King's Coding for Lawyers

The course runs in twelve-week blocks. Over the block, students can access material at their own pace and convenience. Available blocks are listed below. We encourage students to sign up at least one week in advance of each start date to make full use of the twelve-week course period.

Application deadlines: 

Gain coding literacy and skills to navigate the technological revolution emerging in the legal space.

Automation, machine learning, the blockchain, data science, digitalisation and many other new technologies are an increasingly important part of the legal landscape. Legal experts need to interpret the legal relevance of technical issues, to be confident to communicate with technical experts and to distinguish facts from fiction effectively. For this, a level of coding literacy is an essential part of the legal professional’s skillset.

The Dickson Poon School of Law at King’s has partnered with Codecademy to combine our strength as a Top 20 global law school with Codecademy’s extensive coding expertise and contemporary delivery platform. Designed specifically for the legal sector, we have co-created a short course in coding literacy and fundamental coding skills.

King’s Coding for Lawyers will enable you to understand the basic principles of coding, to distinguish different coding paradigms and to read basic code.

Course essentials

Gain the technical and intellectual skills to navigate the technological revolution in the legal space. 

• Flexible online content to learn at your preferred pace with consecutive theoretical elements, practical components and project sections to apply your learning.
• Interactive and immersive learning experience with Codecademy’s online coding platform where you will learn, practice and see results for each lesson as you go.
• Vertical scroll elements, videos and online coding challenges in each course section.
• Additional free access to all Codecademy programming courses during the twelve-week course.

Course content

Understand key concepts and practical considerations, including:

• The relevance of coding for the legal profession
• The basic principle and paradigms of coding
• How to read simple code and complete coding tasks
• Feel confident participating in meaningful discussion of technical issues relating to
  coding

Approximate study hours 

Depending on familiarity and skill, consider allocating between 2 and 6 hours per week to complete the course within the specified timeframe (12 weeks). 

Applicants should have completed at least one year of a degree in law (or another subject plus a conversion course) or have professional legal experience and be seeking to expand their knowledge and gain skills in coding. No previous coding knowledge is required. The course is taught in English. 

Programme sections

Indicative taught theory and practical sections

1. Introduction
2. Python Fundamentals
3. Introduction to Cybersecurity
4. Learn the Basics of Blockchain and DLT with Python
5. Learn the Basics of Machine Learning and Deep Learning
6. Data Structures and Algorithms

In the project section, students will go through larger, platform guided coding challenges:

• Programme a blockchain in Python
• Programme a recommendation software
• Programme a rating predictor

Support will be provided throughout the course by Codecademy and King’s College London. Students can connect with their peers and discuss solutions on exclusive King's and Codecademy forums.

Course leader

Professor Christoph Kletzer is a Reader in Law. He joined King's in 2007 having previously been a Lecturer at the University of Cambridge (2005-2007) and before that at the University of Durham (2004-2005). His research interests include the intersection of law and technology with a special focus on cryptography and technologies of decentralisation. 

Professor Kletzer publishes and teaches at postgraduate level in the field of Law and Technology, including specialist teaching for legal counsel at BNP Paribas in the area of blockchain technology. He is a member of the Advisory Board for the Digital Asset Association (Austria). 

See Professor Christoph Kletzer's full profile

What equipment do I need?

To participate you will need a computer or laptop and access to the internet. You will be enrolled on the Coding for Lawyers course on Codecademy's website by the start of the 12-week course. Login details and further instructions will be provided in your welcome email.