| Title: | Irish Legal System |
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| Long Title: | Irish Legal System |
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| Valid From: |
Semester 1 - 2018/19 ( September 2018 ) |
| Module Coordinator: |
Pio Fenton |
| Module Author: |
Louise Murphy |
| Module Description: |
This module is designed to introduce students to the Irish Legal System and to provide a basis for the study of substantive areas of Irish Law. It introduces the fundamental differences between the Irish Criminal and Civil legal systems, the courts structure and the system of government. |
| Learning Outcomes |
| On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to: |
| LO1 |
Describe the fundamental principles which govern the operation of the Irish Legal System. |
| LO2 |
Identify and explain the various sources of Irish law. |
| LO3 |
Show how the court system is structured and classify the key personnel with reference to recent civil and criminal cases. |
| LO4 |
Describe the criminal process from commission of a crime to sentencing. |
| LO5 |
Explain how civil cases are processed and alternative methods of dispute resolution. |
| Pre-requisite learning |
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named CIT module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s). |
| Not applicable |
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list. |
| Not applicable |
Co-requisite Modules
|
| No Co-requisite modules listed |
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
|
| Not applicable |
Module Content & Assessment
| Indicative Content |
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Key principles of Irish Law
Nature and purpose of law, law and society, law and other disciplines. This history of the Irish legal system. Divisions of Law. Introduction to legal terminology.
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Sources of Law
Bunreacht na hÉireann (The Irish Constitution). The Oireachtas. Legislation. European Union Law. Judicial precedent.
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Courts and Legal Personnel
The Courts Service. Structure & jurisdictional capacity of the Irish Civil and Criminal Courts.
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Criminal Procedure
The concept of a 'crime'. Outline of the criminal process. The role of the Gardaí and DPP. Availability of legal aid. The trial of criminal offences, role of Judge and Jury. Sentencing in criminal cases.
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Civil Procedure
The concept of a 'civil wrong'. Conduct of a civil trial, role of the Judge. The range of civil remedies. The Injuries Board. Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms.
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| Assessment Breakdown | % |
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| Course Work | 30.00% |
| End of Module Formal Examination | 70.00% |
| Course Work |
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| Assessment Type |
Assessment Description |
Outcome addressed |
% of total |
Assessment Date |
| Short Answer Questions |
Short Answer Questions on Principles & Sources of Irish Law |
1,2,3 |
30.0 |
Week 9 |
| End of Module Formal Examination |
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| Assessment Type |
Assessment Description |
Outcome addressed |
% of total |
Assessment Date |
| Formal Exam |
End-of-Semester Final Examination |
1,2,3,4,5 |
70.0 |
End-of-Semester |
| Reassessment Requirement |
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.
|
The institute reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment
Module Workload
| Workload: Full Time |
| Workload Type |
Workload Description |
Hours |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
| Lecture |
Presentation of topic in class |
3.0 |
Every Week |
3.00 |
| Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) |
Reading and research |
4.0 |
Every Week |
4.00 |
| Total Hours |
7.00 |
| Total Weekly Learner Workload |
7.00 |
| Total Weekly Contact Hours |
3.00 |
| Workload: Part Time |
| Workload Type |
Workload Description |
Hours |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
| Lecture |
Presentation of Topic in class |
2.0 |
Every Week |
2.00 |
| Directed Learning |
Reading and Research |
5.0 |
Every Week |
5.00 |
| Total Hours |
7.00 |
| Total Weekly Learner Workload |
7.00 |
| Total Weekly Contact Hours |
2.00 |
Module Resources
| Recommended Book Resources |
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- Kenneally & Tully 2013, The Irish Legal System, Clarus Press [ISBN: 9781905536580]
- Vaeni Mac Donnell 2015, An Introduction to Business Law, 2nd Ed., Chartered Accountants Ireland [ISBN: 9781910374337]
| | Supplementary Book Resources |
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- Áine Keenan 2012, Essentials of Irish Business Law, 6th Ed., Gill Education [ISBN: 9780717152612]
- Raymond Byrne and J Paul McCutcheon 2014, Byrne and McCutcheon on the Irish Legal System, 6th Ed., Bloomsbury Professional [ISBN: 9781780435008]
- Tanya Ni Mhuirthile, Catherine O'Sullivan and Liam Thornton 2016, Fundamentals of the Irish Legal System, Roundhall [ISBN: 9781858007120]
- Matthew Holmes 2017, EU Law, Round Hall Nutshells [ISBN: 9780414060999]
- Carolan 2004, EU Law for Students in Ireland, Gill & Macmillan Ltd [ISBN: 9780717146031]
- Conor Hanly 2015, An Introduction to Irish Criminal Law, 3rd Ed., Gill Education Dublin [ISBN: 9780717159734]
- Fergus W. Ryan 2008, Constitutional Law, 2nd Ed., Thompson Round hall Dublin [ISBN: 9781858004983]
| | This module does not have any article/paper resources |
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| Other Resources |
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- Website: Irish Statute BookIrish Statute Book
- Website: The Courts Service of IrelandThe Courts Service of Ireland
- Website: President of IrelandPresident of Ireland
- Website: Office of the Director of Public ProsecutionsOffice of the Director of Public
Prosecutions
- Website: The European UnionEuropean Union
- Website: The Injuries BoardPIAB
- Website: British and Irish Legal Information Institutehttp://www.bailii.org/
- Website: Department of the TaoiseachConstitution of Ireland
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Module Delivered in
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