AIMS & OUTCOMES

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

Knowledge – breadth

Examine a range of current legal issues, both on a domestic and European level, that affect clinical practice and hospital management to solve a range of problems related to medical law.  

Knowledge – kind

Demonstrate a critical understanding of the theories, concepts, frameworks, principles and policies underpinning medical law in Ireland and their implications for clinical practice

Know How and Skill – range / Know How and Skill – selectivity / Competence – context 

 Formulate and present legal arguments based on a range of issues or situations that may arise in the medical field, underpinned, where appropriate, by independent and ethical research.  

Know-how and Skill – range / Competence – context 

Critically assess the requirements for giving evidence in a medico-legal context in a range of scenarios and contexts. 

WHO IS THE COURSE FOR?

This programme is suitable for people with a legal and non-legal background, attracting clinical and managerial healthcare professionals and hospital administrators who wish to improve their knowledge of medico–legal aspects of healthcare. It is also of interest to those interested in moving into a medical career. In addition, to lawyers working or seeking to enhance their expertise in medical law, 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 and author Colm Scott–Byrne BL.

Colm specialises in medical law, professional regulation and constitutional law. He has lectured at a number of different institutions in medical law and is currently the author of the Medical Law update for Bloomsbury Professional.

COURSE CONTENT

Module 1: Friday, 10 to Saturday, October 11, 2025 

• Course launch and introduction (live session, recorded)

• Principles of clinical negligence (live session, recorded)

• Standard of care and causation in negligence (live session, recorded)

• Clinical negligence issues: plaintiff and defendant perspectives (live session, recorded)

• Tutorial 1 (live session, not recorded)

Module 2: Friday, 14 to Saturday, November 15, 2025

• Expert evidence (live session, recorded)

• Regulation of medicines (live session, recorded)

• Medical confidentiality and medical records (live session, recorded)

• Clinical research on humans and animals (live session, recorded)

• Tutorial 2 (live session, not recorded)

Module 3: Friday, 16 to Saturday, January 17, 2026 

• Regulation of healthcare professionals (live session, recorded)

• Assisted human reproduction (live session, recorded)

• Coroner’s court (live session, recorded)

• Health practitioner and the family (live session, recorded)

• Tutorial 3 (live session, not recorded)

Module 4: Friday, 20 to Saturday, February 21, 2026 

• Employment issues in health care (live session, recorded)

• Decision–making at the extremities of life (live session, recorded)

• Consent to treatment (live session, recorded)

• Mental health law (live session, recorded)

• Mock mental health tribunal and / or panel discussion on mental health law (live session, not recorded)

Final Lecture: Date to be confirmed

• A view from the Bench (live session, not recorded)

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

Previous Speakers

• Professor Harry Kennedy

• Professor Damian Mohan

• Professor Patrick Plunkett

• Dr Brian Farrell

• Michael Boylan, Solicitor

• Mary Hough, Partner and Head of the Healthcare Team, Hayes Solicitors

• Avril Scally, Partner, Lavelle Partners

• Dr Ciarán Craven SC

• Oonah McCrann SC

• Dr Simon Mills SC

• Asim Sheikh BL

• Neasa Bird BL

• Dr Andrea Mulligan BL

• Mark Tottenham BL

• Lyn McCarthy, Hayes Solicitors

• Sarah McKechnie BL

• Olive Doyle, Partner, Byrne Wallace

• Áine Hynes SC, Partner, St John Solicitors

• Mark Felton, Partner, Felton McKnight Solicitors

• Kate Mitchell, Mental Health Reform

Assessment and 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.

To be awarded the Advanced Diploma, a participant is required to successfully complete one assessment.

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 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.

To be awarded the Advanced Diploma for 2025-2026, a participant is required to successfully complete one take-home assessment.

The assessment methodology for this course is under review for 2026-2027 learners. It is possible that learners will be required to undertake an in-person examination at King’s Inns. We will update this webpage once arrangements are finalised.

Medical practitioners should note that this course for 2025–2026 is approved for 31 Accredited Continuing Education Credits by the College of Psychiatrists in Ireland, on successful completion of the course.Please note that the credits displayed on any CPD certificate will reflect full attendance on the course. For partial attendance, doctors must log reduced credits corresponding only to the hours of educational activity attended, please ensure participants are advised of this.

CONTENT DELIVERY

Mode of Delivery:

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

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: 31 hours

• Self-directed learning:  64 hours

• Assessment work: 40 hours

Total number of hours = 135 hours

Delivery is in part–time mode through the medium of lectures and seminars, presented by leading experts in the area. The course will take place over four weekend modules with live tutorials and lectures on Friday evenings and on Saturdays, plus one weekday evening.

Provisional start date: Friday, 9 October 2026            

Lectures from high calibre experts, both legal and clinical, will be complemented by tutorials which will enable participants’ close focus and honing of skills most relevant to their own decision–making context. This course will provide valuable insights into the legal framework affecting medical practice in Ireland. Contributors will be top clinical and legal experts. Where possible, a service user perspective will be included.

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

Apply here >

• 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. 

  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 >