AIMS & OUTCOMES

This course will provide a comprehensive overview of electoral law in Ireland, with a focus on both constitutional theory and the practical operation of the democratic and electoral process at domestic level.

On completion of the Advanced Diploma, participants should be better able to:

1. Describe key features of Ireland’s electoral system;

2. Explain the impact of the Constitution on Irish democratic processes;

3. Discuss the workings of the Electoral Commission and its functions;

4. Explain key legislative provisions applying to donations and finance;

5. Describe regulatory changes affecting social media and elections;

6. Discuss the case law relating to parliamentary inquiries;

7. Explain rules governing general elections and election counts;

8. Outline the key principles of the separation of powers in the context of parliamentary inquiries.

9. Engage in critical thinking and legal analysis of a range of relevant topics.

Who is the course for?

This Advanced Diploma is aimed at public representatives; political advisors; election agents; civil servants; journalists; political scientists; legal practitioners; and anyone interested in knowing more about electoral law in Ireland.

Having a diverse group of professionals studying this course together allows participants to learn from each other as well as from the expert speakers.

This course will benefit both lawyers and non–law professionals engaged in the provision of legal services, broadly defined, including those in private practice and employed privately or in public bodies and regulatory agencies.

COURSE CONTENT

Indicative Course Content

Classes take place on three weekends over Friday evenings and on full days on Saturday. There will also be a small number of online tutorials on weekday evenings. Classes take place in person at King’s Inns and where feasible and appropriate, sessions will be livestreamed and may also be recorded, for students who cannot attend in person. NB livestreaming and recording will not be suitable for all sessions. Some course materials will be pre–recorded, to maximise the use of in–class time.

Friday evenings: classes from 5.30 pm – 8.30 pm approx.
Saturday: classes from 9.30 am – 4 pm approx.

Friday and Saturday 6-7 February 2026 - Module 1: Constitutional Law and the Regulation of Elections

• Introduction to the course

• Functions of the Electoral Commission

• Democratic principles contained in Bunreacht na hÉireann

• Separation of Powers

• SIPO, party finance and donations

• Powers of the President

• Social media, broadcast media and elections

Friday and Saturday 6-7 March 2026 - Module 2: Elections

• International principles governing elections

• Referenda and constitutional challenges

• Law of general elections

• Rules on the counting of votes

• Local elections and European elections (pre–recorded)

Friday and Saturday 10-11 April 2026 - Module 3: The Oireachtas, the Executive, and the future of politics

• How the Oireachtas works

• Role of the Attorney General

• Executive power versus the Oireachtas

• Oireachtas enquiries

• The future of politics 

Contributors

The course is delivered by leading experts in the field. In addition to the course coordinator, past contributors to the course have include:

1. Art O’Leary, CEO of the Electoral Commission

2. Dr Catherine Donnelly SC

3. Senator Michael McDowell SC

4. Jim O’Callaghan TD

5. Dr Laura Cahillane, University of Limerick

6. Pádraig Hughes, former returning officer and election count expert

7. Dr Elaine Byrne BL, barrister and expert on transparency and governance

8. Adrian Kavanagh, Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Maynooth University

9. Dr Róisín Costello BL

10. Ciarán Doherty BL

11. James Lawless BL, TD

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.

There will be one assessment on the programme. For the Spring 2026 run of the programme, the assessment will be a take home written assessment.

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.

COURSE DELIVERY

Any recorded classes will be filmed using eLearning software and made available to students for streaming via our Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle).

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.

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.

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