The College of Law has received approval for its Practical Legal Training (PLT) course which is specifically designed for graduates in Western Australia.

The Legal Practice Board of Western Australia gave final approval for the College of Law course on 4 March 2009, and the first intake commenced on 16 March.

The College of Law has offered PLT in Perth for some years, with students completing the New South Wales PLT course and applying for admission in New South Wales before obtaining their Western Australian qualification through the mutual recognition regime.

Commenting on the approval, Alison Gaines, Director, The College of Law Western Australia, said that the college was very pleased to have received the green light.

"We have been developing a Western Australian course for some time now and with the commencement of the Legal Profession Act in WA and the approval of our course the college is proud to be able to offer graduates a course that meets local needs and directly prepares students for a legal career in WA."

It remains to be seen how the new regulations will affect the legal market in the state, however, said the group managing director of The College of Law, Neville Carter.

"It is very hard to predict what will happen there. Again, the large firm sector will look to organisations like the College (of Law) to provide a consistent national approach, but what will happen as students choose between the traditional WA method and now traineeships and the college method, it's very hard to call."