King’s Inns strives to provide the range of services and resources to meet the needs of all learners during their studies, irrespective of whether they are full-time, part-time or on-line learners.  The provision of services and resources is continually evolving in response to developments in teaching and learning, technological advances, feedback from learners and staff and the continuous development of the School of Law.  

7.1     An integrated approach from the perspective of the learner

King’s Inns reviews and adapts its courses to meet the evolving needs of professional legal education. King’s Inns integrates practice with theory and knowledge by engaging expert law practitioners to design, teach and examine our courses. With input from senior members of the legal profession, including the judiciary, King’s Inns ensures that our educational offerings meet current standards expected of legal practitioners. Learner surveys facilitate feedback and input into the continuous improvement cycle. 

The small size of the King’s Inns student body facilitates easy access to staff across the organisation, including the Dean and Registrar. Dedicated course coordinators engage directly with the student body creating an environment of open communication.  

Learners are provided with a student handbook through the VLE Moodle which includes information on staff members and appropriate contact details, facilities and resources available, and practical information on studying at King’s Inns.

Learners on the Diploma in Legal Studies and the Barrister-at-Law Degree are surveyed bi-annually for their views on the course, teaching and learning, course materials, assessments, learning resources, and they have an opportunity to include additional comments. Learners undertaking short courses are surveyed at the end of the course. All surveys are completed anonymously to try to encourage comprehensive feedback.  Policy and procedures are set out in the Learner Feedback Policy. (hyperlink)

7.2      Pastoral care and wellbeing 

King’s Inns pastoral care system is designed to help individual learners deal with difficulties and to ensure, where appropriate, that any problems/issues are known to   course management. King’s Inns is in a better position to support learners when we are made aware of problems/issues that a learner may be experiencing, including stress, emotional or mental health difficulties. All personal matters are dealt with in the strictest confidence.  

Each group of learners has a personal tutor assigned to them. The personal tutor for full-time learners meets each learner on two occasions during the academic year. At these meetings they discuss progress on the programme and their future plans. Learners experiencing difficulties affecting their attendance or their performance in the course are advised to bring it to the attention of their personal tutor. Personal tutors may also be contacted outside these meetings at their King’s Inns email address.  

Learners are made aware that they may contact their Course Coordinator, Registrar or Dean at any time. This can be facilitated because of the scale of the Inns and proximity between staff, management and learners.

Contact details for information on external supports, including counselling and medical care, are available in the Student Handbook.  

7.3      Access to services related to programmes 

 7.3.1   Library Services 

The King’s Inns Library team (Librarian, Assistant Librarian and 2 x Library Assistants) aim to deliver a high quality, effective and efficient information service. We provide access, remotely and in-person, to relevant and up to date resources, online and print, to facilitate the delivery of professional legal education and support King’s Inns current teaching and learning needs.  

King’s Inns Library offers a legal reference, lending and online service to registered students. The Reading Room is also available for use of members of King’s Inns and has a historically significant collection to maintain.  

The Reading Room is in the Library Building on Henrietta Street. It holds the print collection, has space to study in, is Wi-Fi enabled and has print and photocopying facilities. It is a requirement that all learners at King’s Inns have an up-to-date laptop with a microphone and webcam, good internet access, typing and IT skills but there are a small number of computer terminals for learner use available in the Reading Room. 

The Library Enquiry desk and library email account provide a centralised point of contact for learners, in person or based remotely, and it is staffed during opening hours. 

The Reading Room is open Monday to Friday from 09.00 to 19.15 and Saturday 12.30 to 17.00 during the academic term. During the vacation periods the Reading Room is open Monday to Friday from 09.00 to 17.00. The opening hours are supplemented with access to additional study space for learners during the academic term, which is available in the Student Zone of the Main Building, Monday to Friday from 09.00 to 21.00 and Saturday 09.00 to 17.00. 

