Program Overview
The Legal Assistant Diploma Program is one of the pioneering academic and professional legal programs at Palestine Ahliya University, established in response to the Palestinian community’s need for qualified legal support professionals equipped with the academic knowledge and practical skills necessary to strengthen the justice system and law enforcement institutions.
The program aims to prepare graduates who possess fundamental legal knowledge and the ability to apply it effectively in practical contexts such as courts, public prosecution offices, law firms, and human rights institutions. It combines academic legal study with applied professional training to ensure comprehensive preparation for the justice sector.
The program emphasizes developing advanced skills in drafting legal memoranda and pleadings, case management, organizing judicial files, and employing modern digital technologies in legal and judicial work environments, while adhering to professional conduct standards and the ethics of justice.
A distinguished team of legal and academic experts with practical experience in the legal and judicial fields supervises the program, ensuring the quality of education and its connection to real-world practice.
Academically, the program is affiliated with the Faculty of Law to ensure integration with legal sciences, while administratively it is managed by the College of Professions and Applied Sciences to align with its applied vocational nature and the needs of the Palestinian labor market.
The program serves as a strategic pillar for the Palestinian justice system by providing it with competent professionals capable of performing legal and judicial support functions efficiently and effectively, within a comprehensive vision that seeks to promote the rule of law and serve the community.
Vision of the Legal Assistant Diploma Program
To be a pioneering and distinguished program at Palestine Ahliya University in preparing qualified professional legal personnel who effectively contribute to supporting the Palestinian justice system and promoting the rule of law.
Mission of the Legal Assistant Diploma Program
To prepare qualified professional legal personnel equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to support justice institutions, through an applied approach grounded in quality, ethics, and the rule of law.
Core Values of the Legal Assistant Diploma Program
- Rule of Law: Commitment to the principles of justice and respect for laws and regulations as the foundation for building a society governed by fairness and equality.
- Integrity and Transparency: Upholding honesty and trustworthiness in performing legal, judicial, and administrative duties, while ensuring transparency in all procedures.
- Professional Responsibility: Performing legal and administrative duties with a sense of accountability, discipline, and adherence to professional standards.
- Excellence and Quality: Striving for continuous improvement and innovation in education and training to meet the needs of the legal and judicial labor market.
- Respect and Cooperation: Promoting a culture of mutual respect and constructive collaboration among students, faculty members, and partner institutions.
- Community Service: Applying legal knowledge and skills to serve justice and contribute to community development.
- Technological Innovation: Encouraging the use of modern technology and digital systems to enhance legal, administrative, and judicial performance.
Educational Facilities for the Legal Assistant Diploma Program
- Classrooms: Equipped with advanced educational tools and digital display systems to facilitate active learning methods and interactive discussions in the fields of justice and law.
- Lecture Hall: A large, technologically equipped auditorium used for general lectures, legal seminars, conferences, and specialized workshops for students of the Legal Assistant Program.
- Moot Court (Judicial Simulation Laboratory): A practical training environment that simulates real court sessions, enabling students to practice litigation procedures, draft legal memoranda, and organize case files.
- Legal Clinic: An applied training center where students engage with real legal cases under professional academic supervision, providing preliminary legal consultations to the community while enhancing students’ professional skills and social responsibility.
- Legal Computer Laboratory: Equipped with modern hardware and specialized software for legislative research and legal file management, as well as electronic databases that support students’ digital and research skills in legal and judicial work.
- Field Training and Workshop Rooms: Designated spaces for conducting specialized training courses and workshops in collaboration with Palestinian justice institutions to enhance students’ applied professional and legal competencies.
- Palestine Ahliya University Library: Contains an extensive collection of legal books, references, and academic journals, along with electronic databases and dedicated reading and research areas.
- Student Support and Campus Facilities: Include multipurpose halls, student activity rooms, technical laboratories, and service facilities that provide a comfortable and creative learning environment.
