Description
This programme is designed to allow students to be employed by Lawyers, Law and Auditing Firms, Banks, and other Financial Organisations, as well as in the private sector as Legal assistants or paralegals. Many opportunities also exist in the private (government) sector. Successful students will become qualified and competent assistants able to ensure that the primary legal services are more accessible and affordable to the public. Upon completion the student will be able to:
- Conduct legal research on the behalf of a legal or paralegal practitioner
- Communicate with internal and external clients in a legal or paralegal workplace
- Guide and refer clients in a paralegal context
- Assist in solving problems in a paralegal context
- Provide administration and organizational support in an office environment
- Display ethical values and professional conduct when dealing with internal and external clients.
Career Options
Students could pursue a career as a:
- Paralegal Secretary
- Legal Advisor
- Judiciary sdministrator
- Debt Collector
- Compliance Assistance
Admission Requirement
The minimum entry requirements for the Higher Certificate in Paralegal Studies is the National Senior Certificate OR equivalent
Articulation
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) processes and Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) are articulation mechanisms. The institution reserves the right to conduct a formal assessment for purposes of CAT. An evaluation will be conducted to recognise prior learning. This evaluation may or may not be based on a form of formal assessment and can include a portfolio of evidence submission. These mechanisms are in line with the HEQSF as envisaged in the NQF Act 67 of 2008 and the CHE “Policies on the Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and Assessment in Higher Education” published by the CHE in August 2016.
The final approval for applications in respect of CAT and RPL is subject to academic vetting in terms of applicable legislation and institutional policies.
Enquire at your nearest Lyceum Branch Office for more information regarding the awarding of subject credits (Credit Accumulation and Transfer – CAT) towards Lyceum Qualifications.
Study materials are largely supplied in digital format only. Printed copies can be ordered at the prescribed tariffs.
Assessment
Assessments consist of two assignments (formative assessment) and a final examination (summative assessment) for each subject. The two assignments consist of an online multiple-choice (MCQ) assignment and an application-based assignment.
NB: Make sure you upload assignments before the submission date in the required format. Assessments that are not submitted onto the portal (myClass) will not be accepted.
Your final mark for each subject will be calculated as follows:
Assignment contributes 60% towards the final mark
Examination contributes 40% towards the final mark
NB: Lyceum does not allow students to bank assignment marks. Students must complete assignments for the academic cycle in which they wish to write exams.
Cycle 1 constitutes a cohort of students whose modules were registered between 1 April and 30 October.
Cycle 2 constitutes a cohort of students whose modules are/will be registered between 1 November and 31 March.
Certification
Upon successful completion of your programme, you will receive a certificate depicting: -Higher Certificate in Paralegal Studies and an academic transcript.
These documents will be issued at the annual graduation ceremony, couriered to the nearest branch or posted to you, provided that your account is in order.
NB: Certificates cannot be issued to the students before a graduation ceremony.
The student’s responsibility is to ensure they meet all the programme requirements before issuing a qualification