Level 4 NALP Paralegal Diploma - Law Training Centre
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Level 4 NALP Paralegal Diploma

Paralegal Level 4

The Level 4 Diploma in Paralegal Studies is a qualification for:

Those who have some paralegal experience and are looking to enhance their career.

School leavers who want an alternative to university, and graduates.

Student of other legal qualifications who can gain course work exemptions through studying NALP topics.

Those who work in a non-legal role in law firms (e.g. in a secretarial or business administration role) and who have successfully completed the NALP Level 3 Paralegal Certificate or NALP Level 3 Paralegal Diploma.

Students and staff who are currently not working as paralegals but who wish to work as Licensed Paralegals.

Level 4 is a UK government defined educational level that is academically comparable to the following:
  • Certificate of Higher Education.
  • Key Skills Level 4.
  • NVQ Level 4.
  • BTEC Professional award, Certificate and Diploma Level 4.
  • Certificate of Higher Education.
  • HNC.
    • The course is devised for those who have already studied a degree in a non-law discipline or who have two A levels in any subject (or two BTEC National Diplomas (NVQ/GNVQ Level 3 or above). It is also open to those who do not have a degree but who have studied Law to Level 3, eg:

  • A Level Law.
  • NALP Level 3 Paralegal Certificate or Level 3 Paralegal Diploma.
  • Legal Secretary Diploma from Institute of Legal Secretaries and Pas (ILSPA).
  • Level 3 qualification from Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEX).

    • Students who are over 25 years-old can apply without without the above. However, they should contact us to confirm their eligibility as should students with non-UK qualifications. The NALP Level 4 Diploma in Paralegal Studies is only available in English. If this is not your first language, please supply proof that your spoken and written English is sufficient for the qualification, e.g. you have passed Level 6 International English Language Test (IELTS ) or GCSE English.

    Diploma and topics explained

    The Diploma is available in two parts: General Principles of Law and Procedural Law, which are divided into units:
  • The English Legal System
  • The Law of Contract
  • The Law of Tort
  • Criminal Law
  • Wills, Intestacy and Family Provision
  • Civil Litigation
  • Criminal Practice
  • Matrimonial and Civil Partnership Disputes
  • Conveyancing
  • Succession
    • Each topic offers in-depth, theoretical and practical learning so students can demonstrate their professional know-how:
  • Learning key skills
  • Interpreting legal language
  • Applying the law to real-life situations
  • Developing key skills in taking instructions.
    • The total anticipated hours of study undertaken by an average Learner for this Level 4 qualification is 150. This is based on taking approximately four minutes to understand each page of the learning materials and five hours for each assignment. As part of their professional development, students may also study for individual units without completing the Diploma. This can be particularly helpful for overseas students studying in the UK for a law qualification. They can ask for exemptions from the subjects they have studied with NALP.

    How will I be taught and assessed?

    This Level 4 course is taught by online distance learning with all materials supplied. Students have a maximum of two years to complete the course from the date of enrolment.

    Assessment is by online examination. Typical exam questions might be:

  • “What are the elements that a claimant has to prove to be successful in the tort of negligence?”
  • “Explain what a crime is including all the elements: the physical element, the mental element and offences of strict liability.”
  • “Prepare a draft letter for Tom Stone who lives at 66 Songbird Avenue, Winchester, W15 9JU explaining all of the formalities for a valid will and some of the terms of the will that can be included.”

    • A pass mark of 45% is set for each topic assignment – and every learning outcome detailed at enrolment must be achieved. A merit is set at 65% and a distinction is 80%
    Pass Mark

    Course requirements

    Learners at this level are expected to have a good standard of written and spoken English, and to have the capability to undertake a Level 4 assessment. Study is in depth and students will be expected to apply their new knowledge intelligently and practically. For example:
    Explain when contributory negligence may apply.​
    Explain the rules of statutory interpretation.​
    Demonstrate an understanding of rules of intestate succession and apply to a given scenario.
    Under law of contract, explain what constitutes a discharge by breach and apply to a given scenario.
    Demonstrate an understanding of the concept of legal personality.
    Demonstrate an awareness of possible directions and case management tools.
    Demonstrate an understanding of the Criminal court structure including the jurisdiction of each court.
    Understand the conditions and format of the Contract for Sale in conveyancing.
    Explain the differences between summary, indictable, hybrid and arrestable offences.

    Topics of study

    Leaning objectives:
  • Nature and development of English law.
  • Modern-day sources of law.
  • The way judges interpret and apply the law.
  • The composition and jurisdiction of Civil and Criminal Courts.
  • Types of legal personnel.
  • Importance of Alternative Dispute Resolutions and options available.
    • Learning outcomes:
  • Understanding the types of legal rule which requires persons to compensate others as a result of harm inflicted by not complying with their promises.
  • Being aware of those promises which the law will uphold and the remedies that are available for a breach of contract.
    • Learning outcomes:
  • Understanding the legal rules that require persons to compensate others as a result of their infringement of others’ rights.
  • Being aware of which infringements constitute a tort in law and the remedies that are available for such infringements.
    • Learning outcomes:
  • Understanding those rules of law which provide for the punishment of those who breach such laws.
  • Being aware of which laws fall within this category.
  • Understanding how such breaches are punished.
    • Learning objectives:
  • Being aware of what happens to a person’s possessions and effects on their death.
  • Being aware of those in whom such possessions and effects will vest upon such death.
  • Understanding who is entitled to such possessions and effects upon such death.

