PDA Domestic Conveyancing SCQF level 8

The PDA in Domestic Conveyancing at SCQF level 8 is intended for those who wish to work in the legal domain of domestic conveyancing.

This qualification is suitable for both trainee registered paralegals and experienced paralegals working in the specialism of residential conveyancing, whether in private practice or in local authority legal teams. It would also benefit those working with paralegal responsibilities in estate agencies, banks or building societies.

This qualification is currently available through colleges. It has been designed to be delivered as a taught course and to be achievable within one year on a part-time basis.

The qualification is jointly awarded by SQA and the Scottish Paralegal Association.

The PDA in Domestic Conveyancing at SCQF level 8 has been developed in partnership with The Scottish Paralegal Association, employers and practitioners and replaces the PDA in Conveyancing (G95T 48).

It will help employers meet skills gaps and provide continuing professional development for paralegals who already work in the legal domain of domestic conveyancing, or for paralegals from other legal domains who are re-training in this area. It will help learners who aspire to the role of a paralegal to gain the knowledge and practical skills needed for entry and progression in the workplace.

The PDA in Domestic Conveyancing is aimed at both trainee and experienced paralegals working in the specialism of domestic conveyancing, whether in private practice, estate agencies, local authorities, banks or building societies. It could also be undertaken by paralegals in other legal domains who wish to move into this area of work, or those learners not currently employed who aspire to a paralegal role in the near future.

Access

Entry is at the discretion of the centre. Candidates will usually be already working as a paralegal, either as a trainee or as a more experienced paralegal in this or another legal specialism, although this is not essential.  Ideally, candidates would normally have some experience in conveyancing transactions, although this is also not essential.  Candidates would normally be expected to have competence in Communication at SCQF level 6 or equivalent.

Candidates who have achieved the HNC or HND in Legal Services would have some evidence towards the Units in the PDA.

The Units in the PDA have been mapped against the Law Society of Scotland's competences in the legal domain of domestic conveyancing.    

Learners would have the opportunity of progressing to other PDAs in the suite of paralegal awards.

Centres with devolved authority for approval should use their own internal approval process.

Centres without devolved authority require to come forward for approval and should contact SQA's Business Development Team for guidance.

Assessors and verifiers must be able to meet SQA's general requirements for technical/occupational competence as outlined in the Systems and Qualification Approval Guide.

Each individual Unit specification gives detailed information on the Evidence Requirements and approaches to assessment for each Unit.

Ongoing course assessment will apply. Candidates will be assessed by a range of methods including written and/or oral responses designed to test their problem solving and research skills in a legal context and the application of these to real-life scenarios.

Learning support materials are available for the Essential Skills for Paralegals Unit on SQA Academy, accessible using a candidate and tutor enrolment key available to centres once approved for the qualification.

PDA Domestic Conveyancing

Group Award code: GG7V 48 (24 SCQF credit points)

The PDA in Domestic Conveyancing at SCQF level 8 consists of three mandatory Units; two Units comprising in total 24 SCQF credit points at level 8, and one comprising 8 SCQF credit points at SCQF level 7.