Post-graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (Advocate Training program)

The Diploma in Legal Practice (DLP) is a postgraduate professional training course designed to equip law graduates from recognized universities with the practical skills necessary to work as advocates, prosecutors, judges, and legal practitioners. The course is mandatory for all law graduates intending to practice law, including judges and prosecutors from the Supreme Court downwards, unless exempted by law.

The program spans 18 months, comprising 12 months of coursework and examinations, followed by a 6-month internship. The academic year is structured as follows:

1st Term: January to April

2nd Term: May to July

3rd Term: August to October

The course aims to:

• Prepare students for roles as advocates, judges, prosecutors, and other legal practitioners.
• Enable students to apply substantive and procedural law to solve legal problems.
• Develop oral and written communication skills essential for professional duties.
• Enhance students’ capacity for legal research and analysis in problem-solving.
• Equip students to draft and interpret legal documents effectively.
• Foster a sense of social responsibility and appreciation for legal aid.
• Instill legal ethics, values, and professional standards in legal practice.
• Prepare students to excel in diverse legal environments.

The DLP offers subjects that prepare students to meet both national and international legal standards, including:

• Civil Litigation
• Criminal Litigation
• Probate and Administration of Estates and Trusts
• Legal Writing and Drafting
• Trial Advocacy Skills
• Professional Conduct and Ethics
• Legal Practice Management and Accounting for Lawyers
• Conveyancing and Land Transactions
• Corporate and Commercial Law Practice and Transactions
• Legal Terminologies
• English for Legal Professionals

By the end of the course, students will demonstrate the ability to:

• Apply practical and professional legal knowledge and skills in complex situations.
• Utilize substantive and procedural law to resolve legal issues.
• Draft and interpret legal documents proficiently.
• Adhere to professional standards and ethics in legal practice.
• Prepare legal correspondence, pleadings, and documents for private and public sector roles.

The program adopts a constructivist approach, integrating theory and practical skills. Delivery strategies include:

• Discussions and interactive lectures
• Guest speaker sessions
• Moot courts and legal aid clinics
• Internships and apprenticeships
• Study tours and exchange programmes

Teaching is organized through practical firms, emphasizing problem-solving, critical thinking, and application of substantive law.