I would say that the transition from LLB to LPC is akin to looking at a weather app and expecting sunshine only to find yourself in a storm without an umbrella…
And this is why….
For those who may not be aware, LLB stands for Bachelor of Law and is a qualifying undergraduate law degree. LPC stands for Legal Practice Course and is a professional course that the majority of solicitors are required to undertake before they start their training contract.
Modules
You’ll be please to know that your knowledge of Tort Law, Contract Law and Land Law will be of assistance in the core modules. However, I was not aware that solicitors accounts was even a thing?! Nor that I would be learning the law about keeping illegal dogs?! And I really wish that university had taught me how to write a letter.
The core modules on the LPC are a mixture of practical and theoretical modules; the first difference to the LLB.
Cue the boring part:
Business Law and Practice Legal Writing
Dispute Resolution Practical Legal Research
Real Estate Professional Conduct and Regulation
Drafting Solicitors’ Accounts
Interviewing Wills
Advocacy
Business Law (Corporate Law), Dispute Resolution and Real Estate are the modules with the most content and law because, as a trainee, you are most likely to do at least one of these seats and so you will need an understanding of these areas. This is where any existing Land and Contract Law knowledge will come in handy.
The others modules are practical, and skills you wont necessarily learn on the LLB but can gain through work experience. Drafting includes drafting contract clauses or witness statements whilst legal writing could be a letter of advice to a client. Practical Legal Research is, as it suggests, a research project on a technical legal issue and then advising the client. Again interviewing is, as it suggests, preparing for and interviewing a client.
You may also think, why am I doing advocacy on the LPC? Well, this module helps with your debating, public speaking and communication skills and you can become a Solicitor Advocate at a later point in your career.
I personally found Solicitors Accounts and Wills quite hard, but if you like maths you will be in your element. The former is essentially learning about how law firms hold money and the rules surrounding this whilst the latter explores different types of tax such as Inheritance Tax. I did however acquire fantastic problem solving skills and I use these every day at work when dealing with any funds.
Finally, you choose your electives (the modules you want to study). I know that some firms require you to choose certain modules but there is a wide variety to choose from if not.
Out of interest, I chose Employment, Mergers and Acquisitions and Intellectual Property. The electives don’t go into as much detail as the core modules as they are only really an insight and may help you decide if you would like to do a seat in that area of law.
Learning and Teaching Methods
On the LPC you have workshops and most of these are 2 hours long (similar to a seminar).
Workshop preparation is also similar: a reading list, preparatory exercises, workshop and consolidation exercises. I would also add that the reading can be hundreds of pages but you are NEVER asked to write an essay. You will not be required to read lengthy articles discussing various theories and any articles are likely to be practice notes on legislation updates or technical legal issues. You will soon learn that Practical Law is your best friend and will guide you throughout most of your legal career (laters Lexis Nexis and Westlaw).
Preparatory and workshop tasks are essentially scenarios you will face as a trainee and you will have to advise the client on both legal and conduct issues. This is because the LPC requires application of the law to the facts to give the client clear and concise advice, whereas the LLB often asks you to discuss/explore a particular area of law.
Like the LLB if you haven’t prepped, there isn’t time for the tutor to go over the reading/task. If you don’t have time, I would personally have a go at doing the prep task rather than the reading as the reading is something that can be done at a later date and often some of the reading isn’t applicable to the question. You must always get round to doing the reading as there may be something in there which comes up in the multiple choice questions, but I wouldn’t recommend writing this all out.
From my experience, you will work in groups to answer different questions and then present this to the rest of the class on a whiteboard. This is a great chance to develop teamwork skills but also speak up if you know the answer and equally, develop your presentation skills (very similar to an assessment centre exercise).
At the end of most workshops, you receive an ‘exemplar’ which is a model answer to the task you were working on. These are extremely useful for revision and I advise to keep a copy in your folder for the exam.
Exams
One thing I have learned from open book exams is how to balance two lever arch files, three textbooks, a bottle of water, a pencil case and a banana onto a table. (And also not to be complacent in thinking they would be a walk in the park).
The core modules are examined by a 3 hour open book written exam and a 1 hour closed book exam. The practical exams are, by name, examined practically; although you will be allowed to an A4 side of notes in with you.
The electives are examined by a 2 hour open book exam and a 1 hour closed book exam.
The overwhelming aspect of the LPC is that there is SO MUCH CONTENT so trying to decide what to take into an open book exam can be difficult. The open book exam questions will be very similar to the workshops task, so as mentioned, it is advisable to take the exemplar, your workshop notes, answers to any practice questions and textbook. You are not examined on your ability to memorise and regurgitate a textbook. The examiner is looking whether you can consider the facts in front of you, apply the law and advise a client. Remember, as a practicing lawyer you will have access to information platforms if needed so rarely will you need to remember something off the top of your head.
Comparatively, the closed book exam is a memory test. You can be examined on ANYTHING in the course and often the answers are very similar; and that’s why it is important to do ALL the reading at some point.
In preparation for the practical exams like Advocacy and Interviewing, I would suggest asking a family member or friend to play the other party and practice talking out loud in front of the mirror (as silly as you may look). For Drafting/Legal Writing/Practical Legal Research, you will be given exemplars so it is wise to revert back to these for guidance.
To Conclude…
We have determined that whilst some aspects of your LLB will be applicable, the LPC has a very different method of learning and examination and its main objective is to prepare you for life as a trainee and beyond.
The best advice I have is to be open-minded, enjoy the learning experience and think how you would apply this in real life.
Believe it or not, I have tried to keep this as short as possible whilst covering the main points, but there really is SO much to discuss.
I am planning on doing another post on my experience of studying part time alongside working as well as the events and services offered at The University of Law. In the meantime, I hope this has given you an insight into the structure of the LPC and its differences to the LLB.
As always, any comments and ideas are welcome.
Stay safe, LegallyRun x
Disclaimer: the above are experiences from my time on the LPC (Part Time) at The University of Law and may differ to courses at other institutions.
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