    • Syllabus:
  • Wills: including the nature of a will, testamentary capacity, formalities, attestation, additions and alterations, informal wills and revocation.
  • Legacies and devises: including an understanding of legacies, devises, bequests, gifts, lapsing, abatement and ademption.
  • Intestacy: including the rules of intestate succession.
  • Family provision: including the basis of family provision, the class of claimants and factors taken into account by the Court.
    • Learning objectives:
  • Understanding the general jurisdiction of the County Court and the High Court.
  • Being able to explain how to progress an action for a claim for a specified amount from inception to enforcement of judgment in the High Court, County Court and the Small Claims Court.

    • Syllabus:
  • Civil Court structure; preliminary considerations.
  • Action prior to proceedings; commencing and conducting the claim.
  • Statements of case; summary judgment; interim proceedings.
  • Discovery; preparing for trial; proceedings at trial.
  • Forms of judgment; enforcement of judgments; costs.
    • Learning objectives:
  • The three principle methods of commencing a prosecution.
  • What occurs after arrest.
  • Who can prosecute in a criminal case.
  • Public funding in criminal proceedings.
  • The proceedings stages of cases and court proceedings.

    • Syllabus:
  • Criminal court structure: preliminary matters; police powers.
  • Police station interviewing; commencement; legal aid; bail; summary trial.
  • Trial by indictment: sentencing; assisting counsel/solicitor advocate at a trial.
  • Sanctions: types of sentences; philosophies of sanctions; appeal.
    • Learning objectives:
  • Understanding the relationship of marriage and a civil partnership and how they come into being.
  • Understanding the role of the Courts in matrimonial and civil partnership disputes.
  • Being able to explain the grounds upon which a marriage and civil partnership can be terminated.
  • Being able to explain how to process an undefended divorce and civil partnership from inception through to the decree absolute.

    • Syllabus:
  • Preliminary considerations; financial provision.
  • Ownership of property.
  • Children.
  • Divorce: valid, void and voidable marriages / CDs; procedure – divorce/termination, nullity and judicial separation.
  • Ancillary relief.
  • Forms and documentation.
  • Domestic proceedings and orders in the Magistrates Court; Decrees nisi and absolute.
    • Learning objectives:
  • Understanding the different ways in which the legal estate in land can be held.
  • Being able to explain the procedure by which such legal estate is transferred from one person to another and the safeguards that are incorporated into such a transaction.

    • Syllabus:
  • The first interview.
  • The three stages of a conveyancing transaction: pre-exchange of contracts, searches and enquiries.
  • The draft contract: deducing title – registered land and unregistered land.
  • Investigating title: mortgages.
  • Exchange of contracts.
  • Post contract/pre-completion: requisitions on title; transfer of part, conveyance, assent, searches.
  • Obtaining funds. Preparing for completion; completion – date time and place.
  • Breach of contract; notice to complete; rescission; completion.
  • Post completion: leaseholds; possessory title.
    • Learning objectives. Understanding the following:
  • Formalities for making a will.
  • The nature of gifts in a will.
  • How a will may be revoked.
  • Rules of intestacy where a deceased has died without a valid will.
  • The procedure in administering an estate.
  • When inheritance tax is payable.

    • Syllabus
  • Wills: taking instructions.
  • Functions and scope of a will: gifts, bequests, legacies and devises, residue
  • Appointment of Executors
  • Failure of bequests.
  • Testacy and intestacy.
  • Probate and administration; practice and procedure.
  • Administering the estate: personal representatives and their duties and powers.
  • Protection against claims; distribution of the estate.

    • PRICES

    All instalments payments are paid monthly and are interest-free. All costs include VAT.

    LEVEL 4

    Diploma in Paralegal Studies
    • Part 1: £680 or deposit of £280 + 4 payments of £100 (£105 overseas students)
    • Part 2: £680 or deposit of £280 + 4 payments of £100 (£105 overseas students)
    • Complete Course: £1160 or a deposit of £360 + 5 x payments of £160
    • Individual Topics: £400 per single topic or a deposit of £150 + 2 X £125 payments
    Part 1: General Principles of Law

  • The English Legal System
  • The Law of Contract
  • The Law of Tort
  • Criminal Law
  • Wills, Intestacy and Family Provision

    • Part 2: Procedural Law

  • Civil Litigation
  • Criminal Practice
  • Matrimonial and Civil Partnership Disputes
  • Conveyancing
  • Succession

    • Complete course fee The complete course fee for parts 1 and 2 combined is £1160, representing a saving of £100 per part. Alternatively, pay the full course fee in instalments with a deposit of £360 + 5 x payments of £160.

    Individual study topics at level 4 Any of the individual topics within parts one or two can be studied individually, e.g. Civil Litigation. The cost of these are £400 per single topic or a deposit of £150 + 2 X £125 payments.

    If you have already successfully completed this level 4 NALP course at Award tier, you can study to progress to Diploma tier. The fee is £320.

    How to apply?

    To apply and enrol on our online supported distance learning NALP courses please complete and return an enrolment form by email to info@ltckent.co.uk.
    If you wish to discuss this qualification further and find out how it could help you advance your career please contact us on 0330 088 8495 or info@ltckent.co.uk to speak with one of our advisors.

    Why choose us?

    We are specialised legal trainers, solely focussed on the provision of legal and business training for aspiring and qualified lawyers.

    We have a deep understanding of the current legal sector and the training needs of those who work within it.

    Our course delivery is uniquely engaging, having full regard of how precious time is for those not only studying law, but also practising at the same time.

    We are here to support our students and partners by providing them with the tools to stand out from the competition and accelerate their legal career.