Practical Legal Training is one of the key milestones in your journey towards becoming a lawyer, and at Leo Cussen, we understand that not everyone can commute to and from the CBD for regular classes and many of you need the flexibility to be working alongside your PLT course. That’s why we built our online delivery of legal training programs, so you can complete one of the most well-respected PLT programs in the country from the comfort of your own home. Completing your PLT online, can mean added convenience for you!
Due to COVID-19 forcing students to move wholly online, Leo Cussen has been able to allow students to also complete their Professional Placement fully online alongside their full coursework. Our online legal training courses are built to provide you engaging classes and real-world experience, and prepared for your legal career.
Even when completing your PLT online, we have the experience to provide you with the best mentorship and hands-on learning to become the best lawyer you can be.
What online PLT course options do you have?
Leo Cussen online has two different options for online PLT coursework, full-time PLT or part-time PLT. These are both personal and flexible, and prepare you to jump straight into your legal career. We have also gained an exemption from the Victorian Legal Admissions Board which permits our Victorian students to complete their placements online throughout 2020, an exciting development that ensures we reach our goal to have all our students be fully prepared to join the legal profession , no matter their circumstances.
Vic Online full-time PLT – designed for those who enjoy self-paced learning and a more flexible schedule, including more online activities, video content and loads of support from your mentor. During 2020 this course will be available wholly online. 21 weeks of coursework, including 13 days face-to-face (attended online or onsite in 2020 – you get to choose once lockdown is behind us) and three weeks’ professional placement**. Starts July.
Vic Online part-time – designed for those who need more time to complete their PLT due to work, family or other commitments, this course is also for those who enjoy self-paced learning and a more flexible schedule, including more online activities, video content and loads of support from your mentor. During 2020 this PLT course will be available wholly online. 42 weeks of coursework, including 13 days face-to-face (attended online or onsite in 2020- you get to choose once lockdown is behind us) and three weeks’ professional placement**. Starts July.
WA Online full-time PLT – designed for those who enjoy self-paced learning and a flexible schedule, including more online activities and video content. During 2020 this course will be available wholly online. 21 weeks of coursework, including 13 days face-to-face (attended online in 2020), and either:
- 4 weeks of professional placement plus a 5-week equivalent additional coursework Career and Profession Ready Module which may be completed concurrently; or
- 9 weeks of professional placement.
What does the online coursework look like?
Across your time with us, you will learn everything you need to know about the practice of law. Each student will work closely with a mentor who will guide you through the whole process of learning, as well as practising the skills and knowledge we teach you in the regular coursework.
When completing your Practical Legal Training online, you will be required to complete 21 or 42 weeks of coursework, with 3 weeks of placement. You’ll learn how to analyse a client’s problem, provide written and oral advice, draft legal documents and negotiate with other parties. You’ll be working on complete interactive simulated files, which means you run the file from opening instructions to the closing letter.
You can find out more about our specific coursework on our Course Structure page.
What kind of hands-on experience can I get whilst studying PLT online?
The Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) has approved the Leo Cussen Work Experience Module as a replacement to the work placement component of the course for 2020. This means you can still gain the same invaluable experience working as a lawyer, whilst retaining the flexibility of working online and staying safe during COVID-19.
Of course if you prefer to complete a placement that is still possible, subject to COVID-19 restrictions.
During your coursework, you will work on stimulated cases and represent your own simulated clients. You’ll gain real-world experience in preparation for your placement and post-study employment.
You’ll participate in the sorts of activities lawyers undertake every day, including:
- client consultations
- court appearances
- will signings
- negotiations
…and various other activities that you might encounter at any stage in your career. We also make sure to connect you with a range of lawyers from an array of legal workplaces and practice areas to make sure you can build a strong network with potential employers and mentors after graduation.
We aim to ensure that anyone studying PLT online at Leo Cussen comes out of our programs feeling confident to work with their supervisors, meet with clients and hit the ground running!
Our goal is to ensure that all of our students experience the same hands-on, vocational training that we pride ourselves on, whether you are online or onsite, full-time or part-time. To hear more about our other students completing their PLT online check out our trainee videos, or get in touch to learn more about our flexible legal training options. For more information the Leo Cussen PLT program, contact us.
