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PLT Flex Factor 2.0 - Flexible program

Flexible program

Learn when and where it suits you. You’ll study within set course dates and complete key milestones –  the rest is up to you.
PLT Flex Factor 2.0 - Hands-on learning

Support at the ready

Be guided by a supportive team. Chat with a mentor, lecturer, career adviser or your peers – whenever you need them.
PLT Flex Factor 2.0 : Hands-on learning

Hands-on learning

You’ll review simulated cases, negotiate contracts and draft statements. The best part? There’s not a single essay in sight.

 

Compulsory Subjects

Lawyer’s Skills

Effective lawyers not only have extensive technical legal expertise but also excellent skills in:
  • oral and written communication
  • advocacy
  • interviewing
  • drafting
  • negotiating
  • problem solving,
  • managing work and time, and
  • resilience.

You will learn:

  • communicating effectively
  • interviewing clients
  • writing and drafting
  • negotiation and early dispute resolution
  • representing clients in court
  • problem solving
  • managing risks for clients
  • managing time and workload, and
  • maintaining wellbeing in practice.

You will complete interactive workshops facilitated by experienced lawyers in which you will have the opportunity to role play interviews, negotiation and courtroom appearances. You will learn how to approach client problems, draft written communications and documents, manage risk, and work effectively in your legal workplace. You will have opportunities to apply and practise these skills throughout the course.

Ethics and Professional Responsibility

Whether you intend  to work in private, corporate or government practice and whether in a large or small law practice and no matter where that law practice is physically situated, this subject is relevant and important to you and to the community.
 
You will further your understanding of the role of the legal profession in the legal system, in particular, its responsibility to serve the community successfully.
 
As you will soon be accorded the status of an officer of the Supreme Court, you must:
  • be familiar with the values that are significant to the legal profession, and
  • know and understand the legal rules regulating the profession.

You will learn:

Beyond mere knowledge of the rules you will develop the skills to identify and respond appropriately to ethical dilemmas.

  • strategies and techniques to help to reduce the prospect of a disciplinary complaint being brought against you
  • how to respond professionally if a complaint is made
  • the confidence to voice ethical concerns in practice, and
  • how to maintain trust and general account records according to law and good practice.

Civil Litigation Practice

Civil litigation is a process of resolving disputes between parties. Civil litigation includes:

  • any interactions between disputing parties prior to proceedings being commenced, such as letters of demand
  • the initiation and defence of proceedings in courts or other tribunals
  • pre-trial procedures such as interlocutory applications
  • court and tribunal appearances
  • alternative avenues of dispute resolution such as negotiation, mediation and arbitration, and
  • post-trial procedures such as costs recovery and the enforcement of judgments.

You will learn how to:

  • assess the merits of a case and identify dispute resolution alternatives
  • advise on costs of litigation
  • initiate and respond to claims
  • take and respond to interlocutory and default proceedings
  • gather and present evidence
  • negotiate settlements, and
  • take action to enforce orders and settlement agreements.

You will cover the law, court rules and practice that apply in civil litigation. This will enable you to:

  • advise clients on appropriate strategies to resolve disputes, and
  • conduct litigation for clients in a timely and cost-effective manner

Property Law Practice

Property practice involves the legal process of transferring legal ownership of a property from one party to another (conveyancing) together with associated matters such as:
  • leasing
  • mortgaging, and
  • planning and revenue.
Buying or selling property is one of the largest financial transactions clients will undertake during their lives. Clients will expect you to be able to handle such transactions in accordance with their instructions and acting in their best interests.
 
You will learn how to:
  • identify and transfer title/property and prepare a contract for sale for a vendor
  • advise on a contract and investigate and transfer title from a purchaser’s perspective
  • advise on leases
  • advise on creating and releasing securities
  • advise on land use, and
  • advise on revenue issues.

Commercial and Corporate Practice

Commercial and corporate practice is a challenging area of legal practice which covers a wide range of commercial and financial activity. In this subject, you will be acting for clients in some common commercial and corporate matters such as:
  • the sale and purchase of business assets
  • setting up business structures
  • advising upon finance and securities, and
  • identifying revenue implications of commercial transactions.

You will learn how to:

  • Conduct the sale and purchase of a small business
  • identify the risks for both parties in a transaction
  • set up simple business structures such as companies, trusts and partnerships
  • provide basic advice on finance and securities and the obligations of companies and their officers, and
  • identify revenue implications of commercial transactions and the need for further advice.

Electives (Choose Two)

Administrative Law Practice

Administrative law matters can arise in any area of legal practice. They may involve a decision made under legislation or in breach of natural justice.
 