Program Requirements: A total of 72 credit hours, distributed as follows:
| College Requirements | Major Requirements | Total | ||
| Requirements | Requirements | Requirements | Requirements | 72 |
| 13 | 3 | 56 | 0 | |
Strategic Objectives of the Legal Assistant Diploma Program
- Provide distinguished professional legal education that adopts modern academic curricula and contemporary teaching technologies, balancing theoretical knowledge in legal sciences with practical application in judicial environments to prepare graduates capable of performing their duties efficiently and professionally.
- Prepare qualified legal support professionals with the academic and practical competence necessary to assist judicial bodies, law firms, public prosecution offices, and human rights institutions, thereby contributing to enhancing the effectiveness of legal and judicial performance in Palestine.
- Promote legal, human, and professional values such as justice, rule of law, integrity, responsibility, and respect for human rights, ensuring students’ and graduates’ adherence to professional ethics and a sound institutional work culture.
- Advance applied legal and judicial research by encouraging faculty members and students to conduct studies and applied projects that contribute to improving legal and administrative practice and support decision-making within judicial and legal institutions.
- Serve the Palestinian community through community-based initiatives that promote legal awareness, provide legal and procedural consultations and assistance, and participate in legal awareness and field training programs.
- Strengthen local, regional, and international partnerships with academic, judicial, human rights, and legal institutions to exchange expertise and enhance academic and professional performance in line with developments in applied legal education.
- Empower students to adapt to modern labor market requirements by developing their technical, linguistic, and administrative skills, preparing them to engage effectively in digitally transforming legal and judicial work environments.
- Enhance the quality of legal and vocational education and training through curriculum updates and the adoption of competence-based evaluation and training methods, ensuring the graduation of legal assistants capable of contributing effectively to justice and the rule of law.
- High school graduates from various streams (scientific, literary, Sharia, technological, etc.) who wish to pursue studies in law and work within administrative, legal, or judicial environments.
- Employees in judicial, legal, and administrative institutions seeking to enhance their professional skills in legal support services and in managing legal and judicial files.
- Judicial, legal, and governmental institutions aiming to recruit professionally trained personnel with legal and administrative qualifications to support their operations.
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and human rights institutions working in the fields of justice and human rights that require qualified field and administrative staff with legal and procedural expertise.
- Individuals interested in strengthening their applied legal knowledge and acquiring practical skills in document organization, case management, and working with modern legal and judicial systems.
First: Knowledge Dimension
- Possesses a solid foundational understanding of the general principles of law and its core branches relevant to judicial and legal work (civil, criminal, administrative, sharia, commercial, and constitutional law).
- Is knowledgeable about legal and administrative procedures applied in courts, public prosecution offices, and law firms.
- Understands the organizational and functional structures of Palestinian justice institutions and their roles in law enforcement.
- Comprehends the relationship between law, administration, and modern technologies in promoting institutional development within the justice and legal sectors.
- Is able to understand official legal instructions, analyze judicial documents and memoranda, and interpret their procedural significance accurately.
Second: Skill Dimension
- Possesses the ability to prepare judicial and legal files and organize legal documents and correspondence in accordance with proper administrative and legal procedures.
- Is capable of using digital systems and computer software designed for managing legal cases and judicial records.
- Accurately applies legal procedures during the stages of litigation and judicial follow-up under the supervision of competent authorities.
- Demonstrates proficiency in preparing supporting legal forms and reports and drafting legal memoranda in a clear and professional manner.
- Masters effective communication skills and demonstrates appropriate professional conduct in dealing with judges, lawyers, judicial staff, and clients.
Third: Ethical and Value Dimension
- Demonstrates integrity, honesty, and commitment to the rule of law in all areas of professional practice.
- Maintains the confidentiality of judicial and legal information and documents, safeguarding the privacy of all parties.
- Adheres to public service ethics and upholds the principles of justice and fairness.
- Promotes a sense of responsibility and belonging to the judicial or legal institution in which they serve.
- Works collaboratively and respectfully as part of a team, showing cooperation with all components of the justice and legal system.
