Closed Consultation
Future structure of the Legal Practice Course
26 November 2007
This consultation is now closed.
A consultation—on a series of proposed changes to the Legal Practice Course (LPC)—ended on 21 May 2007. When implemented, the proposals will allow a more permissive approach for course designers, and will create flexibility for students.
Our Education and Training Committee subsequently considered the results of the consultation. Responses to the proposals were mixed. A proportion of respondents expressed concern about
- the opportunity to disengage the electives from the core LPC subjects,
- granting exemptions from part or parts of the course,
- relaxing the current regulations governing course design,
- information to potential students on selecting courses.
However, some saw the possible advantages in all of the above areas. We are continuing to work with providers towards implementing the new course structure and outcomes by 2010.
An analysis of the responses is available to download.
Further background information, including the consultation paper, can also be downloaded.
Key decisions
Our board in September took a number of key decisions on the future of the LPC:
- LPC providers may offer new style LPCs from 2009. All courses must be in the revised form from 2010. The LPC will be divided into two stages. Stage 1 will cover the three core practice areas: skills, professional conduct and regulation, and wills and the administration of estates. Stage 2 will comprise three vocational electives.
- There will be greater flexibility in the way LPCs can be designed and delivered. For example, providers will be able to disengage or integrate stages 1 and 2 if they wish, offering students more options in the way they complete the course.
- In due course, individual students will be able to apply for an exemption from attending the LPC or from aspects of the course; however, all students will be required to pass all LPC assessments.
Early next year, we will publish an information pack setting out in more detail the course requirements, including
- assessment requirements,
- arrangements for the authorisation of providers,
- validation of courses, and
- ongoing quality assurance.
LPC outcomes
The LPC outcomes have also been agreed by the Education and Training Committee, and are available to download below.
The outcomes set out the "irreducible minimum" that students must demonstrate to pass the course.