9/21/2020 Diploma in Legal Studies - King's Inns

Diploma in Legal Studies

Course available through blended / online distance learning.

Since COVID–19 restrictions came into force on March 12, this course was delivered 100% online via our accessible Virtual
Learning Environment. Read about the recent changes here.

King’s Inns will continue to offer this course online for 2020/2021 until it is safe to deliver in person as well on campus.

We know that social interaction with fellow students and expert speakers is an integral part of the King’s Inns experience,
and we hope to offer students the option to attend classes in person from January 2021 if they wish and if public health
conditions at the time permit.

WHAT IS THE DIPLOMA IN LEGAL STUDIES?

abogado litigante: se hace luego
The Diploma in Legal Studies is a two–year law course leading to: de recibirse de abogado para poder
a qualification in law; and litigar.
being eligible to sit the Entrance Examination for the degree of Barrister–at–Law.

WHO IS THE COURSE FOR?

Many Diploma graduates have found the qualification to be of benefit in their current career or have gone on to use the qualification
to open up new career opportunities for them. Some Diploma graduates have progressed to further study of law by doing taught or
research masters or PhDs. Others did the course just because they were interested in learning the law.

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Because Diploma graduates are eligible to sit the Entrance Examination for the degree of Barrister–at–Law, the course also attracts
students who want to qualify as a barrister. The Diploma equips students for study on the degree of Barrister–at–Law(“the
professional course”). As far as qualifying as a barrister is concerned, Diploma graduates are in the same position as those who
have a recognised law degree from a third–level institution in Ireland. Diploma graduates report that the course prepares them well
for the professional course. This is reflected in the fact that Diploma graduates have traditionally done as well as – and frequently
better than – law–degree graduates in the Entrance Examination and on the professional course itself.

THE STUDY–SKILLS COURSE

Diploma students come from a variety of educational backgrounds. Many have a non–law degree or other third–level qualification.
But some do not. Indeed, the Diploma is open to people with no formal education whatsoever. Mindful that some Diploma students
have been away from formal education for a long time or have no formal education whatsoever, we deliver a Study–Skills Course
at 5.45–8 p.m. on five evenings during the first two weeks of September. Topics include:

Types of Learning;
Time management on an academic course;
Note–taking;
Academic Research;
Reading academic (and specifically legal) texts;
Academic writing;
Giving oral presentations;
Making use of feedback; and
Revising for and writing examinations.

The Study–Skills Course is scheduled for 5.45–8 p.m. on the following dates during the first two weeks of September: Tuesday 1,
Wednesday 2, Thursday 3, Tuesday 8, and Wednesday 9. Induction is scheduled for Thursday, September 10.

WHEN DO CLASSES TAKE PLACE?

Lectures and tutorials take place on Monday–Thursday evenings (a small number take place on Friday evenings). Tutorials also
take place at 9.30 a.m.–4.45 p.m. on the following Saturdays spread throughout the academic year: September 19; October
3 and 31; November 28; January 16; February 13; March 13; and April 24. Because these class times suit students in
employment, most students continue working while doing the course.

Course Start Date: Monday 14 September 2020

ONLINE CLASSES

Lectures are recorded and made available to students on Moodle, our online learning platform. Students can access the recordings
remotely at anytime from anywhere provided they have an internet connection. The availability of lecture recordings online
obviously facilitates students who have to miss lectures. But it is also of tremendous assistance for revision purposes, enabling
students to revisit lectures when they are preparing for the exams.

WHAT HAPPENS IN CLASS?

Classes, especially tutorials, are interactive–student engagement is encouraged. Tutorials are small–group sessions during which
students must complete diverse tasks like problem–solving, mooting, advising fictitious clients, consultations, and presenting and
opposing legal arguments. Our emphasis on small–group teaching and learning fosters student engagement and active learning and
makes the course especially rewarding.

WHAT SUBJECTS ARE COVERED ON THE COURSE?

The course provides a very broad legal education and covers the core law subjects which are essential to further study of law and
practising law in Ireland. During their first year on the course, students study the following subjects:

Constitutional Law
Contract Law
Criminal Law
Family Law
Introduction to the Legal System (including Legal Research and Writing)
Land Law (Property Law)
Tort Law

During their second year, students study the following subjects:

Administrative Law
Company Law

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Equity and the Law of Trusts

European Union Law
Law of Evidence
Human Rights Law
Jurisprudence

HOW ARE STUDENTS ASSESSED?

Students must pass both an examination and coursework in each subject. Examinations are closed book, whereas coursework
requires students to conduct research. Coursework – which accounts for 20% of the mark in each subject – requires students to
identify the legal issue(s) in the question, conduct independent research using online legal databases and a law library, use and
reference relevant sources of law, and write an answer that summarises relevant law in a clear, cogent, and complete manner before
arriving at a conclusion.

EXTRA–CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Students can also attend optional court visits and take part in mooting and debating competitions inside the School of Law and at
national and international level. Students can also take part in sporting events. Please see our LSDSI [The Law Students’ Debating
Society of Ireland] page for more information.

THE TEACHING TEAM

All lecturers and tutors have impressive qualifications (including LLMs from colleges like Harvard, Oxbridge, and the London
School of Economics, as well as PhDs from reputable Irish and UK universities). Because lecturers and tutors are also qualified
barristers, they have a keen understanding of how the law works in the real world. All members of the teaching team have extensive
teaching experience. Click here for more information about our teaching team.

REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION

Those falling into the following categories are eligible to apply for a place on the course:

Graduate Applicant – A graduate applicant has an approved non–law degree from a third–level educational institution. Degrees
conferred by foreign educational institutions may also suffice. The Education Committee decides whether a foreign degree is
acceptable.

Mature Applicant – A mature applicant doesn’t have an approved non–law degree but is at least 23 years of age on May 1 in the
year when they would sit the Diploma–I examinations.

The Education Committee allocates places to mature applicants. Although the Committee considers academic and professional
qualifications, the Diploma is – as mentioned above – open to people with no formal education whatsoever. The Committee also
considers a mature applicant’s work experience and other information provided by the applicant which demonstrates their ability to
do a course of this level. An interview may be required

THE MAURICE GAFFNEY SCHOLARSHIP

The King’s Inns’ Education Committee may remit course fees payable by Diploma students who face exceptional hardship. Further
information about and the application form for the scholarship is here.

COURSE FEES

Total cost of course: €9,950. plus an application fee of €200.

Year 1 fee: €4,975. This can be paid in two instalments.

Year 2 fee: €4,975. This can be paid in two instalments.

Fee structure can be viewed here.

HOW DO I APPLY?

Applications can be made here.

Closing Date for Applications: Late entries accepted for 2020/2021 until 5 pm on Monday, 31 August. Please email
info@kingsinns.ie for further details.

Application fee before midnight on Sunday 31 May is €200. Late entries are accepted until midnight on Wednesday 1 July 2020 and
are subject to a late application fee of €300.

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Due to Covid–19, all supporting documents should be submitted electronically (not by post as originally stated). Please read
the attached Instructions and Guide for submitting documents by uploading to MS OneDrive.

Instructions to submit supporting documents online – Graduate applicant

Instructions to submit supporting documents online – Mature applicant

Guide to upload documents onto MS OneDrive

How to submit an electronic signature

ENQUIRIES

If you have questions about the course, please contact the Course Coordinator, Ciarán Patton, at ciaran.patton@kingsinns.ie.

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What do Previous Student Say?

David Byrnes

“The Diploma in Legal Studies provided me with an excellent understanding of the law and legal principles. The lectures and tutors
are highly dedicated and capable legal professionals. The learning environment is interactive, friendly and supportive and the
materials and resources are first class. The rate of learning and personal development is phenomenal. The course attracts a diverse
range of people and from all age groups. Whether you intend to practise as a Barrister or simply wish to enhance your existing
career, this course is a most valuable and rewarding experience.” (Class of 2017)

Gerry Kealy

“If you ever thought that studying law might be boring, be prepared to have your eyes opened. The course would expose you to new
ways of thinking about why the law is so important – not only in business but also in society generally. The course is challenging,
but very enjoyable. It is managed by Ireland’s finest legal minds and is delivered by lecturers who are second to none – I know that
being a science lecturer myself. The course is structured to meet the needs of students who are otherwise busy with work. It provides
a solid foundation for anyone considering a legal, business, educational, or public–service career.” (Class of 2018)

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