Kings Inns Diploma Course Legal Studies

pjb1965

Hi, I’m planning to start this course in Oct this year. I understand there 7 subjects in Year 1 -

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

Could anyone who has done this course recently or in past number of years advise are all these subjects covered in the first 3-4 months?

I understand that there is a substantial amount of reading involved and I’m trying to get a head start on which ones to focus on initially.

Even a glimpse at the first year course schedule would be great!

Thanks in advance of reply

Clegg

I obtained the Diploma from the Inns back in 2017 so I'll assume the timetable is unchanged since then.

Not all of the modules listed are covered in the first semester. You'll study Legal Systems exclusively for the first two weeks but there are no more after that. Your final exam for that module is a take home essay rather than a traditional exam. Family Law was only taught in the second semester. So in the first semester, after the first two weeks, you'll have classes on the other 5 modules from Monday to Wednesday.

Every Thursday you'll have group tutorial sessions that go into greater detail on the topics covered in lectures. And every second Saturday there are more tutorials from 9:30 - 12:45. In order to prepare for these tutorials you're expected to read a lot of case law and some excerpts from legal texts.

It's an intense course that requires quite a bit of study in your spare time. For instance, my friends and I had to use the library on the Saturdays we didn't have tutorials in order to keep up with the reading. I think you learn in two years what undergrad law students would learn in three. Also, I presume you're working full time? That makes things more difficult as you'll be tired from work and just want to be anywhere other than in class. I know it sounds daunting, but don't be put off by it. Everyone is in the same boat. I made some good friends on the course and we all pushed each other through it.

The course is worthwhile as it sets you up nicely for the Barrister at Law Entrance exams. I passed those and then subsequently passed the Barrister at Law degree course. So there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I wouldn't try reading and studying too much before you begin. That just leads to potential burnout. But if you want to get a bit of a leg up on the Legal Systems module, I'd read 'Byrne and McCutcheon on the Irish Legal System'.

pjb1965

Hi, thanks very much for taking the time to reply. Your detailed response was very helpful and insightful.

I feel better prepared already!

Much appreciated!