What is the status of the Diploma compared to a law degree?

The Board's Diploma in Law qualifies a person academically for admission as a Lawyer in New South Wales. Thus, for admission purposes in New South Wales, it is the equivalent of an LLB degree from a New South Wales accredited University Law School. Many eminent practitioners, including judges, senior partners and senior counsel, have entered law by undertaking the Diploma in Law.
The Board, as the admitting authority in New South Wales, regards both university degrees and the Diploma in Law equally as a professional qualification. There is agreement, though, that in law your learning and preparation never stop.

Do I enrol as a University student?

No. You enrol with the Legal Profession Admission Board. The Law Extension Committee of the University of Sydney was established in 1964 to assist students in their preparation for the Board's examinations. You must undertake the Law Extension Committee's educational program in each subject you take, but your enrolment is with the Board, you sit for the Board's examinations and you are a candidate for the Board's Diploma in Law.

How does the examination system work?

The Board appoints a Principal Examiner and a Revising Examiner in each subject. The Principal Examiner sets the examination according to the Board's syllabus, which is reflected in the Subject Guide prepared by the Principal Examiner in consultation with the Law Extension Committee. The Principal Examiner is usually the Committee's Lecturer in the subject. When the examination is set, it is reviewed by the Revising Examiner.
Examination scripts are marked by the Principal Examiner, and in some cases by additional markers. As an additional safeguard, any failed paper achieving a mark of 40% or above is marked again by the Revising Examiner.

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How does it work having one body teaching and another examining?

It can work well once you get used to the fact that there are two bodies involved, each with a different role.

The Board exists to ensure that people become lawyers only if they are properly qualified and of good reputation and character. The Board's examinations are to test whether you have sufficient academic competence in an area to be allowed to proceed to further examinations and, eventually, to legal practice. Thus, the Board: registers you as a Student-at-Law; enrols you in each subject; examines you; keeps your academic records; excludes you if necessary; but hopefully eventually declares by awarding you the Diploma in Law, that you have completed the academic requirements for admission as a Lawyer of the Supreme Court of New South Wales.

The Law Extension Committee, on the other hand, has the task of providing you with tuition to help you to pass the Board's Examinations. Thus the Committee provides lectures, week-end schools, assignments, access to the Law School library, subject guides and online resources, and a range of other services to assist you.

In almost every case the Board's Examiners or Revising Examiners also teach for the Law Extension Committee. The Board will allow you to sit for an examination only if, in the session immediately preceding that examination, you have satisfactorily completed the Law Extension Committee's course of tuition for that examination.

What if I fail or don't make much progress?

If you fail a subject twice or do not sit for at least two examinations in any two successive sessions, you will be excluded from the course. However, it is possible to apply for the exclusion rules to be relaxed.

Can I apply for exemptions on account of previous study?

Students who have completed, before becoming Students-at-Law, units in law degree courses at recognised universities may apply for exemption from certain subjects that are considered substantially equivalent to those in the Diploma program. Applications can be made on Form 16 (refer to the forms and fees page for current application fee).

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Is full-time study possible?

Yes, although the lecture program is scheduled for part-time students. Special permission is needed to take more than the prescribed number of subjects in a semester.

Is HECS-HELP or Austudy available?

The Higher Education Loan Program (HECS-HELP) does not apply. The Board's course has been approved for Austudy, which is a means-tested scheme of financial assistance for full-time students.

A full-time subject load is regarded as equivalent to three or more subjects. Please note that an application must be made to the Board for permission to enrol in more than two subjects per semester prior to completing the first eight subjects. Further information on Austudy is available from your local Centrelink office.

How do I pay?

Payment for registration as a Student at Law is by cheque, money order, visacard, mastercard or cash. Enrolment fees cannot be paid in cash. Cheques and money orders should be made payable to the Legal Profession Admission Board.

Can I go on to further study?

Yes. After completing the Diploma you may be eligible for candidature in a University Master of Laws (LLM) program, or other specialised postgraduate law courses. Diploma students have a successful presence in the University of Sydney's prestigious postgraduate program.

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Where can I sit for the examinations?

Students can nominate to sit at either; Sydney, Parramatta, Albury, Armidale, Broken Hill, Canberra, Dubbo, Lismore or Newcastle.

When I have finished the course, where can I do a practical legal training course?

The Board publishes a schedule of approved Practical Legal Training providers.

What options exist for graduates, other than legal practice?

Lawyers are in demand in a wide range of occupations, including accountancy, government departments, insurance, banking and finance.

Is there still a difference between Barristers and Solicitors?

Although flexibility between the two arms of the profession is increasing, in New South Wales you may still practise as a Solicitor or as a Barrister. Barristers traditionally provide specialist advocacy and advice. If you wish to practise as a Barrister after admission as a lawyer you will also complete a Reading Program conducted by the Bar Association.
Further information is available from the Law Society and the Bar Association, and from the equivalent bodies in other states.

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What are my options if I have a disability?

A candidate may apply to the Board for special examination conditions if he or she has a medical, physical, sensory or psychiatric condition or impairment, or a documented learning disability which will prevent him or her demonstrating the extent of his or her knowledge in an examination. A candidate must supply recent relevant documentation in support of his or her application, which should be made as soon as possible after enrolling but no later than the date specified on page 40 of the current course handbook. The medical documentation should describe the condition, its likely development over time, and the type and extent of special examination conditions which would permit the student to perform on his/her merits. Special examination conditions are approved for a specified examination session only and Students should not assume ongoing approval and must reapply each session.

How do I withdraw from an Examination?

Candidates are not required to give notice that they are withdrawing from subjects in which they are enrolled. A candidate who does not present himself or herself for examination will not be recorded as having failed the examination.

In ceasing to prepare for an examination, however, a candidate should be mindful of the progression and exclusion rules and to any special conditions which may have been imposed on him or her by the Examinations Committee.

Enrolment fees are not refunded, or carried forward to a later session, in cases where a student withdraws. A student who has completed tuition in a subject in a given session, however, may apply for exemption from tuition in that subject in the session immediately following.

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