Diploma in Local Government Law and Practice
- 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 read the diploma prospectus (PDF 377.5 KB).
Do not send files larger than 18 MB.
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