Diploma in Paralegal Studies

Purpose

Provides basic principles of law in combination with the skills a Paralegal needs to work with in the field of Law and Commerce. It equips the Paralegal to provide support functions in law firms, legal advice offices, the Department of Justice, and various functions in insurance companies and other entities in the commercial sector. The programme focusing on the basic principles of law and covering a wide ambit of the various fields of law, which will certainly equip the graduate to enter into general as well as specialised fields of legal administration, application of the law in both the private and the commercial sectors (see brochure).

Career Opportunities

Assessor in criminal courts, mediator-contact the NPI, AFSA or IMSA. Lay maintenance counsellor, debt collector, legal advisor, liquidator, executor (deceased estates), legal secretary, insurance administrator, insurance claims facilitator, equipped with basic legal drafting skills, corporate administrator and business enterprise administrator.

Curriculum

The course is presented in English. Learners are registered as limited contact learners for the 4 modules. There are two 4-day compulsory workshops during each year. The minimum period of study for the Diploma is three years. The maximum period of study for the Diploma is five years. This course comprises 10 modules and is presented over 3 years through limited contact. Students are assessed twice in each module by means of assignments. One examination is written for each module at the end of the year. FIRST YEAR MODULES: – (Compulsory workshops) – Introduction to SA Law and Family Law 1 – Criminal Law and Law of Criminal Procedure and Evidence 1 – Civil Law 1 – Business Law 1 and Communication skills SECOND YEAR MODULES: – Family Law 2 – Criminal Law and Law of Criminal Procedure and Evidence 2 – Civil Law 2 – Business Law 2 and Labour Law THIRD YEAR MODULES: – Civil Law 3 – Business Law 3

Admission Requirements

A certified National Senior Certificate or Matric Certificate (Grade 12) OR an equivalent qualification with endorsement or exemption to study towards a Diploma. A potential student who does possess a Senior or Matric (Grade 12) but which is not endorsed for study towards this Diploma, may consider enrolling for the Paralegal Bridging programme, which is presented by our department. On completion of this Bridging programme, the successful student will be permitted to enroll for the Diploma in Law. Certified marriage certificate (if applicable) Certified identity document HESA evaluation of qualifications (only for International students)

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