Designed for individuals who wish to gain essential computer and office skills in order to become a legal secretary.
Few employment areas are as recession-proof as the legal profession - and the reliance that lawyers place on their specialist secretarial support is enormous. That’s why the jobs are highly valued and well paid.
The skills required cover a wide range - from keyboard and typing speed; to total mastery of the most common business software; to business communication techniques. Shorthand is an additional option, if you wish.
Learning these legal-specific skills is easy with Pitman Training. Our tried and trusted methods are the best available and are designed for speedy results.
You work at your own pace in our comfortable premises, helped by experienced tutors as required. The atmosphere is relaxed and non-competitive.
You choose your own hours,working when it suits you – and keep the reference books and training manuals when the course is over.
The subjects covered are shown opposite. Together, they will equip you to start a new career as a Legal Secretary.
On completion of your final exams, you will receive a Pitman Training Diploma that is recognised nationally and internationally by employers.
Note: As well as the core modules listed below you also choose 2 legal modules as core modules.
Computer Keyboard Skills – Learn how to touch type accurately, using the correct keyboard technique
Keyboard Speed Development – Develop your typing speed to improve productivity using graded copying exercises and time dictations. A number of stages are available of up to 70 wpm
Effective Business Communication – Learn to communicate effectively in business – via letter, email, telephone and personal presentations
OR
Business Document Production - Develop skills and understanding of routine and complex business documents and the conventions used in their production and presentation.
Microsoft Word 2003 – Introductory and intermediate word processing skills to a good employable standard
Microsoft Word 2003 Expert – Learn advanced word processing skills including mail merge, graphs, macros, creating an index and table of contents to mention just a few
Microsoft Excel 2003 – Introductory and intermediate spreadsheet skills to a good employable standard
Microsoft Outlook 2003 – Learn how to share, manage and schedule information electronically
Microsoft PowerPoint 2003 – Gain competency in creating slide presentations. Areas covered include formatting, inserting tables, pictures, sound, hyperlinks, applying transition and timing effects for a slide show
Audio Transcription Level 1 – Learn to type from audio dictation using a variety of correspondence eg memos, reports and letters
Legal Module - Introductory – Gain an introduction to the work, responsibilities, practice and structure of a legal office including rules and guidelines, new terminology, legal staff, court system, documentation, procedures for incoming and outgoing post.
Two Legal Secretarial Modules – your course advisor will help you choose the three most suitable modules. Each module gives you the underpinning knowledge required in that specific area. Please see below (i.e. you with complete 3 Legal Modules in your core subjects, with the option of one more module as an additional elective).
Legal Module - Conveyancing – Gain an introduction to the work, responsibilities, practice and structure of the conveyancing department including all documents relating to pre-exchange, pre-completion and post-completion of sale.
Legal Module - Wills and Probate – Gain an introduction to the work, responsibilities, practice and structure of a wills and probate department including preparing a will, codicils, enduring power of attorney, deed of revocation, grant of probate and distribution of an estate.
Legal Module - Criminal Law – Gain an introduction to the work, responsibilities, practice and structure of the criminal law department including categories of offence, attendance notes, statements of accused, witness statements, instructions to counsel and legal aid claim forms.
Legal Module - Company Law – Gain an introduction to company law including instruction forms, Companies House, Memorandum and Articles of Association, company meetings and annual returns.
Legal Module - Family Law – Gain an introduction to the work, responsibilities, practice and structure of a family law department including basic divorce procedure, instruction form, the petition, statement of arrangements for children, the acknowledgement of service, decree nisa and absolute.
Legal Module - Civil Litigation – Gain an introduction to the work, resonsibilities, practice and structure of a civil litigation department including civil law, instruction form for debt collection, the claim form, particulars of claim, certificate of service, proceedings in the High Court and instruction form for personal injury.
Microsoft Access 2003 – Develop database skills from initial design stage to running reports and queries.
Introduction to Computers – Learn Basic computer skills from using a mouse to file management; from the internet to email; from word processing skills to spreadsheet by studying either our Windows XP or PC Basics course.
Internet Skills – Learn the main principles of using the internet, become familiar with Internet Explorer, learn search techniques and how to send an email using Outlook Express.
OCR examinations as appropriate
Equip you to start a new career
The flexibility and value of a self-study course designed to enable you to work at your own pace
Personalised workbooks to use as a reference guide on completion of your training
The opportunity to gain a Pitman Training Diploma that is recognised nationally and internationally by employers
7 weeks full time *or 200 hours flexi study
* full-time is based on approx 20-30 hour week |
