Get ready to step into the fast-paced legal field with The Certificate of Legal Administration – Paralegal. This online professional development course is perfect for those wanting to change careers, current practitioners wanting to refresh or formalise their skills as well as those in administrative positions wanting to enhance their knowledge of legal processes.
This online paralegal course will teach you how to produce complex legal documents, apply knowledge of the legal system to complete tasks, deliver court documentation, assist in prioritising and planning activities, maintain records for the time and disbursements, use legal terminology, draft legal correspondence, maintain records for time and legal disbursements, carry out search of the public record and apply principles of confidentiality in the legal office.
On completion of this online legal program you will have acquired the skills and knowledge required to work as a legal secretary, paralegal or administrator in a legal office or legal department within an organisation.
Course Structure
Unit 1 - Complex legal documents
- Produce complex legal documents
- Document type
- Budget
- Time frame and process
- Document management software
- Email programs
- Document design and structure
- Costings
- Legislative requirements
- Using precedents
- Design and layout
- Facilitate review process
- Quality documents
- Problem-solving and constraints
- Training and documentation
- Advanced software functions
- Linking data between applications
- Spelling grammar numeric data
- File numbers
- Numerical address information
- Spelling and grammar
- Format and style
- Proofreading
- Modifications
- Action plan
- Managing difficulties
- Timelines
- To do lists
- Flow charts
- Gantt charts
- Security and confidentiality
- Changes
- Final printing
- Watermarks
- Cover pages
- Naming documents
- The Australian standard
- Policies and procedures
- Maintenance and security
- Accessibility and safety
Unit 2 - Prioritising and planning in a legal practice
- Critical dates and times
- Identify file-related deadlines
- Court appearances
- Check notices of listing
- Lists published by courts / tribunals
- Contacting courts / tribunals
- Document lodgment cut off dates
- Standard court rules
- Settlement dates
- Record file-related deadlines
- Front cover file information
- Electronic calendar
- Legal practitioners
- Legal practice manager
- Partners and supervisor
- Scheduling
- Arranging appointments
- Client needs
- Court adjournments
- Delays by other parties
- Contractual variations
- Preparing for critical dates
- Planning tools
- Client files
- Court lists
- Reminder of critical files dates
- Legal practice regulations
- Schedule of fees and duties payable
- Follow-up actions and activities
- Finalising minutes
Unit 3 - Apply knowledge of the legal system
- Australian legal system
- Court system
- Tribunals
- Court personnel
- Law firms
- Lawyers
- Clerks and graduates
- Paralegals and Secretaries
- Process servers
- Trust money
- Cost disclosure and billing
- Progress reports
- Insurance
- Commercial law
- Criminal law
- Industrial relations
- Employment law
- Litigation
- Property law
- Tax law
- Wills and estates
- Specialty legal services
- In-house legal departments
- Paralegal agencies
- Legal aid
- Accepting service of legal documents
- Purpose of document/form
- Briefs to counsel
- Retainer letter and conditions
- File / matter numbers
- Court etiquette
- Addressing the courts/tribunals
- Parties involved in legal proceedings
- Civil procedure
- Criminal procedure
- Court documents
- Specific terminology
- Legal words and phrases
Unit 4 - Time and disbursements in a legal practice
- Record fee-earner time
- Timesheets
- Electronic time sheets
- Paper time sheets
- Accurate time recording
- Irregularities or uncertainties
- Agreed timelines
- Legal practice regulations
- Disbursements incurred
- Courier fees
- Court / tribunal costs
- Postage, printing and photocopying
- Search fees
- Telephone, accommodation, and flights
- Documentation file numbers
- Filing documents
Unit 5 - Deliver court documentation
- Copy and collate documents
- Rule practice notes and procedures
- Cover sheets
- Margins and nature of binding
- Affidavits and witness statements
- Exhibits and expert reports
- Notices and writs
- Pleading documents
- Briefs to counsel
- Filing copies of documents
- Plan delivery schedule
- Establish delivery of documents
- Court / tribunal timelines
- Legal practitioner
- Electronic lodgement
- Recording disbursement
- Transport documents securely to court
- Security procedures
- Proof of lodgement documents
- Incorrect form used
- Expiry of deadline for document
- Non-payment of appropriate fee
Unit 6 - Legal terminology
- Legal terminology
- Written and oral communication
- Model of communication
- Internal and external parties
- Appropriate legal terminology
- Spelling and pronunciation
- Court proceedings
- Civil procedure
- Criminal procedure
- Court documents
- Relevant terminology
- Assess competency levels
- Training coaching and mentoring
- Obtaining experience
- Skills required for research
- Common abbreviations
- Acronyms
- Legislations and rules
- Practical application
Unit 7 - Confidentiality and security in a legal environment
- Confidentiality and security
- Content
- Errors and grammar
- File/matters numbers
- Relevant state / territory legislation
- Trust money
- Cost disclosure and billing
- Progress reports
- Conflicts of interest
- Treating clients with respect
- Professional conduct
- Trust account monies
- Cash payments
- Receipting methods
- Confidentiality procedures
- Privacy act
- Australian privacy principles (APP’s)
- Non-disclosable information
- Discretion and judgement
- Preparing client records
- Power of attorney
- Storage of materials
- Document retention
Unit 8 - Carry out search of the public record
- Public record search
- Plan work
- Timelines for completing search
- Method used for a search
- Time taken by public authority
- Reasons why search is needed
- client wishes
- Workload of legal practitioner
- Case management issues
- Method of delivery or collection
- Cost of search
- Logistics
- Information sources
- State agencies
- ASIC
- Business license agencies
- Consumer affairs
- Council information
- Certificate of title
- Intellectual property register searches
- Electoral roles
- Independent agencies
- Conduct search
- Record of lodgement
- Lodgement register
- Collection information
- Review and correct documents
- Deliver information
- Security
- Date stamping
- Registering mail
- Recording time
Study Hours
Estimated duration 120 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Testimonials
Throughout the course I found that information was laid out in an easy manner and in correlation to the assessments. I would highly recommend this course.
B. H. Sciberras | Certificate of Legal Administration – Paralegal
I have had a great time studying with Australian Online Courses. I loved how I can study at my own pace and assessments were marked promptly. I am really satisfied with the material and the experience. I would definitely recommend to others without a doubt.
C.Abela, Midland, WA | Certificate of Legal Administration – Paralegal
I had a great experience with Australian Online Courses; if I had any issues the tutors were quick in responding and the work was marked quickly as well.
B. Clarke, Lyons, NT | Certificate of Legal Administration – Paralegal
My learning experience was good, I was able to learn some new skills I applied directly to my work environment. Content was organized clearly and easy to understand.
T. Silaev, Hamlyn Heights, VIC | Certificate of Legal Administration – Paralegal
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrolment Form – Employment Services and Rehabilitation Providers
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and EFT/Direct Deposit. Please allow 1-2 Business days for processing for EFT and BPAY.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
- Legal Administrative Assistant
- Legal Secretary – Paralegal
- Paralegal / Legal Assistant
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