Learning Outcomes:
At the end of this module, a student who has attended lectures and completed all essential legislative, case-law, text, article and other material readings, will be able to:
a) Outline the sources of law and the hierarchy of these sources in the Irish legal system, as a common law system, and the importance (or otherwise) of "the rule of law" in Ireland.
b) Describe the respective first instance and appellate jurisdiction of Irish courts in criminal and civil matters.
c) Understand the legislative process, and how proposed legislation becomes law.
d) Evidence an ability to read legislation (as appropriate to a Level 1 module), and appraise the rationale for legislation, including the legislative and common law rules for legislative (statutory) interpretation.
e) Detail how the doctrines of precedent and stare decisis underpin the common law legal system.
f) Assess the impact of lawyering and new technologies on legal practice.
g) Appraise the relationship between aspects of international law in the Irish legal system.
Indicative Module Content:
In the 2025/2026 academic year, it is envisaged that the following will be explored.
(1) Module introduction and module expectations.
(2) The context of the rule of law in the Irish legal system
(3) The structure, function and jurisdiction of Irish courts
(4) The creation of legislation
(5) How judges interpret legislation- statutory interpretation
(6) The system of common law;
(7) The doctrines of precedent and stare decisis;
(8) Lawyering in the digital age,
(9) The Irish administrative state, including an introduction to judicial review; and,
(10) International law in the Irish legal system.
(11) Module Conclusion
This is subject to change. A confirmed list of lecture topics will be shared with registered students in January 2026 via Brightspace.