Diploma in Family Law

Course Objectives
This diploma provides a comprehensive understanding of family law in this jurisdiction.  The objective is to impart legal theory together with providing a practical ‘know-how’ approach to deal with issues confronted by practitioners.  The changing nature of Irish society has brought many challenges, not least to the traditional understanding of the family in Ireland and the legal framework supporting it.  Family law is a very demanding and rewarding area of practice that requires particular sensitivity.  The course will be invaluable to solicitors who are relatively new to the area and to seasoned family lawyers who require a comprehensive update of recent legislative and case law developments and practice and procedure issues.

Recent legislative initiatives to be considered will include the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010, a landmark family law statute, and the Adoption Act, 2010.  The course also focuses on family law issues relevant to the recession, such as debt and insolvency in the context of the major new judgment in XY v YX and applications to vary/set aside Court Orders when a party is unable to implement such an Order due to changed economic circumstances.  Other topical issues will include child abduction, ‘moving away’ applications and ‘sham marriages’. 

Course Structure
Topics on the course will include the following:

• Advising clients and taking instructions
• Domestic violence
• Marriage laws and nullity
• Prenuptial agreements and enforceability
• Maintenance
• Custody, guardianship & access
• Separation agreements
• The role of the County Registrar
• Judicial separation
• Divorce practice and procedure
• Preliminary reliefs and ancillary orders
• Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act, 2010
• Pensions
• Taxation
• Brussels II bis
• Probate practice and family law
• The role of the expert witness
• The Adoption Act, 2010
• Legal representation of children
• Child abduction
• Mediation, counselling & collaborative law

Workshops
Workshops are an important element of all our diploma courses.  Workshops are ‘hands-on’ sessions conducted in smaller groups that consolidate the learning process and promote a deeper understanding of course materials.  All students are strongly recommended to attend for the following workshop sessions:

Wednesday 23rd November 2011, 6.00pm to 8.30pm
Wednesday 1st February 2012, 6.00pm to 8.30pm
Wednesday 14th March 2012, 6.00pm to 8.30pm

Who Should Attend
This is an excellent opportunity for new and seasoned family law practitioners to gain an additional academic qualification and enhance their career opportunities in this dynamic area.  This diploma will appeal to solicitors and trainees but may also appeal to suitably qualified non-solicitors such as social workers, mediators and those who work in this area.  Please note, if you are not a qualified solicitor, trainee or barrister you must apply with a cover letter and curriculum vitae for approval in order to attend the course.  Applicants must demonstrate a professional connection with the legal profession and family law practice.

Delivery Method
Lectures will take place in the Green Hall in the Law Society of Ireland each week. All lecturers will be podcast and archived within the course website for the duration of the course and can be listened to on demand by all students.

Lecturers
Lectures will be provided by experienced practitioners with in-depth knowledge of the impact of recent case law and legislative developments. Previous lecturers have included:

Please note: If you are NOT a qualified solicitor, trainee or barrister – you must send a CV & cover letter for approval. Such applications are subject to a supplemental fee, which amounts to a supplement of €150 in respect of a diploma application and a supplement of €75 in respect of a certificate application.