking and stimulating, using relevant and topical examples and anecdotes while maintaining a steady and very pragmatic eye on the FE1’s themselves.  Rather than throw reams of law at you, Val will ensure you know the essence of the course and exactly where to focus when the eventual exam panic arrives.  I can’t recommend him enough!”

Garbhan Madigan, LLB; FE1 Student