Law (BCL)

Applications and Selections

Who Teaches this Course

Requirements and Assessment

Glossary of Terms

Year 1 (60 Credits)

Required LW262: Tort

LW262: Tort

Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 10

The objective of this course is to enable students to achieve an in-depth understanding of the principles governing the law of torts, to examine in detail a number of selected torts and to develop a capacity for critical thinking in relation to the principles and torts examined. While the primary focus will be on the law of torts in Ireland, frequent reference will be made to other common law jurisdictions where many of the legal principles governing this area have been developed.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes

1. A firm understanding of the fundamental principles governing Irish Tort Law
2. An understanding of the key differences between Irish Tort Law and that of the Law of Torts in other jurisdictions
3. An in-depth understanding of a number of selected torts
4. The ability to selectively apply the principles of Tort Law to factual situations
5. The capacity to think critically in relation to the material covered
6. The capacity to reflect on the impact of Tort Law principles on society

Assessments

• Written Assessment (80%)
• Continuous Assessment (20%)

Module Director

• CARMEL FLYNN: Research Profile | Email

Lecturers / Tutors

• MICHEÁL Ó CADHAIN:  Research Profile
• BRIAN PAUL TOBIN:  Research Profile
• CARMEL FLYNN:  Research Profile

Reading List

1. "Tully J, Tort Law in Ireland (Clarus Press 2014)" by n/a
2. "McMahon B & Binchy W, Law of Torts (4th edn, Bloomsbury" by n/a
3. "Quill E, Torts in Ireland (4th edn, Gill & Macmillan 2014)" by n/a
4. "Healy J, Principles of Irish Torts (Clarus Press 2006)" by n/a
5. "Connolly U & Quinlivan S, Tort: Cases and Materials (Thomson Roundhall 2006)" by n/a
6. "McMahon B & Binchy W, A Casebook on Law of Torts (3rd edn, Tottel Publishing 2005)" by n/a

Required LW118: Contract

LW118: Contract

Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 10

The aim of this course is to provide students with knowledge of contract law principles as derived from case law and statute, together with the skills and knowledge necessary to evaluate critically those principles and the scope of their operation; to explain the theoretical and practical context in which contract law principles have evolved and to foster basic legal writing skills and the ability to apply contract law principles to given fact situations.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the core legal principles of contract law
2. Apply those legal principles to everyday situations and problems affecting consumers and commercial enterprises
3. Critically analyse the rules which govern contracts and the policy objectives of those rules
4. Identify areas of contract law in need of reform
5. Compare Irish contract law with the law in other jurisdictions, in particular the UK
6. Use a range of sources referred to in lectures

Assessments

• Written Assessment (60%)
• Continuous Assessment (40%)

Module Director

• CARMEL FLYNN: Research Profile | Email

Lecturers / Tutors

• MICHEÁL Ó CADHAIN:  Research Profile
• CARMEL FLYNN:  Research Profile
• JOHN DANAHER:  Research Profile

Reading List

1. "Chen-Wishart, M, Contract Law, 6th edition (Oxford: OUP, 2018 or 2015)" by n/a
2. "Clark, R, Contract Law in Ireland, 8th edition, (Dublin: Round Hall Press, 2016 or 2013" by n/a
3. "Clark, R & Clarke, B, Contract Cases and Materials, 3rd edition, (Dublin: Gill & Macmillan, 2004)" by n/a
4. "Enright, M, Principles of Irish Contract Law, (Dublin: Clarus, 2007)" by n/a
5. "Furmston, M, Cheshire, Fifoot & Furmston’s Law of Contract, 15th edition, (Oxford: OUP, 2007)" by n/a
6. "McDermott, P, Contract Law, (Dublin: Butterworths, 2001)" by n/a
7. "McKendrick, E, Contract Law – Text, Cases and Materials, 4th edition (Oxford: OUP, 2010)" by n/a
8. "Treitel, G, The Law of Contract, 10th edition, (London: Sweet & Maxwell, 1999)" by n/a

Required LW117: Constitutional Law

LW117: Constitutional Law

Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 10

The objective of this module is to provide students with an overview of the fundamental rights protected by the Constitution. It will explore the philosophical and conceptual basis of constitutional rights, the limits of constitutional rights, the role of the judiciary in protecting constitutional rights and the judgments of the superior courts concerning constitutional rights
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes

1. Be familiar with the impact of the Constitution on the functioning of the State and the citizens of this State
2. Understand the importance of the language used in the Constitution when subject to judicial interpretation, and they should be in a position to discuss and assess specific areas of the Constitution and refer to case law, legislation and academic commentary
3. Understand the dynamics of constitutional reform
4. Critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of the fundamental rights
5. Identify areas in need of reform

Assessments

• Written Assessment (80%)
• Continuous Assessment (20%)

Module Director

• CARMEL FLYNN: Research Profile | Email

Lecturers / Tutors

• MICHEÁL Ó CADHAIN:  Research Profile
• CARMEL FLYNN:  Research Profile
• EOIN DALY:  Research Profile

Reading List

1. "Bunreacht na hÉireann, 1937" by n/a
2. "Hogan, Whyte, Kenny and Walsh: J.M. Kelly: The Irish Constitution (5th Edition) Bloomsbury Professional, 2018" by n/a
3. "Michael Forde, Constitutional Law (3rd edn, First Law, October 2013)" by n/a
4. "Report of the Constitution Review Group (Government Publications 1996)" by n/a
5. "Oran Doyle, Constitutional Law: Text, Cases and Materials (Clarus Press 2008)." by n/a
6. "Gerard Hogan and Gerry Whyte, JM Kelly: The Irish Constitution (4th edn, Lexis Nexis Butterworths 2003)." by n/a

Required LW3120: Understanding the Law

LW3120: Understanding the Law

Semester 1 | Credits: 10

In order to grasp the effect of substantive legal rules, it is essential to understand the context of the legal system. A core objective of this intensive, four week module is to provide students with a solid knowledge of the sources of Irish law and how the system works. A concomitant objective is to prepare the student for the ordinary tasks he/she will likely encounter when working as a practising lawyer or in a related field, i.e., the reading, citation and interpretation of statutes and cases; research of law; legal writing; advocacy; etc. In an overarching sense, and utilising a range of innovative teaching and learning methodologies, the module is intended to expand the student’s capacity for critical thought – to help him/her “think like a lawyer.”
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes

1. be well versed in the sources of Irish law;
2. be familiar with legal terminology;
3. be familiar with the Irish court structure;
4. be cognisant of the impact of EU and international law on the Irish legal system;
5. be able to read and analyse primary and secondary legal sources of law quickly and effectively;
6. have the ability to perform legal research using both traditional methods and online legal databases
7. understand the principles of legal citation and know the OSCOLA Ireland system;
8. write clear, concise and sophisticated prose;
9. Have an enhanced capacity for critical thought.

Assessments

• Continuous Assessment (100%)

Module Director

• CARMEL FLYNN: Research Profile | Email

Lecturers / Tutors

• MICHEÁL Ó CADHAIN:  Research Profile
• CARMEL FLYNN:  Research Profile

Reading List

1. "A Kenneally and J Tully, The Irish Legal System (Dublin, Clarus Press, 2013)" by n/a
2. "Jennifer Schweppe, Rónán Kennedy, and Lawrence Donnelly, How to think, write and cite: Key skills for Irish law students (Dublin, Round Hall Thompson Reuters, 2nd ed, 2016)" by n/a

Required LW3121: Critical Thinking for Lawyers

LW3121: Critical Thinking for Lawyers

Semester 2 | Credits: 10

To provide students with a detailed understanding and applicative knowledge of the basic techniques of argument analysis and construction, persuasion and rhetoric, and legal policy formation.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes

1. Understand the atoms (concepts) and molecules (propositions) of legal argument
2. Know and be able to construct and evaluate the 4-5 main types of legal argument (text-based, precedent-based, tradition-based and policy-based)
3. Be able to map and evaluate the arguments proferred by different lawyers on different sides of a legal case
4. Be able to construct a complex legal argument on a particular case
5. Understand and apply basic principles and techniques of rhetoric
6. Understand and apply basic techniques of persuasion, including use of visual supports (etc)
7. Make a persuasive oral/written presentation
8. Understand some of the ethical/moral/political principles and policies underlying the law
9. Understand and apply basic theories for criticizing and reforming the nature and content of the law

Assessments

• Continuous Assessment (100%)

Module Director

• CARMEL FLYNN: Research Profile | Email

Lecturers / Tutors

• CARMEL FLYNN:  Research Profile

Reading List

1. "- Wilson Huhn The Five Types of Legal Argument (Durham, NC: Carolina Academic Press 2014)" by n/a
2. "- Frederick Schauer Thinking Like a Lawyer (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press 2009)" by n/a

