Course available through blended / online distance learning.

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 new remedies regime in 2010, and the possibility of an automatic suspension of contract conclusion 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, which were implemented by Ireland in May 2016. There is a significant volume of Court of Justice case law in this area, as well as an expanding national jurisprudence. It is an important and fast–moving area of law.   

Programme Aims and Learning Outcomes

This unique Diploma will provide participants with a comprehensive and practical knowledge of the public procurement regime, including the recent amendments, and will address a range of issues in depth, from drafting 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.

Course Content and Delivery

Delivery is in part–time mode through the medium of lectures and seminars, presented by leading practitioners in the area. The course will take place over a period of 17 weeks on Wednesday mornings 8.30 – 9.50 am. Free parking and refreshments will be provided for participants.

This course will also be available via blended learning, with some classes recorded using e–learning software and made available to students for streaming via our student intranet system. This means that, while all students are welcome and encouraged to attend class in person, some of the sessions will be recorded so that students who are based outside Dublin or who are otherwise unable to attend can catch up on the material by streaming the video in their own time. Lecture videos require an internet connection to be streamed.