Foundations of Law in England and Wales: Introduction to Law for Non-lawyers

Explore the judicial system that shapes England and Wales

Understanding the legal system is crucial for professionals working alongside lawyers or handling legal matters in their roles. In this four-week course, you’ll explore how law is structured and applied, from key legal classifications to how courts operate.

You’ll gain insight into the foundations of law, including common law and equity, primary and secondary legislation, and the distinction between civil and criminal law.

Navigate the court system and dispute resolution methods

Delve into the structure of the civil and criminal courts, learning how procedure rules guide legal processes. You’ll also explore Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) methods like mediation and arbitration, understanding how disputes can be settled outside of court.

Through real-world examples, you’ll gain the confidence to understand legal processes and their impact on society and workplaces.

Understand the roles of legal professionals and judicial decision-makers

Law firms and legal institutions operate within a unique professional and regulatory framework. This course will introduce you to the key roles within the legal profession—including solicitors, barristers, Chartered Legal Executives, judges, and juries—so you can better understand how law is practised.

Learn with the experts at CILEX

As the professional body for over 17,000 legal professionals in England and Wales, CILEX is dedicated to making legal careers more accessible. With deep expertise in legal education, CILEX has designed this course to provide essential legal knowledge for those working alongside legal professionals or returning to the field.

This course is part of a series for professionals in law-adjacent roles such as HR and legal services who want a clearer understanding of the legal system in England and Wales. It’s also ideal for those returning to law after a career break.

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This course is part of a series for professionals in law-adjacent roles such as HR and legal services who want a clearer understanding of the legal system in England and Wales. It’s also ideal for those returning to law after a career break.

• Demonstrate an understanding of why law is important and why it is needed.
• Identify different types of law and explore how it is created, catergorised, and applied in England and Wales.
• Investigate the systems of courts and explain the work they carry out.
• Compare the different types of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
• Describe the roles of legal professionals and the work of judicial decision makers