The School is regarded nationally and by the professional bodies as a high quality provider of legal education, a view that has been previously confirmed by the award of `excellence’ in the Higher Education Funding Council’s subject assessment exercise.  The School has also consistently received, since 1993/94, the grade of ‘excellent’ (the highest rating available) for its Legal Practice Courses from the Law Society.  We remain the only Law School to have received, or currently to possess, this dual accolade from the HEFCE and the Law Society (N.B. under the new assessment scheme the LPC received top ratings in all six categories).

The Bristol Institute of Legal Practice offers a wide range of graduate and postgraduate professional courses.  It is also actively engaged in the presentation of short courses for the local professional and commercial community as well as being designated an approved centre for Compulsory Continuing Education of newly qualified solicitors.

Graduate Diploma in Law/CPE (full-time and distance learning)
This course represents the academic stage of the training of non-law graduates and is also of great value to those considering other careers where an understanding of the legal system and an appreciation of basic “lawyerly” skills would be helpful.  Class contact focuses on highly interactive workshop-style sessions designed to assist each student with the acquisition of legal skills, and small group seminars that consolidate the substantive law and develop legal research techniques.

Legal Practice Course (full and part-time)
This course caters for those wishing to qualify as a solicitor.  Throughout the course emphasis is placed on skills acquisition and real practice experience, with professionally qualified staff conducting workshop activities within each group’s study room.  A full range of commercial and private client electives are offered (a choice of 3 from the 15 available in 2006/07). 

Bar Vocational Course (full-time and part-time by open learning)
The BVC at UWE provides practical training in all the skills that students require for entry to independent practice as a barrister or to other forms of legal employment.  The course is delivered by practitioners and aims, as far as possible, to replicate the realities of practice.  As a student you will undertake a week’s placement in Chambers (or a similar form of legal employment) and a week of court marshalling, and also have the opportunity to represent real client’s through the Legal Representation service.

The learning experience is enhanced by the extensive use of up to the minute technology including, digital courtrooms and a range of e-learning resources.  Students on the LPC and BVC are allocated a base room which contains IT/AV equipment and a mini-library.  Additionally there is a well stocked “Practitioner Library” complimenting the extensive Law collection within the University’s Bolland Library.

Contacts us:
Bristol Institute of Legal Practice
University of the West of England, Coldharbour Lane, Frenchay, Bristol BS16 1QY
Tel:         0117 328 2604
Fax:        0117 328 2268
Email:     law@uwe.ac.uk
Web:      http://bilp.uwe.ac.uk