Professional Training and Development Strategy

The Department of Law and Criminology recognises and is responsive to the need and demand for professional qualification and continuing training and development (CPD) within the legal field, among a range of criminal justice agencies, and more generally in both the public and business sector, when such professional training and development may draw upon the expertise within the Department.  This commitment to the provision of professional training and development complements the Department's established core activities in the areas of undergraduate and postgraduate education and research.

In 2007-08 the Department established the internal position of Director of Professional Legal Development to steer and oversee the development of professional postgraduate level training in the legal field.  The Department's activities in this area comprise most importantly the delivery of the Legal Practice Course for intending solicitors, within the Centre for Legal Practice (established within the Department by the University in 2006).  It is intended that the activities of the Centre for Legal Practice willl in due course to the provision of other postgraduate courses leading to professional legal qualification and to more specific CPD courses for the legal profession.  The role of the Centre for Legal Practice also includes the development and fostering of links with the legal profession, career advice and support for law students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and the promotion of pro bono work to be undertaken by law students.

The Department's strategy for professional training and development is closely linked to its strategy for the development of links with external organisations.  The latter is intended to foster the relationship with a number of public sector organisations (at local, national, European and international levels) and a range of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and voluntary bodies.  An important outcome to both strategies will be the exploitation of educational and training opportunities : for instance, work placements and the provision of intern and extern positions for students; the provision of specialised courses and training for those working for such organisations.

The Department is developing its portfolio of postgraduate level distance learning (DL) programmes and courses, both at Masters degree level and in modular format for CPD purposes.  To this end the Department explores and responds to the demand, both in the UK and internationally, for training whether via degree programmes or in smaller units.  These developments are steered by the Department's Postgraduate Committee and its sub-committee on distance learning.

The Department has established in 2008 an administrative team which oversees the development of links with outside professions and organisations and ensures a coherent and fully liaised practice over the whole area of professional training, distance learning, careers advising, and other aspects of external outreach.

(September 2008)