Fourth: Professional Dimension
- Is qualified to perform legal, judicial, and administrative assistant duties within courts, public prosecution offices, law firms, and human rights institutions.
- Possesses professional skills that enable effective support for judicial, legal, and administrative performance with a high level of competence.
- Is capable of working efficiently in modern legal and judicial environments that rely on automation and digital systems.
- Demonstrates readiness for self-development through continuous learning and keeping pace with legislative, administrative, and legal updates.
- Serves as an effective link between theoretical legal knowledge and practical administrative applications within justice and legal institutions.
First: Knowledge Outcomes
- Demonstrate understanding of the fundamental concepts and principles of the main branches of law, particularly procedural laws (civil, criminal, sharia, administrative, and constitutional).
- Identify the organizational structure of the Palestinian justice system and the functions of its components, including courts, public prosecution offices, law firms, and human rights institutions.
- Acquire knowledge of the legal and administrative systems and regulations related to litigation procedures, file management, and documentation of judicial records.
- Understand the relationship between law and supporting disciplines such as management, information technology, and professional conduct to enhance efficiency in judicial work.
- Demonstrate familiarity with the fundamentals of using electronic legal and legislative databases for research and inquiry.
Second: Skill Outcomes
- Apply legal and administrative procedures in preparing, managing, and following up on files and cases within judicial and legal institutions.
- Draft legal correspondence, reports, and memoranda in accordance with the established standards of legal and judicial practice.
- Utilize computer programs and digital systems in managing legal and judicial files and documenting transactions.
- Employ effective communication and interpersonal skills in dealing with judges, lawyers, clients, and justice institutions.
- Execute procedural instructions accurately and professionally, demonstrating the ability to solve daily administrative problems within the legal and judicial work environment.
Third: Value and Attitudinal Outcomes
- Adhere to the principles of justice, integrity, and the rule of law in all areas of legal and judicial work.
- Respect the confidentiality of legal information and documents and maintain the privacy of involved parties.
- Demonstrate professional behavior and commitment to public service ethics in performing legal and judicial duties.
- Foster a sense of belonging and social responsibility through participation in legal awareness and community service activities.
- Work collaboratively and constructively as part of a team within the justice and legal system.
Fourth: Professional Outcomes
- Demonstrate the ability to efficiently and responsibly perform supportive duties in courts, public prosecution offices, law firms, and human rights institutions.
- Contribute to improving administrative performance within judicial institutions through effective organization, follow-up, and accurate legal documentation.
- Exhibit readiness to engage in the legal and judicial labor market in accordance with professional standards for legal assistants.
- Possess the technical and legal competencies necessary to adapt to the digital transformation in legal and judicial procedures.
- Develop self-learning skills to stay updated with ongoing legal and administrative developments within the justice and legal environment.
First: Judicial and Official Legal Sector
- Work as a judicial, legal, or administrative assistant in regular, sharia, military, administrative, and constitutional courts.
- Contribute to the work of the Public Prosecution as an administrative, legal, or technical assistant in preparing case files and following up on proceedings.
- Work in notary public and documentation departments in managing contracts and official documents.
- Perform duties as a court clerk, legal archivist, or judicial record officer within judicial institutions.
Second: Governmental and Administrative Sector
- Work in the Ministry of Justice, the Sharia, Regular, and Military Judiciary Departments, and regular courts in administrative and legal technical positions.
- Serve in the Public Prosecution, government ministries, and security or police institutions as a legal assistant or administrative secretary specializing in judicial or legal affairs.
- Work in independent bodies such as the Anti-Corruption Commission and the State Audit and Administrative Control Bureau in areas of legal archiving and document management.
- Work in municipalities and local councils in handling legal affairs and managing administrative contracts.
Third: Private Sector
- Work in law firms as a lawyer’s assistant, case follow-up officer, or legal coordinator.
- Work in companies, banks, and insurance firms within legal affairs, archiving, and contract management departments.
- Provide legal and administrative support in commercial arbitration companies and legal consultancy offices.
- Serve as a legal assistant in large private institutions that have internal legal and regulatory departments.
