Covid–19 Course Changes 

All students will have the option of completing the entire course fully through distance learning in the academic year 2020–2021. Course materials and lectures will be available via our accessible Virtual Learning Environment. Students will also have access to a range of online legal databases and resources. 

King’s Inns has the capacity to run all classes for the entire academic year using online learning systems if needs be and has invested in technology and training in order to ensure that the student learning experience during 2020–2021 will remain at the highest possible standard, whether teaching takes place online or in person. 

In order to ensure the safety of students and staff, this course will be delivered fully online for all students until December 2020, with all teaching (including an interactive introduction to the course and an interactive tutorial) taking place online. 

A decision as to whether the teaching for Hilary Term (starting January 2021) will take place in person or via online or blended learning will be made by the end of the previous term. 

We know that social interaction with fellow students and expert speakers is an integral part of the King’s Inns experience, and we hope to offer students the option to attend classes in person from January 2021 if they wish and if public health conditions at the time permit. Lectures will continue to be recorded and all students will have the option to continue online attendance from then onwards. If it is not possible to permit in–person attendance from January, or at any point thereafter, teaching will continue online. It may be necessary for King’s Inns to revise or amend its approach at any time during the academic year based on the prevailing public health advice, and in so doing the safety of students and staff will be a key consideration. This means that it is possible that we might re–commence in person teaching only to be obliged to revert to online teaching only, should public health considerations warrant such a change. 

Introduction 

Data protection has gained an increasingly high profile, both in Ireland and internationally, over recent years. With the imminent entry into force of the General Data Protection Regulation (“the GDPR”), which significantly reforms the regulatory regime, it is more important than ever for citizens, businesses and public institutions to become familiar with their rights and obligations under Irish and EU data protection law.

PROGRAMME AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course aims to provide participants with a comprehensive and practical grounding in the changing framework for data protection law and practice, knowledge of which will be essential for almost all businesses and public and private entities in the State.

WHO IS THE COURSE FOR?

The GDPR is of such wide application that it will affect anyone dealing with personal data. This course will be of interest to: barristers and solicitors working in the public and private sector; prospective data protection officers and members of DPO teams; those working in technology and data–driven sectors; employed and self–employed persons whose work brings them into contact with data protection issues on a regular basis in large, medium and small enterprises; employees of financial institutions; those working in central or local government, as well as the health and education sectors. The course will be particularly valuable to individuals with responsibility for data protection within their organisations, whether big or small, public or private sector. 

LEAD LECTURER AND COURSE DIRECTOR

The coordinator of the course is Dr David Fennelly BL, assisted by James Byrne BL.

COURSE CONTENT AND DELIVERY

Delivery is part–time over a period of 18 teaching weeks. In the first term, lecture recordings will be available weekly on Tuesdays. From January 2021, if it is possible to allow teaching in person at King’s Inns, lectures will take place on Tuesday mornings between 8.30am and 10.00am (lectures will still be recorded for those wishing to complete the course via distance learning).

Course Start Date: Tuesday 6 October 2020 

All class notes are available online. Online tutorials and IT support are available to help students navigate their way through our Library and legal resource databases.

This course includes:

• Course Introduction from Coordinator (live online session, 9.30am on 6 October 2020, not recorded)
• Live online end of term session in December 2020 with Coordinator
• Introduction to Data Protection Law
• Data Processing Principles 
• Lawfulness of Data Processing 
• Data Processors and Data Controllers: Roles and Responsibilities 
• Data Subjects’ Rights
• The Right to be Forgotten
• Dealing with Access Requests
• Data Security 
• Data Protection Officer
• Data Protection: the EU Regulatory Framework
• Data Protection Remedies 
• Data Protection Enforcement
• Dealing with Data Breaches
• Data Protection Impact Assessment
• State Surveillance
• International Data Transfers
• Data Protection Law: Public Sector Issues 
• Data Protection and Law Enforcement
• Current Issues in Data Protection Law 

Previous speakers on the course include: 

• Anna Morgan, Head of Legal ODPC
• Brian Honan, BH Consulting
• Dr Catherine Donnelly SC
• Colin Rooney, Arthur Cox
• Damien Young, Partner Philip Lee
• Dr David Fennelly BL
• Eileen Barrington SC 
• Emily Gibson BL
• Dr Eoin O’Dell, TCD
• Gráinne Gilmore BL
• James Byrne BL 
• Jevan Neilan, Senior Associate, Mason Hayes & Curran
• Kate Colleary, Colleary & Co. 
• Kate O’Donnell BL, Governance Specialist, Institute of Public Administration
• Kenneth Ruane, Head of Civil Legal, An Garda Síochána
• Noel Travers SC
• Paul Lavery, Partner, McCann Fitzgerald
• Dr TJ McIntyre, UCD/Digital Rights Ireland

ASSESSMENT 

To be awarded the Advanced Diploma, a participant will be required to successfully complete two written assignments. 

Provisional assessment schedules: Assignment 1 will be released at the end of term one and assignment 2 will be released closer to the end of term 2.

COURSE FEE

Course fee: €2,350. View King’s Inns fee structure here. 

Barrister–at–Law graduates who are subscribing members to King’s Inns receive a 10% discount on this course. View more information here.

HOW DO I APPLY?

There are no admission requirements for this course. 

Application Deadline: Extended to midnight on Monday, 28 September 2020.

Apply here

Your place on the course will not be secured until payment is received in full. 

Payment can be made through the application portal using your credit / debit card. If your employer is paying for your studies, you will require a PO number, 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. You will also be able to download a copy of the invoice through the application portal.

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WHAT DO PREVIOUS STUDENTS SAY?