Diploma in Parallegal Studies

Direct entry from high school: One (1) Principal pass at A-level Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) and at least 5 passes at Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) or its equivalent.

Duration

1. The Diploma in Paralegal Studies (DPs) program will be a two-year program offered in two (2) semesters per year and taught in six (6) semesters.
2. The academic year of the programme shall consist of two semesters.
3. No student shall be allowed to obtain the Diploma beyond a period of three (3) academic consecutive years, including, where applicable, a dead year except with the approval of the University Senate.

By the end of the course, students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a sound knowledge of certain fundamental areas of law and a range of legal concepts, values, and principles. 
2. Advise non-legal audiences on legal matters in a manner that is clear and concise, both orally and in writing.
3. Demonstrate an ability to conduct research and access legal resources including using online sources of law and legal databases.
4. Demonstrate an ability to identify issues and apply legal knowledge and principles to simple problems and projects, with a view to constructing relevant, creative, and ethically appropriate responses.
5. Demonstrate an ability to engage with others in a way that respects diverse opinions and perspectives to achieve relevant and efficient outcomes that reflect the contribution of all those involved.
6. Demonstrate an ability to reflect upon and analyse the law’s effect on society. 
7. Students will have the opportunity to gain valuable paralegal knowledge and skills and understand contemporary legal issues from a local perspective.

The objectives of the Diploma in Paralegal Studies Programme are to:

• Provide students with an understanding of the theoretical and practical knowledge of the basic concepts of law and a grasp of the legal rights of all individuals including prisoners.
• Enable the students to develop skills in accessing legal and judicial institutions and processes for public advocacy that will aid them in effectively performing the procedural tasks both in the law office and their target community. 
• Enable the students to develop a good knowledge of the Ugandan Legal System.
• Provide students with the skills to conduct research on basic aspects of the law and legal procedure.
• Enable students to be grounded in the ethics befitting paralegals in accordance with the National Legal Aid Policy.
• Enable students to think critically, reason abstractly, and use oral and written language effectively.
• Enable students to understand and value the important concepts of legal ethics, confidentiality, professional responsibility, and the boundaries of and prohibition against the unauthorized practice of law by laypersons.
• Enable students to enrol for an LLB degree course at any Ugandan University.
• Prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and other competencies to enable them to provide para-legal services nationally and regionally.
• Inculcate in students the values of professionalism, social justice, and community service.
• To enable students to think critically, reason abstractly, and use oral and written language effectively.

To achieve the aims above, the Diploma in Paralegal Studies (DPs) at Cavendish University Uganda shall be guided by the following core values:

• Commitment to Excellence: Pursue the highest standards in order to nurture excellence individually as a profession and as a community of scholars.
• Integrity: Adhere to the highest integrity standards in all professional and personal obligations and responsibilities to students, staff, and society.
• Student and Community focused: Give quality lectures and services to students and the community in order to continuously thrive to meet and exceed their expectations.
• Professionalism: Maintain professionalism and comply with national and international standards and ethics.
• Teamwork: Foster a work environment of team building, shared skills, openness and honest communication.
• Service to mankind: To promote a culture of integrity and service to mankind as part of the University’s social responsibility.

Campus-based Study Mode

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Weekend Learning Study Mode

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