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Non-contentious skills electives

Commercial Law and Intellectual Property

Drafting IP Licences

This practical one-day course introduces you to the skills used in drafting IP agreements. Using a series of case studies, you’ll identify which terms are needed in technology, trade mark and copyright licences and why. You’ll have the opportunity to develop your drafting skills by applying some of the key terms and receiving constructive feedback. You’ll also be introduced to competition issues and learn how to use the recently introduced Technology Transfer Block Exemption.

Business of Law competencies covered:

Business:Client Relationships; Commerciality

Law: Technical Competence; Development

Self: Commitment; Managing Self; Development

Working with Others: Team-working; Communication

Practical Contract Law

A thorough understanding of contract law is essential. This one-day course provides an overview of practical contract law in the context of commercial transactions, and reviews recent developments. You will apply fundamental principles to a wide range of case study scenarios dealing with formation, operation and termination of contracts. The course will identify key practical considerations to be borne in mind when drafting, interpreting and construing contracts. You will consolidate the course contents by identifying key provisions of standard terms and conditions of sale when advising a client.

Business of Law competencies covered:

Business: Client Relationships; Commerciality

Law: Technical Competence; Development

Self: Commitment; Managing Self; Development

Working with Others: Team-working; Communication

E-Commerce and Data Protection

This one-day course introduces key concepts such as business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) transactions – the regulatory framework and the skill of advising clients on the legal issues that may arise (for example, formation of contracts, sale of goods aspects, online terms and conditions). It also looks at the rights of individuals and how to advise businesses on their obligations within the legal and regulatory framework governing data protection.

Practical Commercial Contract Drafting

This one-day course builds on experience gained in practice and considers each stage of the production of a commercial document, from initial background information to delivery of the final draft. Drafting is the central element of the course, and delegates will have the opportunity to draft several clauses and receive feedback on their attempts. The course also looks at the wider issue of developing a coherent methodology when attempting to capture a client’s commercial arrangement within a document. In this regard, consideration is given in the course to the type and detail of information that is required by the solicitor before they can attempt to draft.

Finally, consideration is given to quality control and accordingly issues such as layout and the internal consistency of the document are considered.

Introduction to Insurance Law

This one-day course provides an introduction to insurance and the insurance market and to the basic principles of insurance law. It is both a tutorial and a facilitative course. Delegates will be given an introduction to the meaning of insurance and the historical development of the insurance market up to the present day. This will provide the context for an introduction to the basic principles of insurance law, covering insurance contract law and common law duties. Delegates will then compare different insurance policies and draft some simple clauses. They will undertake case analysis on a straightforward insurance claim and prepare a report to an insurer client on the progress of the matter, including advice on reserves.

Finally, delegates will be given a brief introduction to the principle of subrogation and to the relevant law.

Corporate Law

Acquisitions and Disposals of Shares

This one-day course includes presentations, plenary discussions, question and answer sessions and practical exercises – both in small groups and individually. It focuses on the practical aspects of dealing with a corporate acquisition of shares, drafting the necessary documentation and practising negotiation skills. The course serves as an introduction, refresher or a consolidation course in this area.

Companies Act 2006 – A Practical Guide for Trainees

This one-day course bridges the gap between what you have learned about the new Act on the LPC and the level of detail and practical application needed for client transactions. The Act is the most significant revision of company law for 150 years and affects all those who advise corporate clients, from small private companies to major listed PLCs. By the end of the course you should have a good working knowledge of the most significant changes to be brought in by the Act with a variety of large and small group work and frequent practical exercises.

Business of Law competencies covered:

Business: Client Relationships; Commerciality

Law: Technical Competence; Development

Self: Commitment; Managing Self; Development

Working with Others: Team-working; Communication

Company Meetings

This one-day course uses a series of scenarios where you focus on the practical procedural requirements for convening and running meetings of directors and shareholders. You will draft notices and minutes and learn how to run meetings successfully.

NEW - Corporate Borrowing and Taking Security

The one-day course begins with a review of the reasons for corporate borrowing and the basic differences between loan facilities and debt securities, followed by a discussion of the different structures and types of bank loans. Delegates then work through the key and most heavily negotiated terms of a loan agreement, looking at drafting and negotiating points and finally in the morning they discuss ways a bank can transfer a loan asset.
The delegates then work through an exercise on the different types of security and commercial security possible under English law before moving on to consider how to perfect security and why this is so important. They then look at priority of security (including an exercise on a negative pledge clause) and subordination. Finally the delegates look at and consider an exercise on some key terms in a debenture.

Corporate Drafting

This one-day course requires delegates to work individually and in small groups to undertake a series of activities involving simple documents that are commonly used in corporate transactions. Delegates will be required to analyse draft documentation for the client and advise the client on the meaning of the documentation, as well as to amend the documentation in accordance with their client’s instructions. Finally, delegates will have an opportunity to improve their skills at drafting documents from scratch.

