Hi all,

I have an MA in a partial (50% course credit) law degree from the University of Edinburgh. It is not a qualifying law degree, but some of the courses I have taken overlap with the GDL courses.

Does anyone know which of the GDL providers allow for exemptions? (My degree was a high 2:1).

For reference, here is the list of courses I took:

Public Law of the UK and Scotland
Legal Reasoning and Legal System
International Law (IR)

Jurisprudence
Contract and Unjustified Enrichment
European Union Law A Ordinary

International Trade Law
EU Law Honours

Fundamentals of Competition Law
Contemporary Issues in Competition Law and the Single Market

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Thanks!

Firstly, what are you trying to do?

The GDL is specifically designed for individuals whom have a degree outside of law along with practical law experience. For example, you managed to get a TC ( http://www.lawsociety.org.uk/careers/becoming-a-solicitor/training-contracts/ ) under a solicitor and have secured a position at a commercial firm. The GDL would satisfy the national requirement to practice.

Research both colleges:

The University of Law:
http://www.law.ac.uk/postgraduate/gdl/

BPP University:
http://www.bpp.com/postgraduate-course-details/d/postgraduate/GDL/145?p

Kind regards.

My intention is to take the GDL so that I can qualify to practice as a solicitor. It's the first build-on I need. But I would prefer not to retake courses I've already completed.

My question is in several parts:
1. I would like to attend a public research university (like University of Cardiff / Sheffield). Of the ones that fit this description and provide the GDL, does anyone know which also allow for partial exemptions?

2. As I attended a Scottish university, will English ones recognise courses like public law? Does anyone have experience here? I can't find clarification on this point online.

From the SRA:
You may apply for partial exemption from the Common Professional Examination (CPE)/Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) if you have covered any of the following foundation subjects: -
Obligations Contract
Obligations Tort
Equity and the Law of Trusts
Criminal Law
The Law of European Union
Land Law
Public Law
Another area of substantive law

If you are only going for CPE/GDL. It does not matter what modules you have taken. I feel you are over-analysing the requirements as if you have taken a LLB. Wrong. Before you come here with queries about a qualification that simply does not require what you are enquiring. It would behoove you to research the requirements. Based on what I have read, there are no exemptions with regards to your qualifications, sadly.

To shed more light on your query. GDL is a conversion course. There are no exemptions. Whatever modules you have taken before during your MA course, a reviewer will not exempt. That means you will have to, sadly, take whatever is required. Your query would be best answered by sending an email to the programme which you are applying.

SRA (Solicitors Regulation Authority) holds no bearing in the pursuit of converting your degree. Do not rely on a remedy. Your MA is not a law degree. Based upon what I have read here: ( http://www.sra.org.uk/students/exempting-law-degrees.page ), your MA from Edinburgh does not satisfy anything whilst Edinburgh is not on the compiled list. Unfortunately for you, you are left to take the GDL without an exemption.

SRA's "CPE/GDL course providers" list:

http://www.sra.org.uk/students/conversion-courses/cpe-gdl-providers.page

Cardiff: http://www.law.cf.ac.uk/courses/professional/gdl/

Sheffield: http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/law/prospective/pgt/pgprogrammes/gdl

Sadly there are no shortcuts in your pursuit toward a LPC.

Kind regards.

Hi again,

I'm not quite sure I understood that; if I'd taken an LLB I would not be interested in a GDL. As I said, I'm aware my MA is not a qualifying law degree.

I'm not attempting to exempt the whole GDL, I'm just trying to exempt the courses I've already taken.

Fifth question from top:
http://www.sra.org.uk/students/resources/student-q-a.page
(for my own reasons, I prefer a GDL)

And yes, I am aware that it is up to the individual providers, and not the SRA, to allow or not allow these exemptions.

So my question yet again (and yes, I could research this independently, but I figured someone out there might know from experience and save me time), is which of the providers allow such exemptions.

Thanks again,

I took the GDL last year, and before starting the program I had sent all my transcripts to the SRA to apply for an exemption, which was NOT granted at the end.

As far as I know the only people that receive an exemption are Australians as their common law is similar to the UK common law, but certain differences exist which is why they need to take some GDL courses but not all of them. I was hoping to obtain an exemption for European law, having studied European law as an undergraduate student. Yet, my application was rejected as you can only obtain an exemption for the GDL if you qualify for more than half the courses.

So if I was you, I'd get in touch with the SRA, as the GDL providers will use the determination made by the SRA.

Best of luck,

Denning