5.1 Teaching and Learning

The School of Law is a dynamic community of learners, legal professionals/academics and administration/support staff committed to delivering programmes of education and training to our learners at the highest level. We strive to provide a stimulating and innovative environment for teaching and learning and to maintain and develop these facilities on an ongoing basis. The provision of the highest standards of teaching and learning is a core value at King’s Inns, and we are committed to processes for ongoing monitoring of programmes and review of programmes (Programme Monitoring and Review Policy) (insert hyperlink).  Members of the Honorable Society of King’s Inns provide advice, support and engagement in all the activities of the School of Law ensuring that the programmes offered are fit for purpose and meet the needs of the legal profession.

5.2 A provider ethos that promotes learning

King’s Inns education and training programmes are conducted in an educational environment where learners are encouraged to achieve their full potential and are educated to be reflective and resourceful in an atmosphere of mutual support and respect.  

King’s Inns celebrates diversity and inclusion within the staff and student communities.  

King’s Inns welcomes the widest possible levels of participation by learners with ability and commitment from all backgrounds - gender, marital status, family status, age, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion, nationality, and membership of the Traveller community. The principles and practices that are applied are set out in the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy (hyperlink to policy) and Disability Support Policy. (hyperlink to document)

The ethos of the Barrister profession embodies collegiality, integrity, respect, and diligence. Learners on all King’s Inns courses are exposed to that ethos through being taught, tutored and interacting with practising Barristers.  

King’s Inns strives to build a sense of belonging which strengthens the potential of everyone to participate and thrive within the best of learning experiences. Learners are made to feel part of a learning environment with a particular set of standards as set out in the King’s Inns Student Code of Conduct which is part of the King’s Inns Education Rules. (hyperlink to document) Procedures for learner complaints are set out in Learner Complaints Procedure (hyperlink to document) and learner appeals processes are set out in the Education Rules (hyperlink to document) and Student Code of Conduct. (hyperlink to Code of Conduct) Pastoral care is provided through contact with personal tutors and individual Course Coordinators. 

King’s Inns provides the best possible education and training opportunities through the provision of lectures and tutorials in-person and on-line and through participation in mooting, debating, visits to Courts and guest lectures. Learners contribute to improving the learning experience through representation on the School of Law Faculty Board, class representatives, direct access to the Dean, Registrar and Course Coordinators and through an annual feedback survey, see Learner Feedback Policy. (hyperlink to document). 

5.3    Communities of practice 

King’s Inns engages with the wider national and international community of practice to enhance teaching and research.  Communities of Practice (CoP) “are groups of people who share a concern or a passion for something they do and learn how to do it better as they interact regularly.”1 

CoP focus on sharing best practice and tacit knowledge through ongoing interaction, in-person or online or a combination of the two. CoP can develop capability in carrying out responsibilities and build capacity by sharing effective practices, improving core skills, and promoting innovative practices.  

Typical CoP characteristics:

•   Domain: members have a shared domain of interest 

•   Community: The shared interest is pursued through joint activities, discussion, information sharing and relationship building 

•   Practice: members are practitioners and use the resources and information in their work. 

Examples of CoP activities: 

•   Help members with everyday work needs 

•   Develop and share best practices, guidelines and strategies 

•   Organise, manage, develop and share knowledge for use 

•   Create and develop new ideas, knowledge and practices. 

Here are some examples of how the King’s Inns School of Law engages with communities of practice:

Engagement with educational providers and regulators  

King’s Inns engages with third level providers of approved law degrees on a range of matters, that include innovating and transforming assessment practices based on the principles of authentic assessment. Authentic assessment includes a diverse range of alternative approaches to assessment with a focus on the application of knowledge, performance of exemplary tasks, or the measurement of students’ abilities in scenarios that replicate real-world challenges.2 An example of this engagement is King’s Inns’ involvement with TU Dublin’s Prof-ASSESS project.  

