The core function of Honorable Society of King’s Inns (“King’s Inns”) is the education and training of prospective barristers and admission to the profession of barrister in Ireland.  Education of future members of the profession is the reason why King’s Inns was established in 1541.

The main objects of the King’s Inns as set out in the General Rules shall be:

(1) the promotion and advancement of learning in the law,

(2) the education and training of members of King’s Inns in the law,

(3) the protection and furtherance of the reputation and standing of the degree of Barrister-at-Law,

(4) the preservation of the heritage that is comprised in the King’s Inns, its buildings, library, furnishings and environs,

(5) to ensure the fitness of persons to practise as or to hold themselves out as barristers prior to and, subject to Part 6 of the Legal Services Regulation Act 2015, after their call to the Bar.

 

King’s Inns comprises members whose names are entered into a register of members maintained by the Council in the following categories:

1. Benchers (including honorary benchers) who are appointed in accordance with the General Rules

2. Practising barristers who are members of the Law Library

3. Practising barrister who are not members of the Law Library

4. Circuit Court and District Court Judges who have been admitted to the degree of Barrister-at-Law

5. Qualified barristers (who do not come within the first four categories)

6. Degree students who have paid tuitions fees, who will be deemed to be student members of King’s Inns.

Organisation of King’s Inns

The governance structure of The Honorable Society of King’s Inns (King’s Inns) can be traced back to its establishment in the sixteenth century. The governing body of the Society was composed of the ‘Benchers’ – who included, the Lord Chancellor, judges and senior members of the Bar.

The main function of the Benchers was the regulation of admission to the legal profession, while other functions related to the appointment of the Treasurer and other officers, discipline of barristers, leases of property and approval of building works.

Today, the functions of the Benchers include:

• Conferring the degree of Barrister–at–Law

• Presiding at Commons

• The disbarment for disciplinary reasons, or at their request, of a barrister

• Providing certificates of “good standing” to barristers wishing to transfer  to the solicitors’ profession

• Dealing with complaints of professional misconduct and other disciplinary matters

To understand how Benchers and Honorary Benchers are elected, please view our General Rules of the Society.

The property of the Society shall be held by three trustees appointed on an ex officio basis by Council.

The three trustees will be:

• Chief Justice

• President of the High Court

• Chair of Council

The Benchers transferred the management of the affairs of the Society to Council reserving the functions of admission to the degree of Barrister–at–Law and disciplinary matters. Four main constituencies now make up Council which comprises 43 members. Membership is balanced between Judicial Benchers, Bar Benchers, the Professional Body Panel (currently The Bar of Ireland) and the Practising Bar Panel.

Relationships between Benchers, Council and Committees are fundamental to the effective functioning of King’s Inns. There are 43 members of Council and a number of Committees / Working Groups that support the workings of the Society.

More information about Council and its members can be found here >

The Committees of Council deal with the following matters:

• Finance, buildings and general purposes

• The education of students and further education of barristers

• The Society’s Library

• Commons, recreation and social affairs

• Professional practices

• Matters affecting non–practising barristers

In the 1970s, the Benchers transferred the management of the affairs of the Society to Council reserving the functions of admission to the degree of Barrister–at–Law and disciplinary matters.

More information about the Committees and elected members can be found here.

The senior management team (SMT) comprises the CEO and senior managers as appointed who are collectively responsible for the day-to-day operation of King’s Inns. 

The Council of King’s Inns sets the strategic direction in King’s Inns Strategic Plan. The SMT is responsible for delivering the King’s Inns mission, vision, values, and strategic objectives.

The SMT is responsible for the enhancement and continuous improvement of its education and training provision and the standards attained by learners alongside commercial viability.

View more about our people here >

Contact information is available here >

Name	Position
Mary Griffin	CEO and Under Treasurer
Eimear Brown	Dean
John O'Rahilly	Head of Business Operations
Marcella Higgins	Registrar
Renate Ní Uigín	Librarian

The School of Law Faculty Board is the body changed with establishing and maintaining the academic standards and enhancing the quality of the learner experience at King’s Inns.

 

Responsibilities:

The School of Law Faculty Board (“the Faculty Board”) shall have the following functions and responsibilities:

1. Making recommendations to the Education Committee for development of the School of Law in accordance with the Strategic Plan of King’s Inns

2. Assuring outcomes-based emphasis in programme design and assessment

3. Implementing and monitoring the delivery of the academic quality of programmes and the student learning experience

4. Approving arrangements for annual examinations

5. Seeking and considering formal feedback and input from faculty involved in the delivery of programmes

6. Monitoring student satisfaction and engagement with the programme and constituent modules, including through programme review

7. Reviewing reports for external examiners

8. Making recommendations in relation to academic quality assurance and programme enhancement to the Education Committee

9. Overseeing the review of academic policies

10. Considering reports from new programme proposal reviewers.