AIMS & OUTCOMES

This Advanced Diploma will equip participants with the practical skills required to act as a mediator in a range of circumstances.

The course objectives are to enable participants to:

• Distinguish between different styles of, and contexts for, mediation while also knowing when a dispute is suitable for mediation;

• Apply the process phases of mediation in practice; 

• Learn and exercise appropriate communication skills in mediation; 

• Describe and apply conflict theory to the practice of mediation;

• Know the foundation concepts of mediation and contrast same with other ADR mechanisms;

• Explain and apply the Mediation Act, 2017 and other relevant sources of law; and 

• Recognise and respond to ethical issues in mediation.

Who is the course for?

This course attracts lawyers as well as non–legal professionals. Whether you would like to be equipped to mediate a formal legal dispute, or a dispute between work colleagues, members or volunteers of a club, society or other body, this course will provide you with the skills and knowledge necessary to mediate.

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 designers and lead lecturers of the course are barristers and accredited mediators Cathrina Keville BL and Teresa Blake SC.

COURSE CONTENT

Attendance is compulsory as ALL SESSIONS are designed to practise and hone skills, provide feedback and develop participants to be able to practise as professional mediators in a range of settings.

This course will have 60 hours of study, 20 hours of self–directed study / reading material, and 40 hours of in–person teaching, including roleplay delivered at the compulsory weekend sessions.

Reading materials will be shared through our Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle). Before attending live classes, students on the course will be required to read the course manual and review online lectures and other resources. 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 and alumni 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.

This course will cover key topics including:

• Conflict

• Mediation

• Process phases of Mediation

• Mediation and communication skills

• Use of negotiation skills, tactics and strategies

• Regulation of Mediation and related issues

• Ethical principles of Mediation

• Online mediation

To ensure the high quality of course delivery, the number of participants on the workshops will be limited and skills practise will be in groups of no more than four participants.

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

Previous Speakers

• Teresa Blake SC

• Mark Gerard Connaughton SC 

• Sara Phelan SC 

• Hugh I Mohan SC 

• Cathy Smith SC

• Cathrina Keville BL

• Michael C. O’Connor BL

Assessment & ACCREDITATION

This is a professional development course and it is accredited independently by The Honorable Society of King’s Inns and also by the Mediators’ Institute of Ireland (the MII). 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 assessments.
Learners are required to successfully complete an in-person recorded assessment (to included a written reflective piece) and a separate written assessment for this programme. Candidates must also attend all learning sessions on the course.

Candidates who successfully complete the course and assessments will be eligible to apply for membership of the Mediators’ Institute of Ireland (the MII).

CONTENT DELIVERY

Applications and course dates for the next intake will be available soon!

Spring/Summer 2026 Dates:

• Monday 27 April 2026 –evening introduction session, online via Zoom. Self–study in the period before the next in–person session

• Saturday 9 May  – full day, in–person

• Saturday 16 May – full day, in–person

• Saturday 23 May – full day, in–person

• Saturday 13 June – full day, in–person

• Saturday 20 June – full day, in–person

• Saturday 27 June – full day, in–person

• Date TBC (early July 2026, on a weekday): recorded assessments to take place after the conclusion of all classroom sessions.

Attendance is compulsory as ALL SESSIONS are designed to practise and hone skills, provide feedback and develop participants to be able to practise as professional mediators in a range of settings.

This course will have 60 hours of study, 20 hours of self–directed study / reading material, and 40 hours of in–person teaching, including roleplay delivered at the compulsory weekend sessions.

Reading materials will be shared through our Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle). Before attending live classes, students on the course will be required to read the course manual and review online lectures and other resources. 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 and alumni 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.

This course will cover key topics including:

• Conflict

• Mediation

• Process phases of Mediation

• Mediation and communication skills

• Use of negotiation skills, tactics and strategies

• Regulation of Mediation and related issues

• Ethical principles of Mediation

• Online mediation

To ensure the high quality of course delivery, the number of participants on the workshops will be limited and skills practise will be in groups of no more than four participants.

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

Previous Speakers

• Teresa Blake SC

• Mark Gerard Connaughton SC 

• Sara Phelan SC 

• Hugh I Mohan SC 

• Cathy Smith SC

• Cathrina Keville BL

• Michael C. O’Connor BL

Last few places available for Spring entry — apply by 21 April 2026.

Places on this course are limited, and it is often over–subscribed. We have a selection criterion in place, and you are required to submit certain documentation to support your application.

• All applicants will be asked to demonstrate suitability for the course by writing a short personal statement about why they believe they are suitable, as well as their motivation for taking the course. This may include reference to the applicant’s qualifications and / or previous or current work experience relevant to the course.

• Optional: A certified copy of your academic and professional achievements. If you are a qualified barrister in the State it is not necessary to supply this information.

• Optional: Additional Supporting Information – formal verification/letter of support from your employer / appointing body of current or previous appointment(s), where applicable.

• Documents may be submitted in the following formats: pdf, png, gif, jpg, jpeg. The maximum allowed size for each document is 20MB. 
  
  download the personal statement template

HOW DO I 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.

• Acceptance on this course will not be notified on a rolling basis. If you have been accepted, your place on the course will not be secured until payment is received in full. It is advised to pay as soon as you get accepted.

• 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. 

  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