Online Legal Administration Paralegal Certificate Course

Are you ready to step into the fast-paced legal field? Whether you want to start a new career, refresh or formalise your skills, or improve your knowledge of legal processes for administrative roles, this online paralegal course is ideal for you.

The Certificate of Legal Administration – Paralegal is a professional development course designed to build practical skills to support legal professionals across a range of environments.

In this online paralegal course, you will learn to produce complex legal documents, manage workflows and deadlines, apply knowledge of the Australian legal system, maintain accurate records, use legal terminology, draft correspondence, and apply confidentiality and compliance requirements in a legal office.

You will also explore time recording, billing and disbursements, court procedures, document management systems, communication skills, and ethical and professional conduct.

On completion of this course, you will have acquired the skills and knowledge required to work as a legal secretary, paralegal or administrator in a legal office or legal department within an organisation.

Printed learning materials are available for purchase for this course and can be ordered during enrolment.

Course Structure

Unit 1 - Complex legal documents

Produce complex legal documents
Document type
Budget
Time frame and process
Document management software
Email programs
Document design and structure
Costings
Legislative requirements
Using precedents
Design and layout
Facilitate review process
Quality documents
Problem-solving and constraints
Training and documentation
Advanced software functions
Linking data between applications
Spelling grammar numeric data
File numbers
Numerical address information
Spelling and grammar
Format and style
Proofreading
Modifications
Action plan
Managing difficulties
Timelines
To do lists
Flow charts
Gantt charts
Security and confidentiality
Changes
Final printing
Watermarks
Cover pages
Naming documents
The Australian standard
Policies and procedures
Maintenance and security
Accessibility and safety

Unit 2 - Prioritising and planning in a legal practice

Critical dates and times
Identify file-related deadlines
Court appearances
Check notices of listing
Lists published by courts / tribunals
Contacting courts / tribunals
Document lodgement cut off dates
Standard court rules
Settlement dates
Record file-related deadlines
Front cover file information
Electronic calendar
Legal practitioners
Legal practice manager
Partners and supervisor
Scheduling
Arranging appointments
Client needs
Court adjournments
Delays by other parties
Contractual variations
Preparing for critical dates
Planning tools
Client files
Court lists
Reminder of critical files dates
Legal practice regulations
Schedule of fees and duties payable
Follow-up actions and activities
Finalising minutes

Unit 3 - Apply knowledge of the legal system

Australian legal system
Court system
Tribunals
Court personnel
Law firms
Lawyers
Clerks and graduates
Paralegals and Secretaries
Process servers
Trust money
Cost disclosure and billing
Progress reports
Insurance
Commercial law
Criminal law
Industrial relations
Employment law
Litigation
Property law
Tax law
Wills and estates
Specialty legal services
In-house legal departments
Paralegal agencies
Legal aid
Accepting service of legal documents
Purpose of document/form
Briefs to counsel
Retainer letter and conditions
File / matter numbers
Court etiquette
Addressing the courts/tribunals
Parties involved in legal proceedings
Civil procedure
Criminal procedure
Court documents
Specific terminology
Legal words and phrases

Unit 4 - Time and disbursements in a legal practice

Record fee-earner time
Timesheets
Electronic time sheets
Paper time sheets
Accurate time recording
Irregularities or uncertainties
Agreed timelines
Legal practice regulations
Disbursements incurred
Courier fees
Court / tribunal costs
Postage, printing and photocopying
Search fees
Telephone, accommodation, and flights
Documentation file numbers
Filing documents

Unit 5 - Legal terminology

Legal terminology
Written and oral communication
Model of communication
Internal and external parties
Appropriate legal terminology
Spelling and pronunciation
Court proceedings
Civil procedure
Criminal procedure
Court documents
Relevant terminology
Assess competency levels
Training coaching and mentoring
Obtaining experience
Skills required for research
Common abbreviations
Acronyms
Legislations and rules
Practical application

Unit 6 - Confidentiality and security in a legal environment

Confidentiality and security
Content
Errors and grammar
File/matters numbers
Relevant state / territory legislation
Trust money
Cost disclosure and billing
Progress reports
Conflicts of interest
Treating clients with respect
Professional conduct
Trust account monies
Cash payments
Receipting methods
Confidentiality procedures
Privacy act
Australian privacy principles (APP’s)
Non-disclosable information
Discretion and judgement
Preparing client records
Power of attorney
Storage of materials
Document retention

Estimated Duration

90 hours

Course Delivery and Start

Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online

Assessment

Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.

Approval and Recognition

Australian Online Courses Pty Ltd is an approved and recognised member of IARC. The IARC is an International association that recognises quality and excellence in tertiary education providers.

Career Outcomes

Legal Administrative Assistant
Legal Secretary – Paralegal
Paralegal / Legal Assistant

Highly positive and rewarding. This course has given me a strong foundational understanding of the Australian legal framework.