AIMS AND OUTCOMES

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

Knowledge – breadth

Demonstrate an understanding of the theories, concepts, principles, and policies underpinning the Irish immigration and international–protection systems.

Knowledge – breadth / Knowledge – kind

Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of the legal framework, including Irish primary and secondary legislation, European Union Law, and case law, underpinning the Irish immigration and international–protection systems.

Know How and Skill – range

Use advanced legal reasoning to apply the legal framework,  relevant to Immigration and Asylum Law in Ireland, to a range of complex factual scenarios in varying contexts.

Know How and Skill – selectivity

Exercise appropriate judgment in selecting relevant factual and legal elements to rely on in immigration applications.

Use advanced legal reasoning to identify whether an immigration, asylum or citizenship decision contains any legal flaws.

WHO IS THE COURSE FOR?

This programme is suitable for people with a legal and non-legal background, appealing to public sector and NGO employees, legal practitioners, academic and government researchers, activists, social workers, industry, policymakers and regulators.

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

COURSE DESIGNER AND LEAD LECTURER

The designer and lead lecturer of the course is barrister David Leonard BL.

David specialises in public law, administrative, regulatory, constitutional law, judicial review, and European law. He is a co–author of the third edition of ‘Constitutional Law of Ireland’ by Bloomsbury Professional, a leading textbook on Irish constitutional law.

COURSE CONTENT

• Course overview and introduction (live session, not recorded)

• Introduction to immigration law in Ireland

• Entry into the State

• Permission to remain in the State

• Lecture from the European Migration Network (EMN)

• The impact on the constitution on Irish immigration law

• Human rights law 1 + 2

• The law on international protection 1 + 2

• Judicial review in asylum and immigration matters

• Deportation and repatriation

• EU law

• Irish nationality law, including procedures under Passports Act 2008 (as amended)

• Working, conducting business and studying in Ireland

• Immigration law, families and children

• Detention, and criminal and other sanctions

• Social protection for third country nationals

• Trafficking, people smuggling and immigration fraud

• Lecture from the human trafficking investigation and coordination unit

• Round–up of the course and guidance on assessment technique

• Round–table discussion on immigration law (live session, not recorded)

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

Previous Speakers

• David Leonard BL

• Aoife Carroll BL

• Speaker from INIS, Department of Justice

• ERSI Anne Sheridan, EMN Ireland

• Conor Power SC

• The Hon. Justice Siobhán Stack

• Michael Lynn SC

• Patricia Brazil BL

• Colm O’Dwyer SC

• Mark de Blacam SC

• Sara Moorhead SC

• David Conlan Smyth SC

• John Stanley BL, Office of the Attorney General

• Michael Lynn SC

• The Hon. Ms Justice Emily Farrell

• Derek Shortall SC

• Colin Smith BL

• Aoife Gillespie BL

• The Hon. Ms. Justice Denise Brett

• Michael Conlon SC

• Shannon Michael Haynes BL

• Sarah Cooney BL

• Aoife McMahon BL

• Anthony Moore SC

• Noeleen Healy

• Speakers from Garda National Protective Services Bureau

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, multiple choice examination, which will take place at King’s Inns. This assessment will allow students to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the course material. Students will take the assessment at King’s Inns, on their own laptop. 

COURSE DELIVERY

Mode of Delivery:

Primarily online (via Zoom) synchronous delivery, with the option to attend a small number of in-person face-to-face delivery sessions.

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. Interactive elements such as class discussions / tutorials will not be recorded and will be cast online live only.

Volume of Learning:

• Direct contact hours: 35 hours

• Self-directed learning:  64 hours

• Assessment work: 44 hours

Total number of hours = 143 hours

The course takes place over approx. 20 weeks from October to March, with lectures on Wednesdays from 8.30am to no later than 10.00am.

Provisional start date: Wednesday, 7 October 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.