AIMS & OUTCOMES

This unique Advanced Diploma will provide participants with a comprehensive and practical knowledge of the public procurement regime, and will address a range of issues in depth, from invitations to tender, to conducting the various procurement processes, selection of tenderers, tender evaluation, contract conclusion and procurement litigation. 

Participants will also acquire an understanding of how procurement can be used to achieve innovation and promote government policies. Participants will have a thorough grounding in the differences between the utilities and public sector regimes, and the intersection between procurement law and competition, state aid and intellectual property.

On completion of the course, you should be better able to:

• Examine the legal framework in which public procurement operates and the applicable rules;

• Identify situations which may give rise to procurement litigation;

• Describe and explain current legal issues affecting the tender and evaluation process;

• Describe and explain key provisions and case law affecting this area;

• Apply knowledge to factual problem scenarios.

WHO IS THE COURSE FOR?

The course will appeal to procurement professionals, public sector and utility employees, academic and government researchers, industry, policymakers, legal practitioners, regulators and judges. It will also appeal to all businesses that undertake big or small public and private contracts.

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

The designers and lead lecturers of the course are barristers Dr Catherine Donnelly SC and Michael Judge BL. 

Catherine is one of Ireland’s leading procurement practitioners. She specialises in data protection, public procurement, competition, regulatory and European law. Michael specialises in European law and practices in administrative law, commercial/chancery, general practice, and judicial review.

COURSE CONTENT

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

• Introduction to public procurement law

• The scope of the public procurement rules

• Procedures, contracts and drafting the tender documentation

• Conducting a lawful process I + II

• Intersections between public procurement and competition law

• Innovation in public procurement and intellectual property

• Sub–threshold contracts

• Contract conclusion

• Frameworks

• Procurement in the utilities sector

• Public procurement and secondary policies

• Public procurement litigation I + II

• Transparency in public procurement

• Public procurement: A view from the Bench 

• Seminar: Practical problems in procurement

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

Previous Speakers

• The Hon. Justice David Barniville

• Eileen Barrington SC

• Dr Aoife Beirne BL

• Aaron Boyle, Partner, Arthur Cox

• Kerri Crossen, Partner, Philip Lee

• Anna–Marie Curran, Partner, A&L Goodbody

• Joseph Dalby SC

• Dr Catherine Donnelly SC

• Nathy Dunleavy BL

• Joanne Finn, Partner, DAC Beachcroft

• Dr James Kinch, CSSO

• Patrick McGovern, Retired Partner, Arthur Cox

• Audrey Murtagh, CSSO

• Jonathan Newman SC

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.

COURSE DELIVERY

This course takes place in an online format only, live via Zoom, with recordings of lectures available after class is over. Interactive elements such as class discussions / tutorials will not be recorded and will be cast live only.

The course takes place over approx. 18 weeks from October to April, with lectures on Wednesdays from 8.30 am to 10 am.

Most 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 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.

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. 

  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