Law

Diploma in Legal Studies/Advanced Diploma in Legal Studies

This module provides students with a comprehensive understanding of Irish Criminal Law. Over the course of nine lectures students examine the nature and definition of a crime, the burden and standard of proof applicable in criminal trials, rules of evidence and the defences available to an accused person. The course also explores the jurisdiction of the criminal courts in Ireland and examines the different types of crimes which exist including; fatal, non-fatal, sexual, property and public order offences.

Torts are concerned with civil wrongs whereby one party causes damage to another party. The module explains the nature and function of torts and then examines certain torts in detail, including negligence, product liability, trespass, defamation, nuisance and liability for animals and fire. The module also discusses the remedies available to a litigant who has suffered damage and the possible defences that can be claimed by the wrongdoer.

This module is aimed at providing students with a fundamental knowledge of how to create a legally binding contract, the formal requirements of a contract, the various factors that can vitiate consent in a contract, and how a contract can be lawfully discharged as well as the remedies available for breach of contract.

This module will explore the history and evolution of the European project from its original incarnation as an economic community (i.e. European Economic Community (E.E.C.)) to the much broader focus of the European Community and European Union. This will involve an examination of the various amending treaties through the years, up to and including the most recent amendments introduced by the Lisbon Treaty, as the EU seeks to deal with an array of challenges, such as the enlargement of the Union and globalisation, and to become more relevant to its citizens and more responsive to their concerns. The relationship between national and EC law will be examined along with the significant role of the European Court of Justice in developing the fundamental freedoms (e.g. free movement of goods and workers) and the general principles (e.g. fundamental rights and equality) upon which the legal order of the community is now based and without which the Community’s objective of creating an internal market, characterised by the abolition, as between Member States, of obstacles to the free movement of goods, persons, services and capital, could never be realised.

This course will be of benefit to anybody seeking to further or even begin their legal education. Regardless of whether or not students wish to improve their employment opportunities, the core legal skills and understanding gained from the course will be beneficial to any person seeking further education in this area.

A number of students were employees of legal firms who wanted to obtain a legal qualification in order to advance their employment opportunities. Others were members of the Gardaí seeking career advancement. Some were employee with legal aid boards or involved in citizens advice organisations. Other students were simply interested in using the course to add to their CV and show an understanding of the Irish legal system with a qualification to support it.