There are two sources of administrative law review in Australia:
  • one system deriving from the common law and leading only to a judicial review, and
  • the other system being a legislative review system of administrative decisions made under an enactment, enabling persons affected by these decisions to apply for a merits review or a judicial review.

You will learn how to:

  • identify whether an administrative decision can be reviewed
  • identify and interpret the legislation under which the decision was made
  • conclude which review process will be the most appropriate
  • advise the client about the alternative means of obtaining a review
  • identify whether freedom of information legislation applies to the client’s situation and what steps are needed to obtain the information
  • prepare a matter for review, and
  • represent a client effectively at a review hearing.

Criminal Law Practice

Criminal law practice covers the law, rules, practices and procedures that apply in criminal matters. The focus is on how to advise clients before and after arrest and charge and on appearing for clients in court on a bail application, a plea and sentencing matter and a short defended hearing.

You will learn how to:

  • provide advice in criminal law matters
  • apply for bail
  • make pleas, and
  • prepare cases for trial and representing clients in minor contested matters.

Family Law Practice

Family law practice involves advising clients about ways to resolve issues that arise from the breakdown of their relationship and about various dispute resolution processes and the courts.

This subject deals with law and practice in parenting, financial, child support and spouse maintenance matters.

You will learn how to:

  • assess the merits of a case and identifying dispute resolution alternatives
  • advise on costs of litigation
  • initiate and respond to claims
  • take and respond to interlocutory and default proceedings
  • gather and present evidence
  • negotiate settlements, and
  • take action to enforce orders and settlement agreements.

You will cover the law, court rules and practice that apply in civil litigation, which will enable you to advise clients on appropriate strategies to resolve disputes, and to conduct litigation for clients in a timely and cost-effective manner

Consumer Law Practice

In this subject, you will see how consumer protection provisions work in practice. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) states that “[c]onsumer law is important for the efficient functioning of markets; it encourages consumers to shop with confidence, and enables businesses to compete fairly without rogue businesses being rewarded for using underhanded or misleading tactics.”

  • Consumer protection provisions prohibit:
  • misleading or deceptive conduct
  • unconscionable conduct, and
  • unfair contracts and commercial practices.

The provisions also regulate specific consumer transactions and make it illegal to distribute unsafe goods and related services.

You will learn how to:

  • conduct a consumer law file and advise the client on relevant law and procedure in a consumer law matter
  • recognise situations in which consumer law applies
  • identify relevant legislation, courts, tribunals and other bodies at federal and state level
  • advise a client on the appropriate jurisdiction
  • advise the client as to which remedies may be available
  • initiate or respond to a consumer claim
  • draft all documents in the relevant jurisdiction
  • represent a client effectively in any negotiation, mediation or hearing, and
  • document settlement effectively.

Employment and Industrial Law Practice

Employment law requires analytical, drafting and negotiation skills as well as expert legal knowledge. It involves both transactional and litigious work and includes:
  • advising clients about matters arising from employment relationships
  • advising clients on the relevant law and procedures, and
  • resolving disputes about employment and industrial relations matters through the court system or by using alternative dispute resolution processes.

Employment and industrial law may be regulated by federal or state legislation or may be governed by common law.

You will learn how to:
  • advise clients in employment law matters
  • identify the relevant law and procedures
  • act in proceedings arising from termination of employment
  • represent clients in dispute resolution processes, and
  • document and enforce settlements.

Planning and Environmental Law Practice

Planning and environmental law practice involves advising clients and resolving disputes in planning and environmental law matters through the court system or in alternative dispute resolution processes.

This subject covers the fundamental processes, including:

  • identifying the appropriate jurisdiction to resolve disputes
  • acting in applications, and
  • conducting dispute resolution procedures.

You will learn how to:

  • assess the merits of a planning and environmental matter and advise the client accordingly
  • prepare a planning application or objections
  • initiate or respond to a planning and environmental claim
  • represent a client in resolving a planning matter or an environmental claim, and
  • implement outcomes of any planning or environmental matter, including documenting, and carrying into effect any orders or settlement of a matter.

Wills and Estates Practice

Will drafting and administration of deceased estates are seen by some lawyers as unexciting, but they are important areas of legal practice. 
 
Most lawyers will be involved with wills and estates in some capacity, whether as:
  • a testator in making their own will
  • an executor in administering an estate
  • a beneficiary under a will
  • a lawyer acting for a client who wants to make a will, or
  • a lawyer acting for a client who is the executor or administrator of a deceased estate.

You will learn how to:

  • take instructions, draft and advise on wills
  • obtain grants of probate and letters of administration, and
  • administer deceased estates.

Banking and Finance Practice

This subject is an introduction to the world of banking and finance practice. You will learn about and apply the law to some practical lending transactions. Banking and finance practice involves:

  • advising clients about common ways of financing commercial transactions
  • drafting loan and security documents, and
  • completing commercial transactions.

