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Practical Legal Training

Graduate
Diploma of
Legal Practice

Practical Legal Training

Graduate
Diploma of
Legal Practice

A PLT in partnership with
the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV).
Duration
14 weeks (plus workplace experience and professional engagement) Full Time
Graduate Diploma
AQF Level 8
Available at
Online
Study modes
Industry work placement
Yes
Entry requirements
Fees
FEE-HELP Available
Start dates
Law Institute Victoria logo on transparent background

In partnership with the Law Institute of Victoria

This course is brought to you in partnership with the Law Institute of Victoria (LIV). Combining ACAP's 40 years of expertise in delivering tertiary education and the LIV's leadership within the legal profession, we offer Victorian law graduates industry-led learning and genuine connection to the profession.

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Overview

The Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice is an important step towards becoming a practising lawyer. Designed to complement the theoretical knowledge you developed at university, this course gives you the confidence – through authentic learning experiences, practical skills, and industry insights – to build a successful legal career.

You will learn to tackle a range of different professional scenarios, with true real-world learning relevant to a range of legal contexts. You will also complete coursework designed by industry experts, undertake work placement and participate in professional engagement opportunities supported by the LIV.


Accredited by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) and TEQSA.

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    You know what the law is.
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    We show you how the law works.

Upcoming events

Melbourne city view web banner on campus information session
Info Night

Melbourne Campus Info Night

23 Apr 2024
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

GDLP Course Guide and Fees

WHY AN ACAP PLT?

We nurture sought-after graduates to be ready for the workforce and prepared to succeed. And offer a fresh, immersive online experience so you will graduate as quickly as possible. Open doors to the profession through a genuine life-long connection with the legal profession starting on day one, with your complimentary Graduate membership with the LIV for the duration of your PLT until the end of that financial year, and all of the networking, workplace, career, and mentoring opportunities it offers.

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    Industry led learning
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    A lifelong relationship with the profession
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    Experts in applied learning
Anastasia - ACAP PLT

HEAR FROM OUR STUDENTS

Hear from GDLP graduates about what it’s like to study with ACAP, whose 40 years of expertise in delivering tertiary education, combined with the Law Institute of Victoria’s leadership within the legal profession sets a new benchmark in PLT delivery.

Group of business persons in discussion of legal practices.

What you'll learn

Explore with an applied focus:

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    Advanced knowledge and skills across key legal practice areas
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    New and industry relevant technology
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    Effective and efficient time and legal file management skills
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    Working with supervisors, clients, the courts and other members of the legal profession
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    Ethical considerations and duties
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    Fostering wellbeing and resilience throughout your law career

Course structure

This course consists of the following units

View unit descriptions
Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice

Pre-enrolment information for GDLP students

The course comprises the below elements. Prior to enrolment, please consider which of the following combination of elements best suit your interests and needs. To graduate with a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice, you must complete each of the following four requirements:

1. GDLP coursework

Students to choose practice areas based on their professional interest:
  • 4x compulsory practice areas, AND
  • 2x elective practice areas

The compulsory practice areas are set by the LACC Standards and include Lawyer’s Skills and Values, Civil Litigation Practice, Property Law Practice and Commercial and Corporate Practice.

There are eight elective practice areas from which you will choose two based on your professional interest. You will have an opportunity to explore all the learning resources each elective practice areas to help make an informed decision. We also encourage you to discuss the elective options with your mentor.

2. Workplace Experience A

Choose one of the following options:
  • Self-organised work experience (at an organisation that meets ACAP’s placement requirements)

OR

  • ACAP/LIV supported

If you require assistance with organising placement, please notify ACAP as soon as possible so that we can assist you to source a host organisation.

3. Workplace Experience B

Choose one of the following options
  • 45 work days self-organised workplace experience

OR

  • 30 work days self-organised workplace experience AND 1 x 3-week coursework block (1 additional elective practice area from those not previously completed in GDLP Coursework component)

OR

  • 15 work days self-organised workplace experience AND 2 x 3-week coursework blocks (2 additional elective practice areas from those not previously completed in GDLP Coursework component)

OR

  • 3 x 3-week coursework blocks (3 elective practice areas from those not previously completed in GDLP Coursework component)

4. Professional engagement

10 hours of professional engagement is to be completed during the course.

Build networking skills and spend time with experienced legal practitioners – for this component you will complete 10 hours of professional engagement.

Activities that will qualify for legal profession engagement include: undertaking face-to-face (in-person or online) continuing legal education, participating in legal networking events, attending a court function such as a ceremonial sitting or admission ceremony, contributing to a Law Institute of Victoria committee or working group, collaborating on submissions to government, participating in various law association activities, volunteering in Access to Justice schemes or Community Legal Education.

Career pathways

The ACAP PLT is accredited by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB).  PLT is one of the prerequisites for admission as set out in the Legal Profession Uniform Admissions Rules 2015. See the VLAB website for a full list of requirements.

Graduates will be able work as a lawyer in Victoria or apply their skills in a range of other professional contexts outside of the law.

 

 

GDLP First Nations Scholarship

ACAP and the LIV are offering a GDLP scholarship valued at 100% of course fees to an eligible First Nations student each intake.

Launch your law career

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