| Diploma in Professional Legal Practice |
 The University of Edinburgh is one of the six Scottish universities to offer a course leading to the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice. This is a postgraduate vocational qualification which is required by the Law Society of Scotland and the Faculty of Advocates for all intending solicitors and advocates and must be completed before a traineeship. The University of Edinburgh has been running the Diploma course since 1980 and has its own dedicated unit for this purpose within the Law School. It is fully accredited by the Law Society of Scotland. A total of around 170 full-time and part-time students are admitted each year. It is important to note, however, that there is no automatic guarantee of a place on the course.
The syllabus for the Diploma is similar for all six units which offer it. Its content is determined by the national Joint Standing Committee on Legal Education, the Diploma Co-ordinating Committee and various working parties, which include representatives of all six universities and members of the legal profession. The focus is on the practical skills required in the legal profession.
From 2011/12, the Diploma will become professional education and training stage 1 (PEAT 1) and the traineeship will become professional education and training stage 2 (PEAT 2).
- The vocational stage (PEAT 1) is the stage of legal education where knowledge, skills, attitudes and values are learnt in a simulated environment.
- The work-based element (PEAT 2) is the stage of legal education where knowledge, skills, attitudes and values are built on and honed in a live environment.
A major change is the introduction of outcomes which apply across both PEAT 1 and PEAT 2 in "professionalism, professional ethics and standards", "professional communication" and "business, commercial, financial and practice awareness". These are taught pervasively throughout the Diploma.
Full-Time Diploma
The full-time Diploma runs over an academic year. Students have a very full timetable in comparison to undergraduate study, with a large number of contact hours, much of it in small seminar groups. Participation in practical class work is regarded as extremely important and there is also the need for substantial preparation for exercises. The emphasis is on practical legal skills throughout. At The University of Edinburgh, the courses are:
- Criminal Court Practice
- Civil Court Practice
- Company and Commercial
- Conveyancing
- Financial Services and Related Skills
- Private Client
- Professional Responsibility
- Electives: a wide choice is offered from which students must choose three
Part-Time Diploma
The part-time Diploma takes two years to complete. Lectures are given via podcast, with further evening lectures and tutorials taking place on weekday evenings (Tuesday to Thursday) in the Law School.
2011/12:
Criminal Court Practice
Company and Commercial
Conveyancing
Professional Responsibility
Electives
2012/13:
Civil Court Practice
Private Client
Financial Services and Related Skills
Electives
Funding
The Scottish Government have announced changes to the way in which certain postgraduate courses, including the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, will be funded for the 2012/13 academic year. All students who meet eligibility criteria and who have secured a place on the Diploma to start in 2012 will be able to apply through the Students Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for a tuition fee loan towards the cost of fees. The maximum loan available is £3,400 for full time study and £1,700 for part time study. The loans will not be means tested and repayment will commence once the student has graduated, is in employment and is earning above the student loan repayment threshold, which will be £15,795 from April 2012. Further information is available on the SAAS website at www.saas.gov.uk/student_support/funding_update.htm.
Information for applicants
Applications for a Diploma place are handled by each university. Please note that you must submit an application form to the university where you studied for your LLB, even if you wish to study the Diploma at a different university. The deadline for applying is April of the year you wish to start the Diploma. Full details can be found in the documents below.
NEW Law Society of Scotland information on the future of Diploma funding  :
The Law Society of Scotland Guidance notes for students 2011
The University of Edinburgh Diploma in Professional Legal Practice: guidance notes 2011
The Pritchard Educational Trust Application form
Staff
While the Diploma is under the overall charge of the Director of the Centre for Professional Legal Studies, assisted by Teaching Fellows, the bulk of Diploma teaching is done by a staff of around 75 part-time tutors (led by Senior Tutors), who are mainly practising solicitors, advocates and accountants. In addition, part-time lecturers are employed in various subjects and teaching assistance is also given by members of the University's Law School.
Director:
Caroline Colliston
Teaching Fellows:
PCC and Pro bono assessment: Rebecca Samaras
Criminal Court Practice and PCC: Fred Mackintosh
Family/Child Law Elective and PCC: Katy MacFarlane
Pro Bono Coordinator:
Rebecca Samaras
Administration:
Full-time Diploma: Jane McKenzie and Margaret Stewart
Part-time Diploma and Pro bono: Laura Smith
Office Manager: Linda Burns
Further information may be obtained from:
Centre for Professional Legal Studies
School of Law
The University of Edinburgh
7 Bristo Square
Edinburgh EH8 9AL
UK
Email: cpls@ed.ac.uk
Telephone: 0131 650 2004 / 0131 651 4254
How to find us: http://www.ed.ac.uk/maps/buildings/bristo-square
| 
