Starting Thursday 3 February Full list of dates now available
This Advanced Diploma provides participants with a comprehensive practical knowledge of employment law.
€2,950
Full Course Fee · No Entry Requirements
Apply NowDeadline 24 Sept 2026 (Date TBC) · Starts 15 Oct 2026 (Date TBC)
10% Member Discount for subscribing Barrister Members — request your code before applying.
This is a time of unprecedented change and growing complexity in the area of employment law. Understanding these developments is of critical importance to those seeking to negotiate a surefooted pathway through the workplace environment. King’s Inns is delighted to bring together a team of leading experts, including some of the most prominent legal practitioners in the area, to deliver a course which will provide a thorough grounding in the key components and latest developments in this important and heavily regulated area.
Non–compliance with employment law or lack of harmony in a workplace can have very serious consequences for those directly involved as well as for society and the economy as a whole. This cutting–edge Advanced Diploma addresses both the procedural and the substantive law that applies to the employment relationship.
Application Deadline: Thursday, September 24, 2026 (Date TBC)
Provisional Start Date: Thursday, 15 October 2026 (TBC)
There are no admission requirements for this course. A place on the highly sought–after course is not secured until the tuition fee is received in full. Once payment is received, you are automatically accepted on the course.
Subscribing members: You must apply your discount code upon application. It cannot be applied after the application is made.
This Advanced Diploma provides participants with a comprehensive practical knowledge of employment law so that participants will be equipped to deal with the main employment law issues arising in the workplace.
Participants will acquire a practical, in-depth knowledge of the issues affecting the employment relationship from recruitment to termination.
On completion of the course, participants should be better able to:
Describe key features of the Irish system of employment law;
Identify the components and characteristics of the employment law contract;
Explain key legislative provisions applying to the employment law relationship;
Discuss case law relevant to the application of employment law principles;
Identify key issues in an employment law problem question;
Apply the law to an employment law problem question;
Understand the various remedies and fora available to employees experiencing employment–related issues;
Enable employers to identify resolutions to employment issues in the workplace.
The course will appeal to those in both the public and private sectors: employers, company directors, regulatory bodies, trade union representatives, operation and business managers, team leaders, HR and IR professionals and legal practitioners.
Having a diverse group of professionals studying this course together allows participants to learn from each other, especially during tutorials and Q&A sessions.
The designer and lead lecturer of the course is barrister Niamh McGowan BL.
Niamh specialises in labour, equality and employment law with particular expertise in workplace investigations. She is also an accredited mediator with the Centre of Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR).
Course launch and introduction (live session, not recorded)
Introduction to the Irish legal system
The contract of employment
Atypical employment
Statutory provisions including protective leave, organisation of working time, pay and pensions
Regulated, civil service and public sector employment
Judicial review and the employment contract
Data protection and employment law
Health and safety law
Equality 1 + 2
Grievance and disciplinary investigations
Litigating bullying and harassment in the workplace
Privacy, technology and social media
Trade union law and essentials for non–unionised companies
Termination of employment – unfair dismissal/redundancy
Wrongful dismissal and injunctions
Whistleblowing
Transfer of undertaking regulations and insolvency
Restraint of trade and confidentiality clauses
Workplace relations commission practice and procedure and statutory appeals
Mock Labour Court hearing (live in–person event at King’s Inns, not recorded)
Please note the course content is subject to change in accordance with new developments in this area.
Alex White SC
Brendan Kirwan SC
Cathy Maguire BL
Claire Bruton BL
Clíona Kimber SC
Feichín McDonagh SC
Lorna Lynch BL
Mairéad McKenna BL
Mark Connaughton SC
Niamh McGowan BL
Oisín Quinn SC
Peter Ward SC
Roderick Maguire BL
Rosemary Mallon BL
Stephen O’Sullivan BL
Tom Mallon BL
The Hon. Justice Marguerite Bolger
This is a professional development course and it is accredited independently by The Honorable Society of King’s Inns. The skills and competence gained in studying at King’s Inns are transferable, portable and recognised internationally. It is a valuable qualification delivered by distinguished lawyers, members of the judiciary, legal and other practitioners specialising in legal education.