The library textbook collection includes key Irish legal textbooks, supplemented by some UK and international texts. The library has print subscriptions to Irish law reports, Irish legal journals, some key UK law reports and UK legal journals. A Collection Development Policy provides a framework for the evaluation, selection and acquisition of material, ensuring the collection supports the educational aims of the King’s Inns. (hyperlink to Collection Development Policy)  

There is regular and ongoing liaison between the Librarian and academic staff to ascertain what materials are required to support the delivery of the courses, having regard to programme reviews, the needs of learners, current teaching and learning strategies, changes to the development and delivery of the courses and cost benefit analysis in relation to expected level of use.  

Learners can borrow from the lending collection which comprises primarily current legal textbooks. (hyperlink to Borrowing Regulations). Journals, legislation and law reports are available for reference only in the Reading Room.  The print collection is supplemented and enhanced by subscriptions to several online legal databases facilitating remote access to Irish, EU, UK and international caselaw, journals and legislation. A significant number of Irish e-book titles are made available to learners via the online subscription resources. 

To assist and support learners, many of whom are remote users, in accessing the library service and collections, weekly online training and information sessions are hosted by King’s Inns library team. In addition, online video tutorials are available on the VLE to help learners navigate their way through the legal databases. 

Learners can access information on the library service and online resources through the VLE [Moodle].  The sections hosted by the library service are reviewed and updated regularly.  

7.3.2   IT facilities & technical support 

Learners are provided with a King’s Inns email address for duration of their course, together with access to Microsoft 365 Productivity suite to include 1 terabyte of cloud storage on OneDrive.  

The King's Inns IT Help Desk team provides virtual IT support by way of email Ithelpdesk@kingsinns.ie.   The service is available from 09.00 to 17.00, Monday to Friday, excluding Bank Holidays. 

King’s Inns computing resources are provided to facilitate learners. To safeguard individual users and to ensure the integrity and reliability of the IT services King’s Inns has implemented a Student Internet and Email Policy.  (hyperlink to Student Internet and Email Policy)

7.4      Learner support services 

7.4.1  Learner induction 

King’s Inns has tailored induction programmes for all learners. The length and content of the induction programme is appropriate to the course being undertaken:

Diploma in Legal Studies  

An Induction session for all learners is held before the commencement of the course. Learners may attend in person or online. Hosted by the course coordinator it welcomes learners to King’s Inns, outlines course content, explains the availability of course materials, and describes teaching and learning methodologies and assessment methods. The session includes a demonstration of how to access the VLE Moodle and the video engagement platform, Echo 360, so that learners are prepared in advance of their first teaching session. An overview of the library services is presented. An additional session on accessing and using relevant online resources is held during the first weeks of the course, this session is recorded and made available through Echo 360.  Onboarding of learners continues through the early months of the academic term. During this time learners have an opportunity to elect their class representative, the auditor of the LSDSI and participate in extracurricular activities, such as mooting and the debating competitions are launched.

Barrister-at-Law Degree 

The course starts with a full-day induction programme, which includes Registration. Learners are welcomed to the King’s Inns by the Under Treasurer, the Dean, a senior representative of the judiciary and Chair of the Bar Council. Learners are introduced to key personnel from King’s Inns including the Registrar and Course Coordinators. Practical sessions cover IT, Library Services and Dining. An in-depth session on the course is hosted by the Dean and Civil Course Coordinator, this covers course components, course materials, preparation for classes, effective use of session plans, and how to make the most of each session.  Onboarding of learners continues through the early phase of the academic term. During this time learners will have an opportunity to elect their class representative, the auditor of the LSDSI and to participate in extracurricular activities, such as mooting, and the debating competitions are launched.  

Advanced Diploma programmes

Learners registered on an Advanced Diploma course receive information by email on how to access the VLE, course materials and their King’s Inns email account in advance of the course commencing.  Information on course content and timeframes are available on the King’s Inns website prior to registration. Course Coordinators provide further information on course delivery, in person events and assessment methods at the start of each course. 

