We welcome applications for this course from suitably qualified non-members. Please explain your interest and set out any relevant experience in a cover letter and a brief CV. Such applications are subject to a supplemental fee.
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Member fee: €2500
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Non-member fee: €2700 (this is inclusive of a supplemental fee).
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Programme objectives
On completion of this training programme, participants will have attained:
- A comprehensive understanding of the overall structure of environmental and planning law in Ireland and the role of the organisations entrusted with overseeing the implementation of same;
- Knowledge of the legislative framework and regulation of planning law in Ireland;
- An insight into litigation in the area in light of recent judicial decisions;
- An understanding of recent developments in the area of environmental law and planning affecting practitioners and those working in local authorities.
Programme structure and approach to learning
This advanced level diploma course aims to provide a comprehensive practical overview of the current legislative framework in the environmental and planning realms. The overall objective is to assist practitioners in determining what planning and environmental legislation applies and what the exposure is for clients arising from this. Several legal issues have arisen as a result of the recession, such as environmental and economic quandaries for developers and local authorities. This course will examine topical issues including environmental problems, the interplay with the Environmental Protection Agency, planning control, developments in waste law, recent European law and Irish legislation, recent case law, issues of environmental liability in insolvency, enforcement, transboundary environmental issues, the impact of environmental law on planning, the nature of development, and the impact and effect of state bodies such as NAMA and Irish Water.
The programme is based on the following module scheme and covers key themes as listed below;
Module 1: Environmental law, the overall structure and recent developments
- Overall structure and recent developments in environmental law
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- Role of the local authority; Irish Water – An Overview; Green energy and climate change
- Environmental enforcement
Module 2: The legislative framework and regulation of planning law in Ireland
- Planning law in Ireland
- Planning applications
- Environmental impact assessments
- Impact of environmental law on planning
- National Asset Management Agency
Module 3: Litigation and interface of environmental law and planning
- Environmental issues in corporate and property transactions
- Judicial reviews of An Bord Pleanála and EPA
- Environmental liability – criminal and civil liability
- Environmental directive and transposing directive
Workshops
Workshops are interactive sessions that focus on group problem-solving and are designed to revise all modules covered to date and to consolidate the participant’s knowledge.
- Workshop 1: Wednesday 22 November 2017 – Key emphasis on the application of environmental law to common scenarios encountered in practice.
- Workshop 2: Wednesday 17 January 2018 – Key emphasis on the application of planning law to common scenarios encountered in practice.
- Workshop 3: Wednesday 21 February 2018 – Key emphasis on litigation in relation to environmental law and planning.
- Workshop 4: Wednesday 28 February 2018 – Final sessions workshop: A review of all modules to date with problem based questions and a focus on exam preparation.
Who should attend?
This course is suitable for:
- Public sector, private sector and in-house solicitors working in the areas of conveyancing and planning, commercial litigation, and environmental law;
- Trainee solicitors and students seeking to expand their knowledge of environmental law;
- Barristers who practice in the area of commercial litigation;
- Civil servants and those working within a local authority in environmental and planning departments; and
- Other suitably qualified professionals such as environmental agents and town planners who have an interest in environmental law.
We welcome applications for this course from suitably qualified non-members. Please explain your interest and set out any relevant experience in a cover letter and a brief CV. Such applications are subject to a supplemental fee of €200.
Faculty
Lecturers and tutors will be drawn from solicitors, barristers and other professionals with expertise in environmental and planning law. Previous lecturers have included the following:
- Danielle Conaghan, Arthur Cox
- Lorna Dempsey, EPA
- Alison Fanagan, A&L Goodbody
- Tom Flynn BL
- Michelle Linnane, Consultant Solicitor
- Christopher McGarry, NAMA
- Noeleen McHenry, Irish Water
- Jason Milne, A&L Goodbody
- Stephen Proctor, McCann Fitzgerald
- Alan Roberts, A&L Goodbody
- Dr Áine Ryall, University College Cork
- Alice Whittaker, Philip Lee
- Tim O’Sullivan BL
- Thomas Freeman BL
- Brendan Slattery, Partner, Barry Doyle & Company
*Every effort has been made to ensure the information contained in these pages is accurate and up to date. However timetables and course content are subject to change and date and time changes may occur due to factors beyond our control.