About PSC
The Professional Skills Course must be completed by all trainee solicitors during their training contracts and before qualification.
BPP's PSC builds on the skills developed on the Legal Practice Course and provides a flexible study programme to suit individuals.
Core
The PSC comprises three compulsory courses. The three compulsory courses are:
-
Financial and Business Skills (3-day course plus an examination)
-
Advocacy and Communication Skills (3-day course)
-
Client Care and Professional Standards (2-day course)
Electives
In addition to the three compulsory courses, trainees must also complete 24 hours training in electives. These should follow the compulsory courses and build on the skills of those courses, by looking in greater detail at the core subjects or related areas. The elective programme offered by BPP is designed to develop the professional skills of the trainee by offering broad topic and skills based courses relevant to numerous practice areas. We are accredited to run Higher Rights of Audience. By attending this course trainees fulfil their entire elective requirements. For more information about electives please download our PSC brochure.
Distance Learning
Trainees are permitted to undertake 12 hours of elective training by way of distance learning. BPP have particular expertise in this area having run effective distance learning courses for a number of years and will offer this option for the Interpretation of Company Accounts elective.
Accounts
Trainees who completed a Legal Practice Course (LPC) that started before autumn 1997 will not have covered accounts in their LPC.
BPP offer the Accounts module as distance learning. Delegates will receive a study manual and will need to complete 3 assignments to be able to pass the module.
The PSC Accounts module will fulfil 12 hours of elective requirement. The remaining 12 hours of electives must be taken as face-to-face classroom courses. The cost of the PSC Accounts module is 250 + VAT.
Trainees exempt from a training contract
FILEX and Magistrates' Court Clerks are not required to study electives, but have to complete the compulsory course and where relevant, the Accounts course.