Build on the key foundational subjects required by the legal profession with the new Level 5 Diploma for Senior Associate Paralegals.
This higher level with give you the opportunity to consider these subjects in greater detail and to develop new skills, enhancing your professional practice even further.
This new Level 5 Diploma is uniquely designed to allow you to foster and develop a key critical skill that will be required as you move forward in your professional career: becoming a reflective and independent learner.Â
Unit 4 of the Level 5 Diploma allows you to choose a textbook from a designated list. Learning material which will support your understanding of the textbook, providing a more challenging learning process delivering a more critical appreciation of the subject and enhancing an essential skills required in your paralegal career.
Upon successful completion of this Level 5 Diploma for Senior Associate Paralegals, you may apply for Senior Associate membership.
Who should enrol?
This qualification is ideal for those who have previously studied law at Level 4. This includes: NALP Level 4 or the first year of a law degree/law related degree at university. If you feel that you might be in this position, please apply under NALP’s Recognition of Prior Learning Policy.
What you'll study within the Level 5 Diploma
Unit 1: Land Law and Conveyancing
Aims of This Unit
This unit will provide you with the practical skills to:
- Be able to explain, advise and critically analyse the different types of estate in Land Law available in the UK
- Understand the legal significance of the differences between these different types of estate
- Demonstrate a detailed understanding and evidence of an ability to apply the relevant case law and legislation
- Develop a detailed understanding of the conveyancing process in England and Wales
- Be able to identify the strengths and weaknesses in the current conveyancing process and make appropriate recommendations for reform.
Learning Outcomes
Completing this unit will give you:
- Critically analyse and evaluate the key theories, principles, rules and concepts of Land Law
- Apply the principles, rules and concepts of Land Law to analyse and evaluate issues which relate to land law
- Apply the key principles, rules and concepts of conveyancing
- Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the key components and challenges of E-Conveyancing
- Demonstrate a detailed understanding of the ethical requirements in conveyancing
- Apply knowledge of ethical challenges and compliance strategies
Unit 2: Matrimonial and Civil Partnership Law
Aims of This Unit
This unit will help you to:
- Gain the knowledge, understanding and application of the legal framework in respect of relationship breakdowns
- Understand and apply this as a consequence of marriage, civil partnership or co-habitation
Learning Outcomes
Completing this unit will give you an understanding of:
- Explain and identify what constitutes a marriage, a civil partnership or co-habitation
- Explain and appraise the law and process in relation to divorce and dissolution
- Explain and evaluate financial relief in divorce and co-habitees relationship breakdown
- Appraise and evaluate protective injunctions in respect of domestic abuse
- Identify and explain orders available in respect of children
- Evaluate non-court dispute resolution and funding within relationship breakdown
Unit 3: Public and EU Law
Aim of This Unit
This unit will provide you with:
- A sound understanding of EU and Public Law
- The ability to engage with substantive EU and Public Law practices, therefore allowing you to effectively contribute to the drafting of advice
- The opportunity to enhance their employability skills
- A contextual understanding of ethics and professional conduct.
Learning Outcomes
You will learn to:
- Understand the fundamental nature and structure of Public Law and EU Law including sources of law and constitutional principles
- Analyse the separation of powers within the UK government and the impact of parliamentary sovereignty on the constitutional framework
- Understand the influence of the judiciary and judicial review in holding public bodies to account
- Examine the governance and accountability mechanisms of parliament, including the role of scrutiny committees and public enquiries
- Analyse the influence of EU Law on the UK constitution and the constitutional consequences of Brexit
- Understand the protection of human rights in the UK, including domestic law and the impact of international obligations
Unit 4: Business Law and Practice
Aim of This Unit
This unit will:
- Provide you with the practical skills to be able to explain, advise and critically analyse the different types of business entity available in England and Wales
- Make you critically aware of the legal significance of the differences between these alternative types of business entity
- Provide awareness of the financial implications relating to these different types of business entity
- Enable you to demonstrate a detailed understanding and evidence of ability to apply the relevant legislation including the Companies Act, 2006.
Learning Outcomes
You will learn:
- Critically understand the various types of business organisation available within England and Wales and the legal significance of such alternatives
- Evidence a detailed understanding as to the creation and dissolution of partnerships
- Be able to evaluate and critically analyse how a company is incorporated and the legal consequences of doing so in relation to: limited liability; the notion of separate legal personality and the ‘veil of incorporation’ and also critically appreciate the rationale for the ‘lifting’ of this veil
- Be able to critically differentiate between different types of director and the legal significance and consequences for individuals exercising such a role
- Be able to analyse the various reasons for and consequences of liquidation of companies
- Be able to critically describe, evaluate and advise on the financial aspects of business
Entry Requirements
Our entry level requirements are set to ensure that when embarking on this Level 5 qualification, you have the best chance to achieve your goals. You must have at least one of these:
- Satisfactory completion of NALP’s Level 4 Certificate for Associate Paralegals or equivalent
- Level 4 Cambridge Management and Leadership Diploma in Law
- Level 4 Trinity Open Learning Diploma in Law
- Level 4 OTHM Diploma in Law
- Level 4 ATHE Diploma in Law
- Level 4 LSIB Diploma in Law
- Satisfactory completion of Year 1 (Level 4 – Certificate in Higher Education) of law/law related undergraduate degree
- Non-UK equivalent qualifications. Please contact NALP to confirm your eligibility
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Evidence of the above must be provided on request.Â
You will need a reasonable standard of written English (equivalent to a Level 2/3 in English such as a GCSE grade 4/5 (old grade C), A-Level etc.) as the NALP Level 5 Certificate for Senior Paralegal Associates is only available in English.
You must also hold at least an Affiliate membership of NALP throughout your time studying for this qualification. You will be given one year’s free Affiliate membership when you enrol, but you will need to renew this membership, at your expense, if your studies continue past the first renewal date.
How this course is studied
Either distance learning, class attendance or blended learning- check with your centre
All course material is provided on enrolment. NALP’s approach to learning includes case studies and scenarios, allowing you to apply your knowledge and preparing your practical skills to work as a paralegal.Â
How long will it take me to complete?
You will have a maximum of two years to complete the course from the date of enrolment although most Learners graduate within 12-14 months.
Course fees
Please check with your Centre to find out the cost of this course. You can find a NALP Approved Centre by clicking here.
Assessment
This qualification is assessed in two parts. Multiple Choice Question (MCQ) Papers (accounting for 40% of the final mark) and written assignments (60%).
There are 4 MCQ Papers – 1 for each unit. You will be informed by your Training Centre of the next available assessment slot. You will be required to answer 20 questions covering the syllabus for each unit.
There are 4 assignments – 1 for each unit. Assignments are undertaken on demand as you complete each unit. They need to be returned to the Training Centre within 3 weeks. The assignments are broken down into (usually) three questions. These will be a combination of both essay style and problem-based (scenario) questions testing both your knowledge of the subject area and your ability to advise/apply the law under consideration.
Assignments are marked and graded either with a Pass (45 – 64%), Merit (65 – 79%) or Distinction (80-100%).
Your centre should be able to provide help on any queries that you may have and give tutorial support and guidance if there is anything that you may not fully understand with regard to the material.