Corporate Structures and Share Issues

This one-day course discusses the issues involved when an unincorporated business proposes to restructure itself as a company, including looking at the structures available and management issues such as the duties and responsibilities of directors. It also focuses on the procedure involved in a company issuing new shares. During the course you will tackle the practical issues involved in advising clients, such as setting the price, consideration, pre-emption rights, regulatory constraints and returns that need to be filed and when. You’ll also examine the methods of returning share capital to shareholders and look at relevant legislation.

How to read a Company’s Accounts

During this one-day course you will learn how to read, interpret and explain different corporate group accounts. You’ll also look at the different component parts of the published accounts, the various accounting standards which underpin them, and learn how to read behind ‘window-dressed’ accounts.

Stock Markets and Flotation

This one-day course is structured around the documentation required on an Initial Public Offering, illustrating the regulations applicable to entrants to the London Stock Exchange or Alternative Investment Market and practical considerations for clients. It covers the requirements for drafting prospectuses, listing particulars and related documentation within the regulatory framework. It also looks at the post-flotation obligations imposed on a listed or AIM-traded company.

Understanding the City

This one-day course looks at the City of London as a financial centre, examining how it works and how it is regulated. A solid grounding in, and familiarity with, the corporate finance environment in the UK and internationally is important to lawyers whatever their practice area and wherever they are based. By exploring the roles of the market participants and the contributions that their legal advisors play, delegates will build a greater understanding of the City in the context of the global financial services industry and of the issues likely to be encountered by colleagues as well as an increased comprehension of the issues facing the firm’s clients. The course is designed to encourage you to think about the deals being handled by law firms for clients that operate in the City of London, and to familiarise you with the types of organisations you are likely to be working with in such a context.

Business of Law competencies covered:

Business: Client Relationships; Commerciality

Law: Technical Competence; Development

Self: Commitment; Managing Self; Development

Working with Others: Team-working; Communication

Understanding Corporate Tax Transactions

Topics covered on this one-day course include an introduction to Capital Gains Tax in corporate transactions, and buying and selling companies or businesses from both the vendor and purchaser’s perspective.

Corporate Insolvency

This one-day course looks at corporate insolvency from a practical viewpoint. It follows a company in financial trouble from the start of its difficulties into formal insolvency and concludes with the sale of its business and assets back to its former directors. The course builds on the basic principles covered in the LPC, but adds greater depth in terms of coverage and application. Emphasis is placed on providing practical commercial advice to those involved in and affected by insolvency.

Commercial Property

Commercial Property – Sale and Purchase Transactions

This one-day course provides an understanding of the key elements of the sale and purchase of commercial properties acquired for investment purposes, including readiness for sale, use of the Standard Commercial Property Conditions of Sale, buyer’s due diligence, institutionally-acceptable leases, VAT, reporting on title, insurance, management between contract and completion, completion statement and completion formalities. This is a practical course, suitable for any participant.

Drafting Commercial Leases

This is a practical one-day course which focuses on the drafting and negotiation of the key areas of demise, rent review, repairs, insurance, service charge and alienation. The course provides a practical introduction to this area or may serve as a refresher. Please note that the course does not deal with residential leases.

Private Client

These three private client electives replace the two previous Private Client electives - (1) Wills, inheritance tax and post-death arrangements and (2) Private Client - will trusts, tax and estate planning. They are similar in content although differently ordered.

Private Client – Wills and Inheritance Tax

This one-day course takes a general look at the practice of the private client department of a solicitor’s firm. This course is intended as an introductory course for delegates who have not studied the private client elective on the LPC. A knowledge of the taxation and probate aspects taught as part of the Pervasive/Core Topics is however assumed.

This course considers the structure and content of a will containing absolute or contingent interests for children, with the emphasis on practical drafting considerations and administrative provisions. The course considers the type and detail of information that is required by the solicitor from the client before drafting can commence. Consideration is also given to Inheritance Tax, both on lifetime disposals and on death.

Business of Law competencies covered:

Business: Client Relationships; Commerciality

Law: Technical Competence; Development

Self: Commitment; Managing Self; Development

Working with Others: Team-working; Communication

Private Client – Will Trusts and Tax

This one-day course examines the practice of the private client department of a solicitor’s firm whose clients have moderate private wealth, with particular emphasis on will trusts. This course builds upon the Private Client – Wills and Inheritance Tax elective. It is also suitable for delegates who have studied the Private Client elective on the LPC, or have had some degree of exposure to private client work in practice.

The course considers the structure and drafting content of the key will trust vehicles. The taxation implications upon creation and during the lifetime of each trust are also considered. Delegates will have the opportunity of calculating Inheritance Tax in the relevant property regime. Regard will also be had to some estate planning principles and the suitability of particular trust vehicles to particular situations/client types.

Private Client – Estate Planning

This one-day course examines the practice of the private client department of a solicitor’s firm whose clients have moderate private wealth, with a particular emphasis on estate planning through the use of flexible life interest will trusts and post-death arrangements. This advanced course builds upon the 'Private Client – Will Trusts and Tax' elective, and is aimed at delegates who intend to qualify into private client work. It is also suitable for delegates who have studied the 'Private Client' elective on the LPC, or have had a lot of exposure to private client work in practice.

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