Introduction
While the European Union (EU) public procurement regime has long been in place, it has received greater prominence in recent years, in particular, following the introduction of the remedies regime in 2010, and the automatic suspension of the conclusion of a contract following a challenge.
Public purchasing is also central to the internal market and the EU procurement rules have been reformed, with three new directives adopted in 2014 and implemented in Ireland in May 2016. There is a significant volume of CJEU (Court of Justice of the European Union) case law in this area, as well as an expanding national jurisprudence. It is an important and rapidly evolving area of law.
Application Deadline: Midnight (Irish time) on Sunday, September 28, 2025
Course Start Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025 (Date TBC)
AIMS & OUTCOMES
This unique Advanced Diploma will provide participants with a comprehensive and practical knowledge of the public procurement regime, and will address a range of issues in depth, from invitations to tender, to conducting the various procurement processes, selection of tenderers, tender evaluation, contract conclusion and procurement litigation.
Participants will also acquire an understanding of how procurement can be used to achieve innovation and promote government policies. Participants will have a thorough grounding in the differences between the utilities and public sector regimes, and the intersection between procurement law and competition, state aid and intellectual property.
On completion of the course, you should be better able to:
Examine the legal framework in which public procurement operates and the applicable rules;
Identify situations which may give rise to procurement litigation;
Describe and explain current legal issues affecting the tender and evaluation process;
Describe and explain key provisions and case law affecting this area;
Apply knowledge to factual problem scenarios.
Who is the course for?
The course will appeal to procurement professionals, public sector and utility employees, academic and government researchers, industry, policymakers, legal practitioners, regulators and judges. It will also appeal to all businesses that undertake big or small public and private contracts.
Having a diverse group of professionals studying this course together allows participants to learn from each other, especially during tutorials and Q&A sessions.
The designers and lead lecturers of the course are barristers Dr Catherine Donnelly SC and Michael Judge BL.
Catherine is one of Ireland’s leading procurement practitioners. She specialises in data protection, public procurement, competition, regulatory and European law. Michael specialises in European law and practices in administrative law, commercial/chancery, general practice, and judicial review.
COURSE CONTENT
Course overview and introduction (live session, not recorded)
Introduction to public procurement law
The scope of the public procurement rules
Procedures, contracts and drafting the tender documentation
Conducting a lawful process I + II
Intersections between public procurement and competition law
Innovation in public procurement and intellectual property
Sub–threshold contracts
Contract conclusion
Frameworks
Procurement in the utilities sector
Public procurement and secondary policies
Public procurement litigation I + II
Transparency in public procurement
Public procurement: A view from the Bench
Seminar: Practical problems in procurement
Please note the course content is subject to change in accordance with new developments in this area.
Previous Speakers
The Hon. Justice David Barniville
Eileen Barrington SC
Dr Aoife Beirne BL
Aaron Boyle, Partner, Arthur Cox
Kerri Crossen, Partner, Philip Lee
Anna–Marie Curran, Partner, A&L Goodbody
Joseph Dalby SC
Dr Catherine Donnelly SC
Nathy Dunleavy BL
Joanne Finn, Partner, DAC Beachcroft
Dr James Kinch, CSSO
Patrick McGovern, Retired Partner, Arthur Cox
Audrey Murtagh, CSSO
Jonathan Newman SC
Assessment & ACCREDITATION
This is a professional development course and it is accredited independently by The Honorable Society of King’s Inns. The skills and competence gained in studying at King’s Inns are transferable, portable and recognised internationally. It is a valuable qualification delivered by distinguished lawyers, members of the judiciary, legal and other practitioners specialising in legal education.
To be awarded the Advanced Diploma, a participant is required to successfully complete one assessment. The assessment methodology for this course is under review for 2025-2026 learners. It is possible that learners will be required to undertake an in-person examination at King’s Inns. We will update this webpage once arrangements are finalised.
Note: The timetable and assessment information are subject to change. Details will be confirmed and updated soon.
There are no admission requirements for this course. A place on the highly sought–after course is not secured until the tuition fee is received in full. Once payment is received, you are automatically accepted on the course.
COURSE DELIVERY
This course takes place in an online format only, live via Zoom, with recordings of lectures available after class is over. Interactive elements such as class discussions / tutorials will not be recorded and will be cast live only.
The course takes place over approx. 18 weeks from October to April, with lectures on Wednesdays from 8.30 am to 10 am.
Most classes are recorded using eLearning software and made available to students for streaming via our Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle). This means that, while all students are welcome to attend class live via Zoom, most of the sessions will be recorded so that students who are unable to attend can catch up on the material by streaming the video in their own time.
All class notes are available to read through our Virtual Learning Environment. Online tutorials and IT support are available to help students navigate their way through our library and legal resource databases.
King’s Inns is built on networking and engagement. Over the year, we invite students to attend and participate in various social events, fireside chats and talks. Events take place either online or in–person. All of this contributes to the learning experience that is King’s Inns.
APPLY HERE
Apply here >
In order to verify your personal details, you must first create an account on the Application Portal through the ‘register and apply here’ button below. Once you verify your email address in the Portal, you can then proceed with your application.
The application process is very short and your place on the course will not be secured until payment is received in full. Once payment is received, you are automatically accepted on the course.
Payment can be made through the Application Portal using your credit or debit card (please make sure your bank allows you to process the full payment in one go), or
If your employer is paying for your studies, you will require a valid PO number in advance of making the application, the name and email address for the person responsible for payment in your organisation.
The invoice will issue directly to the person whose details you enter. The participant will also be able to download a copy of the invoice through the Application Portal. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure their employer has paid in full within the timeframe required in order to secure a place. King’s Inns cannot contact your employer for payment, we can only liaise with the applicant.
An automated payment receipt will be generated confirming your place on the course.
Subscribing members: You must apply your discount code upon application. It cannot be applied after the application is made.
You should view the fee structure, payment terms, and other charges here >
Barrister–at–Law graduates who are subscribing members to King’s Inns receive a 10% discount on this course. You must receive your discount code before applying. View more information here >
