Page last updated: Thursday, September 18, 2024

Introduction

Over recent years, discussion on crime has gradually focused more on corporate, white–collar and regulatory crime. This shift is primarily due to the fallout from the international financial crisis and the profound impact this has had on the economy. There exists a heightened awareness of the catastrophic effects that offences of this nature can have on society. 

Some research also suggests that various forms of fraud and cybercrime are increasingly prevalent matters of concern for individuals and organisations. Consequently, white–collar crime is an area of increasing importance. 

This Advanced Diploma addresses both the procedural and the substantive law that applies to corporate, white–collar and regulatory crime.

Programme Aims and Learning Outcomes

This unique Advanced Diploma provides participants with a comprehensive practical knowledge of the main areas of corporate, white–collar and regulatory crime, so that participants will be equipped to deal with the main issues in practice in what is an emerging area of law of increasing significance for many sectors and interests within the State. 

Participants will acquire a practical in–depth knowledge of the issues facing regulators, prosecutors, investigators, companies, practitioners and law reformers in this area.

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

1. Identify the nature and characteristics of corporate and white–collar crimes;
2. Develop a greater understanding of sanctioning and compliance–oriented models of corporate enforcement, including a critical appreciation for the relative strengths and weaknesses of each model, and their overlapping nature;
3. Recognise the Irish experience of addressing corporate misbehaviour, in light of the social, political and economic context to enforcement;
4. Increase analytical skills and knowledge of the various procedures in place for the investigation, prosecution and punishment of corporate wrongdoers, including the various due process protections in place.

Who is the course for?

The course will appeal to legal practitioners and policymakers with an interest in corporate, white–collar and regulatory crime. It will also appeal to company directors, financial, tax and insurance sectors, accounting bodies, regulatory bodies, HR practitioners, IR practitioners, members of An Garda Síochána, civil servants and trade union officials.

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

“The content, structure, and delivery of this course should be taken into consideration for anyone seeking self–development or career progression in this area. The range of experience from the various speakers on this course makes this ‘a must do’ for anyone involved in the area of White–Collar Crime.”

2021 Graduate

COURSE DESIGNER AND LEAD LECTURER

The designer and lead lecturer of the course is Assistant Professor Dr Joe McGrath.

Joe is an Assistant Professor at UCD School of Law. He teaches banking law, corporate governance, white–collar crime, comparative corporate governance and financial regulation. 

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.

The course takes place over 12 weeks, with lectures on Thursday mornings from September to February. Most classes will take the form of live–streamed lectures via Zoom from 8.00 am to 9.30 am each morning. 

There will be a small number of in–person sessions which will take place at King’s Inns. In–person sessions may take place in either the morning or in an after–work slot, from 6 pm.

Course Start Date: Thursday, September 26, 2024

Online classes 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, most of the 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. Some in–person classes may not be recorded.

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 overview and introduction
• Theoretical introduction and the history of corporate enforcement in Ireland
• Corporate investigations
• Panel discussion on issues of prosecuting and defending white–collar crime 
• Theft and fraud offences 
• Money laundering and terrorist financing 
• Regulatory offences 
• Individual and corporate criminal liability 
• Company law compliance and enforcement 
• Corruption 
• An advanced overview of sentencing and ancillary orders 
• Individual accountability and banking culture
• Whistle–blowers, lobbying and white–collar crime
• Competition law enforcement 
• Cybercrime
• Revenue prosecutions 
• Criminal process and the police

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

Previous Speakers

• Andy Harbison, Grant Thornton
• Barry Robinson, BDO Ireland 
• Caitriona Gunne, An Garda Síochána
• Ciaran Walker, Eversheds Sutherland 
• Professor Claire Hill, University of Minnesota
• Dara Robinson 
• Dr David McFadden
• Edward Doocey BL
• Dr Elaine Byrne BL
• Ian Drennan, ODCE
• James Dwyer SC
• Dr Joe McGrath
• Dr John Breslin
• John Fitzgerald SC
• Karen Burns, Revenue
• Kenan Furlong, A&L Goodbody 
• Lorcan Staines SC
• Mary Kiely, Revenue
• Michael Held, General Counsel, Federal Reserve Bank of New York
• Niel Williardson, General Counsel, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis
• Patrick Gageby SC
• Patrick McGrath SC
• Pearse Ryan, Arthur Cox
• Ronan Kennedy SC
• Seoirse Ó Dúnlaing BL
• Shane Murphy SC
• Tom O’Malley SC
• Tom Noone, Federal Reserve Bank of New York
• Tony McGillicuddy SC

Essential Texts

• Horan, S. Corporate Crime (Bloomsbury Professional, 2011)
• McGrath, J. White Collar Crime in Ireland: Law and Policy (Clarus, 2019)
• McGrath, J. Corporate and White Collar Crime in Ireland: A New Architecture of Corporate Enforcement (Manchester University Press, 2015)

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, you are required to successfully complete one assessment.

For the Advanced Diploma in Corporate, Regulatory and White Collar Crime, the assessment will take the form of one two hour, in–person, open book, invigilated, typed examination. This assessment will allow you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the course material. You will take the assessment at King’s Inns, on your own laptop. (Arrangements will be made for any candidate who is unable to type.)

You will be able to consult any soft copy materials that you have saved to your laptop or to consult any hard copy materials that you have chosen to print and bring with you, including textbooks. You will not, however, have internet access while taking the assessment.

The date of the assessment is: Wednesday 15th January 2025 from 6.00pm–8.00pm.

In addition, participants 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 at least one opportunity to attend a class in person at King’s Inns, but even on that date 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 AND
• 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, September 22, 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?