Company Name: South African Law School Telephone: Fax: Cell Phone: Email: infolawschool.co.za Website:
Course Title: National Certificate: Paralegal Practice - Part Time
The South African Law School, conveniently situated on Adderley Street in Cape Town, was established in 1996. The school provides specialised training for legal support staffof professional practices, financial institutions, corporations and those wanting to embark upon a legal career. Certain courses conducted by the school also appeal to the self-employed businessperson or owners of small to medium companies.
The school offers the most comprehensive training for Paralegals of any private institution. We have developed a unique programme that combines essential legal knowledge and “hands-on” practical training (applied skills). Our practical training includes clinical practice where our students spend time in our community law centre, the Cape Town Advice Office, assisting members of the public with legal and related issues. As far as we are aware we are the only private school that takes its training to that level. The South African Law School is accredited by SASSETA and ICSA.
PARALEGAL
The National Paralegal Institute identifies a Paralegal as a person who is qualified by education, training or work experience to perform legal, social welfare or related work, which requires a basic knowledge of the law.
THE PARALEGAL MAY BE FOUND:
• In community based advice offices run by community organisations or NGO’s
• Employed by a government department or a non-government organisation
• Working in Labour Law consultancies or for trade unions
• Employed by a Legal Practitioner or Legal Firm
• Self-employed as a Paralegal Practitioner or Legal consultant
• Employed in a banking, insurance or other corporate environment
Paralegals should be able to communicate effectively, orally and in writing;
Assisting people to comply with administrative requirements such as the completion of
official forms;
Understand fundamental legal concepts
Provide basic legal advice
Understand the circumstances in which it is appropriate to refer matters to a Legal Practitioner;
Advise and educate members of communities on Human Rights issues;
THE NATIONAL CERTIFICATE: PARALEGAL
The qualification is registered on the National Qualifications Framework at level 5 (NQF5). The South African Law School is FULLY accredited by SASSETA to provide training and to assess learners for this qualification. The South African Law School offers a unique programme which includes additional legal content modules in order to ensure that our graduates receive a fully integrated qualification. As far as we are aware we are the only Training Provider that has carefully formulated a comprehensive training programme which combines the qualification’s unit standards with our own additional modules.
COURSE COMPONENTS:
Unit Standards:
119508 Demonstrate an understanding of SA Law and the legal system with specific emphasis on Paralegalism
15093 Demonstrate insight into democracy as a form of governance and its implications for a diverse society
119505 Apply legal fundamental legal concepts, principles, theories and values within a paralegal sector
119509 Guide and refer clients in terms of legal enquiries
14505 Apply the principles of ethics and professionalism to a business environment
11994 Monitor, reflect and improve on your own performance
7865 Improve service to customers
8647 Apply workplace communication skills
13948 Negotiate an agreement or deal in an authentic work situation
119503 Demonstrate an understanding of procedure in courts and other fora
115855 Create, maintain and update record keeping systems
110531 Plan, organise and control day-to-day administration of an office support function
114738 Perform financial planning and control functions for a small business
115823 Gather and manage information for decision-making
8663 Plan and conduct a research project
116104 Use technology effectively in the practice of law
Additional modules:
• Debt Collecting and Civil Litigation
• Criminal Law
• Criminal Procedure
• Family Law and Divorce
• Family Court Practice
• Labour Law
PART TIME
The course is offered over one full year every Tuesday and Thursday evening or every Saturday morning.
AN OVERVIEW OF THE ADDITIONAL MODULES:
Debt Collecting and Civil Litigation
The course focuses on legal procedures for the recovery of debts, including the drafting of summonses, letters of demand and obtaining judgement. Also looked at are warrants of execution, Garnishee orders and Emolument Attachment orders, Section 57,58,65 proceedings, prescription and forms of security as well as the basic procedures in pre-trial preparation of
documents (pleadings) and use of precedents in litigation. The rules of both Magistrates’ and High Courts will be studied from the beginning of the process through to the trial and execution
of judgement
Criminal Law
This popular subject looks at the different theories of punishment, the principle of legality, the difference between an act and an omission, grounds of justification, criminal intent and capacity
and the role of intoxication and provocation. The course also examines specific offences such as murder, assault, rape, theft, robbery, housebreaking, malicious damages to property, fraud etc.
Criminal Procedure
The different procedures before a criminal trial, the trial itself, sentencing, reviews and appeals are examined in this course. Presumption of innocence, rights of the accused, arrest and
questioning by police are included in the syllabus. The course also teaches some evidence and the different forms of punishment.
Family Law and Divorce
This course looks at the engagement, breach of promise and the conclusion of a legal marriage. It also examines the consequences of marriages in and out of community of property, the accrual system and the ante-nuptial contract. Grounds of divorce and divorce procedures are studied as are the consequences of divorce including maintenance, custody and child guardianship
Family Court Practice
This course provides students who have completed the Family Law & Divorce Course with further and more detailed comprehension of Family Law issues including a deeper understanding and grasp of the Maintenance Act, Domestic Violence, and custody and child guardianship.
Labour Law
This course looks at the relationship between an employer and employee. It covers the important aspects of various relevant legislation and introduces the student to the rights and obligations of both parties to an employment contract.
All courses run on a continuous registration cycle.
Exams are conducted at the end of each subject.
On registration students receive professionally edited course notes.
Our lecturers are experienced and qualified legal practitioners.
PRACTICALS FOR FULL TIME STUDENTS
• Visits to Law Libraries
• Visits to Civil & Criminal Magistrates Courts
• Visits to Divorce Courts
• Visits to Deeds Office
• Moot Court Preparations
• Drafting of Legal Documents
PRACTICAL TRAINING / APPLIED SKILLS TRAINING
The Cape Town Advice Office, attached to the South African Law School, affords students the unique opportunity to provide basic advice to members of the community on a range of issues and in doing so learn to apply the knowledge they gain in the classroom. This highly valuable practical training is supervised by qualified paralegals and attorneys.
GRADUATION
Graduation is an important and exciting affair. These are the requirements for successful completion of the course:
• Assessment as “Competent” in each of the Qualification’s Unit Standards
• At least 50% total result for each of the additional modules
• 75% attendance record
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