Application information

This course has been postponed and will run again at a later date. If you are interested in applying for a future offering of the course, please register here for our Interested List. We would be happy to contact you when applications open for the next offering. We look forward to welcoming you to study with the Diploma Centre.

Solicitors and Trainees

To pay online click on the 'Book Now' button. For all other methods of payment including, draft, cheque and EFT please see our methods of payment .

Other Professionals

We welcome applications for this course from suitably qualified professionals. Your application must be approved before you can formally register on the course. To apply please email the following documents to diplomateam@lawsociety.ie :

1. A completed application form (see below)
2. Your Curriculum Vitae
3. A short cover letter setting out your relevant experience

Please note, for non-members this course is subject to a supplemental fee of €100 bringing the total course fee to €1,750. No fees are required prior to approval.

Download

• Application form (word - for PC use)
• Application form (pdf - for handwritten use)
• Timetable (to follow)
• Faculty booklet (to follow)

Further information on this course including course structure, module scheme, faculty and workshop dates are set out below. Clicking on the links will bring you directly to that section or simply scroll through to read all the content. 

• Programme structure
• Learning Modality
• Workshops
• Assessments
• Who should attend?
• CPD

Programme objectives

On completion of this training programme, participants will be equipped to: 

• Identify the need to work with all parties by: listening effectively; recognising and managing emotion; understanding the impact of culture and bias; Identifying the role of trusting and trustworthiness;
• Understand a range of negotiation styles and how to engage in negotiation by utilising a strategic approach;
• Engage with stakeholders effectively;
• Understand the negotiation process and how this can be adapted;
• Develop a personalised preparation plan;
• Understand how heuristics (the mental shortcuts we use to make choices, to judge or to assess a situation) influence decision-making and risk;
• Develop the ability to create and claim value (two of the most important aspects of effective negotiation);
• Engage in creativity and creative problem-solving; and
• Have more confidence when dealing with complex/crisis issues.

Programme structure and approach to learning

This course is designed to provide participants with the practical ability to build and hone the skills that are most effective in real-life negotiations. A central element of the skills developed will be to become familiar with the strategies and tactics of experienced negotiators. This includes learning how to deal with pressures and how to tackle common dilemmas in everyday negotiations. A range of complex issues in negotiation are also investigated.

This course goes beyond the theory to integrate practice by using a workshop approach, which is highly participative and person-centred. The programme uses a blend of online (3 sessions) and in-person (6 days) engagement to further embed learning.

Learning Modality

The programme is designed to holistically cover and embed the principles of strong negotiation and includes:

• Pre-course psychometrics and reflection on the student’s default style of negotiation;
• Pre-reading and reflection on personal learning goals;
• Lecture-style presentations over three different workshops;
• In-class activities at each workshop, on an individual and group basis;
• Individual home learning, application and reading between classes;
• Learning journal and reflection log kept throughout the process;
• Three webinars offered post-workshops to help embed the new practices learned in the programme;
• Final post-course assignment – due four weeks after completion of this programme.

The programme has three sections, each of which will have a distinct theme, while weaving theory and practice throughout every session.

Workshops

Workshop 1 – People: Working with others

• Effective communication skills;
• Negotiation conflict styles
• Building and maintaining trust
• Unconscious bias and heuristics
• Managing emotion
• Group practice

Workshop 2 – Process: Identifying a route map

• What is negotiation?;
• Negotiation framework;
• Stakeholder engagement;
• Preparation essentials;
• Negotiating in work groups and teams;
• Group practice.

Workshop 3 – Potential: Understanding opportunities and options

• Creating and claiming value in negotiation;
• Alternatives and risks;
• Creativity and innovation;
• Working with numbers;
• Deadlock and difficulty;
• Group practice.
  

Assessments

2,500-word written assignment.

How will I benefit?

The programme is designed to identify the skills that you already possess and expand on these, further enhancing your ability to engage in a range of negotiation scenarios. The course will provide you with the confidence to consider an alternative approach in order to achieve a successful outcome.

Who should attend?

The course is suitable for:

• All professionals who need to work with others and who are involved in what are recognised as ‘deal making’ negotiated outcomes (e.g. legal representatives, dispute professionals, procurement managers, HR specialists);
• Those who work in a range of environments where negotiation is more subtle, yet the outcome is equally as important (e.g. business unit managers/leaders, civil servants, not-for-profit board members); and
• Those who work with a range of stakeholder and volunteer groups.

We welcome applications from others who are suitably qualified. 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 €100. 

CPD

We have designed our courses to enable you to satisfy as much of your CPD requirement as possible. Time spent attending lectures and workshops in person or completing these via e-learning as part of your course can be claimed towards your annual CPD requirement. The number of hours of CPD that you may claim in relation to your diploma/certificate course will depend on the way in which you access each of the individual sessions. For further information, visit the CPD scheme and download the CPD booklet.

Contact

Liam Dunne, Solicitor, Course Leader: L.Dunne@LawSociety.ie .

*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.

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