To be awarded the Advanced Diploma, a participant is required to successfully complete one assessment.
For the Advanced Diploma in Applied Employment Law the assessment will take the form of one two hour, in–person, closed-book, invigilated, MCT. This assessment will allow you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the course material. You will take the assessment at King’s Inns, on your own laptop. (Arrangements will be made for any candidate who is unable to type.)
King’s Inns understands that participants on this course are busy professionals with many demands on their time. With that in mind, most classes on the course take place in a fully online (live Zoom) format and you will attend remotely. There will be some opportunities to attend a class in person at King’s Inns, but even on those dates the option to attend online will remain in place for those who can’t make it in person.
You should view the fee structure, payment terms, and other charges here
Barrister–at–Law graduates who are subscribing members to King’s Inns receive a 10% discount on this course.
You must receive your discount code before applying. View more information here
This course takes place primarily in an online format, live via Zoom, with recordings of lectures available after class is over. Interactive elements such as class discussions / tutorials will not be recorded and will be cast live only.
There will be up to two opportunities during the academic year to attend live events at King’s Inns, in the form of a question and answer session and a live mock Labour Court hearing.
The course takes place over 20 weeks, from October to April, with lectures on Thursdays from 8.30 am to 9.45 am.
Most lectures are recorded using eLearning software and made available to students for streaming via our Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle). This means that, while all students are welcome to attend class live via Zoom, those sessions will be recorded so that students who are unable to attend can catch up on the material by streaming the video in their own time.
All class notes are available to read through our Virtual Learning Environment. Online tutorials and IT support are available to help students navigate their way through our library and legal resource databases.
King’s Inns is built on networking and engagement. Over the year, we invite students to attend and participate in various social events, fireside chats and talks. Events take place either online or in–person. All of this contributes to the learning experience that is King’s Inns.
In order to verify your personal details, you must first create an account on the Application Portal through the ‘register and apply here’ button below. Once you verify your email address in the Portal, you can then proceed with your application.
The application process is very short and your place on the course will not be secured until payment is received in full. Once payment is received, you are automatically accepted on the course.
Payment can be made through the Application Portal using your credit or debit card (please make sure your bank allows you to process the full payment in one go), or
If your employer is paying for your studies, you will require a valid PO number in advance of making the application, 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. The participant will also be able to download a copy of the invoice through the Application Portal. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure their employer has paid in full within the timeframe required in order to secure a place. King’s Inns cannot contact your employer for payment, we can only liaise with the applicant.
An automated payment receipt will be generated confirming your place on the course.
“Employment is now conducted in a far more modern and complex world than in the past. Traditional models of managing employment issues were often limited to the 'Personnel Department'. Law, Regulation and a fundamentally different Employer Employee relationship requires all managers to be informed. Through excellent accessible lectures and papers the Kings Inns Advanced Diploma closes that gap.”
2025 Graduate - Employment Law
Yes. Most of our courses are designed to accommodate working professionals.
Our Advanced Diploma programmes are flexible, part-time courses delivered either online or in person, with classes available in the mornings, evenings, or at weekends.
The Diploma in Legal Studies is a programme completed over two years. Students have the option of attending all lectures and tutorials online as well as in–person
For the Degree of Barrister-at-Law, you can choose the study option that best suits your schedule, with both full-time (1 year) or two-year modular pathways available.
The Diploma in Legal Studies and many of our Advanced Diploma programmes welcome professionals from all industries who wish to develop their knowledge or gain a better understanding of the law relevant to their work. No legal background or previous formal education is required.
The Degree of Barrister-at-Law requires applicants to hold a recognised legal qualification from an approved institution or course. Please refer to the Entrance Examination page for the full list of approved qualifications.
Please refer to our Fees & Charges page for detailed information on the fees for each course.
An entrance exam is required only for the Degree of Barrister-at-Law.
Applications open throughout the year. Check individual course pages for intake dates and closing deadlines.
Attend an open day, meet the team, tour the building and ask questions before you commit.