You will learn how to:

  • conduct preliminary investigations
  • plan and document financial arrangements
  • undertake due diligence, and
  • finalise the transaction.

START WITH LIVE WORKSHOPS

You’ll kick off your PLT with a few days of hands-on, highly interactive live workshops.

Expand your legal toolkit as you roleplay interviews, negotiations and courtroom appearances. All under the guidance of experienced lawyers, barristers and judges.

Whether you attend online or on campus, you’ll be supported every step of the way as you engage with your facilitator and collab with your classmates.

 

PICK THE WORKSHOPS THAT WORK FOR YOU

With the Flex Factor, you can pick your workshop schedule and workshop location.

FULL-TIME

15 WEEKS

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

Start with 5 days of workshops or 3 days every week.*

WORKSHOP LOCATION

Online
Onsite

BALANCED

18 WEEKS

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

Start with 10 days of workshops.

WORKSHOP LOCATION

Onsite

 

PART-TIME

30 WEEKS

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

Start with 5 days – or 12 evenings – of workshops. 

WORKSHOP LOCATION

Online
  Onsite

 

*Available only in NSW.

 

 

After your live workshops, you’ll move to our engaging online Learning Portal. You’ll progress through your remaining compulsory subjects before exploring your two electives. 

Meanwhile, you’ll chat with your classmates. Put theory to the test in engaging tasks. And get one-on-one feedback from your facilitator.

 

Virtual practice 

VIRTUAL PRACTICE

Sharpen your skills by completing tasks that mirror real-world scenarios. You’ll gain the practical expertise you need to prepare you for practice.

 

PLT Flex 2.0 - Huddles 

HUDDLES

In these regular sessions, you can chat with your peers, ask your instructor questions and receive helpful feedback.

 

PLT Flex 2.0 - Progress quizzes 

PROGRESS QUIZZES

You can relax – it’s not an exam. You’ll complete short quizzes at the end of each subject to help you gauge your grip on the course material.

 

PLT Flex 2.0 - File reviews 

PRACTICE READY REVIEW

After finishing your tasks in each subject, you’ll review your tasks with a lawyer who will act as your supervisor. Together, you'll go over your conclusions and reasoning, helping you feel confident and ready for real-world practice.

 

MEET YOUR SUPPORT TEAM

Your PLT support team is made up of experienced lawyers who’ve walked the walk before.
Their feedback to you will be personalised and practical. With so much one-on-one guidance at the ready, you’ll be thriving in no time.

Your PLT support team - Lecturer

Lecturer

Your PLT support team - Mentor

Mentor

Your PLT support team - Career adviser

Career advisor


Your PLT support team - Profession

Profession

 

PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE

It takes more than technical skills to secure your ideal legal role.

You also need to understand how tech innovations are reshaping how lawyers manage matters – and deliver greater value. 

Let the College equip you with the knowledge to thrive in the legal roles of tomorrow. You'll learn to build your own legal bot using Josef, a leading legal tech startup. And in an Australian first, you’ll also go hands-on with PEXA – the e-conveyancing tool that’s transforming property law.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Are the workshops mandatory? What happens if I can’t attend a workshop?

Practical Legal Training is not like university, it’s 100% hands-on. The workshops are interactive and require your participation, so they are mandatory.

If you cannot attend a workshop session, you can submit a special consideration request to support@collaw.edu.au.

In some circumstances, it may be possible to attend the workshop later. We cannot guarantee that your special consideration will be approved, and we may recommend that you enrol in a later intake.

Are there any other set attendance dates (online or on campus) besides the workshops?

No, there are no other required attendance dates besides the workshops.

You will complete a File Review online at the end of each subject. The review lasts up to 40 minutes, and you can choose a time from a list of available appointments.

Will I need to attend lectures or tutorials during my PLT?

There are no lectures, classes, tutorials, or anything like that.

The best way to learn how to be a lawyer, is completing tasks just like the ones you’ll be tackling on the job, and that's what you will spend your time doing.

Can I switch between full-time and part-time courses?

You can transfer between PLT programs. If you transfer or defer after the census date, a fee will apply.

When enrolling, be realistic about the time you can commit to studying and select a program that offers the pace that best fits your lifestyle.

Part-time - The is a part-time, flexible option that allows you to set your own schedule, committing your 15-17 hours per week to the times that work best for you.

Full-time - For those who are able to commit to full-time study. Full-time immersive courses are 30-35 hours per week.


DISCOVER THE FLEX FACTOR.

BUILD YOUR OWN PLT.
AND SHARPEN ALL THE SKILLS YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED.

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