Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice

Subjects overview

Compulsory subject credit points
70 Essential subjects to complete
Elective subject credit points
10 To tailor your degree
Total credit points
80 Your complete degree

This program can be completed in 8 months (2 semesters)

Required Subjects

Students must complete the following seventy credit points (70CP) of subjects.

GDLP75-100: Compulsory Practice Areas (30CP)

This is a compulsory subject in the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice program. This subject begins with an Introduction to Skills for Practice Workshop followed by four skill and compulsory practice area modules. The compulsory practice areas covered in this subject include commercial and corporate practice, financial and ethical responsibilities, civil litigation practice, and property law practice. Key skills and values introduced in this subject include: lawyer's skills, problem solving, work management and business skills, trust and office accounting skills, and ethics and professional responsibility. These skills and values will be further developed during the professional legal experience subject.

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GDLP75-200: Professional Legal Experience (40CP)

This is a compulsory subject in the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice program which requires students to undertake 60 days of supervised practical workplace experience in a professional legal setting. Students must be supervised by an experienced legal practitioner for a minimum of 15 days, undertaken in Australia whilst enrolled in the GDLP program. The remaining 45 placement days can be undertaken using a combination of recognised prior placement, additional placement days, and/or practical legal training activities. Overseas placements maybe considered subject to program director approval.

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Law Electives

Students must choose ten credit points (10CP) of subjects from the following electives.

GDLP77-301: Criminal Law Practice (5CP)

This is an elective subject for the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (ONLINE and On-campus) which covers the optional practice area “Criminal Law Practice”. This subject focusses on developing students with skills in providing advice to clients before arrest; making bail applications and pleas in mitigation; appearing in minor contested hearings; preparation of cases for trial and post-trial processes.

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GDLP77-302: Family Law Practice (5CP)

This is an elective subject for the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (ONLINE and On-campus) which covers the optional practice area “Family Law Practice”. This subject focusses on providing students with the necessary skills and knowledge to act for family law clients. This includes matters involving the care and maintenance of children and the determination of property and financial entitlements.  Students will engage in family law practice, become familiar with the family law legislation and procedures and draft relevant documents.

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GDLP77-303: Wills and Estates Practice (5CP)

This is an elective subject for the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice which covers the optional practice area “Wills and Estates Practice”. This subject focusses on providing students with the necessary skills and knowledge to act for clients in relation to wills and estate administration. Students will engage in aspects of wills and estate law practice, become familiar with the legislation and procedures and draft relevant documents.

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GDLP77-304: Banking and Finance Practice (5CP)

This is an elective subject for the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (ONLINE and On-campus) which covers the optional practice area “Banking and Finance”. The aim of this subject is to provide students with an understanding of banking and finance law in Australia and equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge required to advise clients on financing commercial transactions, draft simple loan agreements and perfect securities.

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Study plan

Take the guess work out of planning your study schedule. Your program's study plan has been carefully curated to provide a clear guide on the sequential subjects to be studied in each semester of your program. Your study plan is designed around connected subject themes to equip you with the fundamental knowledge required as you progress through your course.