SUBSTANTIVE LAW AND LEGAL SKILLS COMBINED
Diploma in English Law and Legal Skills ("DELLS")
Discover how much you can improve your legal knowledge and professional skills in just one academic year
PRACTICE, NOT JUST THEORY
Legal Skills on the Diploma course
Case Strategy and Planning
Learn to analyze legal materials, formulate strategic approaches, and implement your strategy.
Oral Advocacy
Enhance your courtroom presence and persuasive speaking skills to advocate effectively on behalf of clients.
Public Speaking
Gain confidence and proficiency in delivering compelling speeches and presentations in legal contexts.
Negotiations
Learn the art of negotiation to resolve disputes amicably and achieve optimal agreements for all parties involved.
Drafting
Master the skill of drafting precise and clear legal documents, essential for any legal professional.
Legal Writing
Refine your writing skills to produce well-structured and persuasive legal arguments and documents.
Case Strategy and Planning
We train you to master complex materials with precision and to construct persuasive arguments on behalf of clients. The ability to analyse, organise, and persuade lies at the core of effective advocacy. These are not skills confined to the courtroom—they are essential wherever influence matters, whether in business, negotiation, or everyday decision-making.
We provide you with a realistic case scenario and materials (including witness statements) and guide you through it step-by-step.
You will learn how to prepare evidence and design a persuasive case strategy, and then put your plan into action during simulated legal proceedings.
This hands-on approach helps to build practical skills they can be used in real situations.
Oral Advocacy and public speaking
The Art of Persuasion
Oral advocacy and public speaking are essential skills for lawyers. The ability to present arguments clearly, respond confidently to questions, and engage an audience is central to effective legal practice. These skills not only strengthen performance in the courtroom but also enhance communication in negotiations, client interactions, and professional settings more broadly.
We use practical exercises to help you practice public speaking in general and also in a court-room setting. This includes delivering a closing speech at the end of a trial, and learning how to question witnesses. Our hands-on training builds both confidence and competence.
The Art of Negotiation
Skills for Effective Legal Negotiations
Negotiation is a core skill for lawyers and many other professions. The ability to reach agreements, manage competing interests, and secure favourable outcomes is central to resolving disputes efficiently and effectively. Strong negotiation skills enable individuals to advocate for their position while maintaining constructive relationships.
We use practical exercises and realistic scenarios to help you prepare a negotiation strategy, engage with the opposing side, and work towards a resolution. This hands-on approach is the most effective way to teach strategy, communication, and adaptability.
The Art of Accurate Expression
Legal Drafting
Drafting is a fundamental skill for lawyers and is equally important in other professional settings. The ability to express ideas clearly, structure arguments logically, and use precise language is essential when preparing legal documents, advising clients, or communicating complex information. Strong drafting ensures that intentions are accurately conveyed and reduces the risk of misunderstanding or dispute.
We help you to identify which interests you wish to protect, identify various legal mechanisms to ensure such protection and draft clauses with best implement those aims. This hands-on approach helps to build the confidence and technical ability needed to produce effective written work in practice.
The Power of Legal Writing
Legal Writing Skills
Legal writing is an essential skill for all law students, every lawyer, and many other professions.
Whichever type of law you plan to specialise in, it is guaranteed that you will frequently need to prepare written documents and advice for clients.
The Diploma teaches you how to write with clarity and precision, and how to tailor your writing to different audiences and purposes.
Your uderstanding of the Diploma's substantive law modules will also be enhanced by the feedback we provide on your written work.
Legal writing is not just about conveying information; it is about persuading and influencing decisions.
We teach you how to write in a way which is clear, consie and persuasive.
Why Study Our Diploma?
Experienced Teaching Team
Learn law and skills delivered via lectures and classes from our experienced teaching team.
Substantive Law
Study a range of core areas of English substantive law to broaden your comparative law knowledge.
Practical Legal Skills
Develop or improve core legal skills which are crucial for legal practice and also useful for non-lawyers.