AIMS AND OUTCOMES

This course primarily focuses on knowledge (breadth and kind), know-how and skill (range) and competence (insight) sub-strands. On completion of the Diploma, participants should be better able to:

Knowledge – Breadth

Examine the nature and characteristics of corporate, white–collar and regulatory crimes in Ireland and internationally.

Knowledge – Kind

Demonstrate an understanding of sanctioning and compliance–oriented models of corporate enforcement, including a critical appreciation for the relative strengths and weaknesses of each model, and their overlapping nature.

Know-how and Skill – Range

Apply analytical skills and knowledge of the various procedures in place for the investigation, prosecution and punishment of corporate wrongdoers, including the various due process protections in place.

Competence - Insight

Analyse the Irish experience of addressing corporate misbehaviour, in light of the social, political and economic context to enforcement.

WHO IS THE COURSE FOR?

This programme is suitable for people with a legal and non-legal background, appealing to legal practitioners and policymakers with an interest in corporate, white–collar and regulatory crime. It will also appeal to company directors, financial, tax and insurance sectors, accounting bodies, regulatory bodies, HR practitioners, IR practitioners, members of An Garda Síochána, civil servants and trade union officials.

Having a diverse group of professionals studying this course together allows participants to learn from each other, especially during tutorials and Q&A sessions. 

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.

You should view the fee structure, payment terms, and other charges here

COURSE DESIGNER AND LEAD LECTURER

The designer and lead lecturer of the course is Assistant Professor Dr Joe McGrath.

Joe is an Assistant Professor at UCD School of Law. He teaches banking law, corporate governance, white–collar crime, comparative corporate governance and financial regulation. 

COURSE CONTENT

• Course overview and introduction

• Theoretical introduction and the history of corporate enforcement in Ireland

• Corporate investigations

• Panel discussion on issues of prosecuting and defending white–collar crime 

• Theft and fraud offences 

• Money laundering and terrorist financing 

• Regulatory offences 

• Individual and corporate criminal liability 

• Company law compliance and enforcement 

• Corruption 

• An advanced overview of sentencing and ancillary orders 

• Individual accountability and banking culture

• Whistle–blowers, lobbying and white–collar crime

• Competition law enforcement 

• Cybercrime

• Revenue prosecutions 

• Criminal process and the police

Please note the course content is subject to change in accordance with new developments in this area.

Previous Speakers

• Andy Harbison, Grant Thornton

• Barry Robinson, BDO Ireland 

• Caitriona Gunne, An Garda Síochána

• Ciaran Walker, Eversheds Sutherland 

• Professor Claire Hill, University of Minnesota

• Dara Robinson 

• Dr David McFadden

• Edward Doocey BL

• Dr Elaine Byrne BL

• Ian Drennan, ODCE

• James Dwyer SC

• Dr Joe McGrath

• Dr John Breslin

• John Fitzgerald SC

• Karen Burns, Revenue

• Kenan Furlong, A&L Goodbody 

• Lorcan Staines SC

• Mary Kiely, Revenue

• Michael Held, General Counsel, Federal Reserve Bank of New York

• Niel Williardson, General Counsel, Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis

• Patrick Gageby SC

• Patrick McGrath SC

• Pearse Ryan, Arthur Cox

• Ronan Kennedy SC

• Seoirse Ó Dúnlaing BL

• Shane Murphy SC

• Tom O’Malley SC

• Tom Noone, Federal Reserve Bank of New York

• Tony McGillicuddy SC

Essential Texts

• Horan, S. Corporate Crime (Bloomsbury Professional, 2011)

• McGrath, J. White Collar Crime in Ireland: Law and Policy (Clarus, 2019)

• McGrath, J. Corporate and White Collar Crime in Ireland: A New Architecture of Corporate Enforcement (Manchester University Press, 2015)

ASSESSMENT & ACCREDITATION

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.

The assessment methodology for this course is an in-person, invigilated, open book examination. 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.)

You will be able to consult any soft copy materials that you have saved to your laptop or to consult any hard copy materials that you have chosen to print and bring with you, including textbooks. You will not, however, have internet access while taking the assessment.

Course Delivery

Mode of Delivery:

Primarily online (via Zoom) synchronous delivery, with the option to attend an in-person face-to-face delivery session.

There will be a small number of in–person sessions which will take place at King’s Inns. In–person sessions may take place in either the morning or in an after–work slot, from 6 pm.

Online classes 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 online live via Zoom, most of the 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. Some in–person classes may not be recorded.

Volume of Learning:

• Direct contact hours: 18 hours

• Self-directed learning: 63 hours

• Assessment work: 44 hours

Total number of hours = 125 hours

The course takes place over 12 weeks, from September to February, with lectures on Thursday mornings (8.00am to 9.30am):

Provisional start date: Thursday, 24 September 2026

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.

How to Apply

• 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.

• Subscribing members: You must apply your discount code upon application. It cannot be applied after the application is made.