Diploma Centre spring courses open to solicitors
The Law Society Diploma Centre has reminded solicitors, trainees, and other professionals that places are still available on some of its spring 2026 courses.
Courses available include the LLM Advanced Legal Practice, which starts on 21 March.
The course, delivered in partnership with the Leeds Law School at Leeds Beckett University, provides solicitors with the opportunity to use their solicitor qualification as a building block to achieve a recognised academic qualification.
Kevin O’Keeffe (associate solicitor, Michael Boylan Litigation Law Firm) used the course to engage in further study of medical negligence.
Describing it as “extremely beneficial and relevant to my career”, O’Keeffe said that, since obtaining the LLM, he had been able to specialise in medical negligence and work on some high-profile cases and important matters of public interest.
As well as the LLM, the Diploma Centre offering includes a range of in-depth certificates and diplomas.
Diploma in In-House Practice
Starting on 24 February, this course is designed to provide in-house lawyers and aspiring in-house lawyers with a comprehensive understanding of the varied, challenging, and stimulating work undertaken in both the private and public sectors.
It will examine several substantive legal topics – including setting up and managing an in-house function, ethics, privilege, commercial contracts, negotiations, ESG reporting, and strategic thinking.
Certificate in Commercial Contracts
Starting on Saturday 21 February, the certificate aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of specific areas of commercial contracts, to build a complete understanding of the fundamental competencies required by the commercial lawyer.
It covers drafting, structuring, and advising on a wide array of business arrangements, insights into recent judicial decisions and legislative developments, and data-protection issues.
Diploma in Planning and Environmental Law
This course will provide a comprehensive practical overview of the current legislative framework in the planning and environmental realms.
The overall objective is to assist practitioners in determining what planning and environmental legislation applies and how this affects clients.
The course starts on Tuesday 3 March.
Diploma in Corporate Law and Governance
Starting on Wednesday 11 March, this diploma aims to provide students with a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of the law governing a sector that has seen numerous changes since the introduction of the Companies Act 2014 and the commencement of the Companies (Corporate Enforcement Authority) Act 2021.
The course focuses on key events that occur throughout the lifetime of a corporate entity – those that solicitors commonly advise on – as well as the practical aspects of corporate governance.
Flexibility
Diploma Centre courses are open to solicitors, trainees, barristers, and suitably qualified professionals.
Courses are designed with the busy professional in mind, and all lectures are available to view on demand, offering maximum flexibility and supporting practitioners in meeting their CPD requirements.
The full list of courses is available on the Law Society website.