University of Cape Town
Paralegal Practitioner
Discover how to provide essential legal support by administering crucial technical and operational tasks.
Start date
23 January 2025
Course duration
16 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
7 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Course overview
The percentage by which employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow up to 2028.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics (Sep, 2019).
The number of new legal aid matters that arose in South Africa in the 2017–2018 financial year.
Legal Aid South Africa (2018).
Duration: 16 weeks (excluding orientation)
Paralegals play a crucial role in professional legal environments by providing essential support to licensed lawyers. The Paralegal Practitioner online short course offered by the University of Cape Town (UCT) is designed to equip students with both the legal knowledge and practical skills necessary to fulfil this crucial function. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the South African legal system, including the Bill of Rights, the South African Constitution, and various areas of private, criminal, and business law.
The UCT paralegal course also includes several modules focused on developing essential technical and administrative skills, such as legal reading, writing, interviews, and, research, giving students a competitive edge in the job market.
Is this course for you?
This online course is perfect for those interested in working as paralegals, legal secretaries, or assistants. It provides up-to-date information on local law and is also great for current paralegal practitioners who want to refine their skills and expand their knowledge base. Students will be well-prepared to unlock new career opportunities and achieve greater influence within their organisations.
Course overview
Introduction
Duration: 16 weeks (excluding orientation)
Paralegals play a crucial role in professional legal environments by providing essential support to licensed lawyers. The Paralegal Practitioner online short course offered by the University of Cape Town (UCT) is designed to equip students with both the legal knowledge and practical skills necessary to fulfil this crucial function. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the South African legal system, including the Bill of Rights, the South African Constitution, and various areas of private, criminal, and business law.
The UCT paralegal course also includes several modules focused on developing essential technical and administrative skills, such as legal reading, writing, interviews, and, research, giving students a competitive edge in the job market.
Is this course for you?
This online course is perfect for those interested in working as paralegals, legal secretaries, or assistants. It provides up-to-date information on local law and is also great for current paralegal practitioners who want to refine their skills and expand their knowledge base. Students will be well-prepared to unlock new career opportunities and achieve greater influence within their organisations.
What will set you apart
Wide-ranging knowledge of South African law and legal procedures.
The skills to conduct legal research, and interpret legislation and court material.
The ability to draft basic legal documents and write an office memorandum.
An official certificate from UCT as proof of your paralegal competencies.
Unlimited access to edX’s Career Engagement Network, offering you exclusive resources and events to support your professional journey and drive your career forward.Course curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
Introduction to South African law
Module 2
Sources of South African law
Module 3
Classification of South African law
Module 4
Introduction to the legal and paralegal profession
Module 5
Private law and civil law procedures
Module 6
Criminal law and the law of criminal procedure
Module 7
Business law
Module 8
Law of evidence
Module 9
Courts and alternative dispute resolution
Module 10
The Constitution and the impact of HIV/AIDS on the law
Module 11
Human rights
Module 12
Legal comparison and perspectives on the law
Module 13
Legal language and reading
Module 14
Legal writing
Module 15
Legal argument, logic, interview and oral advocacy skills
Module 16
Legal research skills
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Course Convenor
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Salona Lutchman
Attorney and Notary of the High Court of South Africa; Senior Lecturer in the Department of Public Law, UCT
About the certificate
Acquire the expertise to become a paralegal practitioner and earn an official digital certificate of completion from the University of Cape Town.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a digital certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the course handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the course.
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Why choose GetSmarter?
GetSmarter operates as edX's partner for premium online short course products from the world's leading universities and institutions. With edX, we leverage our people, technology, and resources to power your education and your potential.
We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required to upskill, reskill or kickstart a completely new career. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need. We ensure that leading universities and institutions are your expert guides and our people, technology, and resources are your engine – together we power more than just education, we power your potential.
Read more about GetSmarter here and edX here.
Find out more about GetSmarter’s approach to digital learning, course design, and online delivery here.
Payment options
You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing page, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.
Manage your time
GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.
At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.
Seek employer assistance
By improving your skills and industry knowledge, you'll have an influence on the success of your organization. Why wouldn't you ask your boss to help you fund your studies if it's going to have an impact on the way you do business?
Of our past students, 37 percent have received financial assistance from their employers. You can ask for help, too. Here is a guide to show you how to request financial assistance from your employer.
If you are a Learning & Development (L&D) manager, or involved in training and upskilling for an organization, you can request information regarding our corporate offering on our GetSmarter for business page.
How to change your start date
As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.
To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.
Discover the Online Campus
The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.
On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please visit your Account page here.
Financing options
We've recently partnered with financial services firm, FeverTree, to offer you another convenient way to finance your short course education. Find out how you can apply for a short-term loan below.
How do I apply?
- You have the option of applying for a full course-cost loan agreement with FeverTree (South African citizens and short courses only)
- FeverTree works with GetSmarter to ensure your studies are financed right away, giving you the chance to join the soonest presentation
- You can find out if you pre-qualify in seconds. Send an SMS with your “Name*Surname*ID Number*Gross Salary” to 30082
- FeverTree’s application process is simple and quick – expect a 15-minute turnaround to find out if you’ve been successful with your loan application
- Even if you aren’t successful in your FeverTree application, you’ll still be eligible for the payment plan options with GetSmarter
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