The mutual exchange of information and ideas on matters such as academic integrity and generative AI benefits both King’s Inns and other organisations and bodies engaged in assessment and King’s Inns is always prepared to engage with third level providers on this matter.  

King’s Inns staff regularly attend and speak at conferences and events involving educational providers from within Ireland and the United Kingdom, including the Irish Association of Law Teachers, the Association of Law Teachers (the UK equivalent), and the UK’s Legal Cheek Conference.  

King’s Inns also engages with bodies including QQI to share its experience of authentic assessment. Examples of this include attendance at and contributions to QQI events by the Dean and Registrar.  

Engagement with the wider profession 

The Committee structure, which is key part of governance structures at King’s Inns, enables the School of Law to draw on the advice of expert legal practitioners regarding the provision of programmes and their content. Of particular relevance is the Education Committee, whose membership comprises senior barristers and members of the judiciary, who guide educational policy at King’s Inns.  

King’s Inns also maintains strong relationships with its alumni, who feed into activities at King’s Inns. Examples of this include alumni-student dining nights, at which alumni who have taken various career paths discuss their journeys with current students; the Graduate Members’ Committee; and engagement with alumni for structured feedback in the form of focus groups.  

King’s Inns also engages with key providers of legal work, such as the Office of the Attorney General and the main European Union institutions, to inform current staff and students of career opportunities.  

Recognition of Prior Learning 

This Community of Practice is to develop and build capacity and capability to support the development and implementation of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy. (hyperlink) King’s inns is engaging with other providers on how best to achieve a consistent experience for candidates who access and progress through King’s Inns Diploma in Legal Studies programme via RPL. King’s Inns is developing links with the National RPL in Higher Education Project  https://www.priorlearning.ie/about.3  

Strategies supporting 1st Year learner success

It is a priority of King’s Inns to develop, through partnership with key stakeholders, the resources and initiatives to support our learners academically, socially, personally, and vocationally during their studies. This is particularly important during the first year of a course, for learners undertaking a course of 2 or more years, and for learners undertaking a law course for the first time.  

The early months of a programmes is the most crucial time to engage learners in their new learning community and equip them with the requisite skills for future success.  Learner belonging is achieved through supportive peer relations, meaningful interaction between staff and learners, and developing knowledge, confidence and identity as successful learners. 

Lecturers/Tutors Training

This CoP aims to primarily support new lecturers, to meet, learn and share teaching, learning and assessment experiences and practice. Through the CoP, new lecturers can discuss and find out more about teaching and learning practices and experience positive peer collaboration. The Learning Support Technologist supports this by providing training to new tutors and to existing tutors, as required.

Accreditation of programmes from Third Level Institutions 

Barrister training in Ireland takes place in two phases: the academic phase and the professional phase. King’s Inns accredits degree courses from across Ireland, in which law is a major component part. The accreditation process for a new course involves sustained and constructive engagement between the King’s Inns Accreditation Board and the providers.   

King’s Inns Disability Support 

King’s Inns is a member of AHEAD (Association for Higher Education Access & Disability) and maintains regular contact to ensure that King’s Inns policies and practices are up-to-date and applied in ways that is informed by best practices. King’s Inns engages positively with the student body to ensure that learners are aware of procedures for requesting supports.  

Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA)  

The LSRA has functions relating to the academic and vocational education and training of barristers. The LSRA produces reports and commissions specialist reports on subjects that inform King’s Inns decision-making on the content and delivery of the Diploma in Legal Studies course. King’s Inns staff submitted documents to LSRA and presented at legal regulators’ conferences at the request of the LSRA and members of the LSRA team have addressed learners and members of King’s Inns.  

Liaison with providers of legal professional training in Ireland and in other jurisdictions 

The Dean and Registrar have regular contact with the Law Society of Ireland, Inns of Court Northern Ireland, the Inns of Court of England & Wales and the Law Society of Scotland regarding developments in legal education and training, admission criteria, including standards of academic legal qualification for entry to courses of education and training to be admitted as a barrister. These discussions inform King’s Inns content and delivery of the Diploma in Legal Studies course which is one of the legal qualifications in Ireland that provides eligibility to sit the Entrance Exam for the Barrister-at-Law degree course.