Fourth: Human Rights Organizations and Civil Society Sector
- Work in non-governmental organizations (NGOs) concerned with human rights, legal aid, and the empowerment of vulnerable groups.
- Work in Palestinian human rights institutions as part of documentation teams, legal follow-up units, and field activity implementation.
- Participate in legal and community awareness programs implemented by local and international human rights organizations.
Fifth: Emerging Professional Fields
- Work in the field of digital justice as a technical assistant in electronic court systems or legal databases.
- Contribute to digital transformation programs in the judicial and legal sectors and to the management of electronic case files.
- Work in justice development projects funded by international organizations as an executive assistant or field coordinator.
Sixth: Other Professional Development Opportunities
- Continue higher education by enrolling in bachelor’s degree programs in law or administration for professional advancement.
- Obtain specialized training courses in legal memorandum writing, case management, legal archiving, and electronic judicial systems.
- Participate in practical training programs and institutional cooperation initiatives with judicial institutions, public prosecution offices, and legal firms.
Admission Requirements for the Legal Assistant Diploma Program
- Applicants must hold a Palestinian General Secondary Education Certificate (Tawjihi) with an average of 50% or higher from any stream (scientific, literary, Sharia, technological, etc.) or an equivalent certificate recognized by the Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
- Non-Palestinian applicants holding a recognized equivalent of the General Secondary Education Certificate from their home countries may be admitted, provided that the certificate is accredited by the Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
- Students transferring from related disciplines may be accepted after an evaluation of their academic records in accordance with university regulations and applicable policies.
- Admitted students are subject to the general admission and registration procedures of Palestine Ahliya University, in line with the university’s annual academic calendar.
Progression and Graduation Requirements for the Legal Assistant Diploma Program
- The student must adhere to the approved study plan of the program and successfully complete all required courses in accordance with the rules and regulations of Palestine Ahliya University.
- To remain enrolled in the program, the student must maintain the minimum cumulative GPA specified by the university regulations governing intermediate diploma programs.
- The Intermediate Diploma in Legal Assistance is awarded upon the successful completion of all graduation requirements, which include 72 credit hours distributed among theoretical, practical, and field training courses as outlined in the approved study plan.
- During the period of study, the student must comply with all academic regulations, university conduct standards, and administrative instructions related to the college’s programs.
Bridging Requirements from the Legal Assistant Diploma Program to the Faculty of Law
-
- The student must hold a Palestinian General Secondary Education Certificate (Tawjihi) with an average of 50% or higher in one of the following streams: scientific, literary, or Sharia, or an equivalent certificate recognized by the Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
- The student must successfully complete all graduation requirements of the Legal Assistant Diploma Program, including the completion of 72 credit hours according to the approved study plan.
- The student must achieve a cumulative GPA of 75% or higher in the intermediate diploma certificate of the program.
- The student must obtain a 75% or higher score in the Comprehensive Applied Exam for the program administered by the Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
- A number of credit hours completed within the Legal Assistant Diploma Program may be transferred and counted toward the Bachelor of Law program, in accordance with the prevailing regulations and policies of Palestine Ahliya University.
- The student must comply with the admission and registration procedures of the Faculty of Law and fulfill any additional requirements set by the college, the university, or the Palestinian Ministry of Education and Higher Education.
