The content is determined by the national Joint Standing Committee on Legal Education, the Diploma Co-ordinating Committee and various working parties, which include representatives of all the universities and members of the legal profession.

The focus is on the practical skills required in the legal profession.

There are also a number of elective courses on offer, ranging from Construction Law to Estate Planning, which take place in February/March.

Students on thisÊDiploma in Professional Legal Practice at The University of EdinburghÊ have a very full timetable in comparison with that at undergraduate level. It entails a large number of contact hours, much of the time in small seminar groups.

Participation in practical class work is regarded as extremely important and attendance is expected. Failure to attend tutorials will disqualify students from sitting the final exams.

There may also be the need for substantial preparation for exercises and in-class assessment. There is an emphasis on legal skills throughout.