Q How do I apply?

A You can obtain an Admission Program package (including a PLTC application form) from the Law Society at 845 Cambie St., Vancouver, BC V6B 4Z9 (telephone (604) 669-2533; fax (604) 669-5332). You should fill in the PLTC application form and return it to us by mail or fax. PLTC cannot confirm a place in the course for you until you have arranged your articles.

Feel free to consult with us about the availability of sessions when you think you are getting close to arranging articles. Shortly after the application deadline, we will send you confirmation of registration.

Your attendance at PLTC is subject to approval of your articles.

Q What happens if I do not have my application in by the application deadline?

A Shortly after the application deadline, we look at the number of applications and decide how many students we can accommodate in a session. Usually we run five or six classes in the February session (in Vancouver), eight in the May session (six in Vancouver, two in Victoria), and five or six in the August/September session (in Vancouver). If you did not apply in time but there is still space, there is no problem. If, however, you did not apply in time and the session is full, you likely will not be able to attend that session. We establish a waiting list for each session and you may be added to that list. We are available to talk to students or principals who are about to enter into an articling contract and can advise them of space available in each session at that point.

Q What are the hours of attendance?

A You will receive a PLTC schedule on the first day of class. Generally, morning classes run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, and afternoon classes from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m. You may, in certain circumstances, have to stay later in the day. If there is any variation in these hours, we do our best to tell you in advance.

Occasionally, you will be asked to attend at an individually scheduled time for a particular purpose (such as to tape a practice interview). Depending on the time slot you are allotted, you may have to attend before or after the usual hours. However, there is generally adequate notice or enough flexibility to satisfy a particular request on these days. Throughout the 10 weeks there are several days or half days with no scheduled classes.

There is a weekend assignment during the session. Attendance for this is mandatory. The weekend exercise is a Mock Civil Trial conducted at the Vancouver or Victoria Law Courts. Students must also read materials and prepare assignments and assessments outside of class hours.

Q What is the attendance policy? Do I have to be there all the time?

A Attendance is required. You will not obtain the full benefit of the program if you are not in class. There is an exception for illness or an emergency. The usual rule is that PLTC will consider requests for time off for a particular reason in the same way as an articling principal would.

These matters should be dealt with in advance, if possible, by corresponding with PLTC. If you miss a class, you are responsible for making up what has been covered in that class. If an assignment or a particularly important lesson plan is missed, you may have to make it up at another session. It is important to realize that it will be to your detriment to miss certain parts of the course and may affect your performance on assessments and examinations.

Q What are the fees?

A The Law Society Admission Program fees as of January 1, 2009 are $2,500 plus $125 GST ($2,625 in total). Fees are subject to change.

Q How many chances do I have to complete the course?

A To complete PLTC, you must pass all six components of the course (four assessments and two examinations). If you fail one or two components, you must re-take them, but you do not have to repeat the course. If you fail something for a second time, you must receive permission from the Credentials Committee before you take the assessment or examination a third time.

If you initially fail three components, you may be granted permission by the Director to redo those components at the next session or you may have to seek permission from the Credentials Committee.

If you fail four or more components, you must apply to the Credentials Committee and will likely be required to redo the course.

Q Where is the course held?

A The Vancouver sessions of PLTC are held in classrooms at 845 Cambie Street (Law Society building). This building contains the offices of the Law Society, the Continuing Legal Education Society of BC, the BC Branch of the Canadian Bar Association and some non-legal commercial tenants. While there is no designated study space for PLTC students in the building, the courthouse library is close by. There is a coffee/lunch bar on the main floor of the Law Society building.

The Victoria sessions of PLTC are held at the University of Victoria's Fraser Building.