King’s Inns is a member of the “CELTS” grouping, in which legal education providers in Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Scotland meet and exchange ideas and information.  

5.4 Learning environments

5.4.1  Overview of our buildings and history

King’s Inns is one of the most important examples of Ireland’s Georgian architectural heritage. The eminent architect James Gandon, who had earlier designed the Custom House and the Four Courts in Dublin, was commissioned by the benchers in 1800 to design a new building for the Society on Constitution Hill.

Main Building

The largest and oldest building, which is home to the Dining Hall, also includes large lecture rooms, several smaller classrooms, a student study space and canteen. The main building is located within the King’s Inns Park and accessed by car from Constitution Hill. The property also includes seven cottages within its boundaries.

On 1 August 1800 the Lord Chancellor, the Earl of Clare, laid the first stone of the Dining Hall and library. By 1804 the structure of the hall was almost complete.

The properties of King’s inns are listed buildings. Great care is taken to ensure that they are conserved in accordance with the standards laid down by architectural historians, conservationists and other professional advisers. All buildings are utilised in the provision of services and facilities to staff, learners and members.

We recently embarked on a Universal Access Programme. Phase One of the project relates to the Main Building. We are working to ensure that the principles of Universal Access are applied to all projects while working within the constraints of the Conservation Regulations associated with buildings of this age.

Phase One involved the installation of a lift providing access to the upper floors of the building ensuring that all rooms, bar one, are accessible to learners, guests and members. This work also included the installation of accessible facilities. To access the basement level, we have installed a new external access lift, ensuring that all areas in the basement are now fully accessible. The basement access is from Henrietta Street. The final element involved the addition of a permanent ramp structure to the front of the building.

Library Building

The Library Building, on Henrietta Street, was erected between 1826 and 1832 to a design by architect, Frederick Darley. This building is a good example of Greek revival architecture. It contains a magnificent reading room with a splendid balcony.

11 Henrietta Street

King’s Inns also owns one of the fine Georgian houses on Henrietta Street, Number 11.

5.4.2  Teaching and learning facilities

Main building - basement Level

• Lower lecture room accommodating up to 100 people for lectures and events. Facilities include live streaming and recording for hybrid classes and recently changed from projection style screens to 100cm LED screens.

• Darley Room accommodates up to 40 people theatre style and is fully equipped with recording and live streaming for hybrid learning.

• Two fully equipped tutorial rooms accommodating between 18 and 40 people.

• Student canteen with a self-service kitchenette equipped with fridge, microwave ovens and tea/coffee making facilities. Coffee, tea, milk etc is provided for free to students.

• Recently refurbished student study space with 14 dedicated workstations and a common area where students can meet and work together, and,

• Fully accessible bathrooms are located on this floor.

Main building - ground floor and Dining Hall

• Junior Common Room, seating up to 50 people theatre style and equipped with the AV equipment. This is a multi-purpose room used for tutorials, talks and social events.

• The Bar Room, housing the famous Casement Portrait, is predominantly used for member functions but on occasions it is utilised for examinations.

• The Dining Hall, which is accessed from the Entrance Hall, can seat up to 300 people theatre style or 200 for dining. This room is predominantly used for the traditional Dining in King’s Inns for members and barrister-at-law students. It is also used for a range of student events such as the Student Ball, learner induction, examinations, conferences and the prestigious Conferring ceremonies.

Main building – upper floors

The Upper Lecture theatre, which is accessed from the Entrance Hall, accommodates up to 100 people. This room is equipped with recording and live streaming facilities for hybrid lectures.

The top of the building is home to the Benchers Room, which is occasionally used for examinations and classes.

