Accreditation
Compliance and inspection
Accreditation is a continuing obligation, not a one-off award. The Council inspects every accredited institution once each academic year, and may inspect at any time where there is credible information of a material breach.
The inspection regime
The Council carries out an inspection of accredited institutions once every academic year. The inspection is mandatory and confirms that an institution continues to meet the standards required for its licence.
The Council designates an officer as inspector for each inspection. The inspector prepares a written report of facts and observations, which allows the Council to determine whether the institution complies with the requisite standards.
Where credible information suggests a material breach of the standards, or where a significant complaint has been received, the Council may conduct further inspections at any time.
The Council shall carry out an inspection of accredited institutions once every academic year.
What inspectors evaluate
- Curriculum compliance and teaching methodology.
- Library resources, physical and electronic.
- Physical infrastructure and classroom adequacy.
- Student to lecturer ratios.
- Faculty qualifications and development.
- Technology infrastructure and internet access.
- Assessment and grading compliance.
- Maintenance of student records.
- Non-discrimination policies.
- Financial management of the law programme.
Obligations of an accredited institution
Holding a licence carries duties that run continuously, between inspections as well as during them.
Record-keeping
Institutions must maintain accurate and comprehensive records, in electronic or physical form, including application and admission records, student progress files, transcripts, library records, attendance records, and staff records.
Act 1170 · s.44
Display of the licence
Institutions must display the accreditation licence conspicuously at the registered office, at the facility where the law programme runs, and on the institution's website.
Act 1170 · s.30
Reporting on student performance
Institutions must submit to the Council a detailed report on the performance of all law students, for the purposes of evaluation, within the time indicated by the Council.
Act 1170 · s.59(2)(b)
Requests for information
The Council may require a person to provide, within a specified time, returns or information relating to legal education and training that the Council needs to perform its functions.
Act 1170 · s.87