Law for Non-Lawyers: An introduction to the law and the legal system

Law for Non-Lawyers is an intensive, two-day training course that will give you tools to understand how the law works and to find your way around the legal system.

‘I found the course exceeded my expectations and has motivated me to further develop my own knowledge of the law.’

This course covers:

Introduction to the law and the legal system
Legal problem solving and referral
Basic legal research (hands-on-practice)
Going to court (including court visit)

Up-to-date information about key areas of the law including:

Family law
Criminal law
Credit and debt
Tenancy
Human rights
Social security law
Accidents, injury and liability.

NB: Session topics may vary from course to course.

Who typically attends?

This course is designed for anyone who provides information or assistance to others including:

Social/welfare workers and community workers
Youth workers, counsellors and teachers
Medical and health professionals
Police and mediators
Public servants and court workers
Trade union workers
Law firm and barristers’ chambers staff
Librarians
Journalists
This course may also be useful for Legal Studies teachers*

* PIAC is a NSW Institute of Teachers endorsed provider of professional development for the maintenance of accreditation at Professional Competence. Scope of endorsement: Elements 1 and 6 of the Professional Teaching Standards for the program Law for Non-Lawyers.

What you’ll learn

On completion of the training you will be able to:

Outline the principles, structures and processes of the law and the legal system and apply them to particular areas of the law.
Identify when there is a legal problem and how the legal system can help.
Undertake simple legal research using plain language resources, the internet and the telephone.
Locate a range of legal services and make a referral for assistance.
Prepare to attend court.