The Institute of Legal Secretaries and PAs
Dedicated to your career every step of the way
Legal Secretaries Diploma Course
Start or advance your legal career with ILSPA's Diploma, a qualification recognised by law firms across the UK and internationally. Our Students secure roles on the strength of what they've achieved, while firms enrol their existing staff to deepen their legal knowledge and skills. Whatever your age, background or experience, ILSPA welcomes you.
ILSPA's Legal Secretaries Diploma provides the legal knowledge, practical skills and professional confidence needed to work effectively in a legal environment. It is suitable for those who want to enter the legal field for the first time, as well as experienced Legal Secretaries who wish to gain a recognised qualification or advance their career. Law graduates who want to build practical experience also benefit from the course.
Whether you work alongside AI or in a more traditional legal environment, ILSPA's courses equip you with the practical expertise and professional knowledge needed to perform your role to the highest standard. The legal and practical skills taught throughout our courses are fundamental to everything a Legal Secretary or PA does. They form the foundation of the role, ensuring you understand not just what to do, but why it is done that way. That depth of understanding is what allows you to guide, review, and verify AI-assisted work with confidence, and to carry out tasks independently when needed, wherever your career takes you.
Choose the study option that suits you best:
- Study online at your own pace via distance learning
- Join our blended live learning classes for real-time interaction with a tutor
Both options allow you to you to select the core skills and legal practice areas most relevant to your interests or your work, ensuring the Diploma aligns directly with your career goals.
To find out more, explore the sections below on our study options, our syllabus, and our guide to choosing the right subjects, so you can select the options most suited to your career and workplace.
Why choose ILSPA's Legal Secretary course?
Earn a respected Legal Secretary qualification - Become a skilled and qualified Legal Secretary with credentials recognised across the legal industry.
Acquire comprehensive legal knowledge - Build expertise in various areas of law to confidently support legal professionals.
Master legal document production and procedures - Learn the essential skills to produce and manage legal documents and complete complex legal forms.
Enhance your professional word processing skills - Refine your typing and formatting abilities for efficient, accurate document preparation.
Understand how AI tools are used in legal practice — In this optional unit, gain the confidence to work alongside AI professionally and responsibly.
Receive personalised support throughout your coursework - Benefit from dedicated tutor assistance, ensuring you stay on track and excel in your studies.
Achieve success with our high pass rate – Join the 95% of Students who pass the course and earn a professional qualification.
Gain expert CV and career guidance - Access personalised CV advice and job-seeking strategies to secure a rewarding Legal Secretary role.
Access extensive study and career resources - Leverage a comprehensive online library of materials and tools to enrich your learning and career journey.
Receive one year of FREE Membership with the Institute - Enjoy a full year of Membership benefits, including resources, and professional support.
Have discounted access to the Royal Courts of Justice Tours - Explore the historic Royal Courts of Justice with an exclusive discount, enriching your legal knowledge.
Gain eligibility for a TOTUM Student Discount Card - Take advantage of the UK’s leading Student discount card to save on food, fashion, travel, and more.
The UK Government's National Careers Service highlights ILSPA's Legal Secretaries Diploma as a recognised pathway into the profession.
ENROL ONLINE or speak to a Course Advisor today. ILSPA provides the pathway to a fulfilling career in law. Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect, learn and grow with us!
Explore the Course Syllabus
ILSPA's Legal Secretaries Diploma is a Level 3 qualification designed to provide you with both the legal knowledge and practical skills needed to secure employment or progress in your current career. The Diploma offers flexibility, allowing you to choose the units that best suit your workplace and career goals. Through this comprehensive and professionally recognised course, you can master general legal procedures, develop key legal secretary skills, learn how AI is used in legal practice, and gain a solid foundation across a range of areas of law. You will also enhance your document production skills through the drafting and completion of legal correspondence, forms, and professional documents.
Explore ILSPA's Legal Secretaries Diploma syllabus to see how it can support your professional journey.
What Are the Study Options?
Whichever study method you choose, ILSPA's courses offer complete flexibility to fit around your existing commitments, and you'll receive exactly the same qualification regardless of which option you take. You can enrol at any time and study at your own pace. Most Students complete the course within three to six months, though you may finish sooner if you're able to dedicate more time to your studies. You have up to a year to submit your coursework, giving you the opportunity to manage your studies alongside work, family, and other responsibilities without feeling under pressure.
Distance Learning Option
If you prefer to study independently, our Distance Learning option allows you to work through the course at your own pace, without any live classes to attend. Your course materials are structured into clear, manageable units, guiding you through each subject step by step. While you won't attend classes, you're never studying in isolation. ILSPA's course support team is on hand to help you whenever you have a question or need guidance on your coursework. This option suits Students who learn best when working through material independently, or who have commitments which prevent them from attending classes.
