Legal Secretary Course - Introduction to Law

The legal office; rules and guidelines; new terminology. Lawyers; the solicitor; sole practioners and partnerships; office location; qualifying as a solicitor; the Law Society; the barrister; qualifying as a barrister; the legal executive; support staff. Procedures; accuracy; speed; confidentiality; limitations. Introduction to where the law comes from; classifications of English Law; case law; Acts of Parliament; rules of interpretation; statutes; delegated legislation; European Law; European member states. Legal publications and journals. Criminal and civil law; the English court structure; the Magistrates Court; the County Court; the Crown Court; the High Court of Justice; the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council; alternative dispute resolution. Incoming and outgoing post; the DX system; letters; proof reading; copies; faxes; email; couriers. Introduction to documentation; documents in draft; endorsement sheets; engrossments; certifying a copy. Standard documents; document reference; forms; specialist software; filing. Opening files; new clients; solicitor's accounts; petty cash; time sheets; bills; glossary.