Module Details

Module Code: LAWS C1418
Module Title: Legal Office Fundamentals
Title: Legal Office Fundamentals
Module Level:: 6
Credits:: 5
Module Coordinator: Eileen Doyle
Module Author:: Eimear Lane
Domains:  
Module Description: The aim of this module is to develop a knowledge of how to manage and run an efficient legal office thereby facilitating optimum delivery of legal services to clients.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of the basics of practice and procedure involved in managing an efficient legal office and the rationale behind those procedures.
LO2 Have practical knowledge of precedents and procedure required to assist in the delivery of legal services across the main areas of a legal practice.
LO3 Demonstrate a knowledge of the procedures involved in utilizing the Services of 3rd party institutions/bodies for eg. Property Registration Authority, Personal Injuries Assessment Board, Revenue Commissioners, Banks etc.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Additional Requisite Information
No Co Requisites listed
 
Indicative Content
Maintaining Records: (15%)
Daily Records, Service of documents, Document exchange-recorded delivery re deeds, Library/precedent bank File Records: • Time sheets • Expenditure record • Note of undertakings • Significance of up to date filing of all incoming correspondence Keeping a file duplicate of outgoing correspondence correctly dated (iii) Archiving: • Procedures for closing files • Storage of closed files • Disposal of files • Shredding/daily/ annual (iv) Deeds • Maintaining a deeds register • Release of deeds-scheduling and receipt Storage (iv) Wills • Maintaining a wills register • Release of wills-scheduling and receipt • Storage
Statutory Obligations Under Solicitors Act(& Other Statutory Obligations) (15%)
s.68 Costs letters Solicitors Accounts • Money Laundering Legislation • Employment legislation • Data Protection Legislation
Practical Succession (20%)
Execution of a will Witnessing a will • Steps in administration of estates • Ascertaining Assets • Applying for Inland Revenue Affidavit • Applying for Bond • Applying to High Court for Grant • Distribution on Inheritance, including capital taxes. eProbate
Practical Conveyancing/eConveyancing: (20%)
Steps in a conveyancing/econveyancing transaction • Booking Deposits • Pre contract enquiries • Subject to Contract/Contract Denied • Execution of a contract and exchange • Objections & Requisitions on Title Completion • Stamping and E-stamping • Registration-Land registry & Registry of Deeds-Forms • Property Registration Authority– E-conveyancing
Practical Litigation (30%)
Statute of Limitations • ‘Without Prejudice’ • Legal privilege • Briefing Counsel, Courts, Injuries Board Virtual Court Hearings eService
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment100.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 65
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 2,3
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
2 exams comprising problem scenarios in a typical office
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 35
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,2
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
1 practical exercise comprising completion of standard forms (including digital forms) used in a legal office from for example : revenue, land registry, loan pack, on foot of hypothetical instructions
No Project
No Practical
No End of Module Formal Examination

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description 12 Weeks per Stage 3.00 36
Estimated Learner Hours Non Contact No Description 12 Weeks per Stage 6.00 72
Total Weekly Contact Hours 3.00
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description Every Week 0.75 0.75
Total Weekly Contact Hours 0.75
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Henry Murdoch,Brian Hunt. (2016), Murdoch and Hunt's Dictionary of Irish Law, 6th Ed. Bloomsbury Publishing, Uk, p.1920, [ISBN: 9781780438955].
  • Paula Scollan. (2020), Law for the Layperson, Life, Work and Death, 1st. 9, Clarus Press, Ireland, [ISBN: 978-1-911611-].
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
Discussion Note: