Introduction 

This diploma is a unique part–time evening programme offering legal practitioners, civil servants, local government officials, regulators, law graduates or persons with relevant legislative experience the opportunity to obtain an Advanced Diploma in Legislative Drafting. 

There is a significant shortage in legislative drafters worldwide. This programme is expressly designed to train participants in the skill of drafting legislation and regulations, heads of Bills, rules and bye–laws thereby fulfilling a very important role in the delivery of legal education for a vital area of governance.

Programme Aims and Learning Outcomes

The programme will expose participants to all aspects of the theory and practice of legislative drafting. 

With this advanced diploma, you will have gained a unique qualification that will give you a solid foundation in drafting legislation, identifying loopholes and translating policy into law.

On successful completion of the programme, the participants will have the knowledge required to understand a drafting project and will have practised and honed the skills required for successful management of drafting projects. A key aim is to integrate theory and practice.

Who is the course for?

The course will be suitable for legal practitioners, civil and public servants, consultants, agencies and regulators who require the skill of drafting legislation and regulations. 

Course Content and Delivery

Delivery is in part–time evening mode through the medium of seminars, workshops and lectures presented by leading experts in the area. The programme runs over a period of approximately 15 teaching weeks and is delivered two evenings per week, usually Tuesday and Thursday, from 6 pm to 8 pm, in a small group setting. Most classes will take place in–person at King’s Inns.

Provisional Start Date: Spring 2025 (date TBC)

All class notes are available to read through our Virtual Learning Environment. Online tutorials and IT support are available to help students navigate their way through our library and legal resource databases.

King’s Inns is built on networking and engagement. Over the year, we invite students to attend and participate in various social events, fireside chats and talks. Events take place either online or in–person. All of this contributes to the learning experience that is King’s Inns.

Course Content 

The programme is comprised of 8 key modules:

1. What drafters do
2. Statutory interpretation and its relevance to drafting
3. Key tools for drafters
4. Public law considerations in drafting
5. Pre–cabinet legislative processes and private members’ Bills
6. Writing skills
7. Legal writing
8. Drafting and other relevant skills

Please note the course content is subject to change in accordance with new developments in this area. 

Experiential learning forms a significant part of the programme with participants learning reflectively through exercises and individualised feedback and consequently practical workshops will be one of the teaching methods used in most areas. This will consist of a variety of teaching and learning interventions including practical skills development. Formal presentations provide background theory in the substantive knowledge areas underpinning the programme.

Assessment and Accreditation

This is a professional development course and it is accredited independently by The Honorable Society of King’s Inns. The skills and competence gained in studying at King’s Inns are transferable, portable and recognised internationally. It is a valuable qualification delivered by distinguished lawyers, members of the judiciary, legal and other practitioners specialising in legal education.

To be awarded the Advanced Diploma, a participant is required to successfully complete several assessments (details TBC).

Note: The timetable and assessment information are subject to change in 2024. Details will be confirmed and updated soon. 

Course Fee

• Course fee: €5,550 
• You should view the fee structure, payment terms, and other charges here > 

Barrister–at–Law graduates who are subscribing members to King’s Inns receive a 10% discount on this course. You must receive your discount code before applying. View more information here >

Admission Requirements 

Places on this course are strictly limited in order to preserve the small group, interactive nature of the learning experience for the course. This course is invariably over–subscribed. King’s Inns has selection criteria in place and applicants are required to submit certain documentation to support an application.

• Personal Statement addressing how the candidate’s qualifications and/or previous or current work experience are relevant to the course.
• Certified Copy of your academic and professional achievements. If you are a barrister, it is not necessary to supply this information.
• Any relevant documents supporting your application.
• Documents may be submitted in the following formats: pdf, png, gif, jpg, jpeg. The maximum allowed size for each document is 20MB.

Download the Personal Statement template >

How do I Apply?

• Applications are not yet open. To be notified when applications open, please sign up for updates below.
• Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis for Spring 2025.
• Acceptance on this course will be notified on an ongoing basis. If you have been accepted, your place on the course will not be secured until payment is received in full. It is advised to pay as soon as you get accepted.
• Payment can be made through the Application Portal using your credit or debit card (please make sure your bank allows you to process the full payment in one go), or
• If your employer is paying for your studies, you will require a valid PO number in advance of making the application, the name and email address for the person responsible for payment in your organisation.
• The invoice will issue directly to the person whose details you enter. The participant will also be able to download a copy of the invoice through the Application Portal. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure their employer has paid in full within the timeframe required in order to secure a place. King’s Inns cannot contact your employer for payment, we can only liaise with the applicant.

An automated payment receipt will be generated confirming your place on the course.

Subscribing members: You must apply your discount code upon application. It cannot be applied after the application is made.

Applications will be open soon 

RECEIVE NOTIFICATION WHEN MORE INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE