Page last updated: Monday, September 30, 2024

Introduction

This is a time of unprecedented change and growing complexity in the area of employment law. Understanding these developments is of critical importance to those seeking to negotiate a surefooted pathway through the workplace environment. King’s Inns is delighted to bring together a team of leading experts, including some of the most prominent legal practitioners in the area, to deliver a course which provides a thorough grounding in the key components and latest developments in this important and heavily regulated area.

Non–compliance with employment law or lack of harmony in a workplace can have very serious consequences for those directly involved as well as for society and the economy as a whole. This cutting–edge Advanced Diploma addresses both the procedural and the substantive law that applies to the employment relationship.

Programme Aims and Learning Outcomes

This Advanced Diploma provides participants with a comprehensive practical knowledge of employment law so that participants will be equipped to deal with the main employment law issues arising in the workplace. 

Participants will acquire a practical in–depth knowledge of the issues affecting the employment relationship from recruitment to termination.

On completion of the course, participants should be better able to:

1. Describe key features of the Irish system of employment law;
2. Identify the components and characteristics of the employment law contract; 
3. Explain key legislative provisions applying to the employment law relationship; 
4. Discuss case law relevant to the application of employment law principles; 
5. Identify key issues in an employment law problem question; 
6. Apply the law to an employment law problem question;
7. Understand the various remedies and fora available to employees experiencing employment–related issues;
8. Enable employers to identify resolutions to employment issues in the workplace.

WHO IS THE COURSE FOR?

The course will appeal to those in both the public and private sectors: employers, company directors, regulatory bodies, trade union representatives, operation and business managers, team leaders, HR and IR professionals and legal practitioners.

Having a diverse group of professionals studying this course together allows participants to learn from each other, especially during tutorials and Q&A sessions.

“I found the course both affirming and reassuring in terms of my own knowledge and educational, particularly concerning matters applying to all employment, both public service and private employment. The course materials were accessible, readable, and informative. I enjoyed participating and learning from the wide experience of my fellow students.”

2023 Graduate

Course Designer and Lead Lecturer

The designer and lead lecturer of the course is barrister Niamh McGowan BL.

Niamh specialises in labour, equality and employment law with particular expertise in workplace investigations. She is also an accredited mediator with the Centre of Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR).

Course Content and Delivery 

This course takes place primarily in an online format, live via Zoom, with recordings of lectures available after class is over. Interactive elements such as class discussions / tutorials will not be recorded and will be cast live only.

There will be up to two opportunities during the academic year to attend live events at King’s Inns, in the form of a question and answer session and a live mock Labour Court hearing.

The course takes place over 20 weeks, from October to April, with lectures on Thursdays from 8.30 am to 9.45 am.

Course Start Date: Thursday, October 17, 2024

Most lectures are recorded using eLearning software and made available to students for streaming via our Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle). This means that, while all students are welcome to attend class live via Zoom, those sessions will be recorded so that students who are unable to attend can catch up on the material by streaming the video in their own time.

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 

• Course launch and introduction (live session, not recorded)
• Introduction to the Irish legal system
• The contract of employment
• Atypical employment
• Statutory provisions including protective leave, organisation of working time, pay and pensions
• Regulated, civil service and public sector employment
• Judicial review and the employment contract
• Data protection and employment law
• Health and safety law
• Equality 1 + 2
• Grievance and disciplinary investigations
• Litigating bullying and harassment in the workplace
• Privacy, technology and social media
• Trade union law and essentials for non–unionised companies
• Termination of employment – unfair dismissal/redundancy
• Wrongful dismissal and injunctions
• Whistleblowing
• Transfer of undertaking regulations and insolvency
• Restraint of trade and confidentiality clauses
• Workplace relations commission practice and procedure and statutory appeals
• Mock Labour Court hearing (live in–person event at King’s Inns, not recorded)

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

Previous Speakers

• Alex White SC
• Brendan Kirwan SC
• Cathy Maguire BL
• Claire Bruton BL
• Clíona Kimber SC 
• Feichín McDonagh SC
• Lorna Lynch BL
• Mairéad McKenna BL
• Mark Connaughton SC
• Niamh McGowan BL
• Oisín Quinn SC
• Peter Ward SC
• Roderick Maguire BL 
• Rosemary Mallon BL 
• Stephen O’Sullivan BL
• Tom Mallon BL
• The Hon. Justice Marguerite Bolger

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 one assessment.

In addition, students will be able to obtain 10% of their marks on the basis of their attendance on the course. King’s Inns understands that participants on this course are busy professionals with many demands on their time. With that in mind, most classes on the course take place in a fully online (live Zoom) format and you will attend remotely.  There will be some opportunities to attend a class in person at King’s Inns, but even on those dates the option to attend online will remain in place for those who can’t make it in person.

How will my mark be calculated?

• The pass mark for the assessment is 40%
• All candidates must attain 40% of the available marks for the assessment in order to pass the assessment
• All candidates must attain an overall mark of 40% (when the assessment mark is combined with the attendance mark) in order to pass the course.

Course Fee

• Course fee: €2,550. 
• 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

There are no admission requirements for this course. A place on the highly sought–after course is not secured until the tuition fee is received in full. Once payment is received, you are automatically accepted on the course.

How Do I Apply?

Application Deadline: Midnight (Irish time) on Sunday, October 6, 2024

• In order to verify your personal details, you must first create an account on the Application Portal through the ‘register and apply here’ button below. Once you verify your email address in the Portal, you can then proceed with your application. 
• The application process is very short and your place on the course will not be secured until payment is received in full. Once payment is received, you are automatically accepted on the course.
• 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. 

Apply here

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WHAT DO PREVIOUS STUDENTS SAY?