Course available through blended / online distance learning.
Since Covid–19 restrictions came into force on March 12, this course was delivered 100% online through our accessible Virtual Learning Environment. Read about the recent changes here.
King’s Inns will continue to offer this course online for 2020/2021 until it is safe to deliver in person as well on campus. Attending classes in person will be optional.
We know social interaction with fellow students, lecturers and visiting speakers is an integral part of the King’s Inns experience and once a safe opportunity presents, we will invite students back on campus.
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.
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.
The Diploma will appeal to procurement professionals, public sector and utilities employees, academic and government researchers, industry, policy–makers, practising lawyers, regulators and judges.
The coordinator of the course is
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.
Course Start Date: Wednesday 14 October 2020 (provisional)
Deadline for Applications: Friday 25 September 2020
This course is available via blended online learning, with 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 to attend class in person, most sessions are recorded so that students who are based outside Dublin or who are otherwise unable to attend can view the material by streaming their class at any time.
All class notes are available online before lectures take place. Online tutorials and IT support are available to help students navigate their way through our Library and legal resource databases.
Complimentary parking and refreshments are provided to participants attending in person.
Please note that the schedule below is provisional.
Week No.
Date
Topic
Speaker
1.
14.10.20
Introduction to Public Procurement Law
Audrey Murtagh, CSSO
2.
The Scope of the Public Procurement Rules
Catherine Donnelly BL
3.
Procedures, Contracts and Drafting the Tender Documentation
Patrick McGovern, Retired Partner, Arthur Cox
4.
Conducting a Lawful Process I
Kerri Crossen, Partner, Philip Lee
5.
Intersections between Public Procurement and Competition Law
Aoife Beirne BL
6.
Conducting a Lawful Process II
Joseph Dalby SC
7.
Innovation in Public Procurement and Intellectual Property
Jonathan Newman SC
8.
Sub–threshold Contracts
Catherine Donnelly BL
9.
Contract Conclusion
Jenny Mellerick, Central Bank
10.
Frameworks
Niamh Hyland SC
11.
Procurement in the Utilities Sector
Anna–Marie Curran, Partner, A&L Goodbody
12.
Public Procurement and Secondary Policies
The Honourable Mr Justice Maurice Collins
13.
Public Procurement Litigation I
Brian Murray SC
14.
Public Procurement Litigation II
Eileen Barrington SC
15.
Reason–Giving in Public Procurement
Nathy Dunleavy BL
16.
Public Procurement: A View from the Bench
TBC
17.
Seminar: Practical Problems in Procurement
Catherine Donnelly BL
To be awarded the Advanced Diploma in Public Procurement Law a participant will be required to successfully complete two written assignments.
Total cost of course: €2,350.
Fee structure can be viewed here.
BL graduates who are subscribing members to King’s Inns receive a 10% discount on this course. Click here for more information.
We are now taking applications for this course.
There is no admission requirements for this course. 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.