Practical Legal Training (PLT) Adelaide & South Australia
Your final critical step to the Supreme Court of South Australia. High-quality, cost-effective, and focused on professional reality.
What is Practical Legal Training?
Practical Legal Training (PLT) is the mandatory vocational bridge between the completion of your law degree and your admission as a legal practitioner in South Australia. While your LLB or JD focuses on substantive legal theory, PLT is designed to transform that academic foundation into billable professional skills.
Managed in accordance with the Legal Practitioners Act 1981 (SA) and the LPEAC Rules, PLT ensures that graduates meet the National Competency Standards required to practise law competently and ethically. It is the final requirement for the Board of Examiners to recommend your admission to the Supreme Court.
Whether you studied at the University of Adelaide, Flinders University, or UniSA, the primary goal of our PLT program is to move you away from 'thinking like a student' and toward 'acting like a lawyer.' We focus on the high-value, practical tasks that Adelaide partners expect from junior solicitors on Day 1.
'Billable vs Academic' Comparison
| Aspect | Law School (LLB/JD) | Our PLT Program (IOLT) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Legal Doctrine & Theory | Billable Vocational Skills |
| Output | 3,000-word Academic Essays | Affidavits, Claims & Contracts |
| Key Objective | Academic Research | Client-Ready Deliverables |
Admission to the Supreme Court of SA
You must complete a series of requirements set by the Legal Practitioners Education and Admission Council (LPEAC) and the Board of Examiners. Our Practical Legal Training (PLT) program is designed specifically to meet these standards, providing the final bridge between your South Australian law degree and your admission ceremony at the Supreme Court of SA in Adelaide.
The SA-Specific PLT Pathway
We provide the mandatory training component required for your Admission. Our program is built for South Australian graduates who want a practical, streamlined path to practice.
Coursework: 24 Weeks
Practical Skills Tailored to SA Law
- Civil Litigation: Uniform Civil Rules 2020 (SA).
- Property Law: Real Property Act 1886 (SA) & PEXA settlements.
- Ethics: SA-specific professional standards & trust accounting.
Workplace Experience
Real World Legal Experience
Complete your mandatory workplace experience at a law firm, judge's chambers, or CLC within South Australia.
- Placements across Adelaide or Regional SA.
- Supervisor must hold a current SA practicing certificate.
Your South Australia Admission Pathway
1. Early Start (Concurrent Study)
Start PLT while finishing your last two electives (subject to LPEAC approval).
2. Complete Coursework
Finish your practical modules focused heavily on SA practice.
3. Workplace Placement
Work under a qualified SA legal practitioner.
4. Admission Ceremony
The final step at the Supreme Court of either NSW, QLD or WA.