First Year
| First Semester | ||
| Credit
Hours
|
Course Title | Code |
| 3 | Arabic language | 900101 |
| 3 | English language | 900103 |
| 3 | Secretarial work | 925120 |
| 3 | Introduction to law | 960105 |
| 3 | Islamic Studies
Anti-Corruption (Challenges & Solutions) |
900200
900300 |
| 3 | Commercial law | 925106 |
| 18 | Total | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Credit
Hours |
Course Title | Code |
| 3 | Civil law
(sources &effects ) )obligation) |
925102 |
| 3 | Personal Status law | 925203 |
| 3 | English Legal terminology | 925110 |
| 3 | Constitutional law | 925201 |
| 3 | Methods of Legal Drafting in Arabic | 925202 |
| 3 | Introduction to computer | 900108 |
| 18 | Total | |
Second year
| First Semester | ||
| Credit
Hours |
Course Title | Code |
| 3 | Public panel law | 925104 |
| 3 | Computer software pplications | 925500 |
| 3 | Administrative law | 925107 |
| 3 | Entrepreneurship | 900113 |
| 3 | Land law | 925210 |
| 3 | Civil and Commercial Procedures law | 925204 |
| 1 | Physical Education | 900114 |
| 19 | Total | |
| Second Semester | ||
| Credit
Hours |
Course Title | Code |
| 3 | Public International law | 925207 |
| 3 | Special Theme in law (Competency) | 925205 |
| 3 | Criminal Procedures law | 925209 |
| 3 | Labor law | 925208 |
| 3 | Scientific Research Methods | 925206 |
| 2 | Field training
|
925212 |
| 17 | Total | |
The Legal Assistant Diploma Program – Course Descriptions
First: College Compulsory Requirements – (13 Credit Hours)
Arabic Language (900101): This course deals with the basic skills of the Arabic language and its arts in accordance with students’ needs and knowledge. It aims to enable them to use the language correctly in writing and expression. The course includes the study of language levels, methods of developing vocabulary, forming derivatives, the structure of nominal and verbal sentences, declension and inflection, rules of writing and punctuation, and the use of dictionaries. It also addresses rhetorical styles such as simile, metaphor, metonymy, paronomasia, and antithesis. In addition, it presents various forms of functional writing such as summarizing, writing letters, and minutes of meetings, along with aesthetic appreciation of selected texts from the Holy Qur’an, poetry, and artistic prose.
English Language (900103): This course focuses on developing the student’s four basic skills: reading and comprehension, writing, speaking, and correct pronunciation. It also aims to enable students to use the basic rules of the English language, such as verbs, prepositions, conditional sentences, and direct speech, and to apply them in practical situations. The course also emphasizes enriching vocabulary and terminology related to daily and professional life, while training students to write technical reports and correspondence in English.
Digital Skills (900108): This course covers the fundamental concepts of modern digital skills, introducing students to the hardware and software components of computers, the evolution of computer generations, operating systems, and the basics of programming. It also includes practical training on using the Windows operating system, managing files and folders, and working with Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. In addition, it introduces students to the Internet, email services, and the fundamentals of information security and safe use of digital technologies. The course aims to enable students to apply digital skills efficiently and safely in study, work, and electronic communication.
Entrepreneurship (900113): This course explores the concepts and foundations of entrepreneurship and its role in economic and social development, with a focus on the characteristics of entrepreneurs and the process of generating creative ideas and transforming them into feasible projects. It also covers the preparation of business plans, feasibility studies, small project management, and funding sources, in addition to marketing, financial aspects, and communication and leadership skills. The course presents successful models of entrepreneurs at the local and global levels to foster a spirit of initiative, innovation, and social responsibility among students.
Physical Activity (900114): This course examines the importance of physical activity and its role in developing students’ physical fitness, general health, and mental abilities. It aims to promote positive health behaviors, teamwork, and discipline through participation in individual and group sports activities. The course also introduces students to the fundamentals of physical education, the principles of physical training, and the significance of exercise in achieving psychological and physical balance, as well as in fostering teamwork and fair competition values.
Second: College Elective Requirements – (3 Credit Hours)
Studies in Islamic Thought (900200): This course provides a comprehensive study of the principles and foundations of Islamic thought, including its origins, sources, and fields. It focuses on the moral, social, and political values upon which Islam is based. The course also highlights the Islamic perspective on humanity, life, and the universe, comparing Islamic thought with selected contemporary intellectual movements. It emphasizes the status of reason and knowledge in Islam and the role of Islamic thought in shaping human civilization. Additionally, the course discusses the principles and values of Islam and their impact on building the individual and society in a spirit of moderation and balance.
