Application Guidance Notes LL.M in Legal Practice Please read these Guidance Notes carefully they will help you to complete the application process correctly
Introductory information about the Programme LL.M in Legal Practice The LL.M in Legal Practice Programme combines the practical knowledge and skills taught on the Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice with a period of further academic study that culminates in the production of a written dissertation on a chosen area of legal practice. The Programme has also been designed to allow solicitors and 1 barristers and those about to enter the professions to convert their LPC, Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) or equivalent into a Masters level qualification 2 by undertaking a further year of academic study. The Programme has three component parts: Part One consists of the completion of a recognised legal vocational course e.g. LPC; Part Two consists of the completion of a taught course in Advanced Legal Research Methods; and Part Three consists of researching and writing a dissertation on an area of legal practice. Part One can be studied in full time or part time mode. Part Two and Part Three are part time modules. Programme structure and requirements Part One consists of the completion of a recognised legal vocational course, either the LPC or BPTC or equivalent. For the purposes of the LL.M in Legal Practice, completion of the LPC will be accepted up to 120 M level credits. Part One must be completed before enrolling on the course. Part Two of the Programme consists of a course in Advanced Legal Research Methods. During this period, you will attend taught sessions in legal research methodology and prepare the principal terms of a research project. You will be expected to agree the principal terms of your research project with your supervisor before the end of the course and then submit a detailed written research proposal of up to 2,000 words to your supervisor by 30 September. Once agreed, the detailed research proposal will satisfy the completion requirement for Part Two of the Programme. The single compulsory module in Advanced Legal Research Methods together with the agreed research proposal will provide 10 M level credits towards the LL.M in Legal Practice. Part Three of the Programme consists of researching and writing a dissertation of up to 12,000 words on the agreed area of legal practice set out in the research project. 1 Except where otherwise stated, for these Guidance Notes, LPC refers to all legal vocational qualifications which are recognized by the University as providing the credit for Part One of the LL.M in Legal Practice. 2 The University will also accept as incoming credit, professional legal qualifications which are entry pathways to common law jurisdictions outside England and Wales. 1
The dissertation is worth a further 50 M level credits. The dissertation should be completed within 15 months after the commencement of the Advanced Legal Research Methods course. This structure will allow you to complete the Programme in a way that fits in with both your career and/or domestic demands. Students who have completed the LPC or other recognised professional qualification commence the Programme at Part Two. The LL.M in Legal Practice would normally have the following structure and timetable: Modules Period for completion/deadline Part One Completion of LPC (120 credits) Within 5 years preceding commencement of Part Two of the LL.M in Legal Practice Part Two Advanced Legal Research Methods course and agreement of research proposal (see below) (together 10 credits) The course is for up to two weeks from Monday 20th June 2016 (Note: formal teaching and seminars take place during week one and it is only necessary to be resident in Oxford during that week.) Agreeing with a supervisor a legal practice research project leading to a written dissertation You should agree the principal terms of the research project with your supervisor by the end of the fortnight (1st July 2016) You should agree the final research project with your supervisor following submission of a written research proposal of up to 2,000 words by 30 September following commencement of Part Two of the Programme Part Three Researching and writing the dissertation (50 credits) You must submit the final dissertation by 30 September of the calendar year following commencement of Part Two of the Programme (e.g. if you commence Part Two of the LL.M in Legal Practice from 20th June 2016, you must submit your dissertation by 30 September 2017) 2
3 Entry Requirements and Progression through the Programme Applicants will normally be required to have a first or upper second class honours degree in law, or its equivalent, or, alternatively, a distinction or merit on the Graduate Diploma in Law. You will be expected to demonstrate the ability to work independently in a self directed way. As a significant part of the programme involves the application of academic research skills, you will be required to think critically, deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively and evaluate research including current problems and/or new insights. Apart from graduates of the LPC formerly offered by Oxford Brookes, you must join the LL.M in Legal Practice with 120 M level incoming credits from an LPC or other equivalent professional qualification, or equivalent professional qualification and experience (see below). If you fail to successfully complete Parts Two or Three of the LL.M in Legal Practice, you will receive no qualification from the University. If you are a graduate of the Oxford Brookes LPC, please contact the Programme Administrator to discuss entry to the LL.M. in Legal Practice. The vocational law qualification 4 Recognition of Incoming Credit The University will normally accept the following qualifications, all of which are entry pathways to the English legal professions, as incoming credit for the purpose of Part One of the Programme: 5 Legal Practice Course (from a provider other than Oxford Brookes). Law Society Finals Bar Professional Training Course Bar Vocational Course Certificate of eligibility for Qualified Lawyers Transfer Test (QLTT) issued by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) together with successful completion of the QLTT or its successor qualification the QLTS. The University will also accept as incoming credit, professional legal qualifications which are entry pathways to common law jurisdictions outside England and Wales. All students (including those with an overseas professional qualification) who have a professional legal qualification other than the LPC, must be able to demonstrate that they have either: 3 For the purposes of this section, LPC refers only to the Legal Practice Course. 4 For the purposes of this section, LPC refers only to the Legal Practice Course. 5 If you are seeking admission onto the Programme with an LPC from a provider other than Oxford Brookes, you will be required to produce evidence from your LPC provider that your LPC is equivalent to 120 M level credits under the Quality Assurance Agency s academic credit scheme for Higher Education. 3