Study Skills 

King’s Inns offers a Study Skills Course on five evenings during the two weeks before the start of the Diploma in Legal Studies programme. This is available free of charge to incoming learners who are returning to education, or who may not previously have undertaken formal further or higher education. Topics include types of learning, time management on an academic course, note-taking, academic research, reading academic (and specifically legal) texts, academic writing, giving oral presentations, making use of feedback, revising for and writing examinations. 

7.4.2  Administration services   

King’s Inns administration staff are available during office hours, from 09.00 to 17.00, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. The reception desk at 11 Henrietta Street is staffed during office hours.  

7.4.3  Online teaching and learning  

Zoom is currently the preferred platform to host online small group teaching sessions. An Online Learning Protocol has been prepared for learners. (hyperlink to Online Learning Protocol)  

Virtual Learning Environment - Moodle 

We use Moodle as our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). All registered learners have access to their course section, the library section and the learner hub on Moodle. 

Moodle is an open-source virtual learning environment that follows WCAG guidelines and aims to be fully accessible and usable for all users regardless of ability. It includes various features, tools, and the user interface is designed to work with assistive technologies such as screen readers.  

Each course section contains information relevant to a particular course, including course dates, course materials, timetables, exams, assignments, announcements, learner handbooks, Education Rules, course manuals, course maps, Power Point presentations and tutorial session plans. Course and exam content are provided in multiple formats to help with accessibility and adaptions are made, where necessary, to ensure our examination process held on Moodle is accessible. Written and video guides are provided for learners around interacting with the LVE (e.g. uploading assignments, viewing lecture live streams). 

Information on library services, online subscription and open access resources, IT services, and general student information is also available through on Moodle.  

ECHO 360  

All lecture recordings are captured using ECHO 360, a video engagement platform that provides secure access to recorded course and lecture materials. It also enables learners to watch live streamed classes or lectures remotely. Access to the recordings is made available to learners through Moodle enabling playback for catch up and revision.  To enhance learner accessibility and engagement King’s Inns aims to provide a transcript of all published recordings stored on the Echo360 platform. 

The platform includes the facility to view transcripts, take online notes, change the audio speed of recordings and view any contributions to the Q&A of livestreamed lectures. Along with the note taking feature (which is time stamped to the point in the recording where the learner starts typing and is available for learners to download as an additional study resource), there is also the option to bookmark a section of a recording whilst watching, to identify material that a learner has difficulty with or wants to revisit later. Bookmarks appear in the Echo360 study guide for that learner and, when selected, bring the learner to the exact point in the recording that they wanted to review. 

A video guide on how learners can optimise their interaction with Echo360 is available on the Student Hub section of Moodle. 

7.4.4  Meeting the needs of the diversity of learners 

Our community is made up of a wide range of people with diverse backgrounds and circumstances, which we value and regard as a great asset. At King’s Inns we strive to create an environment in which all members of our community should expect to be able to thrive, be respected and have a real opportunity to participate in and contribute to King’s Inns activities so that they can achieve their fullest potential.  King’s Inns is committed to supporting equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) for staff and learners in every aspect of their King’s Inns experience. This commitment is set out in the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Policy. (hyperlink to EDI policy) We value equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our activities, as a significant contribution to good governance, providing a positive learner and staff experience for all.  This commitment is supported by the Benchers, Council, management and staff. It allows us to grow a diverse and inclusive workplace and learning environment which promotes equal opportunities and success for all. 

7.4.5  Disability Supports 

King’s Inns is committed to ensuring that learners with a disability have as complete and equitable access to all facets of higher-education life as can reasonably be provided. As an organisation, we have adopted a Disability Support Policy (include hyperlink) which is applicable to all learners with a disability studying in King’s Inns.  This is in accordance with the Disability Act 2005, the Equal Status Acts 2000 (as amended), the Employment Equality Act 1998, as amended and the University Act 1997. Learners with a disability are encouraged to speak to the Registrar to seek supports where the disability could affect their ability to participate fully in all aspects of the course. 