Anti-Corruption (Challenges and Solutions) (900300): This course examines the concept, terminology, causes, and various forms of corruption, as well as its negative effects on economic, social, and political development. It introduces students to the legislative and institutional framework for combating corruption in Palestine through the study of the Anti-Corruption Law No. (1) of 2005 and its amendments, along with an analysis of the roles and powers of the Palestinian Anti-Corruption Commission. The course also focuses on the challenges facing anti-corruption efforts and the roles of the State Audit and Administrative Control Bureau, civil society organizations, local authorities, the private sector, and the media in promoting integrity, transparency, and good governance.
Third: Major Requirements – (56 Credit Hours)
Introduction to Law (960105): This course examines the general theory of law by addressing the concept, necessity, and origin of law, as well as the characteristics of legal rules. It distinguishes between public and private law, and between mandatory and supplementary (or interpretative) rules. The course also covers the sources of law—both formal, such as legislation, Islamic jurisprudence, principles of Sharia, custom, and equity, and supplementary or interpretative sources, such as judicial precedents and legal doctrine. It further discusses the interpretation and abrogation of legal rules, and their scope of application in terms of place, time, and persons. Additionally, the course explores the general theory of rights, including the definition and types of rights, their subjects and objects, sources, legal protection, exercise, and methods of proof.
Research Methodology (925206): This course covers the principles and foundations of scientific research in the legal field through the study and comparison of various research methodologies in different legal schools. It introduces students to the concept of legal research, its types, and main stages, including topic selection, source collection, reading, analysis, legal writing, final presentation, and discussion. The course also addresses the academic standards for conducting legal research in terms of form and content, as well as the requirements adopted by academic institutions. In addition, students are trained to use computers to access legal sources and academic references. The course concludes with the completion of an applied legal research project following proper scientific methods.
Legal Drafting in Arabic (925202): This course addresses the linguistic foundations of proper legal expression, focusing on precision in word choice and the variation of meaning according to textual context. It also emphasizes the study of legal concepts and terminology, as well as the different types of legal and legislative drafting and their formal, substantive, and linguistic standards. The course aims to enable students to analyze and critique legal texts, apply optimal drafting techniques to various legal documents, and refine their skills in accurate and clear legal writing in the Arabic language.
Secretarial Work (925120): This course introduces the concept of office work and its relationship to various administrative functions. It aims to equip students with the basic skills necessary to organize administrative and support tasks within institutions. The course focuses on developing students’ abilities in handling correspondence, preparing reports, organizing meetings, and managing time and records, thereby qualifying them to perform modern secretarial duties efficiently and professionally.
Computer Software Applications (925500): This course focuses on developing students’ practical skills in using computer application software related to institutional and administrative work. It emphasizes hands-on training in Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, as well as other applications used for preparing reports, correspondence, and organizing and processing data. The course aims to enable students to efficiently utilize modern software in the workplace within institutions and government departments.
Civil Law (Sources and Rules of Obligation) (925102): This course covers the theory of obligation in civil law, focusing on its sources and rules. It examines the general principles governing the creation, effects, and extinction of obligations. The course explores the sources of obligation, including contract, unilateral will, wrongful act (tortious liability), lawful act (unjust enrichment), and law, explaining the conditions and effects of each. It also addresses the rules of obligation, covering voluntary and compulsory performance, and legal mechanisms for protecting creditors’ rights, such as indirect action, the Paulian action, and simulation action. The course further discusses the characteristics, plurality, and transfer of obligations, as well as causes of extinction such as release, impossibility of performance, and prescription, while linking theoretical study with judicial and practical applications.
General Criminal Law (925104): This course examines the general provisions of criminal law by introducing the nature, content, objectives, and divisions of criminal law, as well as its relationship with other branches of law. It focuses on studying the elements of crime—legal, material, and moral—along with justifications, excuses, and impediments to criminal responsibility. The course also explores the general theory of punishment, including the judge’s discretionary power, concurrence of crimes and its impact on punishment, and mitigating circumstances. In addition, it addresses criminal participation and its forms (principal offender, accomplice, and instigator) and the rules governing criminal liability. The course aims to provide students with a theoretical and analytical understanding of criminal law provisions and practical skills that enable them to interpret legal texts and relate them to judicial applications.
