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Diploma in Local Government Law and Practice

The Diploma in Local Government Law and Practice is a one-year self-study course that can help:

Apply for the Local Government Diploma 2024/25

The deadline to submit your own application is Friday 9 August.

    Local Government Diploma, Law Society accreditation logo.
  • improve your knowledge of local government law and practice
  • demonstrate your commitment to the field
  • your career progression to more senior posts

Who can apply

There’s a limited number of places on the diploma course each year. To enrol on the course, you must be a solicitor, trainee solicitor, chartered legal executive or barrister working in:
  • a local authority (category one)
  • an analogous agency or authority (category two)
  • employed by a law firm with the necessary experience to meet the criteria for being awarded the diploma (category three)

To be awarded the diploma, you must:

  • complete the course projects
  • pass the examination
  • have two years' experience in either local government with a local authority or in a law firm carrying out local government work

Course outline

The course is made up of two parts:

  • submission of three written projects
  • an online exam on local government law and practice

The projects will cover legal, administrative and political issues.

Each project will usually consist of one problem question. You’ll be expected to do extensive research and reading over a period of about two months and submit a paper on each project.

When you’re enrolled on the course, we’ll send you guidance to help you prepare for the projects.

The online exam is on Wednesday 11 June 2025. 

Course fees

Fee type Fee (without VAT) VAT Total cost
Course fee and examination £1,895 £379 £2,274.00

Project/examination deferment fee (one year)

£113 £23.28 £136.28
Examination re-sit fee £103 £20.60 £123.60
Project re-sit fee £103 £20.60 £123.60
Extension fee
£103 £20.60 £123.60

If you do not have local authority funding, you can apply to the Local Government Legal Society Trust Fund for a bursary. The fund will not meet the full cost of the course.

Contact our accreditations team for more information

How to apply

Before you begin your application, you must .

Do not send files larger than 18 MB.

Submit your application by email.

Once we’ve confirmed your place on the course, please place the order on Law Society Learning and you will receive receipt of invoice in the next 24 hours

The course fee is £1,895 + VAT.

Contact us

If you have any questions about the diploma, contact us.

Call: 020 7320 5797

Email: lgd@lawsociety.org.uk

Opening hours: 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday

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