CORE MODULES

There are 3 Core Modules:

1.  Office Practices
2.  Legal Terminology
3.  Criminal Psychology

1.  Office Practices

There are 8 lessons:

1. The Modern Office: Scope of office work, procedures, the home office vs commercial premises, etc.
2. Communication Systems: Using the phone, business letters, faxes, couriers, postage, etc.
3. Interpersonal Communications
4. Phone Skills
5. Writing Letters and Other Documents:Writing Letters and Reports. Structure of a report, memos, business letters.
6. Computer Applications: Scope & uses of computers, types of computers, software types, peripherals, word processing, CD Roms, Modems, setting up and care of a PC.
7. Office Organisation and Procedures: Stationary, Office furniture, Paper specifications, Filing & record keeping etc.
8. Health and Safety in the Office: Office layout and organization, security.

There are 8 lessons:

1. Scope and Nature of Legal Terminology
2. The Legal Workplace –People & Processes
3. Legal systems –Australia, UK, International Law etc.
4. Contract & Business Law
5. Property Law – Buying & selling property, Conveyancing, Intellectual Property
6. Wills, Probate, Estate Law
7. Criminal Law
8. Other –Tort law, Family Law, Civil Actions, Bankruptcy, Insurance, Accidents Compensation

3.  Criminal Psychology

There are 10 lessons:

1. Introduction to Criminal Psychology
2. Psychological approaches to understanding crime
3. Psychology and understanding serious crimes
4. Mental disorder and crime 1 – Learning disabilities and crime
5. Mental Disorder and Crime 2 – Psychopathy
6. Gender and Crime
7. Youth and Crime
8. Psychology and the Police
9. Psychology in the Courtroom
10. Psychology and Crime PreventionELECTIVES

    Choose any 3 courses from the following 7 modules:1. Bookkeeping Foundation (Bookkeeping I) BBS103
    2. Research Project 1 BGN102
    3.  Bookkeeping Application II  BBS203
    4.  Ethics  BPS217
    5. Information  Security BIT203
    6. Professional Practice for Consultants  BBS301
    7.  Technical Writing (Advanced) BWR301

LEGAL RECEPTIONIST  –  WORKING IN A LEGAL SUPPORT ROLE

Working in legal services goes well beyond just being a lawyer. A knowledge of the law is critical to a wide range of industries, from law enforcement and security work to government services and business operations.

This course may open/improve employment opportunities across a broad range of legal support roles.

Working as a Legal Receptionist

Legal receptionists work at the front desk of a law firm. They are the first port of call for clients and visitors coming to or contacting the law firm. Because of this, it is important the legal receptionist projects a good representation of the law firm is well-presented, professional, and articulate.

Different sizes and types of law firms will have different requirements for the legal receptionist. In smaller firms, the legal receptionist may double as the legal secretary.

Some duties include:

• Meeting and greeting clients and visitors that come into the law firm.
• Answering phone calls and taking messages or forwarding on to other staff members.
• Screening incoming calls to determine whether the caller needs to speak to an attorney. Forwarding to an appropriate attorney.
• Administrative tasks
• May be required to draft correspondence, such as letters to attorneys, courts, or clients.
• Scheduling appointments.
• Creating files for clients.
• May be required to handle billing.
• Providing general information to the public.
• Serving coffee or tea to visitors and clients.
• Office tasks such as managing office supplies, scanning, photocopying, faxing and filing.
• Opportunities

Law firms, government offices, legal departments and courthouses employ legal receptionists. They will generally work during business hours, and not be required to work overtime, evenings, or weekends. Legal receptionist work is relatively stable, and employment opportunities for receptionists, in general, are set to stay constant or increase.

Legal receptionists tend to earn more than general receptionists as they do specialised work, however their salary level will largely depend on the size of the firm, the firm’s location, the receptionist’s level of experience, amongst other things. Generally speaking a legal receptionist will earn a low to middle-level income (which can be a higher income depending on the previously mentioned factors), with the bonus of a relatively stable employment.

Working as a legal receptionist can be a foot in the door to working as a supervisor, legal secretary, or paralegal. Because the legal receptionist communicates with everyone in the law firm, as well as everyone who deals with the law firm they may have networking opportunities.

Risks and Challenges

Working as a legal receptionist can be stressful at times. Working at a busy law firm with strict deadlines can create stress. The legal receptionist will also be required to deal with people who are experiencing stressful circumstances which can be challenging.

A legal receptionist will spend the majority of the day sitting down at a computer, so may experience issues associated with that, such as headaches, lethargy, eyestrain, and repetitive strain injury.

How to become a Legal Receptionist:

Whilst there is not a specification education requirement to be a legal receptionist, it is generally preferred that the candidate has completed a high school qualification, as well as preferably some formal secretarial or office training. Law firms will also often look for someone who has had experience working in a law office, or a similar type of role.

To become a legal receptionist, then, it is important to try to gain work experience within a law firm in some capacity, even if it is unpaid work initially.

Maybe of greater importance are the types of skills you will need to work successfully as a legal receptionist. These include:

• Knowledge of office practices
• Familiarity with the legal system and legal terminology
• Computer skills
• Communication skills – both verbal and written expression and comprehension
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills
• A polished appearance
• Attention to detail
• Respectful of confidential information

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.

Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.

Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.

Qualifications

Q. What qualification will I receive?
A. For individual modules, you would be awarded a Certificate endorsed by TQUK (Training Qualifications, UK), providing you complete all assignments and the exam. If you just want to complete only the assignments and not sit for the exam or finish a Project, then a Letter of Achievement would be awarded. For more details on qualifications available please click here.

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?
A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.

Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.