Library Building, Henrietta Street

• The Library Building is located at the top of Henrietta Street. Following the completion of Phase One of the Universal Access programme we will commence examining the options for providing a fully accessible campus, Phase Two.

• The ground floor of the Library Building is home to King’s Inns reception, administration offices and the offices of the CEO and senior management team.

• The library is located at the top of a grand staircase.  Here learners access physical materials relevant to their studies and can access PCs for online resources, which are also available through the VLE Moodle.

• There is study space within the library for up to 30 learners.

• Learner lockers are in this building.

• Print services are also available for learners in this building.

No. 11 Henrietta Street

This building is predominantly used for the in-person classes, tutorials and examinations, as required.  All the rooms are equipped with AV and IT equipment. The classrooms are as follows.

• The ground floor and first floor each have two identically fitted out and equipped facilities for groups of 16 learners, working in 4-person pods. These rooms can accommodate up to 40 people theatre style.

• The second floor provides an additional fully equipped classroom and the offices for some of the Course Coordinators. There is also a common room equipped and available for the tutors.

• On the ground floor there is a print area for the tutors.

There is high speed Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the buildings and learners are provided with access to a dedicated network allowing them access to our VLE and subscription online databases and resources.

5.4.3 King’s Inns Campus

King’s Inns Park is open to the public from Monday to Friday between 07:30 and 19:00 and 08:30 to 17:30 on weekends, though it remains open later when classes are scheduled. The Park is also open when there are Society or School of Law activities taking place.

Within the park there are 160 dedicated car parking spaces with the capacity for an additional 40 cars on special occasions. Parking is paid for by an annual pass available through our website. There is a discounted rate available to learners for the year.

5.4.4  Facilities & Estates

Facilities & Estates is responsible for managing all building and maintenance work across the campus.  This includes the provision of furniture, equipment, room set ups, as required on a day-to-day basis.

Facilities & Estates objective is to provide and maintain a safe, well-resourced physical environment, ensuring the appropriate availability and access is provided to all members of the Society and School of Law staff and learners.

Facilities & Estates endeavours to provide resources as requested across the diverse learning and teaching requirements of the School of Law. It is also responsible for ensuring that all current Irish health and safety legislation is adhered to, and the buildings are maintained to SFG20 standards which is the industry standard for building maintenance.

All supplier contracts are tendered based on output-based specifications.  We currently use a single source provider model as this ensures a streamlined operation covering core facility services. Other advantages of this model are reduced management overheads, improved efficiency, greater accountability and a multi-disciplinary team that upholds the high standards we wish for our learners, staff, members and visitors. 

We ensure that a full Planned, Preventative, Maintenance (PPM) programme is in place, coupled with auditing and reporting on end of life and broken equipment, furniture etc. and that repairs and replacements are attended to promptly. During recent refurbishment and as part of our life cycle management programme we replaced the fire alarm systems in two of the buildings as well as fully redecorating many of our classrooms over the last 5 years.

Feedback from learners is gathered to ensure we are providing and meeting our user expectations, see Learner Feedback Policy (hyperlink). We endeavour to respond immediately where feasible or to included valid suggestions/requirements within our programme of works.

Health & Safety management sits across all the divisions of the Society and School of Law, and we have an active H&S Committee working to ensure that we are reviewing and capturing the needs of our users.

We carry out a review of Learner H&S induction information each July in preparation for the coming term and ensure that this is communicated in the learner handbook and maintained by Facilities & Estates.

We have a dedicated email for learners to report or escalate issues relating to the premises and facilities which also includes Health & Safety issues.

Our on-site security team are available when the park and premises are open.  They are the first point of contact for all issues and are trained in escalation and emergency procedures. The estate is also covered by CCTV as an additional protection. Learners and staff are issued with personalised swipe cards with their photo embedded. Access to all buildings is via this swipe card.

Annual and five-year refurbishment, maintenance and development plans are in place and reviewed annually to ensure we are in a continual process maintaining and improving facilities for our learners, staff and members and the surrounding community.