Diploma in Professional Legal Practice shortlisted for LexisNexis University Commercial Impact Award
Tue 7 April 2026
Edinburgh Law School’s Diploma in Professional Legal Practice (Diploma) has been shortlisted for the prestigious LexisNexis 2026 University Commercial Impact Award. The award recognises universities that excel in equipping law students with strong commercial awareness and strategic thinking. The Law School’s shortlisting indicates that the Diploma programme fosters a deep understanding of the commercial landscape, helping to prepare students to navigate the complexities of legal practice in a business context.
The Diploma is a postgraduate programme that prepares law graduates for entry into legal practice in Scotland. The programme is designed to bridge the gap between university and professional life, aligning closely with the expectations of the legal profession and ensuring students are ready for their first day as trainee solicitors.
The programme embeds commercial awareness throughout the curriculum through a range of practical, real-world activities. These include managing a notional investment portfolio, engaging with the ‘life cycle’ of a company and experiencing real-world scenarios such as a mock shareholder meeting. Students get hands-on experience which strengthens their commercial insight, team work, strategic thinking and overall employability. Our extensive team of tutors provide students will access to contemporary insights from practice, creating a professional environment which encourages students to approach their studies with the diligence required in their future careers.
The Diploma has also made innovative use of artificial intelligence through the launch of ClientConnectEd, a client interview simulation tool powered by AI. Developed by a cross-disciplinary team of students, legal practitioners and academics, and a technology design expert, ClientConnectEd was introduced in September 2025 to enhance the Diploma’s existing teaching framework for interviewing skills. Using the University’s AI platform ELM, ClientConnectEd enables students to complete a simulated written client interview, receive immediate generative AI feedback, and bring a transcript of the interaction to class for further discussion with their peers and tutor. The tool allows students to practise and refine their client-handling skills in a supportive, technology-enhanced environment.
The winner of the LexisNexis Legal Awards will be announced in London on 16 April 2026. Being shortlisted highlights the Law School’s continued commitment to supporting graduates to develop the skills and professional competencies required by today’s legal sector.
Learn more about our DPLP