1. a professional legal qualification or have taught a course of study leading to a professional legal qualification in at least two of the following areas of substantive legal knowledge and at least three legal skills; or 2. practice experience of at least two of the areas of legal knowledge, or in professional conduct and an appropriate specialism (e.g. employment law, family law, corporate finance). Legal Knowledge Legal Skills Business Law and Practice Civil Litigation Criminal Litigation Professional Conduct Probate law and Practice Property Law and Practice Advocacy Legal Drafting Legal Research Legal Writing Negotiation Interviewing Your vocational law qualification should normally have been obtained within 5 years of commencement of the LL.M in Legal Practice, but currency can be maintained either through continued work in legal practice or through teaching on a legal professional training course. 4
How to apply for a place on the LL.M in Legal Practice You must apply for a place on the LL.M in Legal Practice Programme through UKPASS and select the June 2016 entry point. Applicants who have a legal professional qualification other than the LPC must complete, in full, the Applicant Statement section on their UKPASS application, outlining their previous legal qualifications and experience. You may apply for a place on the LL.M Programme at any time up to 12pm on Sunday 1 st May 2016 prior to commencing Part Two of the Programme. Course Fees and Charges The current fee for the LL.M in Legal Practice June 2016 September 2017 (Parts 2 and 3 only) is 3,080 for UK/EU students and 4,410 for international students. A non refundable deposit of 500 is payable prior to commencing study on the Advance Legal Research Methods Course. The remainder of the fee will be payable in two equal instalments in November 2016 and April 2017. Dates for the Advanced Legal Research Methods Course in 2016 In 2016, the course takes place during: Monday 20th June Friday 24th June: seminars and lectures take place during this week and so attendance in Oxford is compulsory for all students. Monday 27 June Friday 1st July: this week is optional and some students choose to stay on in Oxford to use the libraries and meet with their supervisor. 5
Guidance Notes Completing the online UKPASS Application Apply online via UKPASS: Your UKPASS application must be made online here. You should select the: June 2016 entry point on UKPASS English language proficiency: If your first or main language is not English, you will be required to provide proof of an English language qualification at IELTS Level 7. If you do not already hold a recent acceptable qualification in English, you can find out more about our pre masters courses here. Personal Statement: Please provide an initial indication of the area or issue(s) in Legal Practice that you are potentially interested in researching for the dissertation module. A paragraph would be sufficient although you may wish to write a little more. (Please note that you are not committing yourself to researching this topic at this stage.) This paragraph about your research interests is the most important section in your application. The admission staff will pay particular attention to what you write here as we aim to be able to match students with supervisors who have relevant experience of your area. You may also briefly wish to explain why you are applying for the LL.M in Legal Practice, what you expect to achieve from it, and how it relates to your academic and career development. A significant part of the programme requires you to work in an independent self directed way and so you may also give details of relevant research project work or similar experience. (Please do not exceed the word count in this section.) Referees: At least one reference must be submitted via UKPASS. A suitable re feree would be a tutor, Professor, etc., who taught or is teaching you during your most recent degree, postgraduate and/or professional course, or, for mature student s, an employer (not being a relation) if an academic would no longer be appropriate. Friends and relations are not normally regarded a s s uitable referees. Please ask your referee to include the following information in your reference: 1. Graduate Applicants confirmation of your degree results including classification 6
2. Information on your ability to work independently and in a self directed way, including evidence of research work already undertaken or research skills acquired. General Notes: Please note that we may interview applicants. However, under normal circumstances, the success or otherwise of an application will be based on the quality of the applicant as evidenced by the completed application. Please also note that you will be asked to provide copies of your qualification certificates at the time of application and the originals at the time of enrolment. 1. The Application: Applications, offers and acceptances Applications should be received by 1 st May 2016 prior to commencing Part Two. ( Applications will only be processed after the closing date. ) All fully completed and supported applications received by this date will be considered by us in the selection, offer and acceptance process. Applications received after this deadline will only be considered by us if there are places remaining on the Programme. 2. Offer of Places: We will send you a letter either : offering you a place ; or informing you that your application has not been successful. 3. Acceptance of offer: If we offer you a place on the course, there may well be conditions attached to the offer. To accept an offer you must ensure that all conditions are met within the specified time frame. Confirmation of your offer will also be made though UKPASS. If you cancel a place that you have accepted after 10 working days from the date of acceptance or you do not take up a place which you have accepted, your deposit will be forfeited. You will be notified of the arrangements for cancellation when the Institute acknowledges your acceptance of a place. If you no longer require a place with us and consequently do not wish your application to be considered further, you must withdraw or decline your application through UKPASS. Contact us: If you need further information please contact: Adrienn Nagy, LL.M in Legal Practice Programme Administrator: anagy@brookes.ac.uk or law@brookes.ac.uk Oxford Brookes University 2016. All rights reserved. 7