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University of Cape Town: Paralegal Practitioner

Learn how to offer vital legal support by administering key technical and operational tasks.

This course is offered by GetSmarter, an edX partner.

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University of Cape Town: Paralegal Practitioner

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Want to know more? Enter your information to learn more about this course from GetSmarter (an edX partner).

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About this course

As professionals who offer much-needed assistance to licensed lawyers, paralegals play a vital role in professional legal environments.

The University of Cape Town (UCT) Paralegal Practitioner online short course aims to equip you with both the legal knowledge and the practical skills to fill this important function. You’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of the South African legal system, and be introduced to the Bill of Rights, the South African Constitution, and areas of private law, criminal law, and business law.

To give you a competitive edge, the course concludes with several modules on legal reading, writing, interviews, and research, preparing you to take on a wide range of technical and administrative responsibilities.

This course is designed for aspiring paralegals, legal assistants, and legal secretaries eager to unlock new career opportunities and work at a law firm or in a commercial environment. The content will also appeal to existing paralegal practitioners who want to refine their skill set, update their knowledge of local law, and expand their scope of influence within their organisation.

Course curriculum

Understand the main disciplines and divisions of the law as you work through the weekly modules of this online short course.

Orientation module: Welcome to your Online Campus

Module 1: Introduction to South African law

Module 2: Sources of South African law

Module 3: Classification of South African law

Module 4: Introduction to the legal and paralegal profession

Module 5: Private law and civil law procedures

Module 6: Criminal law and the law of criminal procedure

Module 7: Business law

Module 8: Law of evidence

Module 9: Courts and alternative dispute resolution

Module 10: The Constitution and the impact of HIV/AIDS on the law

Module 11: Human rights

Module 12: Legal comparison and perspectives on the law

Module 13: Legal language and reading

Module 14: Legal writing

Module 15: Legal argument, logic, interview and oral advocacy skills

Module 16: Legal research skills

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About the certificate

Acquire the expertise to become a paralegal practitioner and earn an official digital certificate of completion from the University of Cape Town.

Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.

Your certificate will be issued in your legal name and sent to you digitally upon successful completion of the program, as per the stipulated requirements. Please note, due to additional administrative requirements, at times UCT course certificate delivery may be delayed by several weeks/months.

Some facts about the subject

12%

The percentage by which employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow up to 2028.

US Bureau of Labor Statistics (Sep, 2019).

426,617

The number of new legal aid matters that arose in South Africa in the 2017–2018 financial year.

Legal Aid South Africa (2018).

Why choose GetSmarter?

GetSmarter, an edX partner, delivers career-relevant, fully supported, and expert-led online courses from the world's leading universities and institutions. As an online learning expert with over 15 years' experience, GetSmarter leverages long-standing expertise in market research, data analysis, and business insights to ensure that you gain the skills critical to career growth.

University of Cape Town: Paralegal Practitioner

Get more information

Get more information

Request more info

About this course

About this course

Course curriculum

Course curriculum

About the certificate

Certificate

Some facts about the subject

12%

426,617

Some facts about the subject

Why choose GetSmarter?

Why GetSmarter?