Optional LW127: Family Law

LW127: Family Law

Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 10

The objective of this course is to examine the role of law in regulating the family in Ireland. The first semester of the course focuses on the constitutional family, on marriage, marital breakdown, civil partnership, cohabitants’ rights and domestic violence. The second semester focuses on the rights of children and family issues concerning children, including adoption, child protection, child abduction, guardianship, custody and access.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes

1. Apply the law to each of the subject areas
2. Critically analyse the effectiveness of the law in each area
3. Make effective and substantiated legal arguments
4. Identify and analyse problems from a legal perspective
5. Make effective use of primary and secondary materials

Assessments

• Written Assessment (90%)
• Continuous Assessment (10%)

Module Director

• CARMEL FLYNN: Research Profile | Email

Lecturers / Tutors

• CARMEL FLYNN:  Research Profile
• ANNE EGAN:  Research Profile

Reading List

1. "Jim Nestor, An Introduction to Irish Family Law (4th edn, Gill and Macmillan 2011)" by n/a
2. "Geoffrey Shannon, Family Law (Law Society 2011)" by n/a
3. "Louise Crowley, Family Law (Thomson Round Hall 2013)" by n/a
4. "Alan Shatter, Family Law (Butterworths 1997)" by n/a
5. "Geoffrey Shannon, Child Law (2nd edn, Round Hall 2011)" by n/a
6. "Ursula Kilkelly, Children’s Rights in Ireland: Law, Policy and Practice (Tottel 2008)" by n/a
7. "Carol Coulter, Family Law in Practice: a study of Cases in the Circuit Court (Clarus Press 2009)" by n/a
8. "Geoffrey Shannon, Divorce Law and Practice (Thomson Round Hall 2007)" by n/a
9. "Paul Ward, The Child Care Act 1991 (Round Hall 2005)" by n/a

Optional GR106: Legal German

GR106: Legal German

Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 10

This module is available to students on the Bachelor of Corporate Law and the Bachelor of Civil Law programme. The first year course is designed to consolidate and develop existing language skills. Students are introduced to the German legal system.

Learning Outcomes

1. read and understand texts that deal with contemporary issues such as young people in Germany and Ireland today and multiculturalism.
2. write about contemporary issues such as young people in Germany and Ireland today and multiculturalism.
3. describe aspects of the German legal system, including legal training, the organs of state, the legislative process, the Constitution, and the court structure.
4. describe his/her first year at university, including their subjects, hobbies and accommodation.
5. reflect upon his/her language learning and explain the advantages of learning German for personal development and for career prospects.

Assessments

• Written Assessment (40%)
• Continuous Assessment (40%)
• Oral, Audio Visual or Practical Assessment (20%)

Module Director

• DEIRDRE BYRNES: Research Profile | Email

Lecturers / Tutors

• DEIRDRE BYRNES:  Research Profile
• ÁINE RYAN:  Research Profile
• GERALDINE SMYTH:  Research Profile

Reading List

1. "Essential Grammar of German" by Monika Reimann
   Publisher: Hueber

Optional GR138: Beginners German for B. Corp Law and BCL students

GR138: Beginners German for B. Corp Law and BCL students

Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 10

This module aims to equip students with basic general language skills and to provide them with an overview of the German legal system.

Learning Outcomes

1. understand and use elementary structures of German grammar in oral and written expression.
2. read, understand and answer questions on short German texts.
3. describe the first year at university, including subject choice, hobbies and accommodation.
4. explain some aspects of the German legal system, including legal training in Germany and the organs of state.

Assessments

• Written Assessment (30%)
• Continuous Assessment (45%)
• Oral, Audio Visual or Practical Assessment (25%)

Module Director

• GERALDINE SMYTH: Research Profile | Email

Lecturers / Tutors

• DEIRDRE BYRNES:  Research Profile
• GERALDINE SMYTH:  Research Profile
• VINCENT O'CONNELL:  Research Profile

Reading List

1. "Studio d A1: Kurs- und Übungsbuch" by n/a
   Publisher: Cornelson
2. "Studio d A2: Kurs- und Übungsbuch" by n/a
   Publisher: Cornelson

Optional LW109: Legal French

LW109: Legal French

Semester 2 | Credits: 10

Assessments

• Written Assessment (50%)
• Continuous Assessment (50%)

Module Director

• MARY ANN MANNION: Research Profile | Email

Lecturers / Tutors

• MARY ANN MANNION:  Research Profile