The Paralegal Training Institute was the brainchild of Charmaine Patterson, Attorney-At-Law, who in 1995 recognised the need for training of Paralegals for Law offices in Jamaica. Training for Paralegals were either on-the-job or at schools abroad. The training process was long and tedious for those who experienced on-the-job training or expensive for those who had to attend school in The United States or England.
Our first programme was the 6 months Certificate programme. This offered hands-on training in paralegal service in areas such as completing drafts for Contracts, Wills, Affidavits and Claim Forms for personal injury matters. The programme offering has grown to include an Advanced Certificate in Paralegal studies and an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies, Diploma in Law Office Management, University of London Tutorial Programme and A Level Classes.
We have trained over 3000 persons and our current student population is over 50 students.
As of September 2015, the Institute will offering associate degree programmes in Human Resources and Law and Advertising and Law. This is a continuation of our focus on interdisciplinary training. This will enable the Institute to take advantage of the opportunities associated with this new format and become one step closer in becoming a world-class educational organisation. Associate Degrees are educational programmes requiring student to complete a minimum of 60 credit hours of study or two year of training. They are usually vocational in focus. The concept of an Associate Degree is an American phenomenon and its equivalent in the U.K is the BTEC National Diploma or the HND programme. Students are exposed to specialisation and general education courses in a semesterised fashion. We look forward to you following us on this journey as we step out into the big league and begin the dance on the world stage.
Starting in september 2016, the institution will be starting the certificate in Paralegal Studies online.
PARALEGAL TRAINING INSTITUTE
