Starting on 18 October, this diploma aims to prepare participants for adjudicatory, tribunal, and board roles, and will explore the skills needed to preside over various forums.

Practical workshops on arriving at a determination, drafting judgments and the functions and duties of chairpersons of a board will be facilitated by means of case studies and roleplay sessions. An interactive online module on mediation will take a look at the challenges arising from integrating the mediation process with the legal system, examine key mediation skills and give students an insight into how the Mediation Act 2017 affects traditional court-based proceedings. The diploma also features a distinct module on awareness and sensitivity training and dealing with vulnerable witnesses and clients.

What will you learn?

On completion of this training programme, participants will have:

• strengthened their case-management and leadership skills;

• attained an understanding of the skills needed to preside over various forums, including adjudicatory, tribunal, and board roles;

• developed their awareness of the complexities of the decision-making process;

• practised and honed their skills with respect to drafting written judgments; and

• increased their knowledge regarding an array of issues that have a daily impact on adjudicatory forums in Ireland, including social diversity, equality, and vulnerable witnesses.

What our past students say

"The course was very well structured, and the content focused on numerous and varied aspects of the process. The speakers were excellent and of the highest calibre. Workshops were insightful and engaging, providing great practical and beneficial advice. The course was immensely enjoyable, and I got a lot out of the contributions and interactions from speakers and colleagues on the course. I feel that the skills and lessons learned are invaluable to me as a litigator."

Brian Robinson

Managing Partner, Benville Robinson Solicitors

Learn more

For further information on the course and application process visit the Diploma Centre pages on our website or contact the course leader, Suzanne Crilly, by emailing s.crilly@lawsociety.ie.    

• Apply for the Diploma in Judicial Skills and Decision-Making