Course Description
Diploma in In-House Practice
This course is designed to provide in-house lawyers or aspiring in-house lawyers with a comprehensive understanding of the varied, challenging, and stimulating work that confronts those working in business and in the public sector. The in-house role has evolved from a traditional role of ‘head of legal’ to a more dynamic, high-level and business-oriented position. Feedback confirms that the in-house lawyer is obliged to ‘wear many hats’ and negotiate with a variety of stakeholders. Participants will recognise the varied role of the in-house lawyer and the many business and interpersonal skills that the position requires, and they will assess how to best manage business expectations while juggling the competing interests of various stakeholders.
The course examines a number of substantive legal topics that confront in-house counsel, such as setting up and managing an in-house function, ethics, privilege, commercial contracts, employment, compliance, governance, procurement, and data protection.
Module 1: The role of the in-house lawyer – risk, privilege, strategy
- Introduction to the role of in-house lawyer,
- Setting up an in-house function,
- Mixed role of in-house lawyer,
- Ethics,
- Legal risk,
- Privilege in an in-house context,
- Use of external counsel and budgets,
- In-house data protection issues.
Module 2: Essential negotiation and commercial contracts
- Essential negotiation and commercial contracts,
- Negotiating contracts,
- Best practices and pitfalls in commercial agreements,
- Fundamental legal contract provisions,
- Drafting contracts,
- E-Commerce and software contracts,
- IP in the in-house context,
- Dispute resolution,
- Procurement law and practice.
Module 3: Compliance
- Compliance,
- Directors’ duties,
- Role of the ethics officer,
- Role of compliance officer,
- Effective drafting of policies and procedures,
- Compliance and the company secretarial function,
- Public bodies,
- Company law overview,
- ESG reporting,
- Equality, Diversity & Inclusion.
Module 4: Technology and AI
- Technology & AI,
- Transforming legal operations,
- Future of legal practice.
Module 5: Employment law and litigation
- Employment law and litigation,
- Human resource management,
- Commercial Court,
- Discovery.
College | Law Society of Ireland - Diploma Centre |
Course Location | Dublin |
Location Postcode | Dublin 7 |
Course Category | Legal Studies, Law |
Course Type | Blended Learning - Mix of Classroom & Online |
Course Qualification | Postgraduate Diploma |
Awarding Body | Law Society of Ireland |
Awarding Body Details | Diploma |
Course Start Date | 25th February 2025 |
Course End Date | 14th June 2025 |
Course Duration | 5 months |
Course Time | Online lectures 6pm - 9pm. Workshops 1 - 3 take place in-person on Saturdays. |
Course Fee | 2,700 |
Entry Requirements | This course is suitable for the following: - Solicitors, barristers, and trainees with an interest in the area of in-house practice; - Those employed in an in-house position in the public or private sector who wish to develop their skills and further their legal knowledge of the area; and - Solicitors and other professionals who wish to gain insight into the topical areas of data protection and regulation with respect to in-house practice. We welcome applications for this course from suitably qualified non-members. Please explain your interest and set out any relevant experience in a cover letter and a brief CV. Such applications are subject to a supplemental fee of €350. |
Course Provider
Law Society of Ireland - Diploma Centre
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Law Society of Ireland - Diploma Centre
Dublin
Dublin