Description
This programme is focused at students who have an interest in a career as a paralegal practitioner. There is a constant demand for practitioners that have a sound knowledge base in one or more of the fields of specialisation. There are numerous career options available for students who have completed their programmes successfully such as:
- Law firms
- Sheriffs of the Court
- Law enforcement agencies
- Private companies
- Public institutions
- Credit bureaus
- Estate agents, etc.
Most companies have some sort of legal component, even though this may be limited to credit applications and collections. Paralegal studies capacitate employees to function optimally in an environment where some aspects of legislative competence are required. Not every component of legal work requires professionally registered legal practitioners.
This programme has been conceptualized to capacitate candidates to perform a multitude of functions in a commercial environment. A person that has acquired this programme will be capable to perform as an office manager. The programme offers the learner some latitude to specialise in two fields by means of electives. The type of operations in an office environment often dictates whether the services rendered require registered legal practitioners or whether practitioners trained in paralegal studies will suffice.
Admission Requirements
The minimum entry requirements for the Higher Certificate in Paralegal Studies in Commercial Practice are:
- A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with Higher Certificate endorsement, or
- A National Certificate Vocational (NCV) at NQF Level 4 with Higher Certificate endorsement, or
- Amended Senior Certificate (ASC), with Higher Certificate endorsement, or
- A Senior Certificate (SC), with University Exemption or Higher Certificate endorsement, or
- Foreign School leaving Certificate that complies with minimum admission requirements for Higher Certificate study as gazetted by the Matriculation Board (The Matriculation Board will do equivalency evaluation)
Alternative admission requirements
- Senate discretionary admission
- Mature Age (45 years of age): conditions apply
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
- Candidates over the age of 23 at registration or during their first year of attendance who have attained a Senior Certificate with at least 40% in at least
four Higher Grade or Standard Grade subjects, at least three of which were passed simultaneously, one of which is a Higher Grade subject and one is English.
Additional Requirements
- Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy and English at NQF level 4 or equivalent
- Foreign applicants whose first language is not English, may be required to provide proof of proficiency in English prior to admission to the programme
Lyceum may require appropriate combinations of subjects and levels of achievement for certain qualifications.
Career Options
Students could pursue a career as a:
- Paralegal Secretary
- Legal Advisor to an Estate Agent
- Legal Advisor to a Manufacturer
- Judiciary
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 in Commercial Practice 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.