Start Date: 24 April 2010 until 17 June 2010
Delivery Method: This is a blended learning course, which means that the course comprises a mixture of online and onsite sessions. The online elements involve the weekly release of materials, occasional chat sessions and online tasks to be completed. In order to maximise the benefit of this course, students will be expected to take an active and participatory role in the onsite workshop sessions.
Onsite Dates: Saturday 24 April- 11.30pm-5.00pm
Saturday 08 May - 11.30pm-3.00pm
Saturday 29 May - 11.30pm-3.00pm
Attendance at all workshops is mandatory.
Note: A basic level of IT skills is required
Workshop Venue: Education Centre, Blackhall Place
CPD Hours: Satisfies the full CPD general requirement (in addition to 3 hours of Management & Professional Development provided relevant sessions attended)
Fee: €1,180
Download an application form here
Course Aims
District Court proceedings form a fundamental part of the workload for all general practitioners.
In this certificate we analyse some of the key areas of District Court practice, including, debt collection,
licensing, road traffic offences and family law proceedings. This eight-week blended learning course
will provide students with access to materials from leading practitioners who will offer expert analysis
of practice and procedure issues arising, together with a review of recent legislative and case law
developments. The format of the workshops will be based on the cognitive model of ‘tell, show, do’ where
lectures will focus on the law in the particular area, then together with other tutors, act out a role-play
or typical court application and then students will have the chance to do the role-play themselves. The
emphasis will be on giving students the tools and confidence to advocate on behalf of their clients in the
District Court. This course will appeal to seasoned practitioners who wish to hone their advocacy skills
and also appeal to those who may be embarking in practice and wish to practice these skills in a informed
and supportive environment.
Course Structure
Workshop 1 - Saturday 24 April (onsite & mandatory) IT Induction & legal research tutorial
An introduction to the District Court (Criminal Law) An introduction to Presentation Skills & Advocacy
Module 1 Debt collection in the District Court
Module 2 Family law in the District Court
Workshop 2 – Saturday 08 May (onsite & mandatory) Q & A / tutorial sessions
Role-play in family law and debt collection applications
Module 3 Licensing applications in the District Court
Module 4 Road Traffic
Workshop 3 – Saturday 29 May (onsite & mandatory) Road traffic offences and drunk driving role-play
Weeks 6 - 8 Assignment Due Date – Thursday 17 June
Delivery Method
Course materials will be released each Wednesday of the course online via the diploma website, known as
Moodle, which can be accessed at http://diplomalaw.learnonline.ie. In addition, participation in online
interactivity will be required. On certain Tuesdays during the course there will be a twenty-minute online
lunchtime tutorial, during which time students will have access to the course tutor to discuss the course
materials released during the preceding week. We strongly recommend that you participate in the online
tutorial so as to maximise your learning experience.
Workshops
Unless you have undertaken a course with an online learning component, the experience of studying in this
way may present you with certain challenges. In order to ensure that participants receive the full benefit of
the learning experience each blended learning course commences with a ‘hands-on’ IT workshop in the Education
Centre at Blackhall Place on Saturday 24 April. The purpose of the workshop is to introduce and guide students
through the various online learning elements and activities that will be used within the website, such as,
discussion forums, chatrooms and podcasts. Engaging online is a central element of these courses and as part
of the workshop a tutorial will be provided on legal research on the Internet and on how to use the Law Society’s
Library Catalogue.
There are two other additional mandatory onsite session that will take place on Saturday 08 May and 29 May,
which will consist of workshop to consolidate the online learning process with an emphasis on advocacy.
Assessment
Students are obliged to attend the workshops and participate in the practical role play sessions. In addition
students will have 3 weeks within which to prepare an assessment of 1,500 words. The objective of the assessment
is for participants to analyse and identify legal issues in a given factual scenario and explain likely legal outcomes.
Time-commitment
In addition to the mandatory workshops, this course will consist of at least 30 hours of reading material. The learning
is self-directed and self-paced. Participants should allow for at least 4 hours study per week and also factor in further
time to prepare and submit the assessment.
IT Skills Required
We welcome participants with an open-minded approach to learning who are willing to interact and share knowledge
with colleagues. Engaging online is a central element of online courses. A basic level of IT skills will be required, however,
a mandatory onsite introductory IT workshop is provided to ensure that you have the requisite skills to fully participate
in the discussion forum and chatroom sessions and to access the podcasts and vodcasts. We recognise that the experience
of studying in this way will present you with certain challenges and we are happy to answer any queries you may have
at diplomateam@lawsociety.ie.
Who Should Apply?
Blended learning courses will appeal to those who have an open-minded approach to learning and are willing to try
something new. This Certificate is open to solicitors, trainees and all others of a suitable background with an interest in
District Court Advocacy.