Certificate / Part Time Study of Law

ironclaw

Hi All,

I've always had an interest in reading and studying law 'for fun', but it is not a career path I wish to follow. I'd love to do a professional or certificate course that would give me something to aim for and be somewhat recognisable on a CV (My background is Engineering and Business) The overall goal would be to have an understanding of the legal system to the level whereby I would be comfortable in legal discussions in my field of work (IT & Business)

So, what course(s) can someone, without a background in law, do to get a grounding in law that are not 'full' courses? The best I can think of is CPD or similar courses but I've never seen them advertised or they are very, very niche.

Thanks!

Samuel T. Cogley

Kings Inns Diploma but really I'd just do a part-time degree as you'll have more elective choice / more relevant subjects.

Grolschevik

Law Society's Diploma Centre offers a general diploma in law.

https://www.lawsociety.ie/Courses--Events/Public-Diplomas-CMS/Diploma-in-Law/

ironclaw

Thanks both. I'll take a look. Online or distance is key here as I regularly travel with work.

Edgware

ironclaw wrote: »

Thanks both. I'll take a look. Online or distance is key here as I regularly travel with work.

D.I.T. Aungier St has a Diploma in Legal Studies evening course with a few Saturday tutorials. It takes two years with three subjects each year ( at least it used to)
Might be worth checking.

phildin

I did the DIT Aungier St course a long time ago and it was well worth it. I think I was in the first year that it ran but it was still well organised. The lecturers were practising barristers who knew their stuff. The course content was basically the stuff covered in The Principles or Irish Law (very good book by the way) but they brought their own experience to bear as well as covering some of the procedural aspects not covered in text books.

I came at it from the same mindset as yours, that is doing it for fun rather than a career. Others were using it as a way into the legal profession, I think it qualifies you to work as a legal secretary but don't hold me to that, it may have changed.

Edgware

phildin wrote: »

I did the DIT Aungier St course a long time ago and it was well worth it. I think I was in the first year that it ran but it was still well organised. The lecturers were practising barristers who knew their stuff. The course content was basically the stuff covered in The Principles or Irish Law (very good book by the way) but they brought their own experience to bear as well as covering some of the procedural aspects not covered in text books.

I came at it from the same mindset as yours, that is doing it for fun rather than a career. Others were using it as a way into the legal profession, I think it qualifies you to work as a legal secretary but don't hold me to that, it may have changed.

I did the Diploma about ten years ago and then five years ago I was able to do a further two years of six different subjects and obtained a degree. I left it at that although a few of tge class went on to do the FE1s at Blackhall.
The subjects I covered were very interesting and gives a good view on our legal system and why certain decisions are made. Tort, Constitutional, Criminal, Contract, European Law, World Trade Law, Human Rights and International Law, Media and Criminology.
There is a bit of reading and research but well worth it and looks good on the C.V. I certainly feel it has stood to me career wise even though I dont work in a legal career

ironclaw

Great insight folks, big thank you!