Are you a college or a university student aspiring to learn more about the legal aspects of different scenarios? Do you wish to study in-depth criminal or property law? Does international law entice you? Do you want to be thorough with the impact of politics and trade on legal aspects?
For all this and more, you need to enroll yourself in an online law course. You can find both online law classes free as well as paid. We will attempt to address a few of the best free law courses through this guide below.
Some of them will be free online law courses with certificates, while others do not bag you a certification. Regardless, they have been screened well and passed our quality check by lawmakers worldwide. So, let us get started and address these best online law courses one by one.
Top Free Online Courses For Lawyers
- An Introduction to American Law – by The University of Pennsylvania – [Coursera]
- Introduction to International Criminal Law – by Case Western Reserve University – [Coursera]
- Introduction to International Law – [Udemy]
- A Law Student’s Toolkit – by Yale University – [Coursera]
- Launching a Successful 21st Century Law Practice – [Udemy]
- English Legal System in 60 Minutes: A Fast Track Summary – [Udemy]
- Law Courses – [FutureLearn]
- Online Law Courses for Free – [Harvard University]
- The Supreme Court, Civil Liberties, and Civil Rights – [Massachusetts Institute of Technology Open Courseware]
- Law Courses – [edX]
- Free Online Law Courses – [Alison]
- Understanding Intellectual Property – [LinkedIn Learning]
Find Yourself The Best Free Law Courses Here
1. An Introduction to American Law – by The University of Pennsylvania – [Coursera]
| Offered by | The University of Pennsylvania |
| Rating | 4.8 |
| Enrolled | 152,032 already enrolled |
| Duration | Approx. 12 hours to complete |
| Instructor | Anita Allen, Stephen Morse, Tess Wilkinson-Ryan, Tobias Barrington Wolff, Theodore Ruger, and Shyam Balganesh |
| Certification | You can get the certification if you pay a small fee for it. |
| Paid or Free | Free |
| Cons | Of course, it is a law course, but the amount of theory is humongous. Consequently, at times, it feels a bit bland. |
Ranked at the top of our list comprising the best online law courses free is this Coursera course. In this one of the best free online courses for lawyers, you will get a glimpse of the six areas of American law:
- Constitutional Law
- Tort Law
- Civil Procedure
- Contract Law
- Criminal Law
- Property Law
The course comes with flexible timelines so that you can set and reset as per your pace. It is a 100% online course, and you can start right away.
Learning Outcomes
As one of our top-recommended free online legal courses, this course does more than provide you with an insight into the six American law areas. It will also discuss the dilemmas and the complexities arising from the law’s application in different settings.
Further, you will also understand what makes the American legal approach different from the others.
- Eleven percent of people who took this course started a new career.
- Twenty percent of people received a tangible benefit from the course.
Who should take this course?
Beginners interested in the field of law will find this one of the best online law classes free.
If you are looking for one of the free online law courses with certificates, this may not be the perfect choice for you. Although, you can get certified if you’re ready to pay a small fee for the same.
Prerequisites
It is one of the best free law courses, which takes you from the ground up. So, even if you do not have prior knowledge on the subject, you can take this course.
AD.
“This is an excellent class, presentations and content from expert professors are well done, I highly recommend this class whether you’re studying law or any other discipline this class is essential.
2. Introduction to International Criminal Law – by Case Western Reserve University – [Coursera]
| Offered by | Case Western Reserve University |
| Rating | 4.8 |
| Enrolled | 146,592 already enrolled |
| Duration | Approx. 13 hours to complete |
| Instructor | Michael Scharf |
| Certification | Not in the free version |
| Paid or Free | Free |
| Cons | There are sadly not enough assignments included in the course. So, there is no way to assess the learning from the class. |
Next on our list is another of the most highly-rated online law courses free. It revolves around Criminal Law. This is a critical aspect for world security, peace and international law.
It is one of the best free online courses for lawyers, as renowned experts teach it. All of this and more is divided into eight units and each of them will have assigned reading, majorly in a book chapter or article, and simulations that help bring these readings to life.
You will also get video lectures for every topic with slides. Further, some debates and exercises can help students present their views on the subject. Unfortunately, as of now, the free version does not offer certification. So, if you need a certificate, you will have to pay for it.
Learning Outcomes
You must not take this course if you seek one of the free online law courses with certificates. But, if you need a well-rounded course that has a lot for you to learn and absorb, this can be a good pick.
The course is designed to educate you about:
- Criminal laws and policies
- Aspects such as genocide, war crimes, terrorism, and piracy
- Modes of international criminal liability
- Understanding of the specialized defenses
- Challenges one faces in obtaining accused’s custody
- Maintaining courtroom control
Career Outcomes
- Eleven percent of people who took this course started a new career.
- Eleven percent of people received a tangible benefit from the course.
- Eleven percent of people received a pay hike or promotion benefit from the course.
Prerequisites
You can start these best online law classes free, sans any previous background, but please remember that the professors will take this course at a level of an advanced undergraduate student.
Hence, before starting the course, you should be adept at English, at least for an undergraduate college level.
In addition, you must also read the assigned online materials in advance for every unit. Finally, you can also subscribe to the “War Crimes Prosecution Watch,” a free bi-weekly e-newsletter, which gives you all the updates of the international criminal law in brief.
IM.
“i really enjoyed learn in this course. the materials presented, how the professor explains, are very easy to understand and pleasant to hear, I hope to meet a course that presents learning like this
3. Introduction to International Law – [Udemy]
| Rating | 4.6 |
| Enrolled | 414 students |
| Duration | 1hr 26min of on-demand video |
| Instructor | Harris Mahmood |
| Certification | No |
| Paid or Free | Free |
| Cons | Unfortunately, these are not free online law courses with certificates. So, if a certification is what you need, you will be disappointed. |
Some topics you will study in these online law classes free of cost are:
- Background and Setting
- History
- Sources of Law
- Dispute Settlement
- Jurisdiction
- Problems
Once you complete this course, you will have acquired a good grip over international law topics.
Learning Outcomes
It is one of the best free law courses, wherein you learn more in less time. Some things that you can grasp as part of this course are:
- International Law Fundamentals
- History of International Law
- International Tribunals and Courts
- Jurisdictions Issues in International Law
- Effects of Politics on International Law
- Impact of Nationalism on International Law
- Challenges experienced when applying for International Law globally
Prerequisites
A few prerequisites associated with this one of the top-recommended free online legal courses are:
- Fair understanding of the English language
- Some prior knowledge of the legal system or law will be helpful, but it is not mandatory.
Who should take this course?
This is one of the best courses for law students, masters students, bachelor students, undergraduate students, lawyers, Ph.D. students or anyone curious about international law.
Further, students studying International Law at university or planning to start a career in the field will also find the course beneficial. Finally, even employees of NGOs or charities will also benefit from this one of the most sought-after online law courses free.
Nicolo S.
“Great course by a phenomenal teacher, has a real talent at explaining complex legal concepts clearly and concisely whilst keeping it interesting all the time!
4. A Law Student’s Toolkit – by Yale University – [Coursera]
| Offered by | Yale University |
| Rating | 4.7 |
| Enrolled | 134,419 already enrolled |
| Duration | Approx. 16 hours to complete |
| Instructor | Ian Ayres |
| Certification | Not in the free version |
| Paid or Free | Free |
| Cons | This is not one of the beginner-friendly online law classes free. The instructor assumes you have some background in the subject. So, if you are a complete beginner, the course may be a little difficult for you. |
This is one of the best designed free online legal courses, which comprises an array of assignments and short lectures for your easy understanding.
Further, you also get a reading list corresponding to every lesson, providing a roadmap to explore the subject in-depth. Even though the lectures appear to be cross-reference, you can start and finish them at your convenience.
It is a 100% online course and fully flexible. You can begin instantly and complete your timeline.
Learning Outcomes
It is one of the top-rated best online law courses free, wherein you learn an array of things. A few of them are listed below:
- Concepts, terminologies, and tools that legal academics and lawyers use during an argument
- Follow lawyer’s arguments to make a counterargument
Who should take this course?
This is one of the best free law courses for an advanced law student hoping to revise their fundamentals or an aspiring law student who wishes to venture into this field.
BB.
“A challenging and insightful course. The only downside is that it had to end. Excellent professor with engaging videos, in-depth analysis, peer graded assignments and just a good overall course.
5. Launching a Successful 21st Century Law Practice – [Udemy]
| Rating | 4.4 |
| Enrolled | 9,917 students |
| Duration | 2hr 40min of on-demand video |
| Instructor | Carolyn Elefant |
| Certification | No |
| Paid or Free | Free |
| Cons | There is no depth in multiple aspects. The instructor should have tried to detail some of the topics. |
Though brief, this one cannot be excluded from our list of best free online legal courses. It comprises six modules, all in between 15-35 minutes range.
Learning Outcomes
Through these online law classes free, a few things that you can grasp are:
- Opportunities you will bag by starting your 21st Century Law practice
- Latest changes in the legal profession
- All the intricacies required to kickstart your legal journey
- The socio-economic context for starting a firm
- Some FAQs, answering questions, such as:
- Where and how to find the clients?
- Where should you start your practice?
- Should you specialize or generalize?
- Some tips, tools, and vitalities to kickstart your practice
Prerequisites
There are no complex prerequisites associated with the course.
Who should take this course?
This is one of the best online law courses free for:
- Any lawyer who aspires to start their firm
- New graduates, displaced lawyers, or anyone who wishes to commence their legal firm
- Lawyers who wish to start their practice
- Placement personnel who wishes to know further about the solo option
- Lawyers who want to modernize or revamp their practice
Dawn K.
“Great information! This course provides not only tips and insights, but confidence that a solo can start out of law school. truly grateful for this course!
6. English Legal System in 60 Minutes: A Fast Track Summary – [Udemy]
| Rating | 4.4 |
| Enrolled | 16,559 students |
| Duration | 1hr 4min of on-demand video |
| Instructor | Shaveen Bandaranayake |
| Certification | No |
| Paid or Free | Free |
| Cons | The instructor imparts the lessons in a complicated manner. A little breakdown will have been helpful. |
Next, we have one of the free law courses, which has been designed to impart to you everything you ought to know about the English Legal system in barely an hour. So, if you need a fast-track summary of the syllabus, this course can be helpful.
In addition, beyond the theoretical concepts, you will also get access to over twenty pages of case summaries that have been exquisitely designed to equip you with all the knowledge related to legal principles. LLB students globally will find this one of the best free online courses for lawyers.
Before enrolling in this course, please remember that the course is not a substitute for detailed learning. However, if you have some gaps in your knowledge, this can be a good pick.
Learning Outcomes
There are a couple of things that this one of the Udemy’s best online law courses free will teach you. Some of them have been enlisted below:
- Clarifications on any learning gap that you have
- Making a spider graph for the examination
- Vital English legal system principles
Prerequisites
Some prerequisites associated with this one of the most excellent free online legal courses are:
- Fundamental understanding of the English Legal System
- Motivation and commitment
If you are already a first-year law student, it can be beneficial. However, it is not a mandatory requirement.
Who should take this course?
This is one of the best online law courses free for:
- Those interested in law
- Students writing a law examination
- Students reading for common law
Rayne V.
“very well informed friendly enjoyed course very much keeps you interested and well explained i loved this course would highly reccomend to anyone interested in law.
Bonus Law Courses for Free
1. Law Courses – [FutureLearn]
Next, we have the best online law classes free by FutureLearn. You can find a myriad of best free law courses for forensic science, international law, legal ethics, and criminal justice on the platform.
These courses have been brilliantly drafted to help you acquire a better insight into the legal world.
A few of the top online law courses free that you can enroll in are:
- Critical International Migration Law
- International Human Rights Law
- Decoding Forensics for Legal Professionals
- Forensic Mental Health and Criminal Justice
- Jurisprudence: Introduction to the Philosophy of Law
- Human Rights, Ways of Life, and the Future
2. Online Law Courses – [Harvard University]
The much recognized and globally popular Harvard University also offers a plethora of online law classes free for interested learners. In addition, there are free online legal courses for literally every aspect of American Law.
Typically, all these courses are free, but you would not get free online law courses with certificates. However, if you need a certification, you will have to bear a very nominal fee.
A few of the best online law courses free that you can check out are:
- CS50 for Lawyers
- American Government: Constitutional Foundations
- S. Political Institutions: Congress, Presidency, Courts, and Bureaucracy
- Child Protection: Children’s Rights in Theory and Practice
- Contract Law: From Trust to Promise to Contract
- Early Childhood Development: Global Strategies for Interventions
3. The Supreme Court, Civil Liberties, and Civil Rights – [Massachusetts Institute of Technology Open Courseware]
Next on our list for the free law courses is this MIT course presented to you by Prof. Malick Ghachem. Its MIT Course Number is 17.245. You will read through the breakthrough Supreme Court cases and be familiarized with the public debates associated with them.
Learning Outcomes
Through this course, you will learn:
- Primary work of the Supreme court
- The framework of the American constitutional law
- Development of civil rights and American law
- Knowledge of the significant constitutional controversies
- Civil liberties in wartime, race relations, privacy rights, and the law of criminal procedure.
Who should take this course?
This is one of the best free online legal courses for undergraduate students.
4. Law Courses – [edX]
![Law Courses – [edX]](https://www.tangolearn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/law-courses-edX.jpg)
edX also has a plethora of the best online law courses free, covering all legal areas, such as human rights, international law, criminal law, property law, and contract law.
In addition, you can also find courses on the legal aspects of privacy and surveillance and the impact on national security. Top and recognized universities and colleges provide all edX’s free online courses for lawyers. So, they will be worth your time.
However, even though the courses are free, you will have to pay some fee if you need a certification.
A few of the top courses that we found on their platform are:
- Contract Law: From Trust to Promise to Contract
- International Law
- Intellectual Property Law and Policy: Part 1
- Intellectual Property Law and Policy: Part 2
5. Free Online Law Courses – [Alison]
Alison has a variety of free law courses, which cover prevalent legal areas, such as intellectual property, trademarks, and maritime regulations. These can be quite beneficial if you file a patent or wish to know the legal bindings. A great thing about Alison courses is that you will get a free certification upon completion.
A few of the top Alison courses are:
- Diploma in International Convention and Maritime Law
- Legal Office Administration
- Introduction to ILO Conventions and Maritime Law
- S. Citizenship and American Civics
6. Understanding Intellectual Property – [LinkedIn Learning]
Now, we have arrived at the last one on our list of best online law courses free of cost. It is a course detailing the legal aspects of intellectual property available on LinkedIn Learning. Your instructor for this course will be Dana Robinson, an attorney and an author. It is a brief 1 h 31m course.
Learning Outcomes
Some things that you will learn in this course are:
- Protecting your work
- Avoiding infringing others’ rights
- Overview of the patents, trademarks, and other protections
- Answer to the prevalent intellectual property (IP) questions
- Safeguarding your ideas
Who should take this course?
The information included in the course is strictly related to the rules and regulations in the US. Therefore, students from the US will majorly benefit from it.
Prerequisites
It is a beginner-level course. So, no prior knowledge on the subject is needed.
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Conclusion
So, these are the top online law courses free. We have sincerely attempted to mention all the best online law classes free for students through this guide.
Happy choosing & learning with these free law courses!