Blended Live Learning Option
Classes will be held via Zoom on Wednesdays from 7.00pm to 9.00pm, including time for Q&A. They are part of a blended learning experience, so in addition to attending live classes, you will complete online coursework designed to reinforce and build on what you learn. The course runs over 8 weeks, and you'll only need to attend the sessions covering the legal subjects you have chosen. To support your learning, lesson recordings will be sent to you if you'd like to review a subject or miss a class. Your Tutor is an experienced law lecturer and qualified Solicitor who has been teaching ILSPA courses for over 15 years. Students frequently praise his engaging and supportive teaching style, noting how much they enjoy his classes.
Course Materials
Once enrolled, you will gain access to our exclusive Student and Member area, where all of your study materials, coursework, and resources are conveniently stored in one place. Everything you need to complete the course is provided online, making it easy to study from home or anywhere else that suits you. There are no examinations and your progress is assessed entirely through coursework, which you complete and submit at your own pace and in your own time. You can find more information in our 'How Will I Be Assessed' section.
How Will I Be Assessed?
Whether you study via distance learning or attend our online classes, ILSPA's Legal Secretaries Diploma course materials and coursework is easily accessed through the Student and Member area of our website.
There are no examinations as you will be assessed through online coursework, which includes multiple-choice achievement tests, practical assessments or assignments, depending on the subjects you study.
The multiple-choice tests will assess your understanding of each unit, while the practical assessments focus on creating legal forms, documents, and letters. These tasks help you demonstrate your ability to follow instructions, apply word processing skills, and perform key Legal Secretary tasks with confidence. The assignments, consisting of essays or direct questions, allow you to showcase your knowledge and apply it to real-life legal scenarios.
No prior experience is necessary to complete the coursework. The course materials provide clear instructions and examples to guide you through each task. If you need help along the way, our Tutors and Assessors are always available through our online Course help and Support Portal to offer support.
Each piece of coursework you submit will be graded, and when you complete the course, an average of your results will determine whether you achieve a pass, merit, or distinction. If needed, you can retake any part of the course once, at no extra cost.
With a 95% pass rate, you can feel confident in your ability to succeed. Upon passing all units, you’ll be awarded ILSPA’s prestigious Legal Secretaries Diploma Certificate — a significant achievement in your career.
What Help and Support Will I Receive?
Throughout your studies, ILSPA's course support team is on hand to guide you. Through our online Course Help and Support portal, you can connect directly with our Tutors and Course Assessors whenever you need assistance, ensuring you always have the help you need to succeed.
We want every Student to feel confident and well-supported throughout their studies, and our team is committed to helping you get the most out of your course. If you are enrolled on the blended live learning option, you will also benefit from direct support from your Tutor during classes, giving you the opportunity to ask questions, discuss topics in real time, and engage with your learning in a more interactive way.
Is This Course Right For Me?
ILSPA's course is designed for a diverse group of Students, ranging from those with no legal background to experienced Legal Secretaries and even law graduates looking to enhance their skills. Whether you're just starting out or looking to advance your career, our Legal Secretaries Diploma can help you achieve your goals.
Our course is perfect for:
- Aspiring Legal Secretaries who need to gain the legal knowledge and practical skills required for the role
- Experienced Legal Secretaries who want to gain a more in-depth understanding of their work and achieve a formal qualification
- Law graduates who want to gain the practical skills missing from their law degree to get their foot in the door
No matter your background, our course will provide you with the knowledge and expertise to thrive in the legal field.
What Are the Entry Requirements?
There are no formal entry requirements for our course, but to get the most out of your studies and career, we recommend having a good typing speed, computer literacy, familiarity with Microsoft Office (Word & Excel), and strong spoken and written English skills.
If you need to improve these skills, ILSPA Students can receive an exclusive 50% discount on Microsoft Office courses through our Microsoft training partner. We can also recommend a free online typing course, used by thousands of Students, to boost your speed and accuracy.
What Are the Course Fees?
Online Distance Learning — £695 (inc. VAT)
Payment plan:
- 3 monthly instalments: £69.50 deposit, followed by 3 payments of £208.50 per month
- 6 monthly instalments: £69.50 deposit, followed by 6 payments of £104.25 per month
Blended Live Learning — £795 (inc. VAT)
Payment plan:
- 3 monthly instalments: £79.50 deposit, followed by 3 payments of £238.50 per month
- 6 monthly instalments: £79.50 deposit, followed by 6 payments of £119.25 per month
All payment plans are interest free, with no additional charges.
Our course fees reflect the quality, depth, and recognition of the training you will receive. We are committed to keeping our courses as affordable as possible, and we have revised our fees to ensure that cost is not a barrier to professional development. Many of our Students say that the investment has opened the door to new roles, career progression, and long-term professional development, making ILSPA's Diploma a valuable and rewarding step in their career journey.
If you have any questions about the course fees or payment options, feel free to contact us.
Student Terms and Conditions
Please read our terms and conditions below.
Student Terms and Conditions