King’s Inns is responsible for providing – where possible – an inclusive environment where all policies, procedures, courses and facilities should be accessible to the greatest number of learners possible without the need for adaptation or additional supports for particular groups. We aim to create an environment where learners are encouraged and supported to disclose a disability. 

King’s Inns Disability Support Policy (include hyperlink) is available to all learners on the VLE Moodle.   This policy applies to all learners, with permanent or long-term disability once necessary medical documentation is submitted. It aims to provide a high standard of service to learners with disabilities. King’s Inns will provide – where necessary – disabled learners with reasonable accommodations to ensure that they are not placed at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non–disabled learner.  A substantial disadvantage is one that entails time, inconvenience, effort or discomfort compared to other learners and which is more than minor or trivial.  

For the purposes of King’s Inns policies relating to disabled learners, reasonable accommodations are determined through a needs assessment process that takes into account the nature of a disability, course requirements and individual differences. The most common forms of reasonable accommodations are available in the Disability Support Policy. (include hyperlink)

7.4.6  Student Activities 

• Every year an auditor of the Law Student’s Debating Society of Ireland (LSDSI), King’s Inns student collective, is elected. The LSDSI committee is comprised of students representing the various course cohorts.

• The students arrange sporting activities and challenges with other branches of the legal profession and organise an annual student ball.

• The tradition of the annual Auditor’s address in its current format dates to 1860.

• A student publication ‘King’s Inns Law Review’ is produced by an editorial board.  

7.4.7 Information about King’s Inns 

The King’s Inns website, www.kingsinns.ie, provides information for prospective students, members, legal professionals, professional bodies and the general public. King’s Inns promotes all activities on a variety of platforms including the website, LinkedIn and Instagram. Prospective students and members of the public can contact King’s Inns with queries by email or by telephone.  The Registrar or a representative from the Registrar’s department, holds information sessions at third level institutions during the academic year.  An academic Open Day is held, enabling prospective students to acquire relevant information about course delivery, course content and assessment methods. 

7.5      Learner Representation

Class representatives 

Each tutorial group appoints or elects a Class Representative during the first few weeks of the course. Class Representatives are integral to communication between King’s Inns and learners The School of Law channels information through the Class Representatives, and they relay their group’s views about the course and King’s Inns in general to the Course Coordinator, Dean and Registrar, as appropriate.  Class Representatives have been instrumental in addressing systems of borrowing in the library and bringing practical difficulties to the attention of academic staff. 

The “Class Rep” network is vital to ensure that any potential problem is addressed before it becomes a significant issue. Class Representatives are on hand for the students in their class and they represent their view and liaise with the Course Coordinator and other staff on matters raised by either party. 

 Class Representatives meet representatives of the School of Law (the Dean, the Registrar, and the Course Coordinator) in Michaelmas Term and Hilary Term. 

Representation on School of Law Faculty Board

There are two learner representatives on the School of Law Faculty Board. The Auditor of the LSDSI, who is elected from and by the Barrister-at-Law Degree and Diploma in Legal Studies students annually.  The second representative is a class representative. The Barrister-at-Law Degree cohort and the Diploma in Legal Studies cohort must be represented. Where the Auditor is a Barrister-at-Law Degree student the other nominee will be a class representative from the Diploma in Legal Studies, elected by the other class representatives, and vice versa.

7.6      Guidance

Learners on the Diploma and Degree programmes are generally on their chosen path to a career as a barrister.  To support learners to engage with alumni, practising barristers and members of the judiciary a range of activities are organised throughout the academic year, including: 

• Career talks provided by graduates who use their legal professional qualification in range of work and career environments 

• Mooting, debating and other activities benefit from input from the wider King’s Inns community, including barristers and members of the judiciary 

• Engagement with the legal profession is enabled through barrister student dining nights and bencher student dining nights, some of which are compulsory 

• Court visits are arranged and encouraged to provide an opportunity for students to learn about the court process and the role of the legal professional.