King’s Inns course helps to navigate immigration-and-asylum-law questions

Since the mid–1990s, Ireland has experienced a sea change in this sector's social and policy landscapes. This has arisen in the context of significant inward migration to this country and an unprecedented inflow of international–protection applications, both from individuals and family groups from all over the world.

A substantial national jurisprudence in the area of asylum and immigration law has developed. This case law deals with the meaning, domestic effect, and application of primary and secondary legislation, policy statements, the Refugee Convention, the European Convention on Human Rights, and EU law. In addition, there is a large and growing corpus of European Court of Human Rights and European Court of Justice case law in this important and fast-moving area of law in the broader European context.

The unique Advanced Diploma in Immigration and Asylum Law will provide participants with an overview of the main components of immigration and asylum law in Ireland, including practical knowledge of the State's application processing regimes in this area. It will also address critical legal issues regarding the processing of individual immigration, asylum, and visa applications.

If you make decisions for the State, this course will enhance your capability to prepare robust, fair decisions

The Diploma will appeal 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 the course together allows participants to learn from each other, especially during Q & A sessions.

"If you make decisions for the State, this course will enhance your capability to prepare robust, fair decisions, and if you assist applicants in applying for visas or residence or want to be able to identify potential challenges, it will make you better equipped to do that," says David Leonard BL, the course coordinator for this course.

David is a practising barrister, based at The Bar of Ireland. David has extensive experience and expertise in public law, administrative, regulatory, constitutional law, judicial review, and EU 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.

Commencing on Wednesday, October 13th, this course will be delivered in an online format only through a combination of pre-recorded lectures and live unrecorded sessions. Interactive elements such as class discussions and tutorials will not be recorded and will be cast live only. There will be no in-person attendance at King's Inns for class, though they hope to host an event for students later in the course, public health regulations permitting.

According to a 2020 graduate, the Advanced Diploma is an; "Excellent course with content extremely relevant to those working in the area of international protection. Balanced course content delivered by renowned experts in their respective fields, which provides students with an important insight into the procedural arrangements and obligations of the State and the following requirements of the applicant and their representatives."

Previous speakers on the course include distinguished lawyers and members of the judiciary, and top civil servants who work in the Department of Justice and Office of the Attorney General. The design of the course schedule is to accommodate the needs of participants who are in full-time employment. There will be 20 pre-recorded lectures, released online weekly on Wednesdays from October 2021 to May 2022, with three live online Q & A sessions.

The course fee is €2,550. To be awarded the Advanced Diploma, a participant must successfully complete a written assessment. There are no admission requirements for this course. However, a place on the highly sought-after course is not secured until the course fee is received in full.

The application deadline for the course is midnight on Sunday, October 3rd, 2021. To view the class schedule and the list of expert speakers for this course – and also apply for this Advanced Diploma – visit the King's Inns website.

About King's Inns

Based between Henrietta Street and Constitution Hill in Dublin 1, King's Inns is an independent educational institution renowned for professional legal education and training. It is Ireland's oldest School of Law and one of Ireland's significant historical environments.

As well as educating future and qualified barristers, the School extends its reach to a diverse community of people from legal and non–legal backgrounds offering accessible part-time courses in specialist areas of the law.

With courses taught by expert law practitioners, King's Inns students include leaders, advocates, innovators, and game-changers, from industries across Ireland and abroad. The School excels in promoting the use of the Irish language in the law.

For more information, visit kingsinns.ie