Public International Law (925207): This course introduces the concept and characteristics of public international law and distinguishes it from other rules governing international relations. It examines the historical development of this branch of law, its unique nature, and its relationship with domestic law. The course provides an in-depth study of the sources of international law, including international treaties, customary international law, general principles of law, and decisions of international courts. It also covers the subjects of international law, such as states, international organizations, and national liberation movements, with a focus on the legal framework governing contemporary international relations.
Labor Law and Social Legislation (925208): This course examines the principles and provisions of the Palestinian Labor Law No. (7) of 2000, introducing the concept and sources of labor law and explaining the mutual rights and obligations between the worker and the employer, as well as their resulting legal effects. It studies the mechanisms governing individual and collective labor contracts, employment procedures, and vocational training. The course also covers rules related to working hours, rest periods, vacations, health care, and occupational safety, in addition to regulations concerning work injuries and occupational diseases. Emphasis is placed on linking legal texts with practical applications and Palestinian judicial decisions, enhancing students’ abilities in legal analysis, interpretation, and the preparation of legal memoranda following sound academic methodology.
Land Law (925210): This course examines the legal framework governing land ownership in Palestine by studying the different types of land and their legal provisions under the applicable legislation, including private (Mulk) land, state (Amiri) land, Waqf (endowment) land, Metruke (public use) land, Mawat (dead) land, and government land. It focuses on the mechanisms of land registration in the cadastral system, procedures of land settlement and new registration, and the distinction between lands located within and outside zoning and planning areas. The course also covers various real estate transactions such as name and record corrections, leasing, surveying and mapping, record verification, and property valuation. It links theoretical knowledge with practical applications through the analysis of relevant Palestinian legislation, review of judicial precedents, and discussion of the practical challenges faced by land registration institutions.
Special Topics in Law (925205): This course addresses selected legal topics that explore recent developments in various branches of law, keeping pace with legislative, social, and political changes at both the national and international levels. It aims to broaden students’ legal knowledge and deepen their understanding of current issues through the analysis of new legislation or conventions, or by discussing a specialized topic not included in the core curriculum. The course content is determined at the beginning of each semester based on emerging developments and academic needs, allowing students to engage with the latest legal trends and contemporary judicial applications.
Constitutional Law (925201): This course examines constitutional law and political systems through two main components.The first component – Political Systems: It studies the state in terms of its concept, essential elements, and characteristics, its origin and the theories explaining its formation, as well as its forms based on sovereignty and composition. It also explores types of governments (authoritarian, legal, monarchical, and republican) and the democratic system with its mechanisms of power delegation, presenting contemporary democratic models (presidential, parliamentary, and semi-presidential) and the principle of separation of powers. The second component – Constitutional Law: It introduces the principles of constitutional law, its relationship with other branches of law, its sources, and the origin and evolution of constitutions. It also discusses methods of amending and terminating constitutions and mechanisms of judicial review of legislation, with a special focus on the Palestinian constitutional system and the jurisdiction of the Supreme Constitutional Court.
Administrative Law (925107): This course examines the general principles of administrative law as a branch of domestic public law that regulates how the executive authority performs its administrative functions and its relationship with individuals. Students study the nature, characteristics, and sources of administrative law—both written and unwritten—as well as the criteria for its application. The course also covers administrative organization in its various forms (centralization and decentralization) and the administrative system in Palestine. Additionally, it discusses public utilities in terms of their definition, elements, objectives, types, and the legal framework governing them, along with the concept of administrative control, its purposes, and its distinction from judicial control. The course aims to enable students to understand and analyze theoretical principles and link them with practical applications in the Palestinian context, while drawing comparisons with other legal systems.
Personal Status Law (925203): This course examines the general provisions of personal status law in Islamic jurisprudence and Palestinian legislation by explaining the concept of the family, its importance in building society, and the legal framework governing its formation and the rights and duties of its members. The course focuses on the study of the marriage contract, its conditions and essential elements, and the rules related to engagement, dowry, guardianship, agency, and suitability between spouses, as well as the legal effects of marriage in terms of mutual rights and obligations between husband and wife. It also covers the rules of divorce, its types and expressions, as well as khul‘, īlā’, and li‘ān, with reference to practical, jurisprudential, and judicial applications in Palestine. The course aims to enable students to understand the legal and Sharia-based provisions regulating family affairs.
Commercial Law (925106): This course examines the fundamental principles of commercial law in accordance with the applicable legislation in Palestine and comparative legal systems, with a focus on the Jordanian Commercial Law in force in the West Bank. It aims to introduce students to the concept of commercial law, its origins, development, sources, and relationship with other branches of law. The course explores the theory of commercial acts and the distinction between commercial and civil transactions, along with the resulting legal consequences. It also covers the concept of the merchant, their legal status, conditions, and obligations, such as keeping commercial books, maintaining the commercial register, and using a trade name. In addition, the course studies the theory of the commercial store as a legal entity with both tangible and intangible components and its legal protection. Key commercial contracts are also discussed, including commercial mortgage, transport, commission agency, brokerage, current account, and electronic commerce. The course links theoretical principles with practical applications through the analysis of legislative texts, judicial rulings, and real-world case studies.
Civil and Commercial Procedures Law (925204): This course examines the procedural rules governing civil and commercial litigation before Palestinian courts in accordance with the Civil and Commercial Procedures Law No. (2) of 2001 and its amendments. It covers the initiation and registration of lawsuits, notification of parties, and various types of judicial jurisdiction (international, pecuniary, subject-matter, and territorial). The course also discusses procedures related to attendance and absence, pleadings and defenses, incidents of litigation, judicial settlement, and the issuance and execution of judgments. It further explores the theory of judgments, including their concept, types, requirements, drafting, effects, invalidation, and correction, as well as the methods of appeal—ordinary (such as appeal) and extraordinary (such as cassation, retrial, and third-party objection)—and their legal implications. In addition, the course addresses special procedures such as provisional attachment, appointment of guardians, travel bans, and summary proceedings. The course aims to equip students with a thorough understanding of the procedural rules governing civil and commercial disputes and to develop their ability to analyze procedural issues and apply the law practically in accordance with relevant Palestinian legislation.
Criminal Procedures Law (925209): This course provides a theoretical and practical study of the Palestinian Criminal Procedures Law, explaining its relationship with the Penal Code and the Civil and Commercial Procedures Law. It introduces the types of actions arising from crimes—the public prosecution and the related civil action—and the rules governing their initiation and termination.
The course focuses on the stages of criminal proceedings, starting from investigation, evidence collection, and preliminary inquiry, through trial, judgment, and execution. It discusses jurisdiction, nullity, evidence, and procedural challenges that may arise during the course of the case. Additionally, it examines the nature, types, and validity requirements of criminal judgments, the structure and jurisdiction of courts, and the means of appeal—ordinary (objection, appeal) and extraordinary (cassation, retrial)—including their time limits and legal effects. Emphasis is placed on the study of judicial applications within the Palestinian legal system.
Legal Terminology in English (925110): This course covers a range of legal expressions and terminology in English across various branches of law, including criminal, civil, commercial, and constitutional law. It introduces students to basic legal concepts related to the law, its sources, types, and branches through the study of simplified legal texts and practical exercises. The course aims to enable students to understand and use legal vocabulary in English and to develop their skills in reading legal texts, as well as drafting legal correspondence and contracts accurately.
Field Training (925212): This course provides practical training for students in legal and judicial institutions within the justice sector, such as courts, public prosecution offices, law firms, and legal consultancy offices. The training focuses on equipping students with field experience in both legal and administrative aspects through active participation in preparing legal memoranda, attending court sessions, and applying relevant legal procedures. The course aims to enhance students’ professional and practical skills and enable them to link theoretical knowledge with real-world application in the legal work environment.