Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice

The Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP) is a compulsory requirement to be admitted as a barrister and solicitor in South Australia.

It provides practical legal training for law graduates.To apply, you must have successfully completed a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), or met the criteria specified by admitting authorities in your state or territory.

If you studied your LLB overseas you’ll need to have your qualifications accredited by the South Australian Board of Examiners before you can commence the GDLP.

You can contact the Law Society of South Australia to discuss these requirements.

Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (GDLP) students are required to complete the following: Five core courses Two elective courses Five hours minimum of continuing professional development 30 days (225 hours) of legal practice placement. The program is a 24 unit program. Traditionally the GDLP has been designed to be undertaken over a 6-12 month period. There is also an option for students to undertake the GDLP (unit delivery only) in 20 weeks via fast-tracking. Note: International students must complete the program full-time and on-campus ('face to face').

Academic Program Rules

The Calendar is a comprehensive handbook of the University's academic program rules.

You can find the academic program rules for this degree under the Faculty of the Professions rules.

Example Study Plan

Indicative Study Plan Core courses LAW 6501: Lawyer's Skills (6 units) LAW 6502: Civil Litigation Practice (3 units) LAW 6503: Commercial and Corporate Practice (3 units) LAW 6504: Property Law Practice (3 units) LAW 6505: Professional Obligations (3 units) Elective courses Courses to the value of six units from the following: LAW 6506: Criminal Law Practice (3 units) LAW 6507: Family Law Practice (3 units) LAW 6508: Employment and Industrial Relations Practice (3 units) LAW 6509: Planning and Environmental Law Practice (3 units) LAW 6510: Wills and Estates Practice (3 units) LAW 6511: Administrative Law Practice - Online (3 units) LAW 6512: Banking and Finance - Online (3 units) LAW 6514: Consumer Law Practice - Online (3 units) Candidates must also complete work placements to the value of six weeks (225 hours) as approved by the Law Society of South Australia and complete five Continuing Professional Development hours.

Assessment

A variety of assessment tasks will be required, varying slightly from course to course but including a combination of the following: multiple choice questions, practical legal research assessment, demonstration of advocacy skills, online quizzes, practical interviewing and advising tasks, participation in discussion boards, drafting letters of advice, drafting, completion of relevant forms.

For those who are based in Adelaide, we will be offering a blended delivery mode that combines face-to-face with remote learning in as many courses as possible, taking into consideration social distancing and hygiene. All lectures will continue to be delivered online for the remainder of the year, with some exceptions.

For our students who are studying offshore for the remainder of the 2020 Academic Year, the University will continue to offer high-quality access to the learning resources remotely. This includes all lectures, tutorials and other support material. Students will be advised in advance if there are course components that cannot be provided in remote mode and, wherever possible, offered alternative courses.

Career Readiness

Graduates will be fully qualified to practise law in Australia, and pursue rewarding careers as a barrister, solicitor or lawyer.

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Graduate Attributes

Adelaide Graduate Attributes

1. Deep discipline knowledge
2. Critical thinking and problem solving
3. Teamwork and communication skills
4. Career and leadership readiness
5. Intercultural and ethical competency
6. Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

Industry Placement

Most students complete their placement in a legal office, for example in private practice or a government legal services department.

Although most students source their own placements, the Law Society of South Australia members of the GDLP staff can assist. Placements are allocated on a priority basis and whilst we endeavour to place students in their first choice practice area, this cannot be guaranteed.

GDLP students complete a placement handbook to ensure that they complete real legal tasks and "hit the ground running" on day one of practice as an admitted lawyer.

More information relating to placements can be found at law.adelaide.edu.au/student-experience.

Professional Accreditation

GDLP graduates can apply for direct admission to practise as a barrister and solicitor in South Australia. Once admitted in South Australia, they can also apply for mutual recognition from the admitting authorities of any other Australian state or territory they wish to practise in.

Potential careers

Barrister, Solicitor, Jury Consultant, Lawyer